I should really stop posting about macarons, but I can’t help myself. This week I made macarons to sell to the general public, which is something I’ve been trying to do for a while. I finally found a place to sell them (Providore at Adelaide Central Market), and it has been all systems go since then. I made 1200 macarons (well, 1200 good macarons, quite a few extra that didn’t make the cut or got eaten) which means minimum 2400 individual shells. This was the first time I have done anything like this, I have learnt a few lessons already:
- It is much harder to make 1200 macarons than 30 (sounds obvious right)
- It takes a dogs age to seperate over 200 eggs
- It takes a dogs age to sift kilogram upon kilogram of almond meal and icing sugar
- It takes a dogs… I really could go on like this
- If I opened a pattiserie I would eat my weight in desserts every day
- If you take a slightly fuzzy photo it’s really easy to pretend you’re actually doing something with macarons rather than posing
The final product ended up looking rather snazzy with the addition of a brightly coloured label.
Having said that, I wish I had taken a photo of a box that didn’t have a broken red macaron in the bottom left corner.
I had a really positive response to the macarons, which is a good incentive to make some more. Thank you so much to everyone who came along, and to those who live interstate or couldnt make it, there will always be a next time. I’ll post again in the next couple days about something non-macaron related I promise. These are my peanut butter macarons (I also made chocolate, pistachio and beetroot, weird but good).
Callum's Kitchen 
Posted by Bethany on September 25, 2010 at 12:46 am
hey! those macarons look absolutely amazing and i have no doubt that they would have tasted even better. i can’t even imagine making that many of the one thing although i can imagine the ever-escalating frustration factor. one of my friends does art and she had to do a massive collage; it was pissing her off to no end but i told her to imagine that she was making a fancy-schmancy swiss roll instead of a collage. what can i say, it got her through… but only just, hahaha.
best of luck for your future endeavours,
bethany
Posted by Numa on September 25, 2010 at 2:34 am
1200+ macarons! Amazing effort 🙂 My friend and I came down and bought a box each and loved them. Hard to pick a fave but I think I liked the pistachio best! We were a little unsure about the beetroot at first but that one was really nice too. We need more places in Adelaide that sell macarons!
Posted by Fen on September 25, 2010 at 3:10 am
Surely you’re having nightmares involving macarons after doing that lot. Love the packaging, hopefully you’ll be able to bring your wares interstate at some stage!
Posted by Simon Food Favourites on September 25, 2010 at 4:29 am
you must have soooooo much patience. they look awesome. even better than Adriano ‘Freakin’ Zumbos perhaps 🙂 although i haven’t tried either. love the packaging. i didn’t notice the cracked red macaron until you mentioned it. the things we see that no one else will. don’t worry though, if you email me the image i’ll photo retouch it for you and email it back to you if it worries you that much 🙂 so they haven’t invented some egg cracking machine yet to do all that for you yet?
Posted by Charley on September 25, 2010 at 5:44 am
Hi Callum,
I haven’t been on your blog for a while, and when I saw that you had made 1200 maracons, I was totally shell-shocked! 😀 I think you’re extraordinary. I loved watching you on MasterChef. One day, I’d like to go on Junior Masterchef. You’ve really inspired me.
Keep up the great work!
Posted by splodgerisme on September 25, 2010 at 5:54 am
wow that is dedication to macarons.
i would have gone insane at the first batch and started dancing around throwing eggs at people.
but that’s just me.
they look amazing! 😀
xx
Posted by callumhann on September 25, 2010 at 8:41 am
I think I got close to that a couple of times!
Posted by Robyn on September 25, 2010 at 8:01 am
Hey Callum,
My husband and I have just polished off a box of your dee-lar macarons. I was looking for something tasty at the Central Markets this morning and then I saw them, bypassing the fudge and chocolate and going straight for the colour box of macarons. Can I say they were fantastic and I will be heading back for more before we move back to Brisbane next month.
All the best for the future.
Posted by Julia on September 25, 2010 at 8:59 am
Hi callum,
I popped down too and bought a box – delicious!! They survived the plane trip back to Perth too. Thanks for the friendly chat too. You rock!
julia
Posted by penny aka jeroxie on September 25, 2010 at 10:54 am
I will love to try some of those macarons. 1200! That is definitely beyond me
Posted by Jess on September 25, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I bought a box of your macarons on the weekend and they were delicious! We loved the beetroot, but we really loved the peanut butter the best! I posted a couple photos of the packaging and the beetroot macaron on my blog. Keep up the good work!
Posted by callumhann on September 25, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Thanks Jess! I’m glad people took to the beetroot flavour, I wasn’t sure how it would fare. Your blog looks great!
Posted by J on September 25, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Woah, well done Callum! Those look awesome! I could do with a box of those right now. You do realize no one would have noticed the cracked macaron in the box if you didn’t point it out, don’t you? 😀
My arty/designer self has to add; I love the box and label! Awesome! And so inviting!
I think we’re going to see you on Junior Masterchef tonight! 🙂 Keep up your awesome work.
God bless <
Posted by Alex on September 25, 2010 at 10:29 pm
I’m sorry I missed these macarons, they look lovely and I would like to have tried them. Will you do this again soon?
I don’t know what your specific plans are with regard to your central market partnership, but it would be great to see you set up a stall of your own, offering prepared foods & patisseries. Especially if you focused on using locally sourced ingredients, in keeping with the central market ideology! Cross-promotional opportunities with other stalls like Feast! and that sort of thing 🙂 I think you’d do a very good trade.
Posted by callumhann on September 27, 2010 at 6:21 am
I tried to get a stall at the markets, it’s hard at the moment though as I’ll be in Melbourne for 3 months soon. I’m selling the macarons this week again at 11 30am this Friday, 1st October at Providore, Central Market
Posted by greg tait on September 26, 2010 at 10:15 am
They look fantastic , maybe us folk over here in vic might get to try some if you get to make some more while over here.
All the best with them , whatever you do..
Posted by greg tait on September 26, 2010 at 10:28 am
Happy 21st birthday Callum for next Saturday , hope you have a great one..
all the best..
Posted by Carina on September 26, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Oh my thats a lot of macarons! I cant even imagine how long that wouldve taken you. They look beautiful though, and the packaging is so professional. I’ve only made macarons on one occassion-they turned out fairly nice, but could be improved. Do you have any tips? I really would like to master the art of cooking macarons, despite how hard they may be!
Posted by callumhann on September 27, 2010 at 6:17 am
Thanks! I was happy with the finished product. If you could post a photo of your macarons, (possibly on twitter) I could let you how you could improve. Do they have feet? Do they have a peak? Are they not holding their shape? Are they smooth?
Posted by Carina on September 28, 2010 at 8:47 am
Hi Callum,
Thanks for replying. Unfortunatly I didnt take any photos of my macarons (maybe next time!) But I do remember that my macarons didnt have much feet. Also they seemed flat when I piped them onto the tray, I thought perhapes I had over mixed the almond meal and icing sugar into the batter after beating the egg whites and sugar. They held their shape though which I was happy about and were a pleasent texture, a bit sweet but I could always alter that next time round. I’m keen to try other variations of course. I would’ve liked to have tried your macarons, (they’re making me so hungry!) but I dont live in Adelaide unfortunatly.
Looking forward to hearing about many more macaron adventures from you.
Posted by Christian on September 27, 2010 at 2:02 am
Hey Callum,
I came down to the Central Market on Friday to try some of you macarons!
It was great to meet you and see how much you love food! I bought a box for my girlfriend as a surprise, and she loved it! It was the first time that I tried macarons and I reckon I’m spoiled for the rest of my life, they were just great!
Keep up the good work and all the best for your time in Melbourne!
Posted by callumhann on September 27, 2010 at 3:39 am
Thanks I’m glad you and your girlfriend liked them! I’m going to be selling th again this Friday at 11 30 am if you want another box 🙂
Posted by Klara Kamilla on September 27, 2010 at 4:58 am
Callum! Those are gorgeous!!
Just wanted to let you know that yesterday I made your chicken stock (and blogged it too!) It smelt out of this world!!!! I can’t wait to use it 😀
Posted by Phuoc'n Delicious on September 29, 2010 at 11:09 am
WOOHOO! Macarons! Congrats on selling and making over 1200 macarons! You have a lot of patience and they look amazing! All the best Callum!
Posted by CJ on September 29, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Wow, they look fantastic and you must have a tonne of patience to make so many! Wondered if you would be making them and selling them in Melb when you are over here soon? Would love to buy some and send my foodie friends your way!
Posted by Cathy Schafer on September 30, 2010 at 5:22 am
Hi Callum,
as mentioned on twitter we tried Adriano Zumbo’s macarons today, we live in Sydney so sadly can’t come along to buy yours 😦 your pistachio one looks similar to his what is your filling in that one? Can’t say I would be keen to try the beetroot, but are sampling some weird flavours today maybe we should give it a go.
I hope the macarons are a big hit for you 🙂
Cheers
Cathys43
Posted by Juzshack on September 30, 2010 at 5:43 am
Oh my goodness! They look amazing Callum. If only I’d known earlier, I’d have been at the Central Markets first things this morning. I have such a macaroon addiction and have been trying to find the best macaroons in Adelaide lately. The idea of peanut butter macaroons makes my mouth water and the beetroot ones would have been incredibly special I’m sure (I love beetroot used inventively). I must say though, Lime macaroons have always won the taste testes I’ve been doing around Adelaide these last few months – I’ll put that in as a tiny hint that if you try lime macaroons, I’ll buy all 1200 of them 🙂
I do hope you’re able to continue selling through Providore, I’ll be keeping an eye out for your treats!
Posted by Cindy on October 1, 2010 at 7:59 am
Hi Callum, Well done with your macaroon adventure!!! My family and I would just like to wish you a VERY HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY FOR NEXT WEEKEND you are a lovely guy even though we dont know you personaly, and we all wish you well in all of your future plans, you are a great role model for all young Australians. Good luck Callum in all your future endeavors 🙂
Posted by Farida Mackrell on October 1, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Hi Callum, Happy 21st birthday. Have a fantastic day. It was a treat to meet you at the Central Market yesterday and to buy your special macarons. You’re a sweet guy in more ways than one. Loads of happiness to you.
Posted by Farida Mackrell on October 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Sorry Callum. No need to respond.
Posted by Lisa on October 2, 2010 at 10:03 am
Callum you don’t know how much I love Macaroons, I was addicted to Laduree in Paris and in London, so am delighted I will be able to buy them here in Adelaide 🙂 Go you!
Posted by Yuvraj Kantak on October 7, 2010 at 10:45 am
Hi Callum! 🙂
It was a pleasure seeing ur website. I live in India, but u really inspired me i feel like pursuing a career in cooking! 🙂
Ciao!
Posted by Yuvraj Kantak on October 8, 2010 at 5:40 am
Hey callum plz plz plz plz plz accept my friend request on facebook! Plz plz plz!
Posted by Emily on October 18, 2010 at 3:37 am
WOWEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
They look fantastic!! well done with all that effort Callum!
Keep it up!
X
Posted by trissalicious on October 23, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Hi Callum – your macarons look great – I can’t believe you managed to make 1200 of these little treats – what a feat! Have you thought of using a food processor or thermomix to grind the almond meal and icing sugar together rather than sieve? It works wonders in much much less time – I do it all the time.
Posted by callumhann on October 24, 2010 at 7:14 am
I have been meaning to buy a thermo mix! Thanks for the advice
Posted by Shu Yi on October 25, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Hi Callum! I’m just wondering is it possible for you to make some personalised macarons for my friend in conjunction with his birthday?
Posted by farah tasneem mou on November 5, 2010 at 5:33 pm
i just love ur cooking n the passion u hav for cooking 🙂 …though im terrified of this cooking thing n tanx to GOD that there is no cooking involve in medical 😛 otherwise i would hav been terrified…anyways ur macarons look just so yum 🙂 wish i could hav tasted them 😦
Posted by ARIJIT on January 6, 2011 at 1:21 pm
THEY LUK AMAZING. M LOVING THEM… AND THE VISUAL IMPACT IT CREATES IS AWESUM….
Posted by Karolina on January 16, 2011 at 9:12 am
Hi Callum, are you still selling your macarons at Providore? I have just started making my own and would love to try them to compare. I tried the ones sold at Mulots on King William St and was left rather disappointed, cracked tops, hollow and chewy insides and no flavour differentiation.
Posted by callumhann on January 18, 2011 at 7:56 am
Hi Karolina
I have been very busy of late and have not had time to make some more to sell at Providore. I can let you know when I do though! There is certainly an art to getting them right. I haven’t tried the macarons at Mulots but it sounds like their’s may be a bit too meringuey. Where can I try or see some of yours?
Posted by Karolina on January 19, 2011 at 10:26 am
Thanks for replying.
Yes, please let me know if you ever stock Providore again. I will be there with bells on to try them!
You can see my macarons on my blog: http://macaronmusings.blogspot.com/
You would need to come over to our place for coffee to try them 🙂 or we could meet in a car park somewhere in Adelaide and do a macaron swap 😀