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Unless you’ve been living on another planet, you’ll know Marissa Bowden is one half of the dynamic female duo that brought us Gold Coast’s original lifestyle markets, The Village Markets. Now a decade old, The Village Markets is one of the Coast’s biggest success stories and a trailblazer for the city’s flourishing creative community. The market has not only helped launch local brands to international stardom, it’s been an inspiration and platform for many to follow their passions, a melting pot for local musos and generally a local’s weekend ritual to shop small and soak up those trademark Good Vibes.
We caught up with Marissa to find out where and what she’s eating in between being a busy mum to two adorable girls and curating her next Sunday market.
How do you start your morning?
During the week, anything goes and half the time I don’t get a chance to eat breakfast because of the mad dash to get to school drop-off on time, however there is ALWAYS time for coffee.
I make my own coffee each morning; using beans I buy from my favourite cafe Hide N Seek in Miami. Rosie and Mark are a dream team and their bircher muesli is also a favourite.
If I do eat breakfast, lately at home I’ve been having porridge with almond milk, tahini, buckinis and a dash of maple syrup (inspired by a dish I like at Cornerstone Stores)—it’s so warm and nourishing in winter. Other days, it’s a plain old piece of avocado toast or a smoothie in the warmer months. In summer, I am all about a pure bowl with chocolate granola from The Salt Mill.
It’s lunchtime, where are you heading and what are you ordering?
Once the kids are at school I’m either working from home or at a desk I rent at co-working space Hotel Miami. I’ll take in something basic from home to make for lunch, or I will grab something from a local cafe such as a Big Katuna bowl from Poke Poke or a vegetarian roll from Burleigh Baker.
One of my favourite go-to lunches during the week is the zucchini and haloumi fritters in a bowl of delicious greens from Barefoot Barista, my local. It’s huge and they make a great chai there too. They also have Wi-Fi so I can work from there if I’m hungry and we have nothing interesting at home.
What about your typical evening meal?
We keep dinners at home during the week very simple and I try to use organic produce, which my girls and I like to buy from Johnny and his family at the Mt Tamborine Organics stall at the Palm Beach Farmers Markets each Saturday. If I don’t get there or if I need to re-stock during the week, I love the Wholefood Pantry (formerly Wrays Organics) in Palm Beach. It’s kind of my version of Ikea or Bunnings—I go in for one thing and come out with a basket full!
If we’re not cooking, takeaway pizzas from Justin Lane would be the pick! Or, if I want to go somewhere special for dinner or lunch, my absolute favourite is Rick Shores, the food is always so delicious and the view is unbeatable!
Image credit: Kaitlin Maree for Urban List
Massive thanks to Marissa Bowden for bringing the goods! To stay in the loop with all things happening at The Village Markets, check out their Instagram and website.