Come starving: A Guide to the must-try foods and drinks at The Hidden Markets
Led by absolute food enthusiast Kate French and supported by Chef Ethan Flack, The Invercargill City Council, Great South, COIN South and Wee Magazine, The Hidden Markets is not to be missed.
The Hidden Markets | 24 March, 5pm - 9pm - Kahu Ariki Cafe (in the new SIT building on Esk Street)
Led by absolute food enthusiast Kate French (you’ll know her from The Batch) and supported by Chef Ethan Flack, The Invercargill City Council, Great South, COIN South and Wee Magazine, The Hidden Markets is a not to be missed event.
Today, Louise Evans, the mastermind behind the food magazine Wee, offers up a “wee” guide to eating your way around the stalls on Friday.
THE GUIDE
It wouldn’t be a true market without stalls heaving with beautiful produce, so load up your basket with the best our farmers have to offer.
The Southern Farmers Market Community Stall is one of those wondrous moments of collaboration where you can purchase fresh and organic vegetables and herbs from producers all over our region.
Of course, it’s courgette season - but there’ll also be sweet toms, purple potatoes, and big beautiful greens from Poppy’s farm, Amalia Organics, The Vege Box & Greenyard Vegetables. Wilson’s Vegie Stall has supplied Southland with a huge range of fresh, farm-grown vegetables since 1982 - and you should see what Chef Ethan Flack can do with one of their kohlrabis.
Make sure you don’t miss Nic from Festival Farm with her organically grown heritage apples (both cookers and eaters), and the seeds her young son sells.
Next stock up on weekend necessities like Henderson’s Raw Milk - milked by Geoff & Beth just 10 minutes from Gore; Flour Bro’s Jalapeno or Cheddar (or Chocolate) sourdough loaves; and some of the freshest and finest NZ quality lamb by Bill and Sue of Leeland’s Lamb.
Fill your basket and your pantry with local artisanal products like Crunchy’s Microgreen blend salts and seasonings, or one of Robbie's jars of pickled onions, delicious chutneys, or award-winning sauces.
All of Robbie's products are packed with love and are just like Josie's Nan made.
Grab a jar of Boasted Peanut Butter, or some wild-harvested, single-sourced, Miele Apiaries honey from some of the wildest and most beautiful parts of New Zealand, including Fiordland and Motupōhue.
Hopefield Hemp has Hemp Oil for sale, and Davis Downs Hazelnuts produce everything from hazelnut butter to pesto.
Throw in some Southland Biltong dried with a traditional South African spice blend for when you inevitably need a snack.
Then tuck into eating here and now.
Rad Dad is making killer smashburgers with specials like The Güber - beef satay, but in a burger. Eddie's Kitchen will be pumping out Filipino-Asian food fusion, while Flamin' Good BBQ is cooking up low & slow smoked BBQ plates with ribs and brisket plus all the sides.
For something sweet, try a little taste of the Netherlands, right here in Southland with Orange Fern Bakes. This home bakery makes Apple-Blueberry Pie, Speculaas (Dutch spiced biscuit), and Boterkoek (Buttercake).
There are also treat boxes, for those who want to try it all. Dani from The Urban Kitchen creates bespoke garden-inspired cakes and cakettes for all sorts of celebrations: from weddings to Wednesdays.
Herbie Fully Vegan has all sorts of delicious plant-based treats. And, we’re sure the pillow-like, super soft Filipino breads of Bachi's are going to be a favourite.
Wash it all down with a ROAR Coffee with Farm Fresh South Milk from inside Kahu Ariki Cafe, or visit the Altered Stall. Altered is New Zealand's first Alcohol-Free Bar & Bottle-Store with a curated collection of the most amazing drinks, giving you the option of a grown-up cocktail over a glass of lemonade.
And then food-coma.