Birgitta the Queen of Baking!

When did you have your debut at Marrickville Markets, and how did that come about?

I think I have been here for about 6 years.  I actually started market life at Frenchs Forest Markets but wanted a market which closer for me I decided to give it a go.

I love Marrickville Markets because of its uniqueness and the customers are absolutely wonderful.  

Why the markets? I had returned from the USA after life as a professional chef and decided to try something totally different & it's just grown from there....and the journey continues!

You have an extraordinarily large (and ever increasing we must add!) fan base.  What is it about market life that keeps you baking?

Market life is an interesting business and not easy by any means.  It goes without saying, it's my customers who drive me.  They feel like an extended family and they also provide me with major input to my product range with suggestions and requests, which then provides me with the opportunity to go away, explore and create.

For me the big picture is this: there is nothing better than sharing food with others.

From a tiny little kitchen comes some of the world's amazing creations.  You have your core stock of goodies and have now ventured in to the world of gluten free (which we can personally attest to their deliciousness).  

From start to finish, how long does it take you to make these babies until they are ready for market?

I am continually searching for new ideas or variations of current ones.  Trends tend to dictate a little in what I make and that is as a result of requests from my customers.

Gluten free is a major example of this.  As allergies increase so then does the need to a) gain knowledge and b) find alternatives so as to accommodate and have it translated in my food. This cycle is never ending.

I can make variations of an idea and then make adjustments to what tastes good to me personally, which is a bit a "trial and error" process.

My customers are the final deciders because I will always let them know if it's a new product and then ask for their feedback, including any suggestions they feel might improve the product.

This process can take weeks sometimes or if I have struck the jackpot it will be an instant hit!

The best satisfaction for any stallie is when that golden 'sold out' sign goes up.  What has been your biggest sale of any product in one day?

Hmmmm. Well I guess the answer is a bit seasonal because at Christmas if I ever see another mince tart by Christmas Eve, there are times I would have to scream from the rooftops!

(insert screaming!)

But in winter it is always the Dulce de Leche Brownie

What does the future hold for the Queen of Baking?

At the moment I am starting my little big cake range, which is basically taking a cake like Raspberry Coconut (which is my best seller) and miniaturising it which you could take to afternoon tea's or as a gift.

They look sooooooo cute!

Beyond that?  Well it's about time I hit the web and joined the rest of the universe and expand access to those who can get themselves to the markets to find me!

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Fortunately for us, we CAN get to her at the Markets and so can you!  Every Sunday peeps, so if you haven't you must, cause once tried you will be forever enslaved!!

And cause we can, we would like to thank Ciao Mag for allowing us to include this great little article they did on our Queen of Baking recently.

Ciao Mag

Pastry Ninja

How did Pastry Ninja come in to being

Pastry Ninja came about in 2008. I had just moved into a property a few doors down from Marrickville Market in Addison Road.  This was the beginning.

Once I saw the market I wanted to become part of it!

The name was thought out on a rainy day, sitting at home mid July 2008.

I had a few names on paper and someone just commented about me working like a Ninja and that was that...Pastry Ninja was born.

You have "just the right size" in the tartlettes where for it would be a "get your own. THIS is mine!".  Was this a deliberate choice or was it more of a learning from the customer type evolution

Yes the tart size are just the right size.

We deliberately chose the  tart size and then found the case size to match. But yes, we were thinking it was the perfect size for one (person).

What would be your best seller at market

The best seller is definitely the Lemon Meringue Pie

Now firm faves amongst the Marrickville Market shoppers, how much of a role does market'eering play in the world of the Pastry Ninja

Market life is our life.  We participate in quite a few markets around Sydney every week.  So right now it is 100% of Pastry Ninja's life.....well maybe 99%

How would you sum up life at Marrickville Market in 5 words

Eclectic, humming, Jim (manager), alternative, fulfilling

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Having personally tasted just about every item the Ninja's have on offer we can attest to their yumminess and more importantly suggest you get yourselves to Marrickville Market to sample some yourselves.   They are seriously easy to find....just look for the AMAZING display and then dive head first in to the land of treats just for one

It would be a crime if we didn't include at least one more photo of what we feel is the all time up there 100% favourite number one photo of probably the singularly most pleasurable mouth explosion treat (in case you hadn't already guessed we kinda sorta LOVE this product): it melts in the mouth, it must be eaten immediately to avoid having to share, then one must simply return for more to take home!