A fond farewell to Growers' Market Pyrmont

It's been 18 years since The Sydney Morning Herald first launched Growers' and in that time it's become one of the most popular and well-attended markets in the city. The likes of Pepe Saya and Toby's Estate have made names for themselves selling their wares here, and some of Australia's most celebrated chefs have demonstrated on the market stage.

In the past year alone, we've seen the likes of Neil Perry and daughter Josephine present one of the most charming double acts for Father's Day, Biota's James Viles roast a whole pig and Anthony Puharich​ demonstrate how to make the most of secondary cuts of meat, including a two-metre long wagyu tongue. We even presented a world-beating showcase of the best of Sydney's brunch scene including cooking demonstrations from Pinbone's Mike Eggert.

Good Food columnist Jill Dupleix has been involved with Growers' from the very beginning, when it started as a single one-off event in the 1998 Good Food Month. "We should all say a big thanks to all the stallholders who have supported Grower's Market for so long," she says. "Getting up early in the dark and bringing us baby carrots, good coffee, roast pork rolls, fresh mussels, basil, bagels and Outback Pride's native succulents."

Extra special thanks goes to long-standing stalls such as Grima's Farm Fresh Produce for supplying market shoppers with delicious fruit and veg from day one of Growers' and Jelbonleigh Estate for cracking macadamias at the crack of dawn since 1999.

The Herald is all about celebrating new and old talent and highlighting the best of the city. While we've had a wild ride at The Sydney Morning Herald Growers' Market, it's time to pass on the baton to the other successful markets flourishing across the city. March and April will be the last two markets for the foreseeable future and for that reason, we'll be going out with a bang. March 5 will see Mark Best demonstrate recipes from his new cookbook, Best Kitchen Basics, while April will be a selection of Growers' Market heroes from over the many years we've celebrated this amazing city. Join us for one last spin.