Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Introducing the new .. Chestnuts Market

Hello everyone

I’d like to introduce myself – I’m Marika Gauci and I will be running the new Chestnuts Market held at Chestnuts Primary School. N15. Launch date is Sunday March 15^th, which is Mothers Day, then every Sunday. 11am – 3pm.

A brief background: I previously worked in the music business: performing, recording, song-writing and event management for many years before trading up for the glorious food industry!

Inspired by visits to the legendary Borough Market, I started assisting in cookery schools, trained and worked as a professional chef, organized many pop ups and catered for films. In 2009 I started my own small cookery school www.marikas-kitchen.com where my pie classes in particular took off, and to this day, I run large Pie making workshops in the City. In collaboration with www.school-of-booze.com we run Pie Making/Beer Tasting classes for parties and corporate events. I am also a published author of a cookery book – The Little Book Of Pies (Square Peg) and have appeared on television and radio including the Good Food Network and BBC London.

As a Green Lanes resident for 17 years now, I deeply love the area and passionately believe in contributing to the continued improvement of the locality in any way I can: I covered management of the previous Harringay Market for 6 weeks and also supply our www.harringaylocalstore.co.uk with fresh hot pies three times a week.

I believe the location www.chestnutsprimary.com is perfect for a local market as we are a short walk from the High Street, are on two main roads and opposite is Chestnuts park –the park café is not open Sundays, so think of those sunny days where you can get scrumptious treats and drinks for your picnic. The area incorporates Tottenham, Haringey and Harringay. The School has kindly aloud us all to use the front playgrounds, so lots of playing for the children whilst parents and friends relax on the plentiful seating and shaded areas.

I hope I qualify running this new market for our area, I have lots of plans and excited to share with you. I am lucky to have some really amazing local friends who are helping me (Martha, Emily, Helen, Cara, Jorja, Georgina and Clive) Thanks guys!

I have secured some wonderful producers and food stalls already – but we are always looking for more, please do get in touch ASAP if you would like to join the fun or have any suggestions.

Chestnuts_market@hotmail.com

@ChestnutsMarket

www.facebook.com/ChestnutsMarket

Will keep you all informed – Bye for now.

Marika

Tags for Forum Posts: Chestnuts, Haringey, Market, Sunday, food, in, market

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Permalink Reply by Gina O on February 13, 2015 at 2:02

Looking forward to it!

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Permalink Reply by Marika on February 13, 2015 at 13:14

Whoop Whoop!

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on February 13, 2015 at 7:36

Hello, I'm always glad to see people being entrepreneurial and am a big food fan. However, I just wanted to check that you're involving/inviting representatives from all the local communities (Turkish, West Indian, Ghanaian, Latin American, Indian, etc)? I say this as I notice farmers/food markets are often dominated by white middle class people and are part of an areas gentrification process.

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Permalink Reply by pamish on February 13, 2015 at 13:01

I'm sure Marika would be glad to hear from such people if they want to rent a stall - can you suggest any?

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Permalink Reply by Marika on February 13, 2015 at 15:44

yes please!

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Permalink Reply by Marika on February 13, 2015 at 13:11

Thanks Jonathan - Well I do hope so, everyone will get a flyer, no one will be turned away at the gates, and no its not part of a gentrification process... I simply love markets, loved Harringey Market, I can do the job, have a passion for it, and its a fun thing to do on a Sunday - I miss that option on Sundays in our area especially with my little girl enjoying her cakes and a run around x

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on February 13, 2015 at 15:36

Hello Marika,

I would have thought if you approach the turkish restaurant owners they will know of people with stalls - you will find a large list via www.harringayfoodfestival.com

Also, contact the group that saved Chestnuts Community centre from closing (Chestnuts People http://www.chestnutspeople.com) they have people with West Indian food stall, chutney, chilli sauce, etc.

You could also contact all the places on Turnpike Lane - some amazing Indian veg, Bengali, Mauritian and Sri Lankan places.

What local people do you have so far?

PS One comment on the flyer/poster-it doesn't look like it represents the diversity in the area. I.e mentioning West Indian, Turkish, African food, etc.