That was when I went, "Bugger! How is my camera going to be able to take all this in before dying?!" And so, the photos in this post are a mixture of what was taken by a friend who saved the day and what I was able to record, before the batteries called it a day:
✒ Oz Tukka
They offer authentic Australian spices and oils, including their medal-winning macadamia nut oil.
✒ The Cupcake Bakery
Browse their online menu, place and order for simple cupcakes or customise your own!
✒ Astrids Bush Tucker
Another uniquely Australian fanfare producer.
✒ Hari Har Chai
Looks like Byron Bay produces quite a variety of things. Hari Har Chai blends their tea there, too, in the traditions of ayurveda. They have six blends of chai.
✒ Clayridge Honey
This was a real kid-puller...
... and I like that combo of guarana+ginseng+honey. Would keep me super hyper, I think! They are a family-owned and run bee-keeping business in Basin View (Jervis Bay, NSW). Harvesting straight from the bee hives, all their honey is 100% pure, raw and completely natural.
✒ Fudge Fabulous Fudge
Gluten and preservative-free, it makes the perfect gift for coeliac friends and family. They have a mouth-watering variety of 17 fabulous fudge flavours available by the bar, in packs of 3 or a value 7 pack. They also now have new sugar-free and dairy-free ranges, and is available for orders online.
✒ Adora Handmade Chocolates
Based in Earlwood and with a second retail store located within the Wentworth Connection in the CBD, they have won numerous Gold and Silver awards and contracts, such as supplying the Sydney Opera House.
✒ Vella Nero
A roastery, coffee bean boutique and caffe bar located along the busy Clarence Street in the heart of the CBD, they also serve a variety of salads, gourmet sandwiches and savouries in addition to their aromatic coffee.
✒ Kenteco - The World of Tea
Gosh, just click on the link to their website. The selection of tea is just... exhaustive!
✒ Karmee Coffee
Haha, their coffee is as smooth as James Bond, velvet, a dollop of double cream, a sax solo!
✒ Harbour Rocks Hotel
Fancy spending a night in the midst of history a stone's throw away from everything Sydney has to offer? Why not consider Harbour Rocks Hotel?
✒ Bondi Chai Latte
When human beings see the word 'FREE', they will immediately be interested. But at this stall, with or without that word, there would still be a hoard of a crowd. Hey, it is after all Australia's own Gold Medal-winning chai latte! Jenny and Angeline braved the crowd for their own free sample.
✒ Cocktail King
Judging from the stall and their website, do pay them a visit if you are thinking of a party.
✒ Beaming with Health
I liked the colourful array of labels on the funky tin canisters of the herbal tisanes. The tisanes were created by a naturopath who has over 20 years experience in the realm of natural medicine from herbs that are locally grown and organic, where possible. There are articles and fact sheets provided on their website, as well.
✒ Tea Drop
Founded by a Sri Lankan who has a distinct understanding and passion for tea.
✒ Big Lou's Donuts
Pretty self-explanatory.
✒ Traditional Pavlova
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Ánna Pávlova. Colloquially referred to as "pav", it is a cake similar to meringue with a crispy crust and soft, light inner.
✒ Tall Poppy Gourmet
From humble beginnings in Cowra, they now serve a range of condiments, dressings and sauces that are of premium product range, made with only the finest and freshest local ingredients. The name of the range stems from its first product, the Poppy Seed Salad Dressing.
✒ Kick Ice Cocktails
It is all about convenience - simple add water and alcohol, shake and freeze!
✒ Neo Organic Tea + Skin Solutions
They are not only about tea, they are about skin and body solutions.
✒ Naked Berry
This has got to be the cutest stall in the whole of the festival! I mean, just look at these!
Cute, hor? You can custom-design your berry bouquets with them and they deliver Sydney-wide.
✒ Disaster Bay Chillies
They even have an award-winning product called 'Hot Chilli Wine'. Nope, not going to imagine what that would taste like...
✒ My Little Cupcake
They operate a cute, pink cupcake shop in Neutral Bay. They also take online orders and organise cupcake parties.
✒ Bite Size Treats
Their biscuits are award winners and they go great as coffee accompaniments.
✒ Crave Coffee
Their roastery and espresso bar is located in Alexandria. Hm, housemate was telling me about the cafe strip there. Should head there one weekend to have a look for myself.
✒ Toby's Estate
I have to shamefully admit that although I used to pass their shop every weekend, I still have not stepped into their shop despite my continuous self-reminders! Aiya!!!
✒ Genovese Coffee
They pride ourselves in being a third generation family owned company and are passionate about the traditions that have been handed down to them. Their product is roasted and blended using artisan techniques and state of the art equipment, and as such the Genovese Espresso Coffee experience, as they claim, is second to none.
✒ Numero Uno Coffee
They support the Rainforest Alliance coffee and are a combo of three things; coffee, people and passion.
✒ Milazzo Coffee
Sicily's favourite coffee, Milazzo Coffee is blended and roasted in the traditional Southern Italian style from carefully selected Arabica beans. Located in Castle Hill, they won a bronze medal each for espresso coffee and milk-based coffee at the 2009 Australian Golden Bean Roasting Competition.
I also tagged along with Angeline and Jenny into the MCA for the Domestic Expo. I was totally confused looking at the different kind of tools and machines on offer just to make coffee. I suppose, every 'thing' in our mundane day-to-day lives could become a sophisticated work of art if we let it be.
Aroma Fest again, next year? Yes, and this time armed with a camera with fully-charged batteries!
P/S: Thank you, Alex, for helping me take the rest of the photos! I'll treat you to a sinful tub of Sara Lee Moccona Cappuccino Indulgence ice-cream, k?
