THE FOODPATH BLOG

We decided to write a blog to let you know some of the fabulous food related things that happen in the Southern Highlands all the time. Keep checking back here to see what is going on. Get to know what hidden treasures we have and if you want to find out more - come on one of our tours and meet the people who grow our food.

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About Us...

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Jill Dyson,
Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia
Click on the link to read Jill's latest blog post. Jill has been running FoodPath in the Southern Highlands of NSW with her partner Nick since April 2010. They have grown the business to a level where they now include a range of activities including tours, workshops and collaboration with others (cooking schools, wineries, etc). During the past 10 years Jill and Nick have got to know the local producers and continue to promote and support these local small businesses. They have organised and run many food related activities including taste education workshops and producer visits. It was after they organised a successful tour for a group of chefs from some of the best restaurants in Sydney that they realised they could turn their interest into a business - and this led to the setting up of FoodPath - Culinary Tours with a Difference. Now Jill and Nick are working closely with Southern Highlands Tourism and Wingecarribee Council to help raise the profile of their area as a food destination where everyone will benefit - tourists, local consumers and the producers themselves.
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About Us...

Nick Padol, Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.

Nick with his partner Jill has been running their business FoodPath in the Southern Highlands since April 2010. His motivation was to share his knowledge by taking others on a journey to discover local and regional food.

At the age of 4 when Nick had his first taste of coffee with his father at Andronicus’ Coffee Shop in Sydney he developed an interest in all things gastronomic. At the age of 24 his father gave him his 1st copy of Larousse Gastronomique. He now has an extensive library of cook books and he hasn’t looked back.

Not only is Nick an excellent cook and host with an interest in the cuisine of many cultures but he is also a food writer and cheese and coffee judge. He has been involved in regional food and wine related projects over the years and was an active member of Slow Food for 9 years.


PRODUCE INCLUDES:

Apples

Blackberries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Gooseberries

Grapes

Potatoes

Truffles

Garlic

Olives

Asparagus

Mushrooms

Cheese - cow, goat, sheep

Beef

Goat

Lamb

Eggs - hen, duck

Poultry

Pigs

Hazelnuts

Chestnuts

Vegetables

Jams and vinegars

Wine

Monday, February 22, 2010

Parts of the Southern Highlands used to be covered with apple orchards. Other parts used to be covered with dairy farms.
How things have changed over the years.
However there is quite an interest in heritage apples trees and the history is fascinating. Peter and Barbara at Bundanoon have 95 varieties of heritage apples.
This is  a private garden and not normally open to the public.
Peter and Barbara are going to open their house to a group of Slow Food members and friends in March when we will sample the apples, learn about their history, eat delicious German apple strudel and listen to Peter's poetry.
Peter belongs to a rare breed - he is a published poet.
This is something special to look forward to.
Fiona and Bruce have taken over Montrose Berry Farm and we look forward to visiting them on some of our tours.
Not only do they have a range of berries - blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, youngberries, loganberries, black currants, red currants, gooseberries, quinces and sour cherries (phew!), but Bruce is also an up and coming sheep's milk cheese maker. Very exciting.
I didn't have my camera with me when I called on them but will post some photos very soon.
Pulpit Rock is located on private property on the Wombeyan Caves Road out of Mittagong. It looks just like - a pulpit.

What a great day we had visiting Pulpit Rock Estate and learning about their business, tasting their wine and having a great lunch cooked by Ann Holloway.
 



Exciting news - Ann is taking over the McVitty Grove Cafe (also on Wombeyan Caves Road) and I strongly recommend that you try it - or we can take you there on one of our tours.
Thursday, February 11, 2010

Had an email from a film producer in Buenos Aires who is doing a series on Australian food. Wanted to know of interesting places to include so I responded with information about our wonderful variety of producers in the Southern Highlands. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
One of my favourite starting points for a day of exploring real farm fresh food here in The Southern Highlands is at an old Orchard. I love picking fruit straight from the trees. You can't beat the crunch of a freshly picked apple. No cool storage here!


Berry picking is next on the agenda and just down the road. So fresh to eat and we just pay for what we want to take home.


It is great to have such nice fresh fruit at our finger tips - and it lasts so much longer than what you buy in the supermarket.


There is a winery nearby that started as a seminary 100 years ago. Now it is run as a Conference and Training Centre - and is also a working farm.


There is a fabulous refurbished chapel with the modern carved timber furnishings and stained glass windows. Very special. Last year The Song Company put on a concert there. That's what I love about living in the Southern Highlands - you get these hidden treasures!


There are ducks and geese roaming free, a healthy looking herd of cattle and a vineyard. The Brothers sell their fresh produce including jams and chutneys and you can buy duck eggs if you are lucky.




We wind up by visiting a wonderful fine craft centre nearby to relax over coffee and browse through the fabulous gallery for that special present for someone - or just admire.