• Rosebank’s art and design district, Keyes Art Mile, will soon be home to a new artisanal food market – The Pantry Market at Keyes. Taking place on one Saturday morning a month, the market will specialise in small-batch, artisanal products, and will bring to the district everything from olive oil and honey to fresh produce, charcuterie, confectionery, sourdough bread and cut flowers.

    About The Pantry Market 

    “Our objective is to make fresh, locally sourced products available to Joburgers on a regular basis,” says curator of the market, Roberta Thatcher. “Now, more than ever, it’s imperative we know where our food is from, and a neighbourhood market is the perfect way to shorten the supply chain, while getting to know the producers of the delicious goods you take home.” 

    One of the highlights of the market is the stand, A Moveable Feast, in which top local chefs create a product to be sold exclusively at the market. “The idea is that visitors can purchase an item from a favourite chef to take home and enjoy,” says Thatcher. “Think pantry goods from Andrea Burgener of The Leopard, quince jelly straight from chef James Diack of Coobs’ family farm, a selection of marmalades from Jacques Erasmus of Hemelhuijs’s personal citrus garden, and more.”

    READ MORE: Q&A with Chef James Diack

    The Pantry Market Munching Mongoose

    Here’s what visitors can look forward to at The Pantry Market 

    Another highlight is the talks programme. Each month visitors can attend a free food-related talk by an industry expert. Topics include ethical eating, reducing your plastic-use, plant-based diets, and more. The first talk, on 24 March at 10h30, will be by Brad Meiring, owner of Munching Mongoose organic box scheme, who will discuss how we have become disconnected from our food, and how the dinner table is the perfect platform for us and our kids to learn about what we eat, and respect the value food plays in our lives. 

    Exciting workshops will be added to the mix in the upcoming months, featuring everything from bread-making to fermenting your own foods.

    The Pantry Market

    Say no to plastic 

    The market is a plastic-free zone, and visitors will be able to shop top-quality, ethically produced products in a relaxed, curated space, in which they can meet the makers, sip, sample, snack and enjoy live music. To complete the experience, breakfast and lunch are available from the several Keyes Art Mile restaurants, including BGR, MESH Club, Milk Bar and Marble, while SMAC Gallery and the building’s exciting retail offerings are open for browsing and shopping.

    READ MORE: 10 Must-visit restaurants in Johannesburg (that are also open on Mondays)

    When does The Pantry Market take place?

    The Pantry Market takes place monthly in The Atrium of the Trumpet Building on Keyes – 21 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.

    The first edition of The Pantry Market is on Saturday 24 March, from 9:00 – 14:00.

    The Pantry Market

    Exhibitors at The Pantry Market

    A selection of confirmed exhibitors include: Botanicus (fresh flowers); Create Deli (olives and preserves); Darling Sweet (honey, salt and toffee); Dolci Café (Italian pastries and fresh pasta); Esposito Natural Foods (charcuterie); Gudgu (cordials); Kula Organics (fresh, organic produce); Lorian’s Cheeses (artisan local cheeses); Ono Eatery (Poke bowls); The Chocolatiers (chocolate); Treviso Café (sourdough bread); Yococo (vegan ice-cream).

    Imka Webb
    Author

    Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine.  www.imkawebb.com