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Hidden little Gem….

I love a good food market, and what I’ve found about London is that there’s a myriad of bright and fantastic food markets in the city.

I have recently discovered Maltby Street Market, located behind Tower Bridge Road, where the different vendors are tucked away in the characteristic railway arches. I discovered this place after a recommendation from @Clerkenwell_Boy – and I’m so pleased I went! The place is a foodies heaven, with a number of food stalls and eateries basically cobbled together and tucked away under railway arches behind Tower Bridge road, not far from Bermondsey.

It’s a market with a more personable touch with the stall holders more than happy to stop and talk about their produce. There’s a very ad hoc and ‘honest’ feel, with a less touristy environment (unlike Borough and Spitafields). The produce on offer is a mix between British country style food. With a deli, gin house – I loved the look of Little Bird which serves its very own London gin; French bakery and homemade cakes, freshly baked Portuguese tarts to delight and amuse. Um, hello cured meats and cheeses! It’s the perfect place for picking up some pantry staples or to craft your very own charcuterie and cheese plate.

Nigel Slater described the place perfectly in the Observer… “I have often dreamed of finding a perfect place to do my food shopping. A place far from the strip-light nightmare of the supermarket; somewhere that offers the best of a farmers’ market with a taste of something from further afield. A slightly secret and hidden place, where supply goes with the ebb and flow of the seasons, where there is a constantly evolving group of traders bringing things to tempt and delight.” – I couldn’t agree more with Nigel.

Finally, you really can’t leave without a warm drink and a little sweet snack. Kill two birds with one stone, yes? (that’s what I did :). You must visit the tasteful French bakery, Comptoir Gourmand ~ their pastries and tarts looked absolutely incredible! (and very reasonably priced too).

Maltby Street Market is a wonderful place to hang out on a Saturday.  Go on, peek through all the artisanal delights but without the pushy crowd – Missie Cindz

Maltby Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 3PA | Nearest tube: London Bridge or Bermondsey | Twitter: @MaltbyStMkt

{Photos by Cindy Cheung and Baz Chan}

Sheffield Norton's Farmers Market

I popped up to Norton Farmers Market and Craft Fair on Saturday (10am-2pm), there are only 2 per year but was a good sized and well attended event. This was my first visit. I think it’s an excellent idea to get small local businesses and charities together. I really enjoyed it and the stall holders were very friendly. Only the weather let it down a bit.

Stalls – included Coffee Berry, Whirlow Hall Farm, Vintage Rose Catering, Tom Walton- photography, Round Green Farm, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, Moss Valley Fine Meats, Heavenly Cheesecake Company, Sheffield Honey Company, Heavenlies cakes, Bradfield brewery, plus many more others – up to 40 stalls attended in and around St. James church, Norton.

In keeping with the market’s community spirit, there were also community stalls showcasing local charity organisations. This gave visitors the chance to find out more about local initiatives and give back to the community and its producers.

Yes, it did rain. It was freezing cold too but that didn’t stop us and many more Sheffielders from visiting!

Remember: Sun April 22nd 2012 is Sharrow Vale Farmers Market, Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield 12-4pm.

Heeley City Farm's Blade the Horse - he's massive!

Now who's a good looking cow then? Gok Wan, eat your heart out – meet Our Cow Molly.

Missie Cindz Sheffield Food Album - Good Food lies nearer to home

Open Farm Sunday 2011 takes place on June 12. It’s your chance to hi-five your local Farmer and to thank him for his great work and tasty produce.

What is Open Farm Sunday and what’s it all about? I hear you ask. Well, it has a lot to do with discovering at first hand all about life on Britain’s farms – providing us with an opportunity to visit a real working farm, meet the animals and have fun for all the family. Farmers across the country are currently preparing to open their farm gates on Open Farm Sunday (12 June 2011). This annual event organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is a must for anyone interested in how farmers produce our food, and the ways they care for our countryside too. This year over 450 farms across the country are involved in putting on something eventful for us.

So why not take time to soak up the scenery, experience at first hand what it means to be a farmer, taste their homemade and grown produce – to really get in touch with the land that feeds us.

There will be plenty of fun and exciting events taking place at Sheffield farms. Each event will be unique with its own activities – based around the host farm’s own individual story. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor and trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, mini farmers market or picnics. Below is a list of some Sheffield farms taking part in Open Day Sunday, I’m sure there will be others I’ve missed but for information and to find a farm open near you visit: www.farmsunday.org
To keep up to date and share your farm experiences follow: twitter.com/openfarmsunday.

Sheffield’s Heeley City Farm
This farm (@HeeleyFarm) is such a hidden gem and neighbourhood favourite and I think everyone should visit our inner city farm and know how lucky we are to one, with friendly farm animals, relaxing gardens and organic demonstrations on four acres of former derelict land close to the centre of Sheffield. The Farm will be having children’s craft activities in the reception room between 11am – 3pm, including:

• Design your own farm bag
• Shaun the sheep story/colouring books
• Make your own woolly sheep picture!

The rest of the farm is open 9am – 5pm for you see the animals (Blaze being my favourite but I’m also fond of Buttercup the cow too :), or you can browse the plants on sale in the Garden Centre, find out about their excellent recycling facilities, then why not finish the day by treating yourself to a slice of cake in The Farm Kitchen?
FREE admission

Heeley City Farm (@HeeleyFarm)
Richards Road
Sheffield
S2 3DT

Our Cow Molly Farm
Are organising tours of the milking parlour, milk dairy, a walk around the farm, off road train rides, with different ages of cows on display for the public to gawp over. An outdoor BBQ will also be put on serving sausages from Bradfield Meats for their #OpenFarmSunday BBQ – I’ve been told it’s going to be a feast! If I was you, I’d treat myself to a scoop or two of their delicious award-winning ice cream from the farm shop too – because it’d be just plain rude not to! :) All this is free admission.

Our Cow Molly Farm (@OurCowMolly)
Cliffe House Cottage
Hill Top, Stannington
S6 6GW
Sheffield
Tel: 0114 233 2683
Website: www.ourcowmolly.co.uk

I’ve been told other Sheffield Farms such as Whirlow Hall Farm and Green Top Farm are also planning events.

So get out into the countryside (afterall green is definitely this summer’s must have colour!), it’s nice to reconnect with nature, learn new fun things so make sure you pay your nearest farm a visit and hi-five your local farmer – I know where me and the fork will be! Why not Twitpic, tweet and share your day out with me? I’d like to know what your local farm is doing (Follow me: @missiecindz).

Missie’s Food Adventures
I’m having a very tasty time on my Food Adventures – gallivanting up and down Sheffield on my smiley fork. It’s proving a delicious experience, just take a look at my photos (as seen on FlickR, Facebook ‘Missie Cindz Food Adventures‘ and TwitPic) – you can clearly see that I’m eating my way through Sheffield!

If you happen to see Missie (my alter-ego companion) in your local eating joint (as seen in the pics above), remember to tweet me or @toastmag a photo of where you’ve found her (Toast Magazine will print your picture in their mag if you’re chosen), I’m always keen to find out where Missie hangs out myself (I easily loose track on where we are most days with all this fooding around!), also add with your tweet the conversation hash tag #missiesfoodadventures so that we can all follow her food/road trips.

Finally, don’t miss Open Farm Sunday on June 12. The opportunity to visit a real working farm, meet the animals (not all are smelly! :) and have fun with all the family.

Missie Cindz - It's a Sheffield Food Adventure! - where will we next stop?

Personally, food has always played a big part in my life. It’s simple – I love food and it makes me happy!

My food-related rambling, obsessively taking pictures of what I’ve eaten and blogging about all things food is not only a hobby, but is integrated in my daily routines. I know, you should see the facial expressions on my friends when I’m shouting, “Wait, wait!!” just as they’re about to delve into our sharing platter to find me whipping out my camera. Tut, I hear? Maybe, but they’ve grown used to it now.

I used to feel that Sheffield’s dining scene was unfairly hidden away (an underbelly if you will) – but my ‘nomming’ road trips across the City has lead me to discover an ever increasing supply of locally-sourced treats, delicious eating venues, food producers and farmers – some of whom I would also call ‘friend’.

Those sausage rolls from Gregg’s simply won’t cut it – because I’ve been constantly impressed by the growing deluge of homemade, Sheffield-sourced deli’s available in the city centre. Lunch times have become a nightmare, what with so many eateries offering their delightful and colourful meal boxes – as a city, we’re spoilt for choice.

The other day I had a ‘real’ muffin – what’s so real about it you ask? did it talk to me? Sadly no. But it was freshly made using fine, locally-produced ingredients and tasted a hell of a lot better than any mass-produced soggy bun. Plus it looked amazing. Bliss! I had just eaten a piece of Sheffield and eating a slice of Sheffield made me feel just that little bit more special, too…

I’m having a very tasty time on my Food Adventures – gallivanting up and down Sheffield on my smiley fork. It’s proving a delicious experience, just take a look at my photos (seen above) and you can see that I’m eating my way through Sheffield! If you happen to see Missie in your local eating joint, remember to tweet me over a photo (I’m always keen to find out where Missie hangs out), and add with your tweet the conversation hash tag #missiesfoodadventures so that we can all follow her food/road trips.

Here’s Missie’s location key for photo 1 (as seen above):
A. Sheffield Bradfield Farmer’s Market with Just Preserves
B. Missie C dining in WasabiSabi, London Road
C. Our Cow Missie with Sheffield’s Our Cow Molly ice cream
D. Missie C dining in Hong Kong Wok, London Road
E. Taking a coffee break in The Rutland Arms
F. Missie C’s favourite sweet treat, an Umptious Muffin
G. Lunch time stop in The Grind Cafe, Cornwall Works
H. Nether Edge Farmer’s Market with Sheffield Honey

Toast Magazine feature
If you pick up this month’s issue of Toast Magazine, you can find my first ‘Missie Cindz Food Adventures’ guest article for them (see photo above). It’s all very exciting stuff. But to read the full article, you’ll have to pick up a free copy yourself. Toast is one of Sheffield’s lifestyle and culture magazines where they cover everything from food, fashion and music, you’d be able to find it in most independent shops in Sheffield city center. If you have trouble finding a copy, just send me a tweet or email.

Now who's a good looking cow then? Gok Wan, eat your heart out – meet Our Cow Molly.

Two new helpersn, Missie & Our Cow 'Missie' Molly in the OCM production room.

It's breakfast time with @CatherinesChce Sweet pepper relish. It's a winner!

Molly's two little helpers getting drunk on Sheffield milk? - no hangover please!

Mooooo-Tastic Fashion

Our Cow Molly (OCM) is an award winning delicious range of indulgent iced desserts homemade using their own milk. They were one of the first food producers to be branded with the Made In Sheffield mark – that’s earned them their ‘well deserved’ title, ‘Producers of Sheffield Milk’. Their creamy treats are the perfect accompaniment to a girls night in or hard working day (but, to be honest, do we really need an excuse to NOM ice cream? – I don’t think so) – mmm, the ultimate treat with a sassy and cute looking cow too! :)

If you don’t know much about Our Cow Molly, then I reckon it’s time you did. Let me introduce Eddie Andrew, who’s the founder of Our Cow Molly which is based at his family’s dairy farm in Dungworth.

Molly Makeover
OCM experienced a ‘Missie Cindz’ makeover last weekend. Gok Wan, eat your heart out my dear!! – just look at the photographs above of Our Cow Molly – and doesn’t she look Moooooo Lalaaaaa!? (look at those red hooves!). OCM is a very colourful representative for Sheffield food and I’m very proud to have it here in Sheffield. She (and Eddie) are both immensely passionate about local (Sheffield) food, always keen to lend a helping hand to nearby food producers – so I thought, everyone deserves a pampering session and who else better to give one to than Our Molly!?

In their tasteful farm shop, in Dungworth, you’ll also find drinks by Bradfield Brewery, sausages from Bradfield Meats, Yorkshire Highland beef burgers, jams, curds and homemade chutneys by @justpreserves – and of course their ice cream too. Their ice creams are so indulging and rich in taste (I assure you they don’t skimp on flavours), plus you can’t call our Molly a ‘BORING cow!’ either – Boring she is not – always willing to try out new and exciting flavours! OCM likes to keep things fresh and generally develops a new flavour each month (last month I requested for them to go YAM flavoured, I do wonder if my request’s been granted! #MissiesDreamFlavour).  They’re willing to give anything a go, Blue Stilton Cheese ice cream? or let’s go garlic flavoured anyone? (I wouldn’t be surprised if these become one of their ‘Specials’ one day). Under the Molly product portfolio also includes a Guinness World Record attempt to make one litre of ice-cream in 18 seconds (using liquid nitrogen) – Heston Blumenthal would be so proud!

Bringing the cows to town – who let the cows out?

Our Cow Molly will be coming into the city on July 10th. Fully grown Sheffield dairy cows in town! I’ve been told it’s been a long time since LIVE cattle have roamed the city centre but they’ll be back this summer as Sheffield prepares for its annual Food Festival Week (4th – 10th July 2011). News from @shftelegraph, it’s been mentioned an expanded city centre programme is set to transform Barkers Pool into a Festival Farm and Garden, complete with live cows and a children’s playground – promoting field-to-fork awareness.

Follow @OurCowMolly on Twitter and you’ll see exactly what I mean about our most interesting cow, as Molly keeps us updated with all the happenings on the farm.

Visit their Farm Shop: www.ourcowmolly.co.uk/farm-shop/

Missie Cindz pops up to Bradfield Farmers Market. Green is the new purple?

Missie's Sheffield Food adventures. Bradfield Farmers Market full of Sheffield Food

Missie always loves a big cuppa Sheffield tea after a busy day fooding around. Thanks TeaBox! :)

Bradfield Farmers' Market full of Sheffield Food. Say hello to 'Just Preserves' :)

Bradfield Farmers' Market - Sheffield Food. Say hello to 'Heavenly Cheesecakes'

Bradfield Farmers' Market - Sheffield Food. Say hello to 'Lorna's Heavenlies'

Spring definitely sprung on us this weekend, casting lots of sweet rays of sunshine. I drove up to Sheffield’s Bradfield Farmers’ Market up at Bradfield Farm yesterday, With the aim to grab some groceries for my big Easter meal. The farm is only about 20 minutes from the city centre and if you know me well enough by now, you’ll know, where Sheffield Food goes, Missie C will try to make an effort to support and find her local Sheffield buddies. How can I resist when food’s involved? I can’t! Fork please!

Bradfield Farmers’ Market
In the spring sunshine the village looked very picturesque, nestled in among the hills with a pub, village shop and a massive central green area. If you missed out on yesterday’s Farmers’ Market don’t worry, the markets happen monthly (the next one being on Saturday 21st May, 10am – 4pm). The market is held in a modern village hall building. Featuring over 15 different food exhibitors selling fab Sheffield produce ranging from beef, pork, chicken, milk, pies, ice cream, fruit, vegetables, beer, chutneys, bread, honey, cheesecake, jams and cakes. Other items on sale include soap, bird feeders and fire wood. A Refreshments area is also available from the in-house cafe shop. I was indeed definitely spoilt for choice. Just take a look at my photos above (you can see how much fun the Missie had) – and if you’re not hungry after looking at these Sheffield treats, you’re smart to had eaten before reading! :)

If you asked me last year to attend a Farmers’ market, I’d probably laugh or ask what these were. Like I said to many of the food producers I said hello to (it was really lovely to meet you and to put a face to those foody tweets), I’ve always been a very ‘City Girl’ so to go out to the countryside this was very new to me.

For those who aren’t too sure what Farmers’ markets are (it’s OK, a year ago I was the same). Farmers’ Markets consist of individual vendors, mostly farmers but nowadays it’s quite common to find bakers, confectioners and talented craftmans too (yesterday I picked up some beautiful Sheffield soap). They set up booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, to sell produce, meat products, fruits and prepared foods and beverages. At places like this, half the fun is going around each stall and enjoying the free tasters :)…if my definition is wrong please let me know (cc @OurCowMolly @MOSSVALLEY @HeeleyFarm @justpreserves :)

I’m beginning to love the Farmer’s Market! As I got there, the room was very full with very hungry members of the public who all shared a passion for FOOD! If you ever get to come to these Markets make sure you try the FREE tasters (this isn’t to say that all the food is overpriced because they’re not, plus whatever I bought here I knew I was getting good products as well as supporting independent producers).
The atmosphere was very colourful (I almost got out my sketchbook and lazed on the grass too) – a great community spirit, smiley faces everywhere I turned, all in all, a very ‘wholesome’ environment that left me feeling very well fed (definitely make sure you don’t eat anything before attending these markets). Farmers markets definitely add value to communities. I was very chuffed to had hi-fived my local farmer, Our Cow Molly’s farmer Eddie – Have a read of one of my previous posts to find out why hi-fiving your local farmer is a good thing: All the Fun at the Fair :)

Finally, with so many fruits and veggies as well as great baked goods, meats, and the BEST preserves in the world! Unfortunately I walked out without any chocolate easter eggs, but I’ve stocked up on a lot of other great stuff! (my purple larder is currently smiling now – Mission completed). Sheffield has a fantastic bunch of artisan producers with strong enthusiasm to promote themselves as Sheffield Food. Its true when they say “Good Food tastes better when it’s served at home”.

I’m always on the hunt for Sheffield’s best food producers. Give me a shout at hello@cindycheung.co.uk

Happy Easter everyone! Have a superb day and remember to eat something special.