Foodie fun at the markets for Mother's Day in Yass

Yass makers and bakers will celebrate Mother’s Day this year with a fabulous foodie market, organised by Merchant Campbell owner Margot Shannon.

Margot’s collection of artisan-made homewares and furnishings has seen her shop thrive in Yass since she opened in 2017. In the following years Margot has formed friendships with many local craftspeople and makers, as well as international relationships with traditional craftspeople in India and South East Asia.

For Mother’s Day this year, Margot wanted to tap into the vibrant artisan food community in and around Yass.

“It’s still a bit of a secret, but Yass is pretty cool,” she told Region.

“It’s such a lovely town and there’s a lot of untapped creativity. So many small businesses are wanting to have a crack and we wanted to do something so more people know about them!”

The market will include a range of products from makers like Murrumbatemen Chocolate Co (formerly Robyn Rowe Chocolates), Leaning Oak goats cheeses, Batlow’s Crafty Apple Cider, and family owned Hillman Bros Distilling Co.

Yass-based Le Barre Olives will also be selling their award-winning extra virgin olive oil.

“I used to work with Charles from Le Barre Olives and all the stallholders are local people, so I’ve known most of them for ages.”

“It’s a small town, so you get to know everyone.”

There will also be ingredients available for you to make your own Mother’s Day feast, like beef from local Derringullen Creek Farm.

Local winemaker Chrissie Smith – recently shortlisted for the 2024 Young Gun of Wine Awards – will be offering tastings from her range of Intrepidus Wines. And there will be chutneys, jams and what Margot describes as “the world’s best bread and butter pickle” from Fruitwood Farm, located at Rye Park.

“Provenance is so important to me both in the food that I eat and also in how I choose products for the shop,” Margot said. “In the store we focus on handmade, artisan products, and this market is really the same just with food.”

In addition to the 12 stalls there will be coffee and sweets from Gundaroo’s Neat Street Coffee.

And in a surprising twist, there will also be camels available for photos and pats. Why?

“Why not?” Margot laughed.

“Someone asked me if that was really necessary and of course it’s not, but it’s just a bit of fun!”

The camels will be coming from Bushfield Farm, who rescue ex-working camels.

So if you’re yet to make plans for Mother’s Day (or you just fancy meeting a camel while munching on some cheese), then this is a pretty great option. Margot said she was pleased to be able to create an event that shows off the best of the local region in a delicious way.

“Gin, chocolates and cheese: what’s not to love?”

The Merchant Campbell Mother’s Day Providore Foodie Market Day will be held on Saturday 11 May from 10 am to 2:30 pm at 287 Comur St, Yass. Visit Merchant Campbell’s website, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram to learn more about the stallholders who will attend the market.