With bags of summer produce and fresh-cut flowers in hand, Gaby Dalkin, the cookbook author and blogger behind What’s Gaby Cooking, navigates the bustling halls of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, with the ease of a seasoned local. Walking confidently from one vendor to another, she knows who offers the best price on spices, where to find the choicest Rainier cherries, and even where to go for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie.
With 240 vendors, 85 farmers, and 225 artisans across 9 acres, Pike Place has operated since 1907 from Seattle’s lively waterfront, making it one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the United States. With so much activity happening throughout, it can be tough to know where where to go and how to shop. Follow Gaby’s top tips to be market-savvy next time you go!
Walk the whole market before buying. This allows you to know what’s available so that when you loop back around, you have a better idea of what you want and where to find it.
Stop by a produce stand. You don’t want to miss what farmers and producers bring to market. The selection changes daily, so you’ll always find something new and exciting.
Ask for samples. Never assume you can take a sample of something. Ask a vendor if you can first. This keeps you from buying something everybody’s touched.
Be friendly to vendors. This will go a long way, and vendors may offer you special products they have saved in the back.
