- 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.
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!
