Located in Sonoma, The Girl and the Fig is a longtime favorite of mine, so getting the chance to meet their team was really fun! Sondra and John (pictured above on left) were sampling an assortment of their “fig foods” - cheeses, sandwiches and breads. Made from all natural ingredients, the hint of chipotle sealed the deal. The company’s Executive Chef, Daniel (pictured above on right) handed me a divine bite of pork their Herbed Coffee Rub. She described all of the meat rubs that her company makes, and one in particular peaked my interest. I crossed over to a beautiful presentation of meats from Just Cook, where owner Cathy Storfer greeted me with a warm smile and bubbly personality. She also makes her own gelatin, which was quite impressive to me. They pick the fruit the moment it’s ripe and begin making marmalade within minutes, guaranteeing the most intense flavor. They use local fruit, often from their neighbor’s trees, always California-grown. She gave me a tip on juicing citrus with an extractor - remove the skin and the seeds. My first stop was Kensington Marmalade Company, where I met owner Alexandra Eisler. Meeting the artisans first-hand, hearing their stories of humbled beginnings and production processes brings on a whole new level of commitment to buying locally. For me, it is the connection with the producers themselves. I could spot the people who love the thrill of the hunt yearning to discover new products and be the first to reveal them to their peers. The crowd was split between tourists and locals some came just for the event, while others happened upon it. Much to my surprise, the store was buzzing but not crowded, providing plenty of space to move about. Artisan markets aren’t something new after all, San Francisco hosts one of the finest farmers’ markets in the country at the Ferry Building. I wanted to know what all the buzz was about but admittedly had a few doubts. The Williams-Sonoma Artisan Market in San Francisco is no exception.įor weeks I had been reading Facebook posts, status updates and tweets about how much fun the Williams-Sonoma Artisan Markets were and the great products people were tasting. Tempting their taste buds with samples of the goods, the artisans explained where their ingredients come from and how their products are made. Once deemed a tree-hugging, hippie-loving gathering, local markets began sparking the curiosities of onlookers, inviting people to engage with farmers and producers. The “farm to table” concept and slow food movement have been in play for generations, but until recent years the buy local/eat local trend is relatively new to the masses. It’s no secret that Artisan Markets are sweeping the nation in popularity. Last month I visited the San Francisco Artisan Market in Williams-Sonoma’s Post Street store and had the opportunity to meet seven different artisans, taste-test their products and discover their passion for local food. This post comes courtesy of Jacyn Siebert, blogger behind Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips.
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