Yesterday my lovely friend Rani and I went on a food-lovers treasure hunt, looking for the location of the first Dutch underground farmer’s market. It wasn’t too hard to find (thank goodness), all the clues were on the talkin’ food twitter account in the lead up to the event, and when we arrived in the general vicinity of the hidden market we spotted little signs pointing the way. Set up inside a non-descriptive building in downtown Amsterdam was where we struck gold. It was quite a sight really – an Amsterdam artist’s studio filled to the brim with artisanal goodies from all over the country, food enthusiasts, farmers, coffee makers, tea drinkers, and even a few gorgeous hens…
There were dozens of microproducers with some amazingly innovative foods to showcase and share. After a first wander of the space, chatting with some of the producers and spying their delectables, Rani and I embarked on a second round, this time with intention to eat our way around the space. We started at the Moroccan ‘cafe’ where we drank authentic Moroccan mint tea (as opposed to just mint leaves plonked in a cup of hot water) and Moroccan sweets. Then we selected little nibbles from each stall and chatted some more with the producers.
Among them were Jason Hartley (who I call ‘the brunch man’, known to us expats for his fabulous pop up brunches throughout the city, I wrote about it here) who was offering delicious pies and his famous bejewelled New York cheesecake; by m.e. black potato chips and chocolate coated black olives (they were super yum); an ex-butcher who made amazing patés and dipping oils and who also gave us a sip of his incredible homemade lemon infused gin; Stumptown coffee makers; and my favourite, formocha tea…
I was also wrapped to find someone offering nettle leaves! So I bought a bunch and haven’t yet decided what I’ll make with them but I’m excited about it. All in all the event was a great success. Congratulations to all the stall owners and to Marjan Ippel for creating such a great market, I can’t wait for the next one!
artwork by selwyn
Lucky you! what is that scrumptious odour in the air? the possibility of another book me thinks … have a good week one and all.
May 17th, 2010 | #
Oh wow! I wish I lived in Amsterdam again to go out to lovely farmer’s markets like this one!
May 17th, 2010 | #
I adore farmers markets, this one sounds wonderful, and all your found goodies … yum. I love the first photograph with the flowers in the tin. Great links too.X
May 17th, 2010 | #
Wow! This looks beautiful! Do you know of any events like this in Sydney? X
May 17th, 2010 | #
mmm, this looks a yummy day out!
May 17th, 2010 | #
Love it! Thanks for sharing Pia.
May 17th, 2010 | #
To quote Lou Reed…..what a ‘perfect day’! xo
May 17th, 2010 | #
We have these from time to time in San Francisco but I’ve never been able to attend one. This looks amazing and your photos are just lovely. Chocoalte coated olives sound wonderful! I’ll definitely have to try to make it to the next one we have here.
May 17th, 2010 | #
Looks like a good day to eat 🙂
May 17th, 2010 | #
Geweldig blog heb je! Thanks
May 17th, 2010 | #
wow, this looks like a treat..I wonder if there are any on the east coast usa or in London..wil def, investigate.
May 17th, 2010 | #
Sounds like a wonderful day! I think you made all your readers wish they had been there with your descriptions and pictures. I liked your ending too “Good-bye Ego, Hello Soul.”
May 17th, 2010 | #
Wow looks like a great foodie adventure! Stumptown coffee is from my beloved Portland! So glad you got to experience how yummy it is!! Great shots.
May 18th, 2010 | #
WOW! sounds like a whole lot more than food and typical farmers markets. Wild.
May 18th, 2010 | #
I WISH I could been to this .. sounds + looks like heaven on a plate .. just my cup of tea ; )
May 18th, 2010 | #
Pia,
How fantastic! I will be in Amsterdam in June and July, and I would love to check out one of these markets. Talkinfood only posts in Dutch; is there any other way for me to find out about upcoming locations?
May 19th, 2010 | #
i’m hungry just reading this…chocolate covered olives sound strangely good.
May 20th, 2010 | #
Hi Pia,
Nice meeting you in my painting atelier this weekend for Open Ateliers Jordaan/ Amsterdam. Love your creative site!
-Daniella Rubinovitz
May 25th, 2010 | #
my proud portland heart skipped a beat at the sight of that stumptown cup! all the way in amsterdam? amazing
love your site/life!
May 31st, 2010 | #