5 questions with Jackie M

How long have you been at Marrickville Markets

I've been there since day 1....how long ago was that!!!

We know you have your ever faithful weeklies, but what has been one of the biggest orders or most unusual questions you have had about your food

Both Marrickville Markets & Orange Grove Markets attract a lot of shoppers with special dietary requirements and sometimes it's not as clear cut as vegetarian vs non vegetarian.

For example, I once had someone ask for a Char Kway Teow (stir-fried rice noodles) that was vegetarian, but then specified if I used seafood that was alright as long as the seafood didn't have legs.  I assumed prawns would be out of the question, but apparently they were ok.  

I still can't figure out what he meant by "legs" on seafood.

There are so many different shades of each category dietary needs that instead of trying to be all things to all me, I've adapted by introducing a range of Curry Pastes so my customers can decide if they want us to use free range/organic, vegetables, fish , white or dark meat etc.  That way thy can also "legitimately" claim to have prepared dinners themselves, albeit with some assistance from my products!

I have also recently started to teach people how to cook via my Cooking Workshop Masterclasses, videos, blogs and my soon-to-be-launched free mobile app.  That way they can take the skills and apply it to their own dietary needs.

What did you do before becoming the Queen of Malaysian Cooking and why the change?

I was an IT consultant for around 8 years, doing contract work mainly within the financial sector and merchant banking industry.

I was based in London in the late 90's and coming back to Australia in 2001 (post Y2K "scare" was over).  Contract work became scarce and I didn't want to go fulltime, so I figured it was the right time to get into something I really love: Malaysian food which I'd missed since leaving my home country back in 1984.

My parents got their start in Malaysia selling street-food so in some ways I see it as taking up their mantle, though I am sure they would have much preferred if I had stayed within a "safe" career.

You run an incredibly successful restaurant, conduct master classes and more, yet you remain part of market life

I sold my restaurant several weeks ago!  I'm now based in a commercial studio in Darlinghurst where customers drop in to pick up our frozen curries, Grab-N-Go meals, curry pastes and also other Malaysian spices mixes and Carotino red palm fruit oil.

I've started a CBD delivery service of our on-line orders now that I am right in the heart of the city and I also run internet broadcasts and mini Malaysian cooking workshops from my studio.  It's all very new (we only launched a few weeks ago!) but I'm very excited about this venture.

I hope to remain a part of Market life for as long as my business is around.  It's where I got my start and it's a great medium for me to be able to experiment with new dishes and offerings with relatively low overheads.

Plus being able to interact directly with my customers means I get to know first-hand what they are after.

How does Noah cope with fame & fortune, given he is (without a doubt) the number one operator of Jackie M

The first week I brought him to market he was stressed from the heat, noise & smoke having just been discharged from Westmead Hospital after spending 7 months of his life there.  

Since then he's grown to love it.  I can tell because he can't stop grinning all the way in the van en route and absolutely thrives on the social interaction with other market stall holders and with our customers.

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And that's is just a smidge of the world known as Jackie M Malaysian Cuisine!  Her food is from the heart which is why it is SO good and from all accounts as do you.

Sharing the love with Natalie

When did you first "meet" and then fall hopelessly in love with Marrickville Markets

I've lived in the Inner West for about 4.5 years and only just started to go at the beginning of 2013!  BOO to me!!!

What is it about this market (from your perspective) that makes it such a Sunday mecca for not just Inner Westies, but those from further afield

I definitely think it's got that really nostalgic feel to it.  You come to the market and the stallholders are really passionate about what they do and their produce.

It reminds me of going to a fete or carnival as a kid.  There's a real sense of community, togetherness and joy. It's a really inviting environment where you can communicate with others and share with the stallholders...life, cooking, growing produce and everything in between.

Who is your favourite stallie and why

I have to choose?  Eeek!!!  I'd have to go with the juice store....the "green needs" drink is tops!

Are you person who likes to take time out from the madding crowd, chillax with friends and watch the world go by OR are you on a time constraint and even though you would prefer to stay longer, simply are unable

I definitely make a day of it.  Sunday is my day to unwind and escape from the responsibilities of everyday life so I always look forward to going to market throughout the week.

I to to the gym on Sunday morning and then walk down to the market from Enmore (where I live), grab a "green needs" juice from the juice stall and have a gander/meander with my wicker basket and macro bags in hand!  Before I leave i HAVE to have Earth Plate for lunch: it's my ideal Sunday afternoon.

In 5 words, how would you sum up the Marrickville Market experience

Relaxing, organic, boho, green & eclectic

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And on that note we say thanks to Nat for sharing her love and photos of Marrickville Market!

Cause we love that you love....SHOUTOUT time!

Nadine

Kevin R

Lady V

angeliqueitsme

Nate

The Nourishing Space

Dianna

Sharing the love with Rebecca

You are passionate about food, photography and more.  What initially drew you to Marrickville Markets

I had gotten into a lazy routine of buying very expensive non-fresh produce from one of the bigger supermarket chains.  I found it hard to find organic produce on my goat-trail and that meant I had to make the effort to drive to an organic store once a week and paid big time $$$$.  When I stumbled across the Organic Food Markets in Kings Cross I found (on line) links to their other locations and Marrickville is SO close to home, it was destiny.

With such an eclectic mixture of food, people and more, do you have a "fave" stallie

I have lots of favourites and I go to see them all!  I really love the ladies who sell the medicinal herbs and plants. They have a wealth of knowledge and are so passionate about what they do.

As with most things, there will always be some who are yet to be enlightened as to the benefits of organic produce.  How much of role does the "organic lifestyle" play in your world

I believe it's a way for "the people" to become empowered to make a positive change in the world.  As simple as it may seem, the mentality behind why we choose organics is really one of holistic mindfulness.

It pervades so many aspects of our lives from cooking to gardening to how we view health care, environmental & political issues, and even a spiritual understanding.

We are all going through a process of becoming more aware, and when we understand these things from a holistic perspective, we gain insight into the truth and nature of our world.

And we thought it was just about the vegetables!

Do you have a NEVER go home without item, or do you simply go with the flow, discover what's new, what's seasonal and what's on the horizon

I never go home without organic kale. It's my staple and I love to buy it from the market stalls because it's so fresh!

In one sentence, who would you describe the "vibe" of Marrickville Markets

The vibe: Sunday mornings at Marrickville Market is like entering a playground full of smiles, tastes, smells and inspiration.  It's so good for the soul.

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Thanks to Rebecca for sharing not just her love but some of her photos of the Sunday institution aka Marrickville Markets

5 Questions with Black Orchid

How did Belle Fleur (aka Black Orchid) discover and then make its Marrickville Market debut and what was the time frame for "found it, love it, now to become part of it"

As I started my floristry business from home after re-skilling from the Financial Industry, I happened to stumble across Marrickville Markets in Christmas 2009 and had to be a part of it asap!

There was a waiting list which I patiently waited out and fortunately it didn't take long for me to be offered my permanent spot under the tree in the hustle and bustle of it all.

You also run a fantastically successful business when not at market.  Has it been difficult to juggle (and given that you are now also a new mummy to a GORGEOUS little man) or do you somehow strike the magical balance

The balance is a very fine line and one that I struggle with each weekend (rain, hail or shine!).  I am the first one to jump up and be there.

Addison Road has such a great energy and community spirit and I feel part of the family there.  The stallholders and management have nurtured and supported my life long dream of becoming a florist AND also supported me in opening a shop in the local area for which I am incredibly thankful.

I have a wonderful team made up of friends, family and staff who allow me to do what I do on a consistent basis.

Flowers love rain and we love (as do your fans!) that your stall is here no matter what the weather.  How much prep time is needed so that when you do arrive at market it's a tight routine of park, unload, park car, set up stall, prepare for trading (and if you're lucky to getting a moment's breath prior to the onslaught of shoppers!)

For the stall to be there on a Sunday in full swing (which it is) the planning and preparation starts the Wednesday prior.  This includes talking to the local growers to see what's in season, the specials, peak season and working out a variety in the shopping list.

Next is 5am a trip on Friday and Saturday to Flemington Markets to pick up what I can fresh ten off to Galston to collect from smaller independent growers.

By Saturday afternoon the shop staff are busy pre-wrapping and prepping the flowers for the Sunday morning rush.

Brown paper floral packages tied up with strings...these are a few of my favourite things (insert waltz music please!)

Why flowers?

I have always loved the colours, fragrances, ever changing seasons and varieties. Flowers evoke happiness in people: I like that

For you, what is the best aspect of market life?

Definitely all of my customers and the stallholders who have become an extended family.  We are all there to support one another: rain hail or shine!

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Not only do we thank Olivia for sharing some of her time but that she delivers each week to the ever faithful 'rain, hail or shine!'

Shout out time!

Rhani

@townfield

Johnny McK

Fanny

@krainford

Hannah

@princesssabrina

@shazz_a

Sharing the love with Kirstie

When did you first discover Marrickville Markets?

I moved to Marrickville nearly 2 years and "discovered" the markets then, along with Reverse Garbage and The Bower.  I loved the feel of the place and just kept going back

What is is that keeps drawing you back to the point of (dare we say), fanaticism

I love the feeling of being part of a community and I get that feeling from going to the markets most (ok, pretty much every!) Sundays.

There is a great mix of stallholders who are really friendly, but most of all I love being able to buy my weekly veg, meat and dairy direct from the farmers knowing it has been grown locally and sustainably and that my money is going to benefit the farmer directly.

Who is your favourite stallie and why

Picking just one is hard!  But I guess my favourite stall is Mannelli Farms where I buy my fruit and veg each week. I love knowing the produce is seasonal, it tastes delicious and is great value for money!

Is organic an "organic" part of your life?

It's just over the last few years (I'm a late starter!) that I have been learning more about what food is good or bad for me and the environment, which is why I now choose free range/organic/pesticide free wherever possible.

I also think it's really important to support local farmers so they can continue to produce the food that is best for us.  Having Marrickville Markets so close makes it easy for me to do this and yes, has made organic an "organic" part of my life!

In 5 words, how would you describe (and encourage those have not yet been to) Marrickville Markets

This is difficult, but I'll try!

Marickville Market is: 

Friendly

Vibrant

Fresh

Local 

Eclectic

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And on that note we say THANK YOU to Kirstie for loving our markets, taking photos of these markets but most of all spending time to answer our 5 Questions!

Marrickville's strgrammers!

We love sharing the love and we know there are "strammgers" who share their love of our markets so we figured it was time to say thank you to some of them (and yes: we are allowed to use these photos!)

@kay-el-emm

@rebeccaspear

@sassybites

@zintaa

@rhanianne

Rachel

5 Questions with Kate Henshaw

When did you first become a member of the Marrickville Markets "family"?

We have been customers of the markets since they first opened and have loved watching the growth of this famous Marrickville institution.  We began our stall selling our home made jams and relishes two years ago and the fritters evolved as a taster for the relishes.  It was a very "organic" evolution

Can you give us a little bit of history about The Fritter House, most especially the "gluten free" chapter?

Corn fritters have always been our favourite at-home Sunday lunch.  We would grab a few tasty cobs at the markets and whizz them up.  When we decided to do them at the markets alongside our jams & relishes, it seemed a natural progression to make them gluten-free.

I love a culinary challenge and because a family member is coeliac and was always lamenting the lack of suitable foods at the markets, we felt really inspired to by the idea.  In fact we now make our own Tabasco and Worcestershire Sauces from scratch to put on the serving counter! They are pretty popular for sure.

What has been the reaction to your stall since your debut at Marrickville Markets?

We have met some fantastic people who are our customers and now good friends too. We know people love our food because they keep coming back!

You would be amazed at how many folk say they have been dreaming of our fritters! We are so happy that other stallholders like our food too.  

I think our customers love the fact that we are a family business and we sing silly corn-fritter songs.  They appreciate that we get our eggs from Yvonne (the egg lady) and buy local for our stall.  They like that our signs are handmade and we are always trying to make whatever we do even better!

What has been the record number of fritters you have sold in one day?

Our best days are when people who are coeliac come and find that our entire stall is gluten-free.  That is a reward you can't quantify

What 5 words would you use to describe market life?

Family

Fulfilling

Community

Sustainable

"The Way of the Future"

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So there you have it!  Amazing story for one of our most beloved stallies.  Thanks to Kate for sharing just a bit of her world and allowing us to use some of her photos to "share the love".