Visits
About Us...
- 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.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Luigi has sent through his program for the Gelato Workshop tomorrow - just look at this, I can't wait!
- Olive oil and black pepper SORBET
- Buffalo milk and pure choc nugget GELATO
- Mittagong raspberry farm GRANITA
- Coffee and cream combo (GRANITA & FRESH WHIPPED CREAM)
- MATCHA Japanese Green Tea tasting/ceremony (during the break)
How nice to be able to use fresh and local ingredients - what we are always encouraging others to do!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
What a fun day! We arrived at the chestnut farm to find groups of Greeks and Italians who had been there since early, all relaxing and soaking up the peace and quiet away from the city. Our Nick was born in Alexandria and speaks Greek so he had a lovely time chatting away while he lit a fire in the brazier to roast our chestnuts.
The rest of our group of eleven went off armed with buckets and gloves and Dennis showed us where to find the best ones. There are three types, each ripening at different times.
We all learnt the "chestnut wiggle" as we opened the prickly husks with our feet, then sought out the biggest and best glossy kernel nut within with our gloved hands.
Biota Dining restaurant in Bowral had asked us to bring them 6 kgs so I was busy with that and also gathering some for us to try over lunch.
We had two children in our group today (6 and 8yrs) and it was fun for them - definitely a good activity for kids - I will mention that in our promotion next year.
After gathering chestnuts for about an hour we went to see Dennis in the shed to have them weighed and purchased to take home. Some of the group remembered eating chestnuts in their childhood, others were very familiar with them and for others it was a new experience.
Today we had people from Sydney, Thirlmere, Canberra and the Southern Highlands on our tour.
Most people brought their own lunch and one couple brought wine which they kindly shared around. Tables were set up under cover and this was perfect - shelter from the sun or from the rain.
The nuts took longer than we expected to cook but finally they were ready and everyone tucked in.
Certainly a memorable day and I'm sure some people will be back next year for more!
The rest of our group of eleven went off armed with buckets and gloves and Dennis showed us where to find the best ones. There are three types, each ripening at different times.
We had two children in our group today (6 and 8yrs) and it was fun for them - definitely a good activity for kids - I will mention that in our promotion next year.
After gathering chestnuts for about an hour we went to see Dennis in the shed to have them weighed and purchased to take home. Some of the group remembered eating chestnuts in their childhood, others were very familiar with them and for others it was a new experience.
Today we had people from Sydney, Thirlmere, Canberra and the Southern Highlands on our tour.
Most people brought their own lunch and one couple brought wine which they kindly shared around. Tables were set up under cover and this was perfect - shelter from the sun or from the rain.
Certainly a memorable day and I'm sure some people will be back next year for more!
Friday, March 23, 2012
On Sat next weekend - 31 Mar - Luigi de Luca will entertain us at Howards Lane Winery with tales of his family business that spanned several generations.
He will also tell us the history of gelato making and show us how to make gelato using fresh local ingredients.
This will be a fun workshop. Actually more of a Masterclass I guess because we will be watching and tasting (yum), not actually making.
One of our group is bringing her own buffalo milk (!) and Luigi has asked me to source some local produce. He said olive oil but I'm not so sure - I think I will get some of our wonderful local fresh raspberry sauce. The raspberries have just finished so there should be lots of value added products that carry the farmers through the rest of the year.
Nick and I were lucky to be invited a couple of years ago to Luigi's launch of his Prickly Pear Granita at his Leichhardt Gelateria. That was delicious!
Come along and join the fun. Price: $66
To book contact us from www.foodpath.com.au, info@foodpath.com.au or ring Jill on 0419 617 021
He will also tell us the history of gelato making and show us how to make gelato using fresh local ingredients.
One of our group is bringing her own buffalo milk (!) and Luigi has asked me to source some local produce. He said olive oil but I'm not so sure - I think I will get some of our wonderful local fresh raspberry sauce. The raspberries have just finished so there should be lots of value added products that carry the farmers through the rest of the year.
Nick and I were lucky to be invited a couple of years ago to Luigi's launch of his Prickly Pear Granita at his Leichhardt Gelateria. That was delicious!
Come along and join the fun. Price: $66
To book contact us from www.foodpath.com.au, info@foodpath.com.au or ring Jill on 0419 617 021
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Chestnut time is almost upon us - and it is a short picking season so don't miss out.
Want to try something different - come with us on our FoodPath Chestnut Tour on Sun 25 Mar 2012.
Very popular with the Spanish and Europeans generally.
During the great depression chestnuts were part of the staple diet in northern Italy where they grew wild.
Chestnut gathering is a nice communal thing to do - rather like mushroom gathering for the wild mushrooms is.
The chestnut farm we take you to has over 300 trees but they only sell to pickers, not having to look any further.. that is how popular it is.
We are delighted to have secured a place for a FoodPath group again this year.
Come along and join the fun!
Meet at the Exeter General Store at 11am and follow us to Wingello.
Bring a picnic or we can get one for you. We will roast some chestnuts on a brazier for tasting and give you some recipes to take home.
Wear sturdy shoes and gloves if you have them. Be mindful of the weather and dress appropriately (sun screen or raincoat). Being the Highlands we go ahead whatever the weather.
Price: $45 or $65 (incl lunch).
Suitable for children accompanied by an adult. Price: $11.25
To book contact us on info@foodpath.com.au or ring Jill on 0419 617 021
Want to try something different - come with us on our FoodPath Chestnut Tour on Sun 25 Mar 2012.
Very popular with the Spanish and Europeans generally.
During the great depression chestnuts were part of the staple diet in northern Italy where they grew wild.
The chestnut farm we take you to has over 300 trees but they only sell to pickers, not having to look any further.. that is how popular it is.
We are delighted to have secured a place for a FoodPath group again this year.
Come along and join the fun!
Meet at the Exeter General Store at 11am and follow us to Wingello.
Bring a picnic or we can get one for you. We will roast some chestnuts on a brazier for tasting and give you some recipes to take home.
Price: $45 or $65 (incl lunch).
Suitable for children accompanied by an adult. Price: $11.25
To book contact us on info@foodpath.com.au or ring Jill on 0419 617 021
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)