A wonderful trend is the growing number of food markets opening up in Cape Town. The newest market is the Platteland (countryside) fresh food market, held at the Palms Lifestyle and Decor Centre, which opened on Saturday and will be held fortnightly.

It was an e-mail that alerted me the the new market, followed up by an invitation to visit.  The market is the brainchild of food stylist Isabella Niehaus, who herself is one of the stall holders, and the stylist in her showed with the beautiful display on her table, with a large dish of cherry tomatoes.

Isabella has attracted food suppliers from the platteland, most of whom have never been seen in Cape Town before, making the Platteland Market fresh and unusual, unlike the other more ‘commercialised’ markets. Being new, the market was not crowded, and the prices charged were very reasonable.

The stallholders include Anna Rita with fabulous fresh figs from Porterville, juicy grapes from Wellington, and relishes.  Wines come from Lemberg Estate. Designer Rooibos teas come from Carmien from Citrusdal. Fresh flowers come from Henriette and Marica Louw in Philadelphia and Melkbos. Kotie is the mushroom lady from Darling, selling beautiful mushrooms (dried and fried). Vos Pienaar brought mussels and oysters from Saldanha. Karen Basson sells meats from Nicky Lategan’s butchery in Mooreesburg, and beautiful breads.  Fiamma Forsdick comes from Koringberg, and previously ran restaurants in Cape Town, and a cookery school called Yum. She is Cordon Bleu trained, in Switzerland.  Her table was laden with home-made chicken pies, patés, a game terrine, and beautiful cakes.  Sanet Eigelaar brought her special cupcakes from Saldanha.  Doreen makes vetkoek fresh at the market.  Elenor from Melkbos makes gourmet sandwiches. Christine Carpendale, who runs a cookery school in Langebaan, did a demonstration of how to use smoked snoek.

The Platteland stallholders were a bit overwhelmed by us city types, and seemed surprised about our requests not to be called ‘Tannie’, and for their business cards, which most did not have.  They were very friendly, and clearly passionate about their produce.  Isabella Niehaus and her team are to be congratulated in bringing such a different and unique market to Cape Town.

Disclosure: We received a gift bag with a De Kat magazine, a bottle of Lemberg wine, a pack of Carmien tea, and a container of Isabella’s tomato relish.

The Palms Market, Palms Decor and Lifestyle Centre, 145 Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town.  Tel (021) 462-0394.  www.palms.co.za Twitter:@PalmsMarket  Every second Saturday 10h00 – 15h00.  Parking is free on Market Saturdays.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage