The Adelaide Central Markets
44 – 60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000
www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au / @adelcentralmarket
So by now you know that I lived in Sydney for 15 years, but if you’re from Adelaide, you’re always repping it. It didn’t matter how long I was away for, I was forever talking it up to people who know didn’t know about it’s gems. And one of the first things I would reference? ‘The Markets’ (aka The Adelaide Central Markets aka the raddest markets ever.)
If you’re from #SAGREAT you’ll very likely have stories of adventures at The Markets. There’s just something about them. The smell, the atmosphere, the endless goodies and treats. And the people.
It was top of my list of places to rediscover once we arrived back in Adelaide.
Photo: @matthewkroker
To my absolute delight I recently received a message asking me to come along to the launch of a book, celebrating 150 years of The Markets called ‘Adelaide Central Market: stories, people & recipes.’
It was actually the most perfect re-introduction that I could have asked for.
This is my favourite stall. My dad used to let me choose second-hand books every time we would visit The Markets. I swear this is where most of my Sweet Valley High collection came from!
As I wandered around looking for the spot to meet everyone, I saw all the familiar stalls from my childhood. The same aromas (roasting chestnuts, freshly ground coffee, just-picked flowers) and the same little nooks and shop-fronts.
Once I found the group, we were treated to a Q&A from the authors Katie Spain and Fiona Roberts. The beautiful coffee table book features every stall and the history behind it. Some have been there for decades and some have been passed down through families. The stories will make you laugh and cry. The second half of the book includes incredible and unique recipes created by Fiona Roberts with the stall owners, that you can make at home. Some are new recipes and some have been passed down through families and have never been printed before. Pretty special.
The chairman explained to us that The Central Markets had been named the third best market IN THE WORLD by Lonely Planet last year. Boom!
Then we were taken on a tour to meet some of the stalls featured in the book and it was just glorious.
Stefan from Central Organic bought his stall in 1982 and has never missed a shift. He is all smiles and friendly chats and has been promoting certified organic produce since the sixties. His story is fascinating (he speaks French, German, Russian, Bulgarian and English) and is well worth a read.
This is Stefan from Central Organics.
Charles, who bought Asian Gourmet in 1989, made us his famous Laksa. His eatery is packed with politicians, lawyers and judges from the nearby courts every, single day. If you want your laksa, get there early! Fiona told us that Charles doesn’t have a recipe for his signature dish, so for her to create one she had to shadow him for a day and scribble notes. When she made it at home and brought it in to check with Charles he smiled and said ‘You’re dangerous!’ Safe to say, the recipe in the book is an amazing one to try if you’re a laksa fan.
Listening to Charles from Asian Gourmet.
Frank from The Coffee Bean Shop said he loves his job so much, he spends all day Sunday waiting for it to be Monday. He also mentioned that once you grind your coffee, it starts going stale in minutes!! So if you want your coffee really fresh, grind it right before brewing. Or just visit Frank!
We stopped by at famed Samtass Bros Seafood and found out that the legendary owner Sam passed away just before the book went to print. His family, many of whom work there, told us it was a great comfort to them having the book as a keepsake. How lucky for us that we get the see and hear from Sam via his feature.
There were so many characters that we met along the way. Anouk from Le Souk handing out his ah-mazing stewed dates and calling out “Fancy a date with me?!” Peter from Central Market Flowers passing us blooms as we walked past. Sips of gin made in Kangaroo Island and tastes of Turkish Delight… The Markets are everything I remember and more.
A few days later I showed the book to my dad, who grew up just near The Markets. He had so many tales to tell about running around with his friends when he was little and finding discarded fruits and veggies. He also knew lots of people in the pictures, ‘Oh yes they lived around the corner from us.’ ‘Oh yes, we went to school together.’
It made me realise that when a city has an amazing icon like this, everyone will have a memory or story that they can share with the next generation. Very cool indeed.
If you’re heading to Adelaide, do not miss out on this SA treasure.
