BB Market Day

What a weekend! Saturday morning, I helped out at the inaugural market that Blackboard Local Grocer was putting on to showcase the suppliers and produce that they have in store. 

The market itself looked absolutely incredible and the hordes of people were in agreeance. Kids, university students and adults basked in the sun as they gauged themselves with goodies and samples from the local farmers, butchers, bakers etc. 

The market gave a good insight into the passion the suppliers have for their produce and the incomparable quality of the items available from the grocer. 

Due to the success of the first BB Market Day, it is without doubt that another one will be happening soon, possibly monthly, bimonthly or seasonally (do not suggest weekly #heartattack)!!

Here's what you missed out on:

Flower stand by Elyssium Blooms 

Incredible delish pieces by Japanese pastry chef Nobu!

My favourite was the chocolate fondant croissant, mmmm. 

Bagels from Bagel Boys in Brissy

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Noosa River hot smoked salmon, Bangalow Cheese Co. creme fraiche and chives 

Bangalow shaved ham, roquette and Cunliffe & Waters capsicum and tomato relish 

Coyo! 

Coconut milk vegan and dairy free yoghurt goodness. 

Farmer Joe Muesli samples, my pick would have to be the burnt fig. 

What better way to start the morning?

Blackboard bottled iced coffees

Double shot of espresso, maple and milk

Make your own pomegranate soda from Six Barrel Soda Co. 

The tastiest of cured meats from Salumi Australia.

Would bathe in that spreadable chorizo!

Two thumbs up for Bangalow Cheese Co. 

Cannot go past the duck, orange and macadamia sausages from Jack Sprat's butcher!

Would never think to stuff them in a sausage, but bloody hell its so right. 

So many fresh goodies from fruit and veg guru Graeme Twine.

The best kind of pink eye!

All in all a tiring amazing day, I say! 

Sophie xx 

Hearty winter beans

I know that many would claim that a QLD winter is not a true 'winter', but even us living up North like to feel sorry for ourselves when the climate drops to... 15 degrees. (Brrrr?) 

In times like these I love this beans' recipe. Its healthy and hearty and any vegetarian dish that is able to satisfy my appetite has to be doing something right! 

Serves 3-4

Ingredients: 

1x onion (brown or red)

2x star anise 

1x carrot 

1x capsicum

1 tablespoon cumin

2x cans of chopped tomatoes 

500mL vegetable stock 

1x corn cob 

chilli (optional)

1x can cannelloni beans

1x kidney beans 

1x avocado

coriander

chilli jam (optional) 

Start off by finely chopping your onion and add it to a large saucepan with your star anise. Allow this to cook for about 5 minutes, sweating it out. 

Add the chopped carrot and cook for another 5 minutes. 

Remove the star anise before adding the cumin, chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, corn kernels and diced capsicum. This is where you pop the chilli in to your taste! 

Allow it to stew on medium heat for at least an hour or until it reduces down. 

Put in the kidney and cannelloni beans and allow them to cook. 

While the beans are cooking, mash up some avocado with a fork (feel free to add some lemon juice and salt to this). 

To serve, pop some of the avocado on top with some chilli jam and some coriander.

Enjoy amigos, 

Sophie x

This little piggy went to market

Walking through the Village Markets this morning I wondered why it had taken me so long to get my butt there. Endless stalls of new and preloved clothes, jewellery, crafts, furniture and of course food, made for the perfect sunny Sunday morning wander. 

I have found that it can be quite difficult to find unique homewares and clothes on the Gold Coast (without paying an absolute bomb), but I think the Village Markets fill this void perfectly.  

I would recommend for you all to check it out, there truly is something there for everyone. Grab some mates or go alone (guilty). 

Here's a taste of some of the stalls that caught my fancy:

I picked myself up the cutest of terrariums!

To check out dates and locations go to thevillagemarketsgc.com.au 

Sophie x 

BLACKBOARD x FÊTE PRESS

I don't think it counts when your first "media invitation" since entering the blogging world is from your own boyfriend but I'm just gonna claim it anyway...

On Friday at midday, we gathered at the newly renovated Blackboard Coffee for a long lunch in collaboration with Fête Press. It was an occasion to celebrate Blackboard Coffee's expansion, the birth of Blackboard Local Grocer and to look back on an amazing first year for Fête magazine! 

Blackboard coffee first opened its doors more than 2 years ago but only in May this year did it double in size and add a grocery store full of carefully thought out local products, including Fête Press. 

We arrived at the cafe to an impeccably set long table full of gorgeous flower arrangements and cumquats.

Flower arrangements from Elyssium Blooms.

Michael from Salumi Australia sat down with us and explained the ageing and drying processes of all the meats. 

As you can see some guests were very interested in the sausage. 

We also "sipped on" and learnt about Stone and Wood beers brewed in Byron Bay. 

For mains we chose between the 5 hour lamb shoulder flatbread, the dukkah grilled salmon and barley salad or the sous vide chicken breast with quinoa salad.  They were all absolutely delicious (let's pretend it was my first time trying them). 

For dessert we were treated to Blackboard's famous homemade dark chocolate and raspberry muffins and a beautiful Bangalow Cheese board. 

Stuffed full of food and bevvies, we were given our goodie bags from Blackboard Local Grocer and mingled with all the other guests. 

Mr. Blackboard himself (star-struck)

Bahen & Co. choccies in everyone's goodie bags

The Queen herself

Any one who knows me knows that I have a close to sick obsession with Beyonce (this sometimes goes as far as me thinking that I am Queen Bey herself). So I'm sure that you can only imagine how close to pants pissing I was when I found out I had got tickets to her Mrs Carter World Tour in October! 

Can I get a hell yeah!

A social anniversary

A week ago my boyfriend and I celebrated our 18 month anniversary (#defacto). Having been on the other side of the world from one another for our one year anniversary, we decided to make it a little spesh and head out for a date night. 

Since the opening of The Social Eating House in Broadbeach, I'd estimate that Nick and I have ventured there nearly once a week. It's getting a tad embarrassing. 

Every time we have gone we have been sat at the bar overlooking the kitchen. This usually involves us forgetting to speak to one another as we are so wrapped up in the action in front of us. 

We decided on this particular night that we'd leave our meal in the capable hands of the kitchen. Our only specification being that we felt like lots of starters rather than mains. (However, if you going there for your first time you must give the chicken a whirl! *drools*) 

It was such a good decision, as we got to try things that we would never have thought of ordering! 

Rare beef on toast with truffled manchego and red onion jam. 

Jamon, manchego and potato bombas.

Scallops with morcilla (blood pudding) 

Something I would never order or think to put together but was absolutely delish.

A daring spin on a "Surf n Turf" I say. 

Nick had sardines with tomato, roast garlic and aioli on toast (left).

Not being a big fan of sardines, I opted for my favourite: hot smoked trout mousse with fennel and pickled onion on rye toast (right). 

Roasted Tasmanian salmon fillet with saffron linguini and spanner crab.

Chargrilled lamb cutlet with artichokes, fennel and tzatziki

Cutlets are one of those things I would never think to order out, I find them pretty boring. However, these bad boys nearly changed my mind! 

Reaching our limit on food, we decided to finish off the meal with a little 'Nightcap' of Pedro Ximénez. 

We then promptly rolled home.