The Oval Blog

Was pleasantly surprised last saturday to see a children’s entertainer at the market – Shannon from Simply Smiley productions. The children certainly seemed to enjoy the balloon modelling, story telling and bubbles.

Shannon runs a company using professional entertainers that specialise in bringing ‘magic of theatre to children everywhere’. They visit schools, put on pantos run bespoke events and parties both corporate and private.  Saturday certainly seemed successful so let’s hope children’s entertainment becomes a regular feature of the market.

It’s amazing how the Oval Farmers’ Market manages to be both local and international at the same time.  I had my first bokit yesterday at the Bokit’La stall and was very impressed with both the food and service. The bokit, also known a the ‘creole burger’ or ‘Guadelope sandwich, is a French Carribean dish.   Delicious – definitely worth a try.

Having checked their website out, I see that the owners met at a swimming club.  As it happens, I had my first outdoor swim of the season at Brockwell Park Lido in the morning and I can testify that a bokit is just the thing to warm you up afterwards.

Genetic testing of wild potatoes indicates that they originated in Southern Peru – not Ireland, North America or the market at New Covent Garden.   Whatever their origins, I am fairly certain where you can get the best local baked potatoes -Lardon’s stall at the Oval Farmers’ Market.

I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed baked potatoes as they take time to do properly and it’s all too  easy to opt for something quicker. This BBC recipe for baked potatoes takes 30 minutes to prepare and a further 90 minutes to cook. Ok, you could microwave the potato in 11 minutes but it isn’t the same.

The next time you are at the Oval Farmer’s Market say hello to Patrice Lardon (see picture) and give some of his baked potatoes a try.  He has a wide range of fillings on offer to suit all tastes and you will not be disappointed -I’m getting hungry thinking about it!

 

It seems that the Oval Farmers’ Market has become the local place to have lunch on Saturdays. Last weekend I counted 10 completely different ways and that’s in addition to what you might cook for yourself from the fruit, vegetables, meat, fish etc. on offer. What will you be having for lunch next Saturday?

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Yesterday was a very sunny spring day and local residents were out in force at the Oval Farmers’ Market. I counted ten different stalls that you could get lunch from and most seemed fairly busy. I’ve been taking photographs at the market for a year or so now but am still trying to get a picture that captures the essence of the market. This panoramic shot seems to be getting a little closer.

Found my favourite stall for macro photography at the Oval Farmers Market today – John Cullen Gardens.  John is a professional garden designer but today he was selling some beautiful plants.  Wish I had a decent macro lens to show the plants at their best but anyway, here are a few shots of the stall and close ups of plants.

 

Naomi who runs the Birdy Yum Yum stall, is probably the most local food producer to the Oval Farmers’ Market. So local in fact that you could throw a jar of her delicious chutney and reach Offley road where the food is produced.

Perhaps it was fate that someone should be producing chutney in that particular road. Offley Works, dating from 1899, was a purpose built factory for Sharwoods -yes the famous brand that is still around today. It was from Offley Works that chutney was first mass produced in ths country Thank you to Sharwoods for introducing this particular food to the country and to Naomi for continuing the tradition!

Now there’s dedication for you.  Cafe Bancarella had a problem with their coffee machine this morning.  Tea drinkers were ok but coffee drinking local residents were strewn all over the green gasping for a drink.  Luckily the stall holder popped home and picked up another coffee machine and saved the day. Phew.  That was a close one (:-)