Community
1 December, 2023
Jane gets baking for Christmas Market
The aroma of sultanas, raisins, dates and sticky cherries wafted through the air as Jane Johnston opened the over-sized storage containers in her Port Douglas kitchen.
But dried fruit is not at the top of the list when the entrepreneurial octogenarian was asked the secret to making a good Christmas pudding or cake.
“Brandy and good brandy is the key. I steal it from my son Henry (owner of Seabean Tapas Bar,” Jane joked.
“It is very handy having a son that owns a restaurant.”
The 87-year-old is best known for selling chutneys, relishes and jams at the Port Douglas Market’s Pickled in Port stall.
However a limited run of Christmas fare, which is normally snapped up by repeat customers, is added to her offerings during December.
Jane said when it came to festive food, homemade was best.
“The ingredients they use in manufacturing come in huge amounts so you don’t get the taste,” she said.
“And I don’t know if they put brandy in their puddings but in my kitchen a little brandy goes to the cook and a little goes to the pudding.”
Jane said cooking had been a lifelong passion.
“I had a country upbringing and I think the first thing they do to in the country is put you in the kitchen at two (years of age) or out in the paddock,” she said.
“I enjoy cooking and what else do you do in this tiny little house?”
The Christmas Market will be held on December 17.
Stallholders will be decorating their stalls, and many will have a $20 and under gift range for last-minute Christmas shoppers.
There will be free kids face painting (9am-12pm), carollers and an appearance from Tropical Santa.
