March!
This month’s newsletter is taking me a bit more effort to write.
We’re approaching our summer season, and although March and April are transition months, we’ve had a lot on our plate, paperwork to sort out, emails to reply to, and final logistics to organise for our weddings.
March has been a great month, with just one bittersweet moment: Gemma leaving MasterChef.
That said, it was good to finally have some closure.
Even though it’s been months since it was recorded, knowing that everyone would soon find out what happened made Gemma feel very emotional.
Gemma asked me to include this: “I was emotional, but I feel so lucky to have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s true that appearing on national TV is scary, but I received so much positive support. Honestly, everything people said, even when they stopped me in the supermarket or on the street, made a real difference. I’ve spent months processing it on my own, but now that it’s all out, I feel better and happy to have closure.”
It’s also been a fantastic month at the markets.
Both weekends in March were amazing.
Stockbridge was busier than usual, and Leith was the busiest market we’ve ever had.
We came prepared with more portions than usual, and by 3–3:30pm we were completely sold out. We’ve also noticed people arriving earlier, by 10:30am we already had a wee queue, which isn’t typical.
So, thank you so, so much.
We’re realistic, though; we know it won’t always be like this.
That’s why, at the beginning of the month, we started a series of videos in which we take an action each week to try to maintain that level of footfall at the markets.
We’re now in week 5, and we need your help.
Every week, I receive emails from the Good Food Guide with restaurant recommendations, blogs, and more.
So I decided to reach out and ask whether they would consider reviewing a food stall, since, as far as I know, market stalls haven’t been included before.
Their response was: If enough people recommend you, we’ll send a critic.
So, we need you. If you’ve tried our food (or simply believe in what we do), you can recommend our stall here.
We’re also making a few changes to bring more people to Stockbridge Market.
This weekend, we’ll be testing our MasterChef gnocchi at the market, along with a side of scarpetta, a piece of homemade focaccia served with a rich sauce for dipping.
Yes, smaller menu, but bolder.
And next week in Leith, we’ll be taking pre-orders for our 10cm individual rhubarb tart… so expect an extra email from us this month.
Lastly, Gemma gave a talk at Edinburgh College about the business journey, and the feedback was very good.
We focus the chat on how mistakes brought us to where we are now. In the end, without accidents and mistakes, we wouldn’t have done half the things we did
Monthly balance ⚖️
✅ A good Stockbridge Market
✅ The best market ever that happened to be at Leith Market
✅ Gemma appeared again on national TV
✅ We went on holiday for 5 days to the north of Scotland
Gossip ish 💬
Some of you also sent questions about MasterChef last month:
Were the other contestants friendly or competitive or both? Everyone, from the production team to the contestants, was incredibly friendly. They genuinely wanted you to do well, and it created a really positive environment.
Did you feel you were judged differently because your food was plant-based? No, but I did feel that the ingredients available to me weren’t quite at the same level as those given to regular chefs.
No one asked by email, but Gemma also got asked if the judges were nice. They were. And Gemma loved Monica. She was extremely kind to her on the day she left.
Future plans 🚀
We have coming up a cooking Masterclass with a charity, so keep an eye into our socials.
Marta | Project Manager | Planet G.
Sustainable Kitchen by Gemma Costa (Masterchef the Professionals)
Scottish Street Food Award Champions 2024.
Catering, weddings, events
@planetgfood