Candice Collier | Happy Little Dumplings

Candice Collier, Dumpling Addict, Happy Little Dumplings

A happy mind leads to great things ...

When Candice Collier’s dumpling obsession was costing her hip pocket too much, rather than limiting yum cha outings, she took her passion further. Along with best friend Mellita, Candice enlisted her aunty (a Thai chef who has lived in Singapore) to teach the pair the ways of the dumpling. From there, they opened a stall at the Jan Power Markets at Brisbane Powerhouse a year ago, before deciding to rent a pop-up space on Oxford Street, Bulimba. Twice now they’ve been offered a permanent spot, resulting in owning one dumpling den in Bulimba as well as the newly opened James Street outfit. With Brisbane’s dumpling-passionate now eagerly devouring neat parcels of steamed goodness at Happy Little Dumplings with the same fervour Candice one did (and still does), the team know this dream was meant to happen. The Weekend Edition caught up with Candice over a bowl of black sticky rice (mum’s recipe) to discover her perfect weekend.

By Linsey Rendell

How do you like to start your weekend?
Snuggling in bed with my babies!

What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Eat a hot breakfast – my favourite meal of the day.

How do you like to unwind?
I love time on my own, so just having a little peace and quiet for half an hour is perfect.

What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Sunshine. GREAT food and lots of it. My family.

What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Go the markets! I miss working at them and would love to pay a visit back to the Brisbane Powerhouse Markets for some fresh yummy produce.

What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Be a couch potato (and eat roast).

What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Honestly? Working. I LOVE my job, especially on weekends.

What are you reading at the moment?
My twitter feed. Keeps me entertained and leads me to some fun blogs.

What inspires you?
A beautiful day. It makes me feel fresh and happy, and a happy mind leads to great things.

What was your childhood dream?
To have a HUGE family so I could have a busy American-style Christmas.

What has been your greatest achievement?
Juggling my family and my work, and making enough time for both (at least I hope I do).

What is success to you?
A combination of financial freedom and having people you adore to share it with and make real happiness.

What are your words of wisdom?
Sometimes you just have to learn to relax a little. There’s no point worrying about the things you can’t change, so focus on what you can.

Only a local would know … Bulimba is full of famous faces.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:

Perk up … Happy Little Dumplings
Relax … Somewhere in the sunshine
Dine … Bijou, Bulimba
Indulge … French Twist, James Street
Shop … Jules & Roc, James Street
Catch-up … At a park
Be inspired … Online