Gathered Design Market pulls Adelaideans out of winter hibernation by supporting handpicked South Australian vendors. Held in The Queens Theatre on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of July, Gathered showcases art, homewares, clothing, jewellery, candles, makeup and more by SA designers, artisans and small business. Browse goods while enjoying live acoustic music and delicious foods and drinks in the beautifully styled space. Adelaide Food Central sampled the local food and drink vendors providing sustenance to market-goers.

Bao+
The warm and kind faces at Bao+ were serving up steamed bao buns filled with crispy pork, fish katsu, teriyaki chicken, Korean chicken and tofu. The Tofu Bao consisted of marinated tofu, tomato and lettuce, while the Korean Chicken Bao contained crispy chicken fillet, coriander and lettuce. Both streamed bao buns were beautifully fluffy, I only wish the lettuce and tomato could be replaced with complimenting additions to tofu like pickled vegetables or mushroom. Bao+ also serve up delicious desserts including New York Cheesecakes in Apple Crumble and Oreo flavours. The dessert we could not resist was the Strawberry Cheesecake Spring Roll. The roll is filled with cream cheese and strawberry, coated in a crispy shell and topped with strawberry bursting boba – small juice balls made from a seaweed extract with fruit juice flavouring inside that pops once bitten into – and cream. The soft fillings and outside crunch combine well to bring the cheesecake flavour, not texture, to a spring roll.

Mời Ăn Viet Street Food
Gathered regulars Mời Ăn Viet Street Food were providing hearty meals suited to the season. Their delectable Chicken Satay and Pork Dumplings were overshadowed by their mouth-watering pho. The classic pho selections were on offer, including rare beef, beef meatballs, combination and veges, all simmered in their beef stock. Like any traditional pho, the beef stock is made from boiled beef bones and spices and allowed to simmer for over 12 hours, occasionally skimmed to remove fat. The Veges Pho we tried was full of crisp tofu pieces, fresh bok choy and the flavoursome beef stock.

Gang Gang
The burger stand Gang Gang lived up to their hip hop name with an appearance by Cardi B at Gathered. The signature chicken burger Cardi B consists of crispy buttermilk fried chicken, slaw, smashed avocado, cheddar, Balinese salsa, rocket and sweet chili mayo. The flavours were as vibrant as the colours of the ingredients. Served with chicken salted crinkle cut chips. Gluten free and plant-based burgers available too.

Hen’s Nuts and Catering
Spanish paella by Hen’s Nuts and Catering was a hit at Gathered in the chilly weather. There were two options on offer: seafood and meat – with SA organic mussels, prawns, chicken and Skara chorizo – or veggie. We tried the veggie option chockful of capsicum, sweet potato, green bean, black beans, eggplant, fennel and corn, and bursting with flavour. Their namesake oven roasted nuts including almonds and pumpkin and sunflowers seeds finished in organic gluten free Tamari soy sauce are a tasty snack. Hen’s Nuts and Catering provide corporate and private catering services.

Abbots and Kinney
Bakery and coffee shop Abbots and Kinney were waking, and warming, up early market-goers with coffees and hot chocolates. All their wonderful pasties, like cannelloni and croissants, are baked at their production kitchen daily from scratch including the fillings. Normally you can find their scrummy pastries and soothing hot beverages at their Croydon store and their other three locations in the city.

TaCHs Stroopwafels
Family owned and operated TaCHs Stroopwafels make their own Dutch Stroopwafles: two thin waffles held together with caramel syrup. Husband and wife duo Lee and Bianca claim to make the best Dutch Stroopwafels in Adelaide and we’d have to agree. Their grand dessert takes them to the next level with strawberries, cream, ice-cream and syrup topping.

Thistle and Whey
Owner Jordan Olivia has been baking for a few years and started her own business Thistle and Whey only four months ago. Thistle and Whey creates natural and organic (where possible) cakes to cater to events from birthday to weddings. The beautiful ingredients Jordan chooses are purchased locally to support SA farmers and the flowers adorning the cakes are from Adelaide Hills florist The Rose and Radish. Thistle and Whey favours native cake ingredients like wattleseed supporting their focus on sustainability. We were treated to the first slice of the day of their chocolate and wattleseed cake with mascarpone and raspberry.

Wines
And to accompany our delectable foods, Sidewood Estate and La Prova offered a wide range of wines. La Prova specialises in textual and savoury wines growing South Australian versions of Italian grape varieties. The family owned Sidewood Estate from Oakbank emphasise the sustainability of their vegan friendly wines. We are lucky choosing SA isn’t normally hard when it comes to wines, but personally I always enjoy the taste a bit more when I chat to someone passionate about wine.

Gathered brings in the best local businesses, from handmade goods to handmade foods, in a picturesque market setting. Our thanks to the founder of Gathered Jenna O’Dell for inviting us to join this wonderful community of SA creators and makers. We also appreciate the wonderful food and drink businesses for chatting about their work and showing off their yummy items. See and taste the Gathered experience for yourself at their next event October 26 and 27 at the Queens Theatre (on Playhouse Lane, just off Currie Street). Mark the dates in your diary now!

Words by Chloe Cannell

WHERE: 27 Playhouse Lane, Adelaide