The Straddie Oyster Festival

The Straddie Oyster festival was held on Saturday 10 December.  We were delighted to sponsor the event in a small way and help facilitate the visit of Shin from Sake.  It was a great day and a credit to these dedicated local food producers.

Greg Nankervis and family from Dialba Oysters.

Graham Dalton of Queensland's Ambar Hill Wines with Shin and friends.

Greg taking part in the oyster shucking competition.  He won again this year.

Shin did a couple of excellent traditional Japanese preparations with the oysters.

Ambar Hill provided the perfect local drop to go with the local oysters.

Artisan du Chocolat - London

My favourite chocolate shop and home of the famous chocolate salted caramel balls.  These little gems are possibly the most delicious chocolates in the whole world.  They suit my savoury palate very well.

The good news is that if you are in Brisbane you can find them at Monty's Chocolates in Paddington 

ph:(07) 3369 3135

The River Cafe

http://www.rivercafe.co.uk/rc_page.php

We were somewhat disappointed with the River Cafe, but it may have been as a result of a slightly off day and very high expectations on our part.  It is such an iconic and important restaurant and was worth the pilgrimage non the less.

Harwood Arms

www.harwoodarms.com

Relaxed, produce driven pub food with British inspiration.  Makes me wish the pokies and the supermarkets hadn't destroyed our local pub culture.

Jamies Italian - Westfield London

Westfield London has some pretty impressive restaurants including Jamies and Wahaca.  If this is the future of shopping centres, bring it on.

Belated London Blog 3 - Petersham Nurseries

Petersham Nurseries
Ex Pat Aussie Skye Gyngell's place, now with a Michelin Star.  What a beautiful relaxed setting with food to match.  Utterly unpretentious but totally self confident.  Love it!

Belated London Blog 2 - The Ledbury

A few shots showing off the wonderful presentation at the Ledbury.  They have one of the most joyous cheese selections I've seen, brought to the table and then artfully served.

Cheese Board

Cheese selection served at the table.

Box

...of chocolates.

Belated London Blog 1 - Hereford Road Notting Hill

I've been very tardy posting the results of my wife's research trip to London earlier in the year.  Here's the first of many.

Hereford Road is one of my favourite restaurants.  I love it's very simple approach to cooking and presentation. There is no where to hide with this style of food.   I find it's menu to be far more brave and exciting then most.

Artichoke

Fish

Pork

Field Visit to Bangalow Ducks

AJ Scott, aka "The Duck Man"

On Wednesday morning I took Kym and a couple of the guys from Urbane to visit with AJ from Bangalow Ducks.

Fino Food and Wine is always on the look out for artisan produce of great integrity and quality.  AJ's produce certainly fits that description.  We are very excited to begin working with him.  At Fino we strongly believe in the benefits of knowing exactly where our products come from and how they are produced and handled.  In short, we insist on product of great provenance.   It's a passion we like to share with our clients and our field visits are a great way to do this.

Hatching little a duckling by carefully removing the shell.

If you are from the trade and would like to learn more about our philosophy and produce please don't hesitate to get in contact, we would love to hear from you.

One day old chicks.

AJ farms ducks and chickens.  He has a great concern for his animals welfare as well as for the flavour and quality of the meat.  To that end all his ducks and chickens are reared out of doors in beautiful pasture and fed on the best possible diet.

Two week old ducklings.

AJ is in the process of expanding his operation at a new farm in Kyogle. At the moment production is too small to supply us regularly.  However, we both expect that by early next year the new farm will be up and running and Queensland diners will be able to experience this superior and ethically produced poultry.  Next week you may be lucky enough to catch it on the menu at Urbane.

Some very happy ducks.

Con from Urbane helping to harvest the ducks.

AJ was good enough to give us a lunch of local cheese and organic vegetables to go with some grilled duck breast.

Kym grilling some sourdough in duck fat.

Delicious!

Field Visit to Dialba Oyster visit

On Wednesday we hosted a trip with some Brisbane chefs to Dialba Oysters.  Dialba Oysters (named after the Dialba Passage) are located on sand banks to the north of Peel Island and just off North Stradbroke Island.  The farm is owned and operated by Greg Nankervis.

Setting off from Dunwich.
Gregs farmers native rock oysters exclusively from wild caught spat.  The season is probably a couple of weeks away, but the oysters are already looking fat.  The flavour is creamy with a characteristic iodine finish.

It was wonderful to see such a great product farmed right on the door step of our city.  In fact on a good day and with a pair of binoculars you could see Gregs lease from the top of a city building.  I think that is very cool. 

Expect to see his oysters in many of our best restaurants from late October through until Christmas.

Shin enjoying some of the wildlife.

Time to return home as the tide comes in.