At Castlemaine FM

If you’ve ever stayed in a Bed & Breakfast, you would know that it’s the little touches here and there that make your stay more pleasant and would probably make you keep using the same thoughtful little home away from home. That is so with Sally Rose’s cozy little BnB. She supplies guests with locally sourced amenities and a wonderful selection of artisanal goodies in her breakfast hamper, which includes sample packs of Pink Muesli. The fact that she personally knows each and every maker of these goodies is no surprise as she is also the incumbent indefatigable President of the Castlemaine Farmers Market. Talk about supporting your own, she does that quite literally! And all to good results. Guests always leave great feedback in her guest book and often mention the yummy basket of gourmet surprises that they feast on throughout their stay. And if they happen to be there when the market is on they more often than not pay a visit to this wonderful country market and shop for the now familiar goodies.

Thank you Sally Rose for spreading the pink goodness!?

Meet Bart (yes, as in Simpson ?), grandfather to four young girls who are all gaga over anything pink. He was taking a slow stroll through the farmers market, not intending to buy anything. He couldn’t believe it when he spotted the bright pink tent he just had to come over to tell me his story.

Bart: Pink! (looking incredulous)

Me: Yep! Beetroot makes it pink!

Bart: Do you eat this? (still looking incredulous)

Me: Of course! You can also just stare at it, it’s so pretty don’t you think? (we share lolz) Here have a taste, it actually tastes as good as it looks but you be the judge. (I hand him a sample)

Bart: Hmm, not bad (nods approvingly). I have 4 granddaughters and they’re all crazy about anything pink. They won’t believe me if I tell them I found muesli that’s pink!

Me: So you know what that means.

Bart: Which one is your best one?

Me: Depends on your palate. But to introduce them to this fabulous pink food, I suggest you start with my very first product Pink Muesli with Berries.

Bart: Ok, I’ll get one big bag and they can all share.

Me: Thank you very much!

Bart: By the way, I hate pink, but look at me now. (lolz)

Me: You’re a good granddad Bart. (I hand him his purchase in a bright pink bag, but of course ?)

Granddad is in the Pink?

At Ballarat FM

A return customer was browsing the pink tubs deciding on which flavour to try next.

RC: I love this! I know how much work goes into making it.

Me: Thank you so much! Means a lot to us when customers appreciate that it’s a labour of love. (we share a nice chuckle)

RC: You can clearly see the artisanship! Just take a look at this (reaches for the Premium Dark Cacao Puffs & Strawberry) those wafer thin slices of strawberries! You must have spent hours on it!

Me: Yes, it is labour-intensive. The final product takes from 2-4 days. (She shakes her head in amazement)

RC: That is why I savour every bite. (She settles for a new flavour, Cinnamon Carrot Apple & Raisin.) And look at this, so beautiful! I shall look forward to eating it!

Me: Thank you so much, you have made my day!

This happy customer made my heart sing ?

John drove all the way from Moama to get his very own bag of Pink Muesli! That’s over two hours! What inspired him to do that? He just had to meet the maker of the most exciting muesli he’s had since forever!

It all started at breakfast at a friend’s place in Melbourne where he got served Pink Muesli with Berries. He was so impressed by it that his friend ended up giving him the rest of the bag to take home. Once home, he read more closely the back label, spotted my number and called me.  He wanted to know my story and after a good long chat, he decided to make the trip the following week. He arrived one rainy wintry day with the empty packet and was thrilled to discover that there were five other flavours! After trying them all, he opted for his new favourite Pink Muesli with Citrus & Ginger. He was so pleased with his new find that he urged me to come to the Echuca market to spread the pink goodness thataway. Well John,  If Echuca had folks as lovely as you, you may just find us there some day. Thank you so much for making the trip and your heartwarming determination  ?

John is in the pink ?

At Slow Food Melbourne

This was our very last market for the year 2017 and faithful customers have come in early to stock up on their favourites for the long Christmas break. The crowds have steadily thinned out as the hours ticked on. It was nearly closing time when a familiar pretty face popped in, bringing with her an older version of herself.

Chloe: Hi! Remember me? I was here last month and I love your muesli! This is my Maman! She just arrived from France and we came here just for you!

Me: Oh wow! That’s great, thank you! (introductions all around)

Beatrice: Chloe was so impressed with your muesli she wanted me to meet you and taste your wonderful products!

Me: That’s awesome Chloe and of course, I’d be delighted to have you taste them Beatrice!

We proceeded with the tasting of all six products and with each one an incredulous ummmm and a nod of the head. A rapid exchange of French between mother and daughter ensued, so melodic I was mesmerised! After some debating, they settled on their favourites and gladly posed for a photo for me.

Warms my heart. Thank you Chloe and Beatrice! Please come back for more!

Maman et sa fille sont dans le rose? (thanks Google for translating ha!)

At Boroondara FM

Mature aged lady approaches the stall, smiling big.

MAL: I bought a variety pack from you last time and ate all of them. They are all so good but there is one that is my favorite, the Coconut Crunch. Now tell me, how did you get it so crunchy? Did you bake it?

Me: I dehydrated it over low temperature for a verrrrry loooong time! Baking browns it and I lose all that lovely colour.

MAL: A-MA-ZING. I don’t cook but I am very interested in what I eat and how it’s made. I look for good quality food and would rather spend on something small but very good than on something not-so-good but a lot. That is why I don’t like buffets. I prefer ala carte that is good. Yours is very good, very high quality.

Me: Why thank you so much! That means a lot to me.

MAL: I am very impressed with how you make your products, the amount of effort you put into them shows in the high quality. I told myself I must support you as you are making such a good product. So please can I buy a large packet this time of your Coconut Crunch?

Me: Most definitely! You have made my day! Thank you so much!

MAL: No no, no. Thank YOU for making such a wonderful product. See you next month.

Me: Yes, for sure and have a lovely Christmas!

MAL: I will. I have this (showing her bag of PM).

I am so tickled pink?

At Boroondara FM

Young hipster couple strolls through the market, spots the Pink and walks purposefully towards me.

Hipster F: Wow! What is Pink Muesli all about?! I’ve never seen this before!

Me: It’s all about beetroot. Raw organic beetroot combined with all these nutritious ingredients (I direct them to the ingredient lists) which soak up the juice. And of course you know that beetroot stains everything (they nod vigorously), hence the pink!

Chorus: Amazing! (admiring each product)

Me: Here have a taste (I hand them a sample)

Hipster M: Ummm, delicious! (HF savors the PM with her eyes shut and then does a little jig!)

Me: I like what you did there, you did a little jig!

H F: Oh did I? That was completely involuntary! (she said a bit embarassed and we share lolz)

Me: Even better! Your body responded to good food! That is how I react too every time I eat something yummy, I do a happy jig! (we all laugh some more)

HF: It IS absolutely yummy! I must have that. (they purchase a couple of bags) Will you be here next month?

Me: Yes, every third Saturday. You can also purchase online if you can’t come to the market.

HF: We shall. (smiling big) I will enjoy having my breakfast now. (they walk off happily)

Happy customer in the pink ?

(Note: Couple featured here is not the same couple in this Pink Tale, but they showed the exact same reaction to eating PM 🙂 follow link it will take you to actual market they found PM)

At Boroondara FM

Fit-looking young woman in active wear approached the stall, looking incredulous.

FLYW: Oh wow! Is it really made with beetroot? I’ve never seen this before!

Me: Yes, of course, the only one of its kind! At least 40% beetroot mixed with all good stuff (pointing to the ingredient lists) It’s our first time here. Would you like a taste?

FLYW: Would I? Yes please! (I hand her samples) That is de-li-cious! I’ve just been telling my husband that I need something to get me going in the morning as I haven’t been enjoying my breakfasts. They haven’t been exciting. I have no problem with lunch or dinner, it’s breakfast that I find really boring. And I need to enjoy my food. (she said emphatically)

Me: Tell you what, a bowl of this would be far from boring, just have a look! (we share lolz)

FLYW: Definitely! They’re all so pretty!

Me: You can sprinkle it on porridge for added nutrition. I have a friend who puts it on her toast with a bit of cream cheese. Really yummy!

FLYW: Oh wow! Cream cheese…how about smashed avo?

Me: Absolutely! That would be awesome! If you go to our website there’s a link to an entire album of ways to enjoy Pink Muesli. The possibilities are endless!

FLYW: I am so excited now! I think I’ll try your variety bag as it’s so hard to choose! At least I get a sample of each so I know what to get next time!

Me: Excellent choice! Now you can look forward to brekkie!

FLYW: For sure! Thank you so much! Will you be here again?

Me: Yes! See you next time! If not, find us online!

Happy customer in the pink ?

At Bendigo FM

It was closing time already so I left the stall to get my car. On my return, a smartly dressed lady was inspecting the products keenly.

Me: Hi there!

SDL: What IS this? It’s so pretty! (in an incredulous tone)

Me: It’s beetroot-based muesli.

SDL: Wow! That’s different! What on earth gave you the idea of using beetroot?

Me:  (I go into my story about the high blood pressure returning to normal because of beetroot  to my captive audience.) So that’s the story. Here have a taste (handing her a sample of each)

SDL: Oh my goodness that is so delicious! Amazing. I am impressed, I’ll take these two flavours please (Citrus & Ginger and Cinnamon Carrot Apple & Raisin).

Me: Here you go, enjoy!

SDL: I will! Thank you!

At this point a friend came and she proudly shows off her purchase. They both indulge me with a photo. They then join a group of friends and start walking off into the CBD. I could see her excitedly show them the Pink goodness. She was clearly so sold she was telling everyone!

So sold, she is so in the pink ?

At Woodend FM

A couple, arms laden with goodies from the other stalls, came up to the pink stall with an incredulous look on their faces.

Gentleman: Beetroot! This I gotta see.

Lady: Is that what makes the pink?

Me: Right you are! Would you like a taste?

Chorus: Yes, please!

I proceeded to hand them a taste of each flavour explaining the ingredients and the process of making them. After each tasting the gentleman described the taste and texture so beautifully I was, in fact, mesmerised by his words. I’m afraid I could not remember them here but suffice it to say, he sounded like a food critic or food blogger. A foodie for sure!

Gentleman: This is delicious, amazing. Very good quality. (he said while savoring the last flavour, Dark Cacao) Oh wow! The cacao hits you right at the end! Ummmm

Lady: This is fantastic, just what we’re looking for! (she said elatedly)

Me: Thank you! We put a lot of love into each one!

Lady: Yes, that is clear. We’re chefs and we’re about to offer breakfast in our restaurant and we need something to go with panna cotta, yes it’s a thing now—panna cotta for breakfast— to make it more exciting.

Me: Yes! Just like this! (I went around to join them in front to show them the panna cotta topped with PM in the display banner)

Chorus: Exactly!

Me: Yes, it does go very well with panna cotta. Also with porridge, custard, desserts, salads…the possibilities are endless! (we share happy lolz)

Lady: Yay! What an incredible find, so happy we came here today. Well then we have to choose now. (they discuss between themselves) I reckon the first one, Berries, would be the best on panna cotta. And I love the Dark Cacao. Question, what is the largest size you sell?

Me: We do have one kilo bags online. But you can order ahead and we can bring it to the market for you if you like.

Lady: Excellent! We’ll take the Berries for now and the Cacao and we’ll check you out online too!

Me: Beautiful! Thank you so much!

Chorus: No, thank you! This was an amazing find!

Chefs are in the pink!