The Chai Room....it's all the groove you know

For those who may be unaware or unsure, can you explain exactly what "chai" is

Chai as a direct translation actually means "tea" in many languages.  However, in India "chai" is made with a variety of spices depending on what region you are from.

Over time as "chai" with spices has been introduced into many other countries the name Chai seems to have stuck and become associated with "spicy" or "masala" tea. Masala is the term used for a mix of spices.

What role has chai played in your life personally and what drove you to want to share this with others

Chai has been part of my life since I can remember.  It has deep cultural roots as I grew up in a traditional Indian household.  Chai was the drink that we would always welcome our guests with when they came over.  My mum would usher them into our front room saved for "best" and immediately get to work in the kitchen brewing up a magic creamy spicy chai concoction while my father kept them entertained.

I would watch in awe as she put it all together with expertise and of course we would have a mountain of Indian sweets and savouries: all presented beautifully on her best trays and her best chinaware.  Even strangers would become at ease as they sipped on my mum's chai and listen to her soft nostalgic stories.

Since my childhood this is a tradition I have always upheld no matter where I have been living in the world.  When I would make chai, it was everything to me....my comforter when I missed home, a welcome ice-breaker amongst friends and a way to reconnect with my history.

The ritual of making chai itself gives one time to wind-down and re-energise which is what I have always loved.

I have also found in times of loneliness, making chai brings back the warm memories of our fully happy home and since then I have been able to recreate that here with my own family and this is what motivated me to share it with others.

There never seems to be the "right time" or "enough time" for anything these days, but you can find a balance.  Through learning from my mum's generous soul, she taught my sister and I to do our best to give and not expect anything back. 

One thing that money cannot buy is time and it's a wonderful thing to be able to give someone a little bit of yours (time) to listen: I feel that I can that when I make someone a cup of chai....hence the name "The Chai Room", as whenever our mum had a pot of chair brewing on the stove we always knew the house would be full of good company.

What we particularly love is that inviting aroma (which seems to be a beautiful extension of yourself with your genuine enthusiasm and delight with each customer interaction) that greets folk as they discover what's in the Marrickville Market Hall.  But what we absolutely adore is your take home sachets and blends.  Is there a standard 'base' level to each type blend before adding other spices or is it more of an accidental discovery each time you have that creative urge to push that chai boundary a little bit further

The recipes for our chai is a family recipe that tell the story of the journey of our ancestors from India via the trade route in the early 19th Century, to then settle in East Africa (Tanzania) and then my parents migration to England in the early 1960's.

So the spices I use are a blend of Indian and Zanzibar (where my mum was born) and of course coming to England made the process even more formal with an ethnic twist!

Zanzibar has also been known as Spice or Clove Island. So that is why I prefer to use cloves instead of peppercorns or star anise.  The ginger is the "Indian" component.  I also use vanilla and cardamom and cinnamon as these spices are what gives the chai a balanced taste.

Throughout the whole process I try to keep the spices as authentic as possible, which is why I prefer to make my own ginger for the Ginger Masalas Blend by drying it and grinding it myself.

How important are markets in the world of The Chai Room

Throughout the world I believe that markets are the beginning of anything great, creative and free.  I have been brought up around markets all my life and have always used them as a source of inspiration.  It is a wonderful platform to be able to express your ideas and passion and with so much support not only from the market organisers themselves, but the community of the market from stallholders to punters. 

I especially love being part of Marrickville Markets due to the diversity it offers to everyone that is a part of it.  I meet people from many walks of life and  the interaction is genuine.  I love hearing people's stories and creating a connection and Marrickville Market certainly is the central hub for this.

For those who have yet to try, what 5 words would you use to encourage them to at least try some chai (or the chai cupcake even!)

Spicy yet smooth and palatable
Mouthwateringly delicious
Ambrosial
Scrumptious
Delightful!

(sorry!  I cheated)

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The love, the warmth and the tradition is truly felt in these words, so why not be part of Fatema's world albeit for a few hours every Sunday.  As you meander through the markets up to the hall, let the waft of chai sweep you in to the Hall, purchase a cup, taste a cupcake, even buy some to take home so you can continue that comfort feeling throughout the week with family, friends or that special "me time" moment.

A massive thank you to Fatema for bringing some of her world in to ours and yours every Sunday and we look forward to seeing many many MANY happy Chai faces wandering around our markets!

5 Questions with Bowen's

Bowen's Bacon & Egg rolls have developed quite a reputation around the Inner West. What's the secret (or would you have to silence us permanently before telling!)

The special ingredient is probably attention to detail. Yes we use very high quality ingredients, but that alone doesn't guarantee success.  It's the way the egg & bacon are cooked, the amount of bacon we put on each roll, even the way the bread roll is cut.

But most importantly, it's the people in the stall - that's the most critical part of almost any business; getting the right people.  If you don't have the right people you can't do any of these things well.

Why markets?

My wife started to have children and now we have 6. This meant she couldn't work anymore during the week which was the perfect opportunity to do what I had always wanted to do: set up a market stall.

Always there with a smile, always happy to chat with customers, the Bowen's mob are a part of what (we feel at least) makes Marrickville Markets such a mecca on Sundays. What is it about market life that sets it apart from shopfront retail

Well about the "Bowen mob" first - you can't train someone to be friendly like that. Giving someone a great roll and having a tiny chat can literally make their morning.

On the question of retail: I suppose the difference is that market allows people to connect with the old world.  Markets have existed for literally thousands of years.  It's a much less formal environment.

Rain, hail or shine you are there weekend in weekend out.  How is that for you

When it's pouring with the rain the die-hards still come out.  On days like that you make just enough to buy a coffee, but we're there for them regardless - every week without fail.

The perfect day for us is a brisk but sunny day in winter.

For anyone who has yet to make Bowen's Bacon & Egg Roll their Sunday Routine, what 5 words would you use to get them to get in there and give it a go

We have vegetarian customers - REALLY!

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Now want to see what all the fuss is about and why it is IMPERATIVE you join the throngs of die-hard fans who have been known to travel quite a distance simply to grab a bacon & egg roll?

HA! Tricked you (albeit a little late for Halloween).  Only way to find out is to try one of these babies!  Develop patience for that is what the die-hards do, such is their devotion!

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!