My Farmers Market Waffle and Pancake Mix

Zero starch. Zero gums. This is the gluten-free mix that makes people happy!

Even before experiencing life as a market vendor, I always cherished weekend markets in and around Los Angeles County. During our 25 years together, Hubby and I have probably visited every market in existence in that region. The Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pasadena and Malibu markets have always been our favorites. I don’t know about you, but there’s always such an uplifting, freeing feeling that takes over while strolling through the middle of the streets embellished with organic produce, handmade soaps, crafts, artisanal food booths, and whatever new vendor has come out with their plethora of goods.

One of my life goal’s was to be a farmers market vendor. After all, I had already been cheffing for over 20 years, and I already had a product list. I wanted SO BADLY to work the Santa Market or Hollywood market, but the waiting list was YEARS long. I really wanted this, but it was a challenge. One time I even baked up boxes of gluten-free goodies and chased the market director all around the market venue, trying to bribe her with my gluten-free donuts and danish, lol… (yes, I am sitting here CRACKING UP…lol’ing OUT LOUD, vividly remembering that day as I type this), but she said she had to follow protocol and go with the order of THE waiting list. I know. It’s the right thing to do.

Then, expectedly one day, a farmers market director in San Ramon, California, contacted me, offering me a spot at his market. I was excited, but I so confused. How was I going to do a market over 300 miles away from where I currently lived? I explained my situation to him and he suggested I do the market twice a month. This was doable since my parents lived only 30 minutes away from this city. I could stay with them and bake my goodies.

My Hubby was excited for me, and my parents kindly agreed to host my new venture, but they were worried that I was spreading myself too thin (the story of my life) since I was still cooking for my clients as a private chef. Well anyway, it was decided….. there I went. I got all the required permits, bought the necessary equipment, ordered a white tent, got tables, table cloths, and then I turned my parents home kitchen into a licensed Cottage Kitchen. They had no idea what they were in for. I forgot to mention, the San Ramon market director convinced me to participate in the market EVERY weekend, so… yeah.. lol…I took over my parents kitchen for 12-14 hours, every Friday in preparation for my Saturday morning customers. Weekly flour and ingredient deliveries…My poor parents, lol, but they enjoyed it just the same. I was a market vendor just short of one year. It was too much for me to do longterm. Cooking for clients, driving over 600 miles round trip each week. I got too tired. I loved it, but it became too much for me.

Once I lived my life as a market vendor, my respect for all the incredible people who spend their days working so hard to share their craft, shot up to the highest level! Having to be ultra organized, getting EVERYTHING ready in preparation for THE DAY…… these people work hard. Believe me, it takes time to get everything ready. On market day morning, when exhaustion still has a hold of your body from the day before, there is no avoiding waking up in the dark to execute the finishing touches, packing up your van or car to the brim…. these market vendors…. these people, whatever market they work, in whichever city, they will forever have my utmost respect. I learned some incredible life lessons from my market neighbors in the next spaces all around me. They are great people. Since I was the only gluten-free vendor at the San Ramon Farmer’s Market at that time, I happily baked two types of cookies (a four pack for $25), a weekly donut (four pack for $25), my Raspberry Protein muffins (four pack for $28), pizza dough (four pack for $24), a few different danish (four pack for $28), and the pancake and waffle mix ($12), that I’m sharing below. I hope you’ll get to make these pancakes sometime, and if you do, I’d love your feedback!

My Pure Fresh Daily Pancake & Waffle Mix makes fluffy, soft, yet sturdy pancakes! Here I loaded them up with chunks of nectarine, fresh blueberries and a fresh blackberry syrup.