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.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
- Wow, what a busy weekend we had - 3 tours in 2 days!! We are just coming up for air.
On Sat we had a private group who did 2 FoodPath tours - a Farmers Market Tour in the morning and a Food Focused Walking Tour in Bowral in the afternoon.
How special to have Jim there with his fresh hazelnuts! This only happens for a short period when they are in season. Jim does not grow commercially but the locals know where to find him - one of the benefits of coming on a tour to the markets with FoodPath :)
Someone said to me "why would anyone want to pay to go on a tour to the market when they can go themselves?" Well, the advantage is that you get lots of background information and local knowledge from Nick and Jill which enhances your experience - while you get to know who the local producers really are. When you know - you can continue to support them which will help you and will help them!
It was a big day on Saturday but it was fun and the feedback was great.
This private tour was a present to a bunch of family and friends - what a lovely idea?
We are getting more and more requests for gift certificates.
A FoodPath tour or workshop is certainly something different and this group said that every year they choose something they can do together as a family.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
We were very lucky with the weather for our day tour on Sat 21 May and it was clear and crisp. A great group who were all very enthusiastic and want to come back for more! This was very exciting for us because word is getting out about what sets our tours aside from others. We take you to another layer of experience and learning while we all have fun!
We visited Kym at her olive farm. She was due to start harvesting the next morning at 3am (who'd be a farmer)! The olives were plump with oil - you could squeeze the oil out and feel how good it was for your skin. Everyone loved Kym's products and bought up lots to take home, as we stood amongst the olive trees. A good visit for all concerned.
Alan was training his dog to find truffles because he hopes that this year he might get his first crop!
We also visited his new hot house and the vegetables were wonderful. This property is always sensational and we are very lucky to have access to it because it is not open to the public - thanks Alan and Jeanette!
We also visited his new hot house and the vegetables were wonderful. This property is always sensational and we are very lucky to have access to it because it is not open to the public - thanks Alan and Jeanette!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
We have our final farm tour for Autumn next Sat 21 May and we are looking forward to it. It is virtually booked out which is exciting - maybe room for 1 more?
Kym at Sutton Forest Olives is just about to harvest so we will be able to see her trees laden with olives. Alan is busy training his dog to find truffles in anticipation of the season - he rubs some cotton wool with truffle oil then buries it and the dog has to find it! Hope he succeeds in time - wouldn't want to miss any! We are having a lovely lunch at Stones Restaurant at Eling Forest winery. Anne and Warryn are busy with a new batch of hens settling in. It is all good - just hope the weather warms up a bit, it has been freezing.
Kym at Sutton Forest Olives is just about to harvest so we will be able to see her trees laden with olives. Alan is busy training his dog to find truffles in anticipation of the season - he rubs some cotton wool with truffle oil then buries it and the dog has to find it! Hope he succeeds in time - wouldn't want to miss any! We are having a lovely lunch at Stones Restaurant at Eling Forest winery. Anne and Warryn are busy with a new batch of hens settling in. It is all good - just hope the weather warms up a bit, it has been freezing.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Who was watching Better Homes and Gardens on Ch 7 last night? Our local potato growers Norman and Robyn from Robertson provided the backdrop and product for a feature on potatoes. Pity they weren't mentioned by name - but we knew who they were. What a beautiful property. Hope to take a FoodPath Tour to visit them sometime.
You can see Robyn and Norman's "Highland Gourmet Potatoes" at the Bowral and Moss Vale produce markets - all 22 varieties! They give advice re cooking as well which is very helpful.
You can see Robyn and Norman's "Highland Gourmet Potatoes" at the Bowral and Moss Vale produce markets - all 22 varieties! They give advice re cooking as well which is very helpful.
Went to a great dinner last Sat with the Phatt Duck chef Stephen Crook and his wife Teena. Very special!
The venue was The Potager at Berrima where our hostess was Elouise. Two long tables were elegantly set in this historic little cottage tucked away behind the General Store and filled with pretty and quirky things for sale.
Loved the fact that Stephen came between courses and told us where he sourced his local ingredients and about the people behind the food.
The menu included Duck Tea from Thirlemere Poultry, Bridgette's Chicken Pate on Jo's bread. Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel Tartlet, braised Pork Belly from Joadja with glazed Beetroot, Apple and Tarragon Compote with a side of Dauphinoise Potatoes and Muscat poached Fruit with Meringue.
Also loved listening to guest Peter playing the guitar, sitting by the open fire. Hope we can go again!
The venue was The Potager at Berrima where our hostess was Elouise. Two long tables were elegantly set in this historic little cottage tucked away behind the General Store and filled with pretty and quirky things for sale.
Loved the fact that Stephen came between courses and told us where he sourced his local ingredients and about the people behind the food.
The menu included Duck Tea from Thirlemere Poultry, Bridgette's Chicken Pate on Jo's bread. Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel Tartlet, braised Pork Belly from Joadja with glazed Beetroot, Apple and Tarragon Compote with a side of Dauphinoise Potatoes and Muscat poached Fruit with Meringue.
Also loved listening to guest Peter playing the guitar, sitting by the open fire. Hope we can go again!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Just coming up for air after an amazing few days! Sydney Weekender on Saturday included a FoodPath workshop with Stephen Hogwood from the 1910 Bottling Company. Steve is passionate about bottling only organic fruit that he sources locally wherever possible.
The enquiries from the FoodPath website have been coming thick and fast - which is very exciting. There has been great interest in all of our workshops - fruit bottling, cheese appreciation and wine education!
It is always great to have the opportunity to showcase the Southern Highlands and Mike Whitney certainly made it fun! He loves his job and it shows. He said he never knows where he is going to be sent next week so there is always the element of the unexpected.
The girls in the fruit bottling class enjoyed themselves. Lunch was provided by DeliSH, a new business in the Highlands that makes hampers for visitors and locals.
Mary and Tony from Howards Lane were able to show off their beautiful vineyard outside Mittagong - even though they were in NZ on holidays! We like to use their tasting room for our workshops. It is a stand alone timber building with verandah and a wonderful view over the vineyard. In the late afternoon the kangaroos come down out of the bush to graze.
We are very grateful to Xante at Sydney Weekender for offering us the opportunity to demonstrate our workshops and spread the word about FoodPath to their extensive audience.
The classes are filling up so contact us quickly if you want to come!
The enquiries from the FoodPath website have been coming thick and fast - which is very exciting. There has been great interest in all of our workshops - fruit bottling, cheese appreciation and wine education!
It is always great to have the opportunity to showcase the Southern Highlands and Mike Whitney certainly made it fun! He loves his job and it shows. He said he never knows where he is going to be sent next week so there is always the element of the unexpected.
The girls in the fruit bottling class enjoyed themselves. Lunch was provided by DeliSH, a new business in the Highlands that makes hampers for visitors and locals.
Mary and Tony from Howards Lane were able to show off their beautiful vineyard outside Mittagong - even though they were in NZ on holidays! We like to use their tasting room for our workshops. It is a stand alone timber building with verandah and a wonderful view over the vineyard. In the late afternoon the kangaroos come down out of the bush to graze.
We are very grateful to Xante at Sydney Weekender for offering us the opportunity to demonstrate our workshops and spread the word about FoodPath to their extensive audience.
The classes are filling up so contact us quickly if you want to come!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wow - Gumnut Patisserie has done it again!
FoodPath's Nick was a judge at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show again this year and therefore he was invited to the Awards Lunch today, so ......
Hot from the press I want to tell you that Gumnut Patisserie won so many awards I almost lost count!
Traci and Vikki the business owners have done it again - they really are amazing.
I counted 5 Gold, 17 Silver and 19 Bronze medals - and I might have missed some!
Gold medals were for:
There were too many silver and bronze to list them here - but they cover an impressive range of categories.
They also won "Champion Gourmet Pie" with their lamb and rosemary pie.
Amongst the awards were some for four Gumnut apprentices who also starred - Kylie Masters, Jason Hanger, Emillia Preston and Zayne Vidler - well done guys!
Under the "Apprentice Awards", Kylie Masters won the "Best Apprentice Cake Exhibit" with her Swiss Roll.
Traci has always impressed me with his enthusiastic support of his apprentices. One year I even nominated him for a Rotary Vocational Award for Employer of the Year because of the way he encourages and trains apprentices. Passing on his skills is very important I believe and this is the way to achieve that. If you go into the Gumnut Patisserie kitchen in Mittagong you will see photos of past apprentices in pride of place on the wall and information on where they are now working around the world!
FoodPath's Nick was a judge at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show again this year and therefore he was invited to the Awards Lunch today, so ......
Hot from the press I want to tell you that Gumnut Patisserie won so many awards I almost lost count!
Traci and Vikki the business owners have done it again - they really are amazing.
I counted 5 Gold, 17 Silver and 19 Bronze medals - and I might have missed some!
Gold medals were for:
- Mud cake with specialty garnish
- Mud cake glazed
- Mousse cake - tri-layer mousse
- Danish pastries
- Lamb and rosemary pie
There were too many silver and bronze to list them here - but they cover an impressive range of categories.
They also won "Champion Gourmet Pie" with their lamb and rosemary pie.
Amongst the awards were some for four Gumnut apprentices who also starred - Kylie Masters, Jason Hanger, Emillia Preston and Zayne Vidler - well done guys!
Under the "Apprentice Awards", Kylie Masters won the "Best Apprentice Cake Exhibit" with her Swiss Roll.
Traci has always impressed me with his enthusiastic support of his apprentices. One year I even nominated him for a Rotary Vocational Award for Employer of the Year because of the way he encourages and trains apprentices. Passing on his skills is very important I believe and this is the way to achieve that. If you go into the Gumnut Patisserie kitchen in Mittagong you will see photos of past apprentices in pride of place on the wall and information on where they are now working around the world!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Went to the annual Burrawang Easter Fair today. It was very busy with lots of stalls and packed with visitors and locals who like to come every year!
Having to park in a nearby paddock gave us the opportunity to discover what a pretty little town Burrawang is! We don't usually walk around the back streets when we go to visit.
Nick and I helped on a stand promoting the Southern Highlands wine and food and there was a lot of interest.
We had wine from 5 local wineries - all members of Southern Highlands Food and Wine - for tastings and sales. These included:
The wine included:
Many people were surprised to learn that we have over 55 vineyards and 14 cellar doors in the Southern Highlands - and it so close to Sydney! An easy drive for a weekend stay - best not to drive home if you are tasting wine! There are lots of options for accommodation - just ask and we can help.
We will be finalising our FoodPath winery tours very soon and will let you all know.
Having to park in a nearby paddock gave us the opportunity to discover what a pretty little town Burrawang is! We don't usually walk around the back streets when we go to visit.
We had wine from 5 local wineries - all members of Southern Highlands Food and Wine - for tastings and sales. These included:
- Tertini and Diamond Creek Estate from Mittagong
- Sutton Forest Wines, St Maurs and Sally's Corner from the Exeter area and
- Southern Highlands Wines from Sutton Forest.
The wine included:
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling and one sticky from Diamond Creek Estate (we also had their olive oil).
Many people were surprised to learn that we have over 55 vineyards and 14 cellar doors in the Southern Highlands - and it so close to Sydney! An easy drive for a weekend stay - best not to drive home if you are tasting wine! There are lots of options for accommodation - just ask and we can help.
We will be finalising our FoodPath winery tours very soon and will let you all know.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Ever bought pretzels from street vendors in your travels? I remember them particularly in Greece - so we were delighted when Andrew and Sue installed a new bread oven at their great little deli in Bowral - Il Topolino and started making, amongst other things, pretzels! Nick loves them and comes home with a box of them every other day.
Andrew is also making bagels, sourdough loaves, butter croissants and a range of different loaves such as an organic Swiss, a stone baked pane di Toscana, a German grain loaf, hand crafted corn bread and more! It is hard to find bagels in the Southern Highlands so I am sure these will be especially popular.
This little deli is one of the stops on our Food Focused Walking Tour in Bowral. We now run these on demand in Bowral and we have also started one in Berrima. They are a great way to get to know the specialty food shops with local food enthusiastists!
Other good news is that Lisa Tozer and her sister Sally Terry of the Rush Roasting Co have opened a cafe in the back of the Grand Hotel arcade - and they are soooo busy!
They have been roasting coffee in Bowral for the past 15 years and describe themselves as "roasters of extraordinary coffee from extraordinary places".
Now they have a shopfront, we are keen to include Lisa and Sally on the itinerary of our walking tour and they are enthusiastic too, which is exciting. Not only will we taste their coffee but we will hear from them about their product and their plans.
Andrew is also making bagels, sourdough loaves, butter croissants and a range of different loaves such as an organic Swiss, a stone baked pane di Toscana, a German grain loaf, hand crafted corn bread and more! It is hard to find bagels in the Southern Highlands so I am sure these will be especially popular.
This little deli is one of the stops on our Food Focused Walking Tour in Bowral. We now run these on demand in Bowral and we have also started one in Berrima. They are a great way to get to know the specialty food shops with local food enthusiastists!
Other good news is that Lisa Tozer and her sister Sally Terry of the Rush Roasting Co have opened a cafe in the back of the Grand Hotel arcade - and they are soooo busy!
They have been roasting coffee in Bowral for the past 15 years and describe themselves as "roasters of extraordinary coffee from extraordinary places".
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