To market, to market....

These last few weeks, Tiff and I have been trawling the markets of Sydney in the name of “research”….ok, so there was some shopping thrown in (!)….checking out the most suitable market to sell some of our wares and crafty bits. So last Saturday, Tiff & I ventured off to Paddington Markets. One of Sydney’s most popular markets, it’s a good mix of locals, tourists and Paddington pups. With a focus on new designers and all things artisan, there are numerous stalls selling clothing, childrenswear, handmade jewellery (a LOT of jewellery!) and homewares with a smattering of second-hand and food stalls thrown in.

One of the best stalls we happened upon was Rokoco, selling lovely printed cotton and linen tea towels, aprons, napkins, cushions and table runners. We loved the freshness of the prints. After oohing & aahing over the cupcake tea towel, we got chatting to the designer, Ro Cook. Somehow the conversation turned to our love for baking and the wonders of the KitchenAid mixer (surprise, surprise!), but we did discover that Ro designs, hand-prints and sews all her products. We were tempted but didn’t make any purchases, but I’ve been thinking how much I need some new napkins, so think I will be back….

After the markets, we headed up the Oxford Street shopping strip and stopped to check out Max Brenner. Known as “Chocolate by the Bald Man”, Max Brenner originates from Israel and specialises in chocolate products made with cocoa beans from all over the world. The Chocolate Bar in Paddington was the first one to open in Australia back in 2000 (numerous branches have opened since), and I was fortunate enough to go there the week it opened to be served by the Bald Man himself!

This last Christmas, Tiff and I were each the lucky recipients of a Max Brenner hamper. We love his cool retro packaging…and the choccies aren’t bad either! I highly recommend the cocoa for making hot chocolate and the caramelized pecans rolled in praline paste & fine cocoa powder. Yum. Oh, and if you ever need a choccie pick-me-up, don’t go past sitting down to the “suckao”, a little ceramic pot containing a candle whereby you melt the chocolate of your choice, add hot milk and suck it up with a metal straw…mmmm, now there’s something to get your head spinning in chocolatey chocolateness! N

Paddington Markets
395 Oxford Street (in the grounds of Paddington Uniting Church)
Paddington NSW 2021
Open: Every Saturday 10am-4pm

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar
437 Oxford Street
Paddington NSW 2021
P: (02) 9357 5055
Open: Mon-Thur 7.30am-10.30pm, Fri & Sat 7.30am-midnight, Sun 10am-10.30pm