A Celebration of everything that is Slowly Does It Food

Can you give us a brief history as to how "Slowly Does It Food" came in to your life and the process behind the name

"Slowly Does It Food" started out as a packaged food market stall about 4 years ago. The name related to the type of food I cooked and packaged (ie: slow cooked stews, lamb shanks and french daubes) and also to the more general food philosophy promoted by the "slow food movement".

Slow food is about preserving food traditions and promoting agricultural sustainability, bio-diversity, small producers and endangered foods.

Just over 2 years ago I transformed the business to an online food market selling organic fruit & veg, grass fed meats, fresh fish and an ever increasing amount of pantry produce and deli items.

I felt the name "Slowly Does It Food" represented the food ethos of the online shop so I kept it!  

Slow food rules!

While you have only recently joined us at Double Bay, you are incredibly well entrenched at our Kings Cross Market (and an insanely popular stallie at that!).  What has been the biggest trend for your stall that you have noticed so far?

I would say definitely the biggest growth is with my more senior clientele.  The amount of times people tell me that that "this apple" or "that tomato" reminds them of the fruit and vegetables from their childhood has made me realise that we are starting to come full circle with food production.

I genuinely believe more and more people simply want food that has been grown naturally and more importantly, tastes better.

Do you think that there has been a noticeable change in the way consumers shop where opting to shop for organic produce at a market rather than smash-and-grab in a supermarket?

People are definitely more aware that supermarkets put the squeeze on producers & growers making it very hard for them to have a decent income and produce good flavoursome produce.

Generally I hear customers commenting that organic produce offered at supermarkets is of poor quality and range.

My own theory, for what it's worth, is that it is not in the interest of the supermarkets to promote good quality organic produce over conventional sprayed produce.

Spray produce has a longer shelf life, is easier to produce and transport and has a more consistent appearance, so why would supermarkets want people to buy organic produce?  Just a theory....

What has been the largest amount of any item you have sold in one day?

Kale!  We take 60 bunches of the freshest kale to Market every week, and 3 varieties at that.  Along with English Spinach and Silverbeet.  We sell over 100 bunches of fresh greens every week and can only see that increasing with Double Bay Market now being part of our Slowly Does It Food world.

Having said that, we noticed a pretty good flow of "have you got any garlic" from our Double Bay'ites so the race is officially on!

In 5 words, why should people buy organic, more especially, buy their organic fare from Slowly Does It Food?

Vegetables taste better from Bob

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And yes they do!  Huge thanks to Bob for sharing a bit of what makes Slowly Does It Food an absolute must-buy-from favourite amongst the Double Bay Market community

5 Questions with Gourmandise de Paris

Since your start at Double Bay Markets, you have gained an incredibly large and loyal fan base.  As relative "newbies" how has this reaction been for you

I am absolutely thrilled with it.  To start with it wasn't easy but as people got to know us and us working incredibly hard at providing good products, we are really proud of what we have achieved since starting.

How long does it take to set up stall each market

All up it takes about an hour

With samples, come smiles and with smiles which in turn results in purchases...as a chef how does that make you feel

Everyone who tastes our products really enjoy them. We've had people tell us that they love it and want to know more about how we make them and are above surprised when they learn that I am the chef!

You have created little corner of Paris that seems to draw people in.  Was this deliberately planned or did it come from observing customers seeking somewhere to sit and truly enjoy your French culinary creations

It just simply seemed to "fit" with what we were wanting to do.  Because some of our food is not take away, and needs plates and cutlery, it seemed a shame to not have a nice place to sit, chill, enjoy and eat.

For anyone who has NOT yet been to Double Bay Markets, how would you sum up the fabulousness of it to them

Double Bay Market has a lot to offer from things for the kids to do (jumping castles and baby animal farm), really nice fresh fruit and vegetable, cheeses and of course some FABULOUS French food.  For me it's interesting, it's friendly and it's relaxing.

To anyone who hasn't been yet, I would absolutely recommend that they come, have a look and enjoy it!

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Trust us when we say you too will fall head over heels in love with Gourmandise de Paris and like everyone before you, the queue will be calm for the die-hards know, their patience will be rewarded above and beyond.  Every Thursday rain, hail or shine these wonderful people are at our market so...the rest is up to you! 

Sharing the Double Bay Love with Murray

When did you first discover the delights of Double Bay Market

I had passed by a couple of times over the last year, but didn't have time to wander through. I was recently commissioned by the Double Bay Chamber of Commerce to take photos and we agreed that the markets was a great feature point of the area.

I was very pleased I got the chance to pop off a few photos and have a better look through the stalls at market

Do you have a favourite stallie? If so, who and why

Every stall in the market is great!  One that I like in particular is the pasta stand. According to them they sell "Life Changing Ravioli"

Is there a "must buy can't go home without" purchase that is to be bought at all costs

Without a doubt the vegetables 

and rustic bread

Very fresh, very healthy, very delicious!

The markets are a great place for kids to jump like crazy on the castle to shake out those cobwebs, see and play with baby animals and if daring enough take a pony ride.

What is it about these markets that (from your perspective) makes it not just interactive, but a great place to hang

I really like the relaxed vibe of the market.  All the stallholders are very friendly, happy to talk about their products and in some cases give out samples so you can try before you buy

For anyone who has not yet been, what 5 words would you use as encouragement

Do it, you'll love it!

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Massive shout out to Murray for sharing not just some of his time but his photos of our market.  And as he says "Do it. You'll love it!"