Big turnout, turnaround for June Delta Market

Big turnout, turnaround for June Delta Market

After slow start last month, business was booming on ASU Mid- South campus

news@theeveningtimes.com The June installment of Delta Market was hopping from the opening bell Tuesday afternoon on the north campus of ASU-Mid South. Farmers turned up with fresh cut flowers and produce. The Delta Cuisine commercial kitchen and business incubator based at the college put the market together. One of its most active clients, Jeff Watkins, marketed his Grecian Gourmet products.

The Memphis-based business both caters its original recipes and wholesales its products through specialty stores in the Bluff City. Grecian Gourmet pita chips and signature dips are available at Miss Cordelias and Busters Liquor & Wines. A variety of take-and-bake items is sold at Le Jardin and all the product lines are available at the Curb Market.

“The Greek vinaigrette we make is a great salad dressing or marinade,” said Watkins. “The extra virgin pressed olive oil is infused five hours with rosemary, garlic, and red and black pepper. It is great with bread, or I’ve tossed pasta with it. I marinade meat with it and cooked with it.”

The humus and Greek yogurt based dips were flavored with tastes from one side of the palate to the other and mild to hot. Most of the edible product line was developed in the trial kitchens at Delta Cuisine.

“We have about fifteen clients at Delta Cuisine, some more active than others,” said Director John Auker. “ John Watkins, and the Grecian Gourmet are among the most active.”

Watkins says the facility is top notch.

“We’ve been there almost a year,” said Watkins. “It’s been fantastic and tell that to everyone I have an opportunity to share with. It’s like cooking on the Food Network. They’ve got everything you could possible want. It makes it very efficient. John Auker is easy to work with. It really has help expand our offerings.”

More vendors were out on the midway. Artist Loretta Nash was whipping out pencil art at her booth which featured pieces including landscapes, portraits and still life. Locally owned tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, and white onions. Farmers answered shoppers looking for fruit saying it was a bit early for peaches. Food trucks cranked out snow cones and iced drinks and business was cooking for a man selling hot dogs. The outdoor furniture booth was a place to sit a spell, talk with friends and think about new furniture on the back porch. Transforming treasures had bird houses and yard art to go with dining furniture.

Candles and essential oils represented some of the finer things available at the Delta Market.

Delta Market is the third Tuesday of each month, from 3 to 7 p.m., on the north campus parking lot at ASU Mid-South. The next one will be held on Tuesday,

July 18.

By John Rech