helloooooo

Robyn

Pia

msdarlinghurst

thebagelshop

Liz

Thuy

Jessie

flowertree_healthfoods

Mai Creation

Local Market Guide

Simon

5 Questions with Lee & Wami

From free range eggs to biodynamic fruit and veg: you are now a well entrenched and much loved stallie at Kings Cross Market.  What do you love most about market life

The markets are where you go to get something that is not available at your local store, an experience, something unusual or just a bargain.  We love being the one who brings this to people.

Your eggs literally "fly" out the door.  Can you explain what defines "organic" and "free range" and why they not only taste better, but more importantly, why we should choose to buy these types of eggs as opposed to those in the local supermarket

Well freshness is always a consideration and the usual story of supporting the little guys is a nice one too. What can I say: they are certified organic free range, no beak trimming with an open gate policy eggs: so if you ever want to pop in an ensure they are what they say they are then, you can!

What is your best seller at market

Ooohhh...that's a tough one.  It changes as do the seasons and depending on what I have to offer at the time.

But some of the tried and proven items consist of my certified Bio-Dynamic salad mix (amazingly fresh, lasting well past its use-by date staying crisp and delicious!), eggies and my selection of fresh produce is also now starting to get a following.

Amongst your produce, you have biodynamic blueberries, mangos and insane tasting dragon fruit.  For those who may not fully understand, can you give us a bit of insight as to what "biodynamic" means, how it aids our overall wellbeing, why it's an important part of our daily intake of goodness and how it differs from say, organically grown produce

The quick answer for bio-dyniamic is "super organic".  You have all the organic principles that you must follow and then have another set of principles above and beyond that which must be adhered to.  The benefits to the earth and land have been shown many times over in research that has been carried out.

And what about us?  Well, I solemnly believe we should eat what we are guided to by our own intuition as we have the ability to make the right choice for ourselves at each step of the way.

From your perspective, what is it about markets like Kings Cross that form an integral part of the community and why should we, as consumers, support it as much as we can

The basic premise for markets, in our opinion, is it gives people a chance to experience something which is outside the norm of what you would find in other places.

If it tickles your fancy or floats your boat then head on over and join the fun!

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Reckon there's something in that for all of us don't you?

Take it from us, there is standing room only for these guys and once you taste their produce you will too will become enslaved to their goodness and have a bit of a laugh while you're at it

YK talks Ginkgo Leaf

Can you give us a little bit of the Gingko Leaf's background story

The Ginkgo tree is a "living fossil", with ancient fossils clearly related to modern Ginkgo tree.  I am impressed by this living fossil's hardiness, its elegant form and adaptability as ornamental trees in urban environments.  Its wonderful form and many functions make it an integral part of daily life in urban areas.  

Just like how we (Ginkgo Leaf) think of our inventory and their many uses in daily life.

Your pieces are stunning in their simplicity yet complex with their durability and design. How do you select which items you feel will best suit your line and at the same time meet the needs of your customers

We sell products that are guided by the Japanese conceptual terms Yo-no-bi ("beauty through use").  Alongside Yo-no-bi, good designs must have high functionality for multiple uses.

A plate comes alive when food is placed within its boundaries.  Tools and equipment used daily should be minimal, practical and useful.  

But what really inspires and stirs us all the time is our customers' boundless creativity in making sense of the items and using them in unexpected and creative ways.  That's the most reassuring.

You have recently been featured in Gourmet Traveller: seriously exciting and a true testament to your hard work and now firmly entrenched with locals at market.  What has been one of the highlights you have had to date when at market

Yes, we are very fortunate to have support from certain individuals in the industry.

Highlights or joys have been:

Regular customers bringing along their friends to introduce them to Ginkgo Leaf. Prospective customers researching the product and making multiple visits to admire their objects of 'desire'.  

It's a delight to witness individual customers taking such informed consideration.

What makes market life tangible and real for personally and as a business

It's one of the best venues and a great way to engage with customers.  There is such a diverse group of market goers.  Moreover, the outdoor setting presents all sorts of delights and challenges.

How would you sum up up the world of Ginkgo Leaf in 5 words

Good design is our value proposition (6 words really!)

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So you've read the interview, you've seen a smidge of what these amazing pieces look like, all that's left is for you to get to market and see what is on offer and be swept up in the gentle magic known as Ginkgo Leaf.

Litza shares her love of Kings Cross Markets

When did you first stumble across what is now one of Sydney's best Saturday Market (aka Kings Cross Markets)

I recently moved into this area of Sydney.  I was thrilled to discover these gorgeous markets at the top of my street.  I literally stumbled across them while out exploring my new neighbourhood.  Now I look forward to visiting them most weekends.

You also have a massage therapy practice nearby.  From a holistic point of view, why do you think markets like ours form not only an important part of the community, but also complement or add to our lifestyles in ways we may not necessarily have thought of

I think that happiness, fresh air, human interaction and good food are essential.  I think flowers are important too! 

So the markets definitely assist well being.

I think we shouldn't underestimate the importance of community and neighbourhood. All around the world the marketplace has historically been a centre for community: a place for people to come together as important for socialising as is for trade. Experiences which delight the senses are good for the body and the mind and markets certainly do that.

Do you have a "musty buy, can't live without" purchase, and if so what and why

Hmmmm....it's different every week.  If I get to the Soda Bread stall in time I always pick up a loaf.  Their gluten free bread is the best I've ever tried!

And I have my eye on a baby fig tree at the plant stall....maybe next market day!

Is this a solo expedition or do you like the share the love

Sometimes I wander up to the markets by myself but it's a pretty friendly place, so I often end up chatting to someone.  If I have visitors or am meeting up with friends, I always suggest the markets for lunch as there is plenty of great food to choose from and then you can go and sit by the fountain to eat.

How would you sum up the world of Kings Cross Markets in 5 words

Happy

Delicious

Outdoors

Community

Sensorial

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A massive thank you to Litza for not only discovering our markets, but sharing the love with us, you and all her friends!  We look forward to seeing you on a Saturday often!

2014 Shouout!

The Bagel Shop

Curium Magazine

Bonus Health

Jenni

Nicole

Venus Wholefoods

natsue

bec

Alison talks Paleo

The Paleo Food Movement is gaining incredible momentum with its sensible approach to eating good wholesome foods where the health benefits are immeasurable.  What was it about this lifestyle that first attracted you and what was the impetus to being your own personal food movement

Paleo Foodies

I've always been really interested in health and nutrition with many different diets.  I was first introduced to the Paleo diet about 5 years ago and I saw immediate results from cutting out things like grains.

I felt lighter, more energetic and more vibrant and the approach to food just made so much sense.  I think a lot of people are easily misled by messages put out by large, powerful food manufacturers - such as "eat low fat" etc.  I encourage anyone to do their own research and also try a range of different foods to see what works for them.  

I am really passionate about sharing what I have discovered through healthy whole food eating, and demonstrating how easy it is to maintain a lifestyle based on Paleo principles.

For those who may not be fully aware or totally comprehend "Paleo", can you give a brief outline as to its ethos and why we should (if possible) apply even a smidge of it in to our every day eating routine

At its most basic level, Paleo is maintaining a diet that resembles how our paleolithic ancestors ate with a modern application.  The principles of the diet are to eat whole foods as they exist in nature and source local and seasonal produce.

Meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and some nuts and seeds form the basis of the diet, while things like grains, sugars, dairy products, legumes (including soy products) and any ingredient that has been refined and processed are eliminated.

There's no denying that the number of people diagnosed with auto-immune and non-communicable diseases is increasing.  These diseases were not around millions of years ago, and somewhere in the last few thousand years - a tiny smidgen of our human existence - we have introduced a plethora of health issues.

For someone wanting to try the Paleo diet, my advice would be to cut things out slowly. Start with grains, then when your body has adjusted, try cutting out dairy.  I would also recommend reading one of the many great books available to help guide you through your lifestyle change, including "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf, "The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sisson (a slightly modified version which includes some dairy), or you could follow the Whole30 Program which is based on Paleo principles.

For Paleo cooking I'd recommend "Everyday Paleo" by Sarah Ferguson or the blogsite "Nom Nom Paleo". 

And of course to find paleo-friendly places to dine, follow my blog "Paleo Foodies" which you can check out "here".

What role does organic produce play in the Paleo lifestyle

Choosing to eat organic is a personal choice but one that the Paleo lifestyle definitely supports.  Not only are you eating healthier foods produced free from chemicals, in most cases you're supporting local farmers and since they don't use any chemicals, the produce is always in season.

Some people argue that eating organic is more expensive, but I tend to disagree and it really depends on where you buy.

There are local organic markets in most areas across Sydney and because you're buying directly from the seller the prices are quite low.

When did you first come across Kings Cross Market and what drew you there initially

I first came across Kings Cross Markets a few months ago.  I went because of the convenient time they are on - Saturdays between 8:00am -2:00pm.  Now I love going each week and am getting to know the producers.  It's nice to be able to ask questions directly to the producer - such as where they grow their produce, the best way to prepare an item etc.

The produce is really fresh and it stays fresh for longer so I don't have to do multiple trips throughout the week.  I source my organic vegetables and free range eggs from the markets.  I also love to pick up a fresh bunch of native flowers for the home and I usually grab a green smoothie from the raw juice bar.

In your opinion, what is it about markets such as Kings Cross, that form an integral part of the local community and what can we do (as shoppers) to help it keep on keeping on

I think local markets are a really important and valuable part of our community.  I have travelled around the world and one of my favourite things to do in foreign countries is to check out the local market because food is what brings people together, and you can learn so much about a culture and their cuisine by visiting where they source their raw ingredients.

Markets are a way for the community to come together and it's how we have sourced fresh produce for thousands of years.  It's a rich tradition across many cultures and it's exciting to see so many Sydney-siders supporting and visiting their local markets each week.  It's also a great activity for a Saturday morning and the perfect way to start the weekend.

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Couldn't have put it better ourselves.  A massive thank you to Alison for her time and giving us some user-friendly info about the Paleo lifestyle.  

If you missed the links above, you can read more about Paleo Foodies both "here" and "here" and stay tuned cause there is going to be some exciting happenings not just with us but with Paleo Foodies as well!

Sometimes you gotta share what ya gotta share!

vegangela_food

harriette

matthew

paleofoodies

urbanlistsyd

jaddanbruhn

What makes these markets so special!

With the day of the jolly man with the white beard wearing the red suit rapidly approaching, we figured it was high time to do our own little focus on Kings Cross Market and what makes it special - not just to us, but to everyone who makes it so.

From the hustle and bustle of Monday to Friday 9 to 5 safely out of the way, it's important to chill, kick back, get your weekly produce shopping

eat some seriously good grub

buy those amazing flowers that seem to last forever

enjoy some special shopping time with the kids

sample some meltingly sinful yet thoroughly intense and ever so popular French Cheese

discover what's hot and what's not in the four legged fashion stakes

take home some home baked cakes that never seem to go out of style

snatch a photo op go with a guy carrying flowers for his wife

have a Nat Geo Adventure all of your own

but most of all enjoy having an icon as a backdrop

as you catch up with yourself, friends or family on Kings Cross' very own village green!

We love seeing you, the stallies definitely love chatting with you and you love being here!  No brainer!