joel thiebaut - Marché President Wilson

You may have heard of mariacher/market gardener Joel Thiebaut, known as the king of vegetables and supplier to Paris' top chefs.

 

Yesterday I went looking at the marché President Wilson held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. I wasn't sure how I would find his stand in such a big market. I wasn't even sure if he was closed for the summer holidays with all the patisseries.

 

No problem. Big signs announce his long stand.

 

As do the long, long line of patient customers.

 

While I was deciding to get on line for the long wait, directly across the aromas from a free-range chicken rotisserier beckoned.

 

Something to snack on while waiting on line perhaps.

 

Are these wings or knuckles? Whatever they were (long gone) do get some before or after your wait on Joel's line - heavenly!

 

Thiebault's family have been market gardening since 1873 in the Ile-de-France on 54 acres in Carrieres-sur-Seine just 7 kilometers from the Eiffel Tower so freshness is guaranteed.

 

The atmosphere is quite relaxed. You grab a basket or bag and start picking out what you want yourself while waiting online.

 

The displays are not artfully arranged. They don't last very long.

 

There's no doubt these tomatoes are the real thing and not from Rungis market.

 

Beautiful colored peppers

 

And the much-sought after zucchini flowers.

 

You can get a box of fresh vegetables delivered to your door in Paris without waiting online. Simply place an order online at Le Haut du Panier.

 

My take-away from the marche including some Nyons olives and a box of seasoning I couldn't resist. These are the same vegetables top chef chef William Ledeuil uses at Ze Kitchen Galerie...OK not exactly the same exotic varieties Thiebaut is growing for him. But its nice to know all you have to do is get on line and wait a bit and then DIY at home.

 

Tomate watercolor 

Tomate Red watercolor

Dog of the day at Marché President Wilson