November 2019 NEWSLETTER Check out what we've been up to! |
|
|
Hi Wagashilovers! Our purpose is to bring the joys of handmade Japanese confectionery to Melbourne, so it's such a pleasure to share with you some of the ways we're raising the profile of wagashi this Springtime! Social media has been so important for us to generate interest and excitement about wagashi, and we're incredibly grateful for the connections we've made! Through our good friends at Eat Cannoli, we were connected with Alice Zaslavsky (of Masterchef fame), who just happened to be a fan of mochi. We managed to get her some of our signature daifuku a couple of days later .... read on for what happened next! We were also super lucky to have connected with the artisan Chase Shiel for a project he and his partners have been working on that marries the beauty of wagashi with another surprising and super cool industry... can you guess what it is? We also had the opportunity to cater for some very special events, and even run a demonstration for Ikebana International Melbourne! Of course, markets and festivals are still a big part of MinnieSweets: We had a smashing day at the Japan Culture and Art Festival in Collingwood, which was a unique opportunity to get "hands on" with Japanese culture. And we can't forget the wonderful Hank Marvin Market (rain or shine!) doing great things at their new Elsternwick location, and the Heide Makers Market just at the right time for cherry blossom season! Sakura mochi and hanami dango anyone? ;) Until next time! Yours, Minnie |
|
|
Japan Culture and Art Festival 2019 |
|
|
What better way to show our edible art than collaborating with our good friend Anna Japana to create this wonderful display featured on this month's newletter cover! She made the delicate koi and mizuhiki that complemented our nerikiri so perfectly for this event! And what an event! Despite the wintery conditions, the turn out was amazing, and everyone had such an interesting time experiencing all the workshops, art, music and food unique to Japan. We loved that it was focused on learning something new and different so a massive arigatou to Japaneasy and all the organisers, volunteers and stallholders! Even better, the team was fundraising to support the relief after Typhoon Hagibis. Well done! | | |
|
|
MinnieSweets on TV: ABC News Breakfast with Alice Z! |
|
|
You know, there are just some genuinely great people out there, and Alice is just that kind of person! We were so thrilled to be featured on her segment covering the wonders of beans on ABC Breakfast (check out her Instagram feed for the actual video). She talked about our sweets so well, and we loved that she spoke about honouring the artisans. And even better, everyone seemed to love sampling the daifuku during the segment! We will absolutely be in touch with her to build her mochi-making skills. We are so thankful for these opportunities to introduce wagashi to a whole new audience! |
|
|
MinnieSweets Catering Adventures! |
|
|
Duo Kalen Soprano concert Hosted by the talented Natsuko Mineghishi, combining wonderful music from Duo Kalen, Japanese kimono by Sala Okabe and our wagashi for afternoon tea, this special event was a great success! |
|
|
Nerikiri demonstration for Ikebana International Such a pleasure to be invited to talk about and demonstrate nerikiri making for this special event for 35 members of the Melbourne Chapter. Minnie talked about the history of wagashi, provided tastings of our sweet bean paste and demonstrated making several Spring nerikiri designs. The session was very well received and a great learning opportunity! Check out this great post with of the images we were tagged in! If you are interested in similar demonstrations, please email or PM us! |
|
|
Calligraphy workshop We were so pleased to cater a series of special calligraphy workshops with the incredible Veronica Halim at Conde House for Kurashi Crafts! Veronica is so talented, and runs workshops all over the world. The artwork and our wagashi was such a great match! We were so happy to have been a small part of these rare events, and the feedback from participants was stellar to say the least! Photo credit: Ashton Jean-Pierre |
|
|
We still think the Heide Market is located in one of the absolutely best spots ever, in the grounds of the incredible Heide Museum in Bulleen! And right on time for the cherry blossoms in full bloom too. There is such a vast range of stalls that you can really make a day of browsing, sampling and buying, especially on a day when the sun is shining. Thanks so much to all our customers who came to see us and pick up some of our seasonal specials! Reckon we will make this a more regular destination for MinnieSweets ;) |
|
|
Nike Air... Wagashi! Who thought sneakers could be so tasty? Created by the uber talented custom sneaker-maker Chase Shiel with designer Ryustyler and videographer KHN Studios! Check out the launch video here! We really think they captured the essence of wagashi in the design, and from the reviews from across the world, everyone agrees! So grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of this promo, but more importantly, it has really raised the profile of Japanese confectionery! Thank you Chase-san and team! We will keep opening our arms to the potential opportunities out there. |
|
|
Product spotlight: A Taste of Spring! |
|
|
Nothing inspired wagashi makers more than this time of year! There are several seasonal specialities, but nothing screams Spring more than Sakura Mochi! Made with a special glutinous rice flour, red bean and a pickled cherry blossom leaf, it absolutely symbolises the connection between wagashi and the seasons. We also love producing our Yomogi (mugwort) daifuku - we actually grow yomogi in our garden so it's super fresh! And the dusting of kinako (roasted soybean flour) just makes it even more special. And finally, our hanami dango - a simple but popular product that shows the key colours of the season. We will have them again next year! |
|
|
In its second year, the Geelong Japanese Summer Festival is sure to be a great day out for locals. We are so glad to be able to participate, and bring our handmade wagashi to another part of Victoria. Make it a day trip to Geelong and experience this new festival! Saturday 30 November | | |
|
|
We'll see the year out at the wonderful Hank Marvin Market! We'll be there Saturday 7 December and Saturday 21 December at Elsternwick Primary School, 44 Murphy St Brighton 9am-3pm. Come along for your wagashifix! We'll also have seasonal offerings available for your pre-Christmas festivities! | | |
|
|
Until next time wagashilovers! |
|
|
|
|
