SUMMER FEAST TO SHARE
Take a peek behind the scenes at Sydney’s Acre Eatery as head chef Gareth Howard creates the perfect festive menu
Celebrate the season with this festive menu, making the most of the very best fresh, local produce
We’ve been planning a Christmas lunch revolution. Don’t worry, it’s still special - but think elevated versions of the dishes we love all summer long, rather than throwbacks to 19th-century English winter fare. For a lesson in festive summer food, we visited Acre, the expansive eatery that, with Pocket City Farms, forms Sydney’s Camperdown Commons. Head chef at Acre Gareth Howard hails from the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales and has a food philosophy that’s firmly focused on local and sustainable produce. “Growing up in a market town, I was surrounded by free-range, pasture-raised animals and local producers,” he says. “I believe you can taste the difference in a product that’s been grown or reared in the most natural, ethical way.” With the restaurant overlooking the small working farm, which includes chickens and bees, it’s easy to make the link between flavour and provenance. “Since day one at Acre, we’ve wanted to show people an alternative idea about how we can all produce and consume food, especially in a restaurant environment,” says Gareth.
This generous Christmas menu for eight is light and fresh with an indulgent dessert to finish.You’ll need to start some of these recipes ahead of time, which means you’ll have more time to enjoy the day, and you’ll also have some gourmet leftovers (olive tapenade! boozy figs!) to enjoy in the new year. Visit acreeatery.com.au for more info.