Exotic Bazaar products front and centre in Ramadan displays

MIDDLE Eastern meal products developed by Ballarat-based Exotic Bazaar founder Gilava Pour are soon to gain an even higher national profile.

Ms Pour’s products, already in more than 150 Coles supermarkets around Australia, will have a prominent place in store displays during the chain’s Ramadan seasonal events from mid-February to mid-March.

Gilava Pour established her Exotic Bazaar business after settling in Ballarat.

A Ballarat resident for more than two years, Ms Pour described the positioning of her Exotic Bazaar products during the Ramadan events as “a proud moment”.

“Many Australians are unsure where to start when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine, so I wanted to create an easy entry point,” she said.

Ms Pour uses Middle Eastern food products as a way of bringing people together.

“I started Exotic Bazaar to create a new conversation about the Middle East here in Australia, one that reflects the region’s wealth of good food and great hospitality.

“For me, food can be a messenger of peace. It brings people together.”

Ms Pour said the Exotic Bazaar range had been expanded for the Ramadan events and now included her Persian Love Cake baking kit alongside her Middle Eastern meal bases.

Ms Pour described having her products featured in the Coles Ramadan displays as “a proud moment”.

Originally from Iran, Ms Pour established Exotic Bazaar in 2019 because she wanted to introduce the Middle East’s rich culinary heritage to her new home.

She said the Coles Ramadan event was a timely chance to talk about connection, cultural awareness and bringing people together across all backgrounds – particularly at a time when many Australians have been feeling the weight of global events closer to home.

Gilava Pour’s Persian Love Cake is reportedly the only packaged product of its kind in the world.

Coles announced last August that it would stock three of the different meal bases she has developed – Tunisian Shakshuka, Moroccan Tagine and Persian Walnut Chicken – in stores that have Middle Eastern sections.

Local stockists of Exotic Bazaar products include the Near East Kitchen cafe in Bridge Mall and Wilsons Fruit and Vegetable outlets.

Ms Pour has not been notified yet of the exact Coles locations that will host the Ramadan store displays.

The best way to keep up with announcements is the Exotic Bazaar website and its Facebook page.