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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Click on our TOURS page to see our latest trips. If you can get a group together we can organise a tour just for you! Minimum 6 people. Contact us to discuss.

Visits

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

Saturday, July 24, 2010
Last night Nick and I went to Bilsons to the Australian Association of Food Professionals President's Dinner. What a treat that was - with Maggie Beer there with husband Colin and also Margaret Fulton. Maggie gave an inspiring speech and Margaret was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Simon Marnie of ABC radio was the MC for the night. We have seen him a few times now at food events.
For dinner we had lobster quenelle followed by breast of pheasant with foie gras, quite possibly from Maggie's farm in the Barossa. All quite delicious!
 
Today we had a lunch for Slow Food celebrating "Slow Fashion". Marg Connor, a wonderful felt maker and SH local spoke to us about her felt making and how she gets her inspiration - then treated us to a wonderful parade of her clothes. Such variety and so creative it was very special. It is not just having the skills to make the felt but having the creativity to put it together into a unique garment to be worn and enjoyed. Margaret does not take orders or do commissions because no two pieces are the same.
 

The models were great fun and we all had a go at trying on the clothes. They came to life when they were being worn.
Slow Food now embraces fibre that is close to the earth - like felt and pottery.
 

This is not about food - but I wanted to share with you anyway! Marg's clothes can be found at the old Milk Factory complex and Gallery in Railway Street, Bowral. Have a look if you get the chance.
         
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Go to the Tours page to see the complete range of tours down for the month of August. Email us to make a booking, it's easy as 1,2,3.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Yes, these are sausages - just out of the smokehouse! What a hidden treasure in Mittagong. Smoked salamis and sausages, speck, black pudding, pork loin, etc, etc.
All pork - no preservatives, just seasoning. A Polish family business using Polish recipes.
Just had some for lunch - so fresh and yummy with pickles and crusty bread. Will have to include on a FoodPath tour. Only problem is that Wednesday is the day when they have finished the smoking and have most stock, then it is driven to Liverpool and distributed around Australia.
If you think the Southern Highlands is a monoculture - think again!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Meet at the Farmers Market in Moss Vale and come with us to meet the stall holders. Enjoy some tastings and learn about the people behind the food we eat.
Move on to the Bowral Primary School Market and do the same. Enjoy a coffee under the trees.
Yes we do have two farmers markets on the same day - crazy!



Kym from Sutton Forest sells her olive oil. Went to visit her during the week and we will include a visit to her in a FoodPath tour sometime soon.                  












Norman and Robyn grow a huge range of potatoes and not only tell you the names but how to cook them. What a good idea!                                                                                                                                                                            
Jo and Geoff make wonderful bread on the weekends - check out this photo!
Heritage tomatoes - look at the wonderful range of colours. These people also sell garlic from Gilles at Braidwood. Did you see the program last year on TV about Gilles Bonnin the garlic farmer?
Bring your shopping bag and cash so you can buy and take home the freshest produce you could buy.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Kylie Kwong was up in Bowral speaking at a lunch at the Centennial Restaurant on 7 July.

She was launching her new book "It Tastes Better" in which she writes about the many producers she has visited and who she buys product from.

Noel Arrold was amongst them with his exotic mushrooms.

She was pleased to hear we are running food tours and supporting local producers as she likes to do.
Arrangements are finalised now for a FoodPath Food Focused Walking Tour in Bowral, due to start on Fri 30 July 2010.

There are so many specialty food stores that there are actually enough for 2 half day tours! Maybe we will have two tours and overlap at lunch.

Come on this tour with us and learn the secrets of food shopping in this town.

The proprietors will talk to you about their products and there will be tastings along the way.

Once you know what is here you can return in your own time.

Check the TOURS page on the website for details, price etc.

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