Embers in the Village at Kiamasala, and (inset) restaurant owner Abhishek Jain. Photo: Supplied.
Embers in the Village restaurant owner Abhishek Jain is spearheading plans for a monthly community market or food festival in Windang, aiming to bring businesses and residents together in a budget-friendly celebration of flavours and creativity.
Now, he’s rallying the community to help launch it.
Inspired by his experience at the annual Kiamasala festival in Kiama earlier this year, Abhishek envisions an affordable event where nothing costs more than $10, making it accessible to those facing economic challenges.
He said he wanted to create something like the Warrawong Markets, Kiama Seaside Markets and Wollongong Eat Street, but with a Windang twist.
“At Embers restaurant, we’ve always had the dream of sharing the authentic Indian flavours with the community, especially in Windang,” he said, due to his restaurant being based in the suburb.
“We’re lucky over the past couple of years to have become part of a food culture that’s full of passion and creativity, and so we’ve done so many different new, creative ideas.
“We thought we might take it a step further and lead the organising of a local Windang food festival or trade market. Something that brings everyone together as a community.
“Whether it’s local cafes, food trucks, small businesses, grocery stores or anything, it would be a chance to celebrate what Windang has to offer.”
He said he envisaged it also involving handmade goodies, artists, crafts, live music and coffee vans that people could enjoy as they picnicked near the water.
After putting up a Facebook post to gauge interest, he was inundated with support for the idea and people wanting to help.
He’s now planning a meeting in July for interested parties to discuss what the market might look like and how to go about executing it.
Abhishek said he had yet to determine a location or council approval, but potential venues included the green space near Club Windang, Windang Foreshore Park, a community hall, a sectioned-off street, or even the Windang school, with many sharing memories of attending a regular market once held at the school.
It would likely also be monthly so as not to wear out its audience or businesses.
Abhishek said each event would potentially have a unique theme, such as a Labour Day special with incentives for workers and employees.
“We’re thinking of doing something very cheap, where nothing will be more expensive than $10,” he said.
“Even if it’s smaller portions, we want everything to be more affordable.
“People are living through hard times right now and people don’t want to spend too much money at the moment.”
He said he would love for it to be as successful as the annual Kiamasala event to help businesses.
“We had a stall there and it was the best marketing ever, because it was crazy busy,” he said.
“That’s where I got the idea from. I thought, ‘Why can’t we do something like that in Windang?’”
Those interested in being part of the organising group can contact Abhishek via [email protected] to get involved.
