French Christmas Market

by Dave Walsh (subscribe)

Event: 06/12/2013 - 07/12/2013

I am quite a fan of French food, and I'm lucky to be lavished with authentic cuisine francaise occasionally by a friend from France. I've always been deterred from making it myself as it seems to need an awful lot of time and effort to be successful, so I'm happy to bring a bottle of Arrogant Frog wine to return the favour.

Unfortunately it can be hard to get genuine ingredients in Adelaide, but my friend recently returned from a trip to France and brought me a fantastic set of mustards to try out - walnut, blue cheese, chardonnay, basil, and Crème de Cassis de Dijon. It has encouraged me to make a few more roasts than usual so that I can experience the delicious range of flavours.



However in December we won't need to take an overseas trip to sample such delicious French flavours, as Alliance Francaise is bringing a free French Christmas Market to us at the leafy Soldiers Memorial Gardens park in Unley.

Some 30 South Australian businesses will have a stall in the park displaying their French themed wares including Mulot's Patisserie with their French patisserie & viennoiserie (baked goods), Natura's Ice Creamery offering sorbet, ice creams and coffee, Carpe Diem with their crepes (featured here), Boulangerie 113 (which was reviewed here), and Cheese Mongers. Of course there will be plenty of French wine and cheese too, so don't plan a big meal right after!



It won't be all about ingredients either, as The Advertiser's South Australian Chef of the Year Duncan Welgemoed from Bistro Dom will be imparting his secrets in a cooking demonstration for you. It promises to be rather exciting as he has previously worked with Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay, although I'm sure his language won't reflect that.

Of course we can't all be sitting idly feeding ourselves while letting the children ride the cannon in the park, so the Market will offer face painting (French themed of course!), and a mime to entertain us. The Trio Montagne will serenade us with traditional French songs and La Petite Ecole will sing Christmas Carols while we sip satisfyingly on the 2013 vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau.



If you feel in a romantic mood, you can even dance to some mellow jazz as you whisper Je t'aime to your lucky partner. Those of us less romantically inclined will smile beatifically as the children's choir entertains us.

The French Christmas Market is being held over two days - on Friday evening December 6 from 5pm to 10pm, then again on Saturday December 7 from 10am to 8pm.

Finding a park will be a breeze as it's located right next door to Unley Shopping Centre, so come along and feast on the delights of la belle France before Christmas madness sets in.

There's a little more information on the website, or follow the Alliance Francaise Facebook page for updates.

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Why? Pick up some tasty food

When: Friday December 6 – 5pm to 10pm, Saturday December 7 – 10am to 8pm

Website: www.af.org.au/french-christmas-marketsat-dec-7th

Where: Corner of Unley Road & Thomas Street, Unley, SA

Cost: Free

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