Finding and Supporting Those Local Businesses – East End Market, Orlando

posted by Rod on December 10, 2013    0 comments »

East End Market – A Neighborhood Market and Cultural Food Hub

When we can, we ‘look for local.’   If you look closely, and beyond the chains, it is guaranteed you will find local businesses that have been created from passionate and creative individuals offering products and services with a story. The story is sometimes the one resulting from years of working for others and ignoring their passions. Then, one day they wake up and move on  – to honor that passion.  And, wherever they land, the locals usually benefit.

A major benefit to the Orlando area is East End Market – a neighborhood market and cultural food hub.

If you’ve been to the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco, or similar food halls around the country, you’ll be glad to know that the folks at East End Market have brought to Orlando a bit of that magical, culinary lifestyle. When I visited East End on opening day, a smile happened.  A sense of pride for Orlando.  Orlando deserves this place. I felt as if I had a piece of California in my east coast back yard.

East End Market – Where East Meets Best

It’s a neighborhood market. It’s a food hall. It’s a place where chefs and food artisans present their creations. A place for home. It just has a good vibe. On a renovated piece of land in Audubon Park, owner John Rife, and a dedicated team, bring to Orlando a collection of local farmers and food artisans.  It’s a place to shop for tonight’s dinner, or that special occasion for the holidays.  Every vendor most likely has a story – stories of refocusing years of hard work and endless energy to their passions. I love to support businesses like these.

The market presents the offerings from some of the best food vendors in our area – fresh baked breads, local seafood and produce, Italian prepared meals, organic juice bar artisan cheeses, farm-fresh restaurant (can’t wait to try) and event spaces.  As our family focuses on true-to-its-origin foods (wild caught seafood, less processed foods), it’s great to see places like this.  My hope is that Orlando will embrace this market. Stop by to see how East End fits into your life – a quick place to pick up bread and cheese. A place for organic juices. Or a place for ideas for better food options.

Because the market is eye-candy for me, I wanted to share the reason for that smile.  This image gallery captures a small portion of what East End offers.  For those in Orlando looking for a closer connection to your food, check it out.  For my friends in other areas of the country, I am proud to say, Orlando is expanding it’s options for those into the foodie lifestyle.

Orlando’s Cultural Food Hub

East End Market

East End – Hub of Culinary Greatness

Olde Hearth

Olde Hearth Bread Company

La Femme Du Fromage

Tastings at Le Femme Du Fromage

Skyebird Juice Bar – beautiful

Skyebird Juice Bar

Local Roots

Local Roots

Porch Therapy

Porch Therapy

The Market Garden – the source for fresh ingredients for the restaurant onsite

La Brexta – Seafood (at last, more wild-caught seafood options)

Fatto in Casa

La Femme Du Frommage

Fatto in Casa

Lineage Coffee Roasting

Lineage Coffee Roasting – a treat

East End Market.  Go Orlando.

Rod

posted by Rod on December 10, 2013

0 comments »

Rod

Combining his love of food and communications, Rod is a marketing guru with extensive experience in the healthcare, restaurant and luxury services industry. Rod’s special talent is cooking. He makes magic in the kitchen by relying on fresh foods and unique flavors. He is married to Beth, and together they have two little girls. Rod and Beth have the perfect Live Pretty partnership: he cooks fabulous dishes and she creates the beautiful ambiance that combines to make their events special and unforgettable.