You could find all this and more at the Mudgee Makers’ Market on Saturday, where local foodies combined with producers of a surprising array of locally made products. 

Market manager Liz Mayberry said the Maker’s Markets began around four years ago as  a collaboration between Mudgee Fine Foods and Mudgee Arts Council. 

“We decided to combine for four markets a year and include locally made goods, not just food and wine,” she said. 

“All the stallholders make what they sell.  

“You have no idea how many talented people are in our region and for them it is a chance to get a bit of exposure for their products.” 

For many stallholders, the Farmers’ Markets and the Makers’ Market are a valuable opportunity to launch and fine-tune products,  as well as building a loyal market. 

“We get direct market research from customers,” said Rebecca Sutton of Hello Lovelies cordials. 

“As far as market research goes, you can’t pay for it,” she said.  

“It’s also a nice for stalholders to bounce ideas off each other. 

“We do it because we are all about each other - we only want to see each other get better and better.” 

Rebecca said although there is an emphasis on season produce, the markets attracted a year-round clientele. 

“We thought selling cordials in winter would be like selling ice to eskimos but we have been blown away by sales in the winter and autumn markets,” she said. 

Rebecca said the markets are helping to develop Mudgee as a brand. 

“People are drawn to Mudgee.  We push Mudgee, but Mudgee pushes us.”