Making A Good Thing Even Better

The Flying Foodie is winging into Columbia this weekend and I, for one, can't wait to see what she's going to cook up. She's doing a demo at the Grand Re-Opening of The All-Local Farmers' Market, which is turning out to be a bit of a skirt! alumni gathering, now that I think about it.

First, a word about the new market building.  For the last year or so, the market has been operating at 711 Whaley, a building that's part of 701 Whaley  in Olympia. Two weeks ago I was there, and it looked like this:

Now, it's ready to go!

701 Whaley owner Richard Burts (on left, in skirt) has added a porch across the front and garage doors that lift up, so you can have breakfast on the veranda but still be protected from the weather when it's less than ideal. The renovation was designed by Eric McClam (on right, in skirt) and his father Robbie, architects who are also partners in City Roots. 

You may remember Belinda Smith-Sullivan from our June issue.  After she left a corporate job, she decided to combine her two passions--flying and cooking. So she got her pilot's license and completed culinary school. 

I bumped into Belinda last weekend at the All-Local Farmers' Market, which had moved over to City Roots to avoid game traffic. City Roots is next to Owens Field Airport. I asked Belinda if she'd flown in--but no, she'd come by car like most of us.  Belinda was scouting ingredients and planning her menu for this Saturday. There's Belinda (on the left) with market manager Erin Curtis, below.

Saturday, in addition to seeing The Flying Foodie in action, you can also get cooking tips from Gervais & Vine owner Kristian Niemi (yes, wearing a skirt here, though probably not this Saturday).

And another skirt! alum, city councilwoman Belinda Gergel, is going to sound the bell to start the market on Saturday.  There's also live music, as well as the usual good stuff, made and raised by great local people, including women you have seen on the pages of skirt!.   Hours are 8am-noon. More information here.