TAKE FOOD JOURNEY
GET A TASTE FOR ADVENTURE EXPLORING THE REGION’S FOOD BOWL ON A DRIVE AROUND THE ATHERTON TABLELANDS AND CASSOWARY COAST
LOW food miles, paddock to plate and farm to fork – they are the buzz words of the culinary world and philosophies easily embraced in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region where our food bowl is literally on our back doorstep.
A visit to Rusty’s Markets or any of the farmers’ markets throughout the region reveals an array of Instagram-worthy tropical fruits, leafy vegetables and herbs.
What is also exciting about our region’s food is that our farmers and chefs are increasingly turning local produce into table-ready products like smoked barramundi, cured meats, flavoured nuts and cheese.
Ochre Restaurant and Catering owner Craig Squire has been championing local produce since he opened his Cairns restaurant in 1994.
“Back then sugar, tobacco and dairy were the main farms with some bulk vegetable growing such as potatoes,” he says.
“Over the past 20 years growers have developed niche products like cacao, vanilla, specialty fruit lines and bush foods and just as importantly have been value adding to produce retail products.
“From coffee through to jams and sauces, nuts, dairy and chocolate, there is so much retail product, while more restaurants – especially those targeting the visitor market – are making local produce the hero.
“Food and beverage are very much a part of the region’s tourism experience, with award-winning distilleries and great restaurants adding to the story.”
Ochre is about to launch a food map showing where the restaurant’s produce is sourced in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region, which may also inspire diners to drive from farm to farm to experience the ingredients at their source.
A drive around the Atherton Tablelands and Cassowary Coast takes in several of the restaurant’s suppliers including Shaylee Strawberries, where you can pick your own, and Wondaree Macadamia Nuts. Find more information at www.shayleestrawberries.com.a u and www.wondaree.com.au
Australia’s largest exporter of Arabica coffee and the country’s biggest papaya grower, Skybury is doing takeaways and serving 10 diners at a time to experience not just a great coffee, but the clever use of the farm’s produce in its menu.
You must make a booking to dine in at a restaurant or cafe to ensure they can meet the COVID-19 workplace restrictions that limit the number of diners to 10 people
The Coffee Braised Beef Burger features espresso barbecue sauce on slow-braised local brisket, with ginger papaya pickle, oven-dried Skybury tomatoes, caramelised onion and a side of green papaya slaw with crispy smashed potato.
Or try their signature dish, Chicken Korma with green papaya salad cooked in a ripe papaya and korma curry paste and accompanied by Skybury green papaya salad, banana and coconut, pappadams, Skybury papaya relish and rice. More details on Skybury at skybury.com.au
Mt Uncle Distillery is taking online orders for its Iridium Gold, which has just won The Upsider’s Best Rum in the World title, and spirits including gin, whisky and vodka.
The distillery sources ingredients and fruits from the Mt Uncle farm and neighbouring farms on the Atherton Tablelands. Visit www.mtuncle.com
Gallo Dairyland is a must visit when it reopens with cheese tastings and milking sessions all part of the experience.
Until then, their 16 flavours of cheese and handmade chocolates can be purchased at various retailers. Check them out at gallodairyland.com.au
Mungalli Biodynamic is the region’s local milk producer with a café overlooking the World Heritage rainforest.
Its milks, yoghurts, soft cheeses and cream are also available from local retailers until it reopens. Find them at www.mungallicreekdairy.com.au
Down the Palmerston Highway to the Cassowary Coast is where Aussie Pepper and Yamagishi eggs are sourced. More details at www.farnorthplantations.com.a u/aussie-pepper.html
You can head to Charley’s Chocolate at Mission Beach to see how the farm’s cacao is transformed into chocolate when tours resume.
Or call ahead for an appointment at the Broken Nose Vanilla farm gate shop in Mirriwinni for the heady scent of vanilla on its own or in the likes of caramelised balsamic vinegar. Find them both at www.facebook.com/ charleyschocolate and www.brokennosevanilla.com.au