Having spent nineteen years living overseas, roaming the food markets of England, Europe and Africa, I returned

home to Sydney a few years ago. Discovering Eveleigh Market was a pure delight. Even it’s location – the converted locomotive Blacksmiths shed at the now known Australian Technology Park, brings a smile to my face. Whatever the weather, a visit to the under cover Eveleigh Market sets one up for a weekend of culinary adventure.  The market is held every Saturday 8.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m. at Wilson Street, Darlington.   I am able to leave The Blue Mountains at 7.00 a.m.  accompanied by Harry the Dog (the markets are very dog friendly), shop at the market, have a coffee and pastry or a cup of refreshing Chinese tea and some of Kylie Kwong’s (yes – she’s actually there mingling with

her customers) delicate dumplings before returning in time to watch my son’s 11.00 a.m. soccer game. Café style chairs and tables are scattered at the west end of the market and fine weather allowing,  you can rest with your many purchases and bask in the Australian sunshine (that comment makes me realise how much I don’t miss the weather on the other side of the world!).

The market offers a wide variety of high quality produce with fruit and vegetable growers displaying fresh in season vegetables and fruits – quality enough to tempt the most devout carnivore, providores of fresh pasta and homemade sauces, specialist dairy producers including a variety of goat, sheep and cow products, organic meat suppliers – may I recommend Mirrol lamb which, no matter how cooked, is always melt in the mouth (a bonus is they also sell dog bones for your beloved friend) and interesting sausage makers.  The specialist potato supplier offers ten different varieties of spuds, each category of potato labeled with their best use e.g. “Russets –  great for roasting”.  Olive oils, unadorned and flavoured, tapenades and stuffed, marinated and smashed olives are represented proudly by the grower.  The mushroom man imparts great knowledge of how to cook the unusual mushrooms he has available on the day.  Artisan bakers provide stalls mounded high with mouth watering loaves just waiting to be taken home , brittle crust and soft sweet smelling interior, to be enjoyed at Saturday lunch or Sunday breakfast.  Gourmet brownies, Italian sweets, curry pastes, chillies and chutneys, smoked fish products and boutique wine makers are just some of the 70 stall holders that you’ll find there.

On a recent trip to Eveleigh Markets,  almost passing it by, the intense quality of peppers and cucumbers at a small stall, caught my eye, the display fairly shining with polished, glistening, vibrant vegetables. Another stall sold only three varieties of apples. A plate of apple slices was offered to all passing by and I swear, the crunching was deafening.

12  months ago I bought a pair of chilli plants at Eveleigh  which have adorned the entry to my home – I haven’t killed them so far so I can only believe that they are obviously of great stock (or maybe they’re plastic), but there are great quality plants to be purchased there if you feel the urge to become self sufficient.

As I’ve said, this market is dog friendly and many take advantage of doggy social time. Conversations start easily, as each dog owner admirers another’s four legged friend, before wandering over to the organic doggy supplies stall, to buy a treat or two.

After stocking up the larder, don’t leave without buying a bunch or two of farm fresh flowers – there’s a sea of colours and varieties to choose from and they’re as cheap as chips.  Pick up your weekend paper along with a magazine or

two from the news stand.  Oh yes….. if your knives are in need of sharpening, drop them off at the bottom of the stairs on your way into the market – you’ll see the knife sharpening man with his grinding wheel uniquely operated by the wheel of his motor cycle …. And you can pick them up as you leave.

I will say parking can be tough, especially if you arrive after 8am,  however a couple of runs around the block and I have always found a space. Believe me it is worth it.