Willmark Awards 2015 Results

Willunga Farmers Market was the first farmers market in Australia, opened by renowned environmentalist David Suzuki in 2002.

Each year, the market takes time out to reflect on the year, break bread and clink glasses together, and celebrate the ongoing success of the market at the Wilmark Awards.

See you at the @willungafarmersmarket annual awards where stalls are in the running for accolades like best product, best customer service and more. At the gorgeous @finowillunga Pictured my Spring haul from the market 2 weeks ago

A photo posted by Louise Rhodes @ Willunga Wino (@willungawino) on Oct 19, 2015 at 11:32pm PDT

Open to the public, 70 tickets are available at a cost of $35pp for all inclusive drinks, self serve dinner made by legendary FINO restaurant, community spirit, music and the awards.

It’s only right to toast the event with some local pinot bubbles, fermented on skins to create a salmon blush. Round two was the truly lovely Minko bubbles, redolent with toast and lemon squash flavours and aromas.

Pink bubbles = celebration. Photo: Willunga Wino

Never resting on it’s laurels, current Chairman of the Willunga Farmers Market Board, foodie legend Pip Forrester, announced the start of summer hot breakfast vendors.

Fleurieu food legend, Pip Forrester. Photo: Willunga Wino

Already we’ve sampled KIS Wild Gin cured kingfish with poached egg, avo smash, and pickles on divinely crunchy, buttery brioche, from Little Acre Foods, makers of my favourite mushroom pate, which played a starring role in our engagement.

KIS Wilg Gin cured Kingfish, avocado smash, pickles, on crunchy brioche. Photo: Willunga Wino

Hot pies, veggie burgers, chai, and more are available, as well as market stalwarts, Bush Foods Catering, they of the chocolate crepes with figs and yogurt, so, so good.

At the Wilmarks, all the wines are generously donated by local wineries, some of which have stalls at the market.

Local wineries donated all of the vino. Photo: Willunga Wino

While a musician plays, huge earthenware platters are delivered with a smile by FINO staff.

Meatballs with tomato sauce.

That’s a juicy meatball! Photo: Willunga Wino

New season baby heirloom carrots, sweet and tossed with sunflower seeds.

Seasonal baby carrots with seeds. Photo: Willunga Wino

Crusty house baked loaves.

Fresh bread. Photo: Willunga Wino

Chickpea salad, alive with herbs, middle eastern spices, tomato and onions.

Middle Eastern spiced chickpea salad. Photo: Willunga Wino

Sweet, earthy beetroot with lentils and fresh dill.

Classic match: Lentils & Beetroot. Photo: Willunga Wino

Green lipped mussels from the pure clean waters of Kangaroo Island with tomato and wine sauce.

Rich tomato mussels. Photo: Willunga Wino

Rare Vermentino from Chalk Hill is fragrant with lemon blossom, minerals. Lively zingy minerality shines on the palate, with a hint of sherbet and quite a soft mouthfeel .

Chalk Hill Vermentino: Hard to get hold of. Photo: Willunga Wino

The restaurant opens it’s doors and arms, diners gather in it’s rooms, and around a bonfire in a barrel.

Beautiful artwork lines the walls.

Beautiful art. Photo: Willunga Wino

Fueled and watered, it is time to announce the winners.

Willmark Awards 2015 Results

Favourite Stall

From Humble Grounds : ever smiling Bec & Rob operate this beloved coffee van that uses locally roasted Villere coffee; which is what flows through our home coffee machine, interspersed with Dawn Patrol blends.

Rebecca Moore and Rob Negerman of From Humble Grounds Coffee. Photo: Willunga Wino

Best Service

Do Bee Honey : Jill & John bring their stunning array of honeys and beeswax products from their base at Aldinga Beach.

Jill and John Trewartha from Do Bee Honey. Photo: Willunga Wino

Best Dressed Stall

Bull Creek Garlic Richard is the flavour master, with delicate to pungent bulbs, as well as my favourites – the smoked garlic that add a delectable smokiness to your meals.

Willmark Awards 2015 Willunga Farmers Market Results & review

Richard Casley-Smith from Bull Creek Garlic. Photo: Willunga Wino

Favourite Product

Small World Bakery produce epic batches of sourdough bread in shapes and sizes to suit all palates and occasions. My favourite is the seeded wholemeal and the small ciabatta loaves, which we slice and slather in Little Acre Foods rillettes or Kangarilla Creamery goat curd. We shall miss you while you are on your year long study tour!

Favourite Customer

The lovely Sarah-Jane Flew, a fellow Willunga blogger from My Seasonal Kitchen was voted Favourite Customer by the stall owners themselves.

Sarah-Jane Flew from My Seasonal Kitchen. Photo: Willunga Wino

The winners, as always, are the consumers, with the abundant produce of our beautiful region and hard working farmers bringing their wares straight from the ocean, land and air to us every week, rain, hail, or heatwave.

Thank you, farmers!