When did you start making and bottling your own wine?

We have been making wine for over 20 years. Our first commercial wines were available in August of 2010.

What made you decide to start a winery?

The Alberta Cottage Wine Industry started in 2005. The regulations were such that it was possible  to become a winery, but not have to produce the extremely large volumes that a full fledged winery in Alberta was required to do.

What makes your wine so different from other wines?

Our wines are “true to the fruit”. We craft our wines to have a bouquet and taste like the fruit that they are made from. We take great pride in producing quality wines for our customers by applying cool fermentation techniques to retain the essence of the fruit. We do not utilize sulfites upon bottling. We also do not add any sorbates or fining agents.

Do you provide samples at the City Market Downtown?

Yes. We provide tastings for a loonie.

With what foods are your wines best paired?

The Other Red (raspberry)  pairs nicely with duck breast, roast pork, white chocolate, mango and milk chocolate. 

The Barb (rhubarb) pairs nicely with cold meats, Thai noodles, spicy foods and fish. Both wines also taste great on their own.

Tell us about your farm.

Barr Estate Winery is embedded in our farm. Like all Alberta cottage wineries, we grow the fruit on our land in Sherwood Park. No herbicides or pesticides are used. All fruit is hand picked. Great care is taken to pick only the best fruit and, in turn, make the best wine possible. The sheep are our mowers and they have helped create our beautiful fertile soil for the plants.

Why do you like selling at the City Market Downtown?

The atmosphere! It’s so vibrant and alive.

What is the one thing that people typically don’t know about your wine?

That we’re local. People are surprised to hear that there is a winery in Alberta, let alone that there are 5.

Do you have a memorable, unique or funny story about selling at the City Market Downtown?

I think one of the best things about the City Market is how all the vendors support each other. It makes for a stronger market.

Will you be at the City Market Downtown when it returns to 104th Street? If so, which days?

Yes, we will be there every Saturday starting on May 19, 2012.

What kinds of pies do you sell?

We sell a wide variety of specialty meat pies such as Steak, Steak & Kidney, Lamb, Chicken, Chicken & Ham, Wild Salmon & Smoked Cod, Tourtiere, Drunken Beef, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Cornish Pasties , Vegetarian and more (most in a variety of sizes).

Which one is your most popular?

That would always depend on who you are talking to, and has been the subject of discussion amongst pie lovers. While they are all very popular, my wife’s favourite (hands down) is the Tourtiere and mine is the Turkey Pot Pie.

Is your recipe a special family recipe?

We use the recipes from the original owner with some health conscious modifications.

When did you start making your unique pies?

We bought the business about seven years ago from my wife’s sister who had purchased it from the original owner.

What made you decide to start selling pies?

We like new adventures and meeting people, so we thought this would be a great retirement project.

Do you provide samples at the City Market Downtown?

No, we don’t provide samples at the city market, because most of our pies are frozen, and we don’t have cooking facilities there.

Why do you like selling at the City Market Downtown?

We like selling at the City Market, because the customers are friendly and appreciate our pies, and the vendors are also friendly and willing to help each other.

Do you experiment and come up with new and different combinations, or stay true to the original recipe?

We stay true to the original recipes, and add additional products to our selection.

What is the one thing that people typically don’t know about your pies?

The one thing that people don’t realize is that they get a wholesome nutritious meal with the same convenience and less cost of a pizza.

Do you have a memorable, unique or funny story about selling at the City market Downtown?

We don’t have anything that is particularly memorable, except that it is a great market, and we are proud to be part of this community.

Will you be at the City Market Downtown when it returns to 104th Street? If so, which days?

We will be on the 104th St. Market for the whole summer season.

Treat Mom to a quick and easy home-made dinner and pick up some yummy lasagna, ravioli and pasta from Back to Basics, or a meat pie from Little Jack Horner. Or if you prefer to make it all from scratch, try the fresh meats offered up by our many meat vendors like Serben’s, Nature’s Green Acres and Sunshine Organic Farm.

Compliment your meal with a bottle of wine from Birds & Bees Organic Winery or Barr Estate Winery, artisan breads from Prairie Mill Bread or Bread, Cheese and Kisses, flavourful cheeses from Smoky Valley Goat Cheese, and add a beautiful colourful salad of cucumber, peppers and tomatoes from Doef’s Greenhouse. Don’t forget dessert. Sweet Stuff Cakes and The Art of Cake offer up amazing sweet creations every week at the City Market.

Make sure to deck the table with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from Kuhlmann’s Market Gardens. If dried arrangements are more her taste check out the unique compositions put together by Judy of The Mombot. If a handmade gift is more your style, Jewels by Amy showcases fine sterling silver jewelry with Swarovski crystals and hand blown glass, Line’s Designs offers up one of a kind textile handbags, and Greenwood Soaps has a “senstuous” array of  handmade soaps, balms and body butters.

Make a trip this Saturday to City Hall and find your own inspiration to show Mom how much you love her. And ask our friendly staff for help if you`re looking for more ideas.

One such partner is Vision Creative. If you haven’t heard their name, you have certainly seen the results of their creativity at our farmers’ market.

One of the partners at Vision Creative, an Edmonton marketing and design firm, is Brad and he is a regular customer of the City Market Downtown. Brad loves the atmosphere and experience of our farmers’ market. In 2011, as we forged ahead to become a year round farmers’ market, we needed to adjust our name, our logo and our look to accommodate a summer location on 104th Street and a winter home inside City Hall. Brad understood our needs and Vision Creative answered the call.

Since mid-2011, Vision Creative has graciously donated their creative time and talents. They helped us refresh our logo, give our characteristic chicken a make-over, update our colours and completely redo our marketing pieces, including the look and feel you see on this blog site. You might have also seen some of our advertisements over the past couple of months (samples are below). All of them are the product of the imagination and smart business sense of Vision Creative.

We wanted to give them a big shout out for their incredibly kind and imaginative support of our farmers’ market. Thank you, Vision Creative.

Expect another great outdoor season this year. We already have 105 vendors lined up to start the season, and that number will grow as the weather warms and more fresh produce and products become available.

The outdoor market on 104th Street runs 9am to 3pm, every Saturday, rain or shine, from May 19 to October 6, 2012. If you haven’t visited us in our outdoor location, the farmers’ market stretches down two city blocks on 104th Street, just North of Jasper Avenue (click here for more details on how to get here). There is lots of metered street and parkade parking in the surrounding area.

We’ve loved our winter home inside City Hall. This is the first time the farmers’ market operated year around and it was a great first year of success. Every Saturday, dozens of vendors set up inside the beautiful, warm sun-filled pyramid at City Hall as thousands of customers shopped and enjoyed the atmosphere that only a farmers’ market can provide.

The Market is still operating inside City Hall until May 12th, which will be our last day inside City Hall.

We’d like to thank the City of Edmonton for their support in bringing the Market to City Hall and for helping us create an exceptional experience for our customers and vendors.

We hope to see you Saturdays inside City Hall until May 12th . And starting May 19th, we will see you outside on 104th!

Starting Saturday, May 19th, your downtown farmers’ market will move back outdoors to our home on 104th Street, with the extended hours of 9am to 3pm, rain or shine.  The Market is open every Saturday until the end of the outdoor season on October 6th.

We have a great line-up of new and returning vendors and buskers this season, but we are always on the look-out for more talented farmers, bakers, crafters, makers and entertainment creators!

If you are interested in becoming a Vendor on a full time or part time basis, or if you have musical or creative talents you would like to share as a Busker, read more and apply today. A volunteer committee from the City Market Downtown reviews all applications and communicates with applicants as soon as a decision is made.

Join us and be a part of the relaxed atmosphere at the City Market Downtown. See you soon.

How long have you been a busker at the City Market Downtown?

My first time busking at the City Market Downtown was the summer of 2011. I started busking at farmers’ markets while living in New Zealand four years ago, and have busked at markets in Edmonton since my return.

What is the best part about busking?

The best part about busking is…I love everything about it! I love singing and playing my guitar for people. I love uplifting the atmosphere around me when I make music. I love smiling & seeing smiles. I love making money doing what I enjoy. I love fresh produce & supporting local farmers. I love receiving snacks & gifts from vendors. I love the community at the farmers’ market, and I love the immediate feedback that busking offers (if people enjoy the music they give me money & they share with me with their words, smiles or eye contact).

What is the worst part about busking?

The worst part about busking, if there is such a thing, basically has only ever been my attitude. Sometimes, especially early on in my experience, it was difficult to play when I believed that no one was listening to me. This creates a very discouraging internal atmosphere. Thankfully, it is self-created, and I have come to learn that I can never know who is listening or not.  I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter much if I simply choose to play to the heart of everyone around me. I believe there is some part of everyone listening very deeply, and so I just play to that. I listen to myself, and this can create a very simple but somewhat mystical experience – basically it’s just about having joy.

Have you always played guitar and sung solo?  Other musical talents?  Ever played in a band?

Always is a very big time-frame! But basically I have been musical since childhood, absorbing music from my environment, my dad, my school, our family record collection. I learned guitar when I was 12 and I have been singing ever since I could produce sound with my vocals chords. I’ve taught myself to play about 9 or 10 instruments, and I’ve played in many different capacities with bands or solo.

Do you write your own music and songs?

I write music and lyrics and songs. I’ve written many songs about life and love and the things in between, as well as composed many instrumental pieces on guitar and piano.

Where do you hope your music will take you?  Is it a hobby, or do you aim for bigger things?

My music comes from, and takes me to, a place of deep love, reflection, and creativity within myself that I can then express into the world. It is from this place that all success comes from, so my music has already taken me where I need to be. But as far as aiming big, I also know that outwardly, my music will take me around the world and connect me with many people. My music is a great aspect of my life mission of love, joy, truth, sharing, community, simple greatness, and everyone is invited, and it involves anyone who is attracted to it.

What is it like entertaining people at a farmers’ market?  Is it different than busking or playing in other venues?  If so, how?

Entertaining people is much like life – it’s always a little bit different and yet it’s always the same. Every different venue or playing situation provides its own challenges and advantages, and each one offers very valuable lessons to be applied to the next time I perform. For example, busking has taught me a great deal of detachment from responses or reactions, because I never know when people are listening or not, so I don’t worry either way. This allows me the space to continue being joyful and have fun, and ironically this generally leads to very warm responses and fulfilling connections with listeners. Then when I have the opportunity to play the Winspear for example, I have cultivated so much joy and fearlessness in my performance that I can give people everything of myself while having their full attention. It is amazing when that happens!

What dates will you be at the downtown market?

I will be at the Downtown market this Saturday, March 31 and again on:

April 21

April 28

May 5

How can people find out more about you, and buy your music (website, Facebook, Twitter)?

People can find out more about me and my music at my website, www.brianmcleod.net, Facebook (just search Brian McLeod), or at info@brianmcleod.net.

Want to be a busker at our farmers’ market?  We are looking for talented individuals, bands and groups to perform at the market during our indoor and outdoor season. Find out more and apply today!

In its March 2012 issue, Avenue Magazine Edmonton announced the 25 Best Things to Eat in Edmonton – 2012. On the list are products from five different Market vendors.  One out of every five Best Things to Eat can be found at our farmers’ market. We’re so proud!

A big City Market Downtown congratulations to the:

- decadent Coconut Macaroons from The Art of Cake

- flavourful Tomatoes from Gull Valley Greenhouses

- spicy green Guasacaca sauce from Don Carmelo

- highly addictive Xpresso newget from The Newget Kompany

- versatile and tasty Shiraz, Parmesan and Portabello Mushroom sauce from Bambouche World Cuisine

If you haven’t tried these products, well….you should.  And you can, this Saturday (March 24), as The Art of Cake, Bambouche World Cuisine and The Newget Kompany will be selling at the Market.

Gull Valley Greenhouses will join us for the outdoor season starting May 19, and we hope Don Carmelo will be back with us soon too.

Avenue’s list of Best Things to Eat is a food lover’s bible and map to great eating. We encourage you to eat your way through the entire list as it is a great way to explore our city.

Mark your calendar and get to the Market this weekend to get a head start on Edmonton’s best eats by our incredibly talented vendors.

What is a macaron?

A  French macaroon (or macaron) is two almond-and-meringue-based shells with a flavored filling in between. The shells have to have ruffled “feet” in order to be called a macaron.

What flavours do you sell?  What is the most popular? 

I try to sell 6 different flavors every time I come to the market. To name a few, I do salted caramel, white chocolate raspberry, milk chocolate passionfruit, earl grey, chai, green tea, and dark chocolate hazelnut. Salted caramel and white chocolate raspberry are the most popular flavours.

Are macarons hard to make?

Making macarons only takes a few steps and the process looks deceivingly easy, but the steps themselves take much practice to get right. The toughest thing about making macarons is that there are multiple factors that can cause them to come out wrong.

How did you decide to make and sell macarons?

When I first tasted them I was completely shocked at how unique and delicious they were. I wanted to learn to make them because I had heard they were difficult to make, and it seemed like a fun challenge to take on. It took me about a year to really learn how to make them. After I became confident at how to make them, I was proud of my product and thought it would be fun to market them. Now I’m here!

Why do you like selling at the City Market Downtown?

The City Market is a wonderful farmers’ market – it is an intimate market that carries a huge variety of products that come from local talent. I love the friendly atmosphere and the customers are always wonderful and enthusiastic about Edmonton’s food scene.

What inspired you to become a farmers’ market vendor?

I wanted a means to sell my product at a level that was possible for a home baker, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. The market allows me to come into contact with macaron enthusiasts as well as people who have never tasted one but are open to new things. It’s always fun to meet the people who found me online and to develop a relationship with them.

Do you experiment – trying to create new flavours, including savory?

I do love to experiment with flavors, and I would love to try a savory one in the future! I try to return to the market each month with a few new flavors every time.

Are you tempted to eat macarons all day (like the rest of us do when we bake)?

Yes, sometimes one or two go mysteriously missing from the batch.

What is one thing that most people don’t know about making macarons?

Unlike most other baked goods, macarons actually taste best 1-2 days after they’re made because they need the time to soak in the flavor of the filling. They also store very well kept in the fridge or freezer, but taste the softest and have the most delicious texture at room temperature.

Do you have a memorable, unique or funny story about selling at the City Market Downtown?

I was so incredibly flattered when one man came back to my table 3 times in the span of 1 hour, each time guiltily purchasing more salted caramel macarons after finishing them. It was completely heartwarming and I hope he comes back.

What are your future dates at the City Market Downtown at City Hall?

March 17, April 21, and May 12. I will also be at the outdoor Market on 104 Street Aug 18 and Sept 15.

Website?  Facebook?  Twitter?

My Facebook and Twitter are linked on my website, www.mirabellemacarons.com.

Jack is 7 years old and has been fiddling since the wee age of 2. He has been one of the Market’s most popular buskers for the last year, for good reason. Jack is taking it big time, competing on Canada’s Got Talent 2012. In the first round, Jack wowed the judges and the audience with a snappy “Fiddle Medley” and has moved on to compete in Round 2.

Watch the highlights from Jack’s Round 1 appearance on this popular reality show and read the Forestier family blog on the Canada’s Got Talent website. Leave a comment and cheer them on as the judges are watching!

Join us in cheering on our favourite little fiddling maestro, and make sure you root for him to win it all! We know Jack is going to continue to impress the nation and do our City and farmers’ market proud. Go Jack!!!

Update! Jack is getting ready for his next live appearance on the show. Mark your calendar and schedule your PVR for April 22.