Photo: KG – Rollies’ cart displays their wares
With an extensive list of menu options, Rollies brings fresh, original dishes to the Millbrook Market, and the owners set their menu according to the weather conditions expected for market day. Last week, with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees, owners Katie Tompkins and Soeung Nhem kept the items to a minimum, offering hot rolls stuffed with pork and vegetables, chicken satay, spicy chicken cashews, and mac and cheese. Their most popular items are fresh garden wraps, which are usually the first thing to sell out, and by 12:30 on Sunday the shelves were bare.
The menu may be up to Soeung, but his wife Katie conceived the name and brings her energetic, outgoing personality to the popular food booth which is now a regular feature at the Millbrook Farmers’ Market. Soeung also demonstrates his creativity in the booth they use, which he designed and built himself, seeking something eye-catching that would welcome customers and clearly communicate some of their menu choices.
The idea for this business began in Soeung’s mother’s kitchen, where he learned to adapt her fresh rolls for small catering and potluck menus. Soeung now incorporates a wide variety of ingredients into the rolls, frying some to produce hot menu items as well. The couple started selling their wares at the Lakefield market partway through the season last year, and were introduced to the Millbrook Market by friends Sue and Paula of Two dishes cook shop. Originally invited to come as a guest vendor, their booth proved to be so popular that they were asked to stay.
For the month of June, their booth has also been a permanent fixture at the Saturday Peterborough famers market, and the couple hopes to continue there every other week for the rest of the summer. The couple cannot commit to more, as Soeung works as a chef at Fairhaven in Peterborough, and the couple also have an active two year old daughter. With a background including extensive culinary experience working in camps, resorts and restaurants and some catering events, Soeung decided to get certified and was trained in the Fleming College Culinary Management program and after graduating, secured his position at Fairhaven. When they started this business, the couple was looking to work together and try new food items in their market offerings, which keep Soeung’s creative culinary juices flowing. They are very pleased with their Millbrook experience, and feel welcomed by Millbrook customers and fellow vendors alike. The only caveat is, that in order to benefit from their full menu, you have to get to their booth early! KG
