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.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Celebration Sunday on again this weekend and a couple of spaces left on our FoodPath table. Next month is full and then Biota is having a break over summer - no Celebration Sunday in Dec or Jan 2013. So... if you want to come give us a call or contact us from the website. You are very welcome.
Venue: Biota Dining, Kangaloon Rd, Bowral
Date: Sun 28 Oct 2012
Time: 10.30 Market Tour in the garden and 12.30 lunch in the restaurant on our FoodPath table.
Price: $55 pp for a 3 course lunch of tasting platters, glass SH wine, tea/coffee.
To book: Contact us from the website www.foodpath.com.au, email info@foodpath.com.au or ring 0419 617 021
Venue: Biota Dining, Kangaloon Rd, Bowral
Date: Sun 28 Oct 2012
Time: 10.30 Market Tour in the garden and 12.30 lunch in the restaurant on our FoodPath table.
Price: $55 pp for a 3 course lunch of tasting platters, glass SH wine, tea/coffee.
To book: Contact us from the website www.foodpath.com.au, email info@foodpath.com.au or ring 0419 617 021
I have been really bogged down with paperwork for the past three weeks - don't you hate that?! I do. I would much rather be out and about in the Highlands meeting new producers and developing new products for you dear customers :)
Had a call today from another free range egg farmer at Marulan who has free range chooks too AND free range pigs. Very exciting. It is nice when people get referred to us and we can look at incorporating them into our tours and activities - and also put them on to outlets for their products. It is all about helping each other I say, then everyone benefits.
Had a call today from another free range egg farmer at Marulan who has free range chooks too AND free range pigs. Very exciting. It is nice when people get referred to us and we can look at incorporating them into our tours and activities - and also put them on to outlets for their products. It is all about helping each other I say, then everyone benefits.
Would people travel as far as Marulan though - that is the question... as it is we have made the hard decision to stop our regular Day Tours except for group bookings of 8 or more. It is not worth it for the farmers to stop and look after us for less than 8 people and often I will have less than that and I do hate having to cancel.
We can still offer our personally hosted tours for less - spend a day with a local, so all is not lost.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Yesterday we had a special treat. My daughter had given us a gift voucher for a meal at Chiswick Restaurant in Woollahra. She does this often - give an experience as a present - something we like to encourage people to do with our FoodPath Gift Vouchers :)
We decided to have lunch yesterday because it was a beautiful day and we were in Sydney for a couple of days. The setting was stunning because of the garden setting and lots of windows - a real pavilion feel.
Lunch included many ingredients straight from the restaurant garden which was appealed to us of course - can't get much more local or fresh than that! We had their greens in our salads and mint tea to finish which I loved. I will be doing that at home.
The highlight of the day was when Matt Moran dropped in for a quick visit and we got to speak to him. Nick bought his latest book and he posed for a photo with me which was a nice bonus!
We took some photos of the food to show you -
We decided to have lunch yesterday because it was a beautiful day and we were in Sydney for a couple of days. The setting was stunning because of the garden setting and lots of windows - a real pavilion feel.
Lunch included many ingredients straight from the restaurant garden which was appealed to us of course - can't get much more local or fresh than that! We had their greens in our salads and mint tea to finish which I loved. I will be doing that at home.
The highlight of the day was when Matt Moran dropped in for a quick visit and we got to speak to him. Nick bought his latest book and he posed for a photo with me which was a nice bonus!
We took some photos of the food to show you -
Definitely worth a visit!
Monday, October 1, 2012
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| James and Kerry alpaca eager to say hello |
Meet James and Kerry alpaca - cute aren't they? The kids loved them on our Family Farm Tour.
They also loved collecting the eggs, holding the chooks, seeing the baby goat, checking the yabby traps in the dam, feeding the fish, brushing the horse, watching the 2 day old goslings swimming in the baby bath - and more!!
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| Everyone helped to collect the eggs |
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| Holding a chook is a skill in itself! |
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| Some of the little ones were tentative at first |
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| Checking the yabby traps - and there were some big ones! |
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| Kids tasted real honey straight from the hive |
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| 2 day old goslings - what a treat to see them! |
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| Harvey told us all about his bees |
Hopefully Lindy and Harvey will recover soon and will be prepared to run another of these tours next school holidays. They did an excellent job and I know that some of the parents found it very interesting too!
Friday, September 28, 2012
We have had two late cancellations if you want to join out communal table for lunch?
$55 per person for 3 courses of shared platters, a glass of local wine, tea/coffee. Great value at this 2 hatted restaurant (yes, they have been awarded another hat during the past month)!
Biota has also won a Sustainability Award which I know they are very happy about.
We take our group on a tour of the Produce Market in the restaurant garden at 10.30. Lunch is at 12.30.
Let us know if you want to join us - you pay the same as if you book directly, but you get to meet our other guests. It is all good fun!
Call me on 0419 617 021 to book.
We are very excited - we had so many enquiries for the Family Farm Tour that we decided to run two - one in the morning and another in the afternoon! Fortunately this worked out - with the locals coming in the morning and the Sydney siders coming after lunch.
Harvey and Lindy are busy getting ready. Yesterday Harvey was up at 3am feeding the newly hatched gosling and I have just been told he is picking up a baby goat from another farm to show the kids. So they are going over and above and we will have so much to do and see it is going to be fun.
If you are coming, let us know how you like it? It always helps us with our planning to have feedback from our customers.
See you tomorrow kids - and parents - and grandparents!
We have almost as many adults as children - what a great thing for grandparents to do with their grandchildren.
Harvey and Lindy are busy getting ready. Yesterday Harvey was up at 3am feeding the newly hatched gosling and I have just been told he is picking up a baby goat from another farm to show the kids. So they are going over and above and we will have so much to do and see it is going to be fun.
See you tomorrow kids - and parents - and grandparents!
We have almost as many adults as children - what a great thing for grandparents to do with their grandchildren.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Come with us to visit a family friendly farm in the Southern
Highlands. Show your children where their food comes from
and have fun at the same time.
Harvey and Lindy will be our hosts and have kindly offered to
share their farmyard friends with us for the afternoon.
• Feed the alpacas – James and Kerry
• Pat Dave the miniature horse
• Meet Gino the retired race horse (there is a life after racing)
• Play in the “Bradman enclosure” (playground)
• Fish for yabbies
• Feed the trout
• Collect the eggs
• Feed the chooks
• Draw a face on an egg to take home
• See the baby goslings
• Learn about honey, taste some and take a jar home.
Date: Sat 29 Sept 2012
Venue: Meet at Lake Alexander, Queen St, Mittagong
Time: 12 -3pm
12 noon meet for optional picnic at the lake.
12.45pm leave for tour – follow us in your car
Price: Child (3-15yrs) $12. Adults $18. Children under 3 free.
BYO picnic or pre-order with FoodPath (extra cost).
NB. Children to be supervised by their accompanying adults at all times.
Contact us from the website for bookings or more information or ring Jill on
0419 617 021. Join the mailing list for updates.
(Minimum numbers apply)
Sunday, September 9, 2012
We have a mid week Food Lovers Walking Tour coming up in Bowral next Thursday if anyone is interested? A good chance for locals to come?
During this tour we visit five great little specialty food shops.
We receive great feedback from this tour because we have "quality time" with the business owners and get below the surface to hear more about the food and their businesses - and we enjoy some tastings too.
Price: $55 pp (includes coffee at our local roasters)
Time: 10 - 12.30am
Date: Thurs 13 Sept 2012
Venue: Meet at Corbett Plaza
If you would like to come contact us from the website, email info@foodpath.com.au or ring 0419 617 021.
During this tour we visit five great little specialty food shops.
We receive great feedback from this tour because we have "quality time" with the business owners and get below the surface to hear more about the food and their businesses - and we enjoy some tastings too.
Price: $55 pp (includes coffee at our local roasters)
Time: 10 - 12.30am
Date: Thurs 13 Sept 2012
Venue: Meet at Corbett Plaza
At last it has arrived! Our first Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival is being held next weekend 15-16 Sept after much preparation and anticipation. What a huge job - but it will be worth it!
You will see our award winning chefs, wineries and food producers and taste their products. Ella's Holiday, a popular band will be playing from 12 - 3pm both days and there will be other live music throughout the weekend.
A wide range of food will be available for lunch including gourmet food from our best chefs. Wine will be sold by the glass - and there is a large covered area in which to relax and enjoy.
On Sat from 10.30 - 12.30 there will be a Regional BBQ bake off - something not to be missed.
During the rest of the weekend there will be a program of chef's demonstrations representing our best restaurants Biota Dining, Eschalot, Centennial Vineyard Restaurant, Montfort's at Craigieburn and more. You can also meet the farmers and hear about the benefits of eating in season in two sessions run by Jill Dyson from FoodPath (Sat 2pm) and Jill Cockram from the Moss Vale Community Garden (Sun 1pm).
There will also be a Market Place with local produce, berry vinegars, olive oils etc and other quality products for sale, so bring your shopping bag.
Pony rides, farmyard animals, jumping castle and more for the smaller children and laser clay pigeon shooting too - so something for the whole family.
Take advantage of the free shuttle bus from Bowral Station to Bong Bong racecourse all day.
Come and help us to make this a great success - bring your friends! Discover what a great destination the Southern Highlands is for food and wine.
$10 entry. Tickets available at the Visitor Information Centre (Mittagong), Tertini Wines (Kells Creek Rd) and the Berrima General Store - or you can buy on line or at the gate on the day. Children under 15 FREE.
You will see our award winning chefs, wineries and food producers and taste their products. Ella's Holiday, a popular band will be playing from 12 - 3pm both days and there will be other live music throughout the weekend.
A wide range of food will be available for lunch including gourmet food from our best chefs. Wine will be sold by the glass - and there is a large covered area in which to relax and enjoy.
On Sat from 10.30 - 12.30 there will be a Regional BBQ bake off - something not to be missed.
During the rest of the weekend there will be a program of chef's demonstrations representing our best restaurants Biota Dining, Eschalot, Centennial Vineyard Restaurant, Montfort's at Craigieburn and more. You can also meet the farmers and hear about the benefits of eating in season in two sessions run by Jill Dyson from FoodPath (Sat 2pm) and Jill Cockram from the Moss Vale Community Garden (Sun 1pm).
There will also be a Market Place with local produce, berry vinegars, olive oils etc and other quality products for sale, so bring your shopping bag.
Pony rides, farmyard animals, jumping castle and more for the smaller children and laser clay pigeon shooting too - so something for the whole family.
Take advantage of the free shuttle bus from Bowral Station to Bong Bong racecourse all day.
Come and help us to make this a great success - bring your friends! Discover what a great destination the Southern Highlands is for food and wine.
$10 entry. Tickets available at the Visitor Information Centre (Mittagong), Tertini Wines (Kells Creek Rd) and the Berrima General Store - or you can buy on line or at the gate on the day. Children under 15 FREE.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
We have just "posted" a Family Farm Tour in the Southern Highlands for the Sept school holidays.
Harvey and Lindy have a range of animals on their property near Berrima and are looking forwarded to welcoming us there.
Meet at Lake Alexander first at 12 midday for a picnic lunch and then follow us at 12.45 in your car to the farm.
Your children will be able to:
Date: Sat 29 Sept 2012
Time: 1 - 3pm. Meet at Lake Alexander at 12 midday for lunch first (optional). BYO picnic or pre-order from FoodPath (extra cost)
Price: $12 ch (3 - 15yrs), $18 ad, Ch under 3 FREE.
To book contact us - from the website, email info@foodpath or ring 0419 617 021
Harvey and Lindy have a range of animals on their property near Berrima and are looking forwarded to welcoming us there.
Meet at Lake Alexander first at 12 midday for a picnic lunch and then follow us at 12.45 in your car to the farm.
Your children will be able to:
- Feed the chooks
- Collect the eggs
- Pat the friendly alpacas
- Feed the miniature horse
- Feed the fish in the dam
- Look for yabbies and
- Learn all about honey - and take some home.
Date: Sat 29 Sept 2012
Time: 1 - 3pm. Meet at Lake Alexander at 12 midday for lunch first (optional). BYO picnic or pre-order from FoodPath (extra cost)
Price: $12 ch (3 - 15yrs), $18 ad, Ch under 3 FREE.
To book contact us - from the website, email info@foodpath or ring 0419 617 021
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