(Pictured above - Top: beef carpaccio, gazpacho, saffron potato, free range egg yolk and garlic ciabatta, then below: pork belly 'brick', tamarind caramel, salted pineapple, pear puree)
Rita’s final act as southern Tasmanian RICA occurred yesterday when she led her group of teachers of every definition on a merry dance round the Channel area.
I have previously referred to this (at that time, upcoming) trip on this blog, so won’t dwell too much on it, but let me tell you that I think many of my compatriots saw another aspect to food production, and passion, that they might not have previously suspected existed.
Our first stop at the farm of Chris Read at Fleurty’s (Woodbridge) graphically demonstrated the need for diversity in farm income which ultimately led to Chris veering off the path of his native pepper berry processing and flower production, and into the café industry. A speccy morning tea followed at the cafe (thanks Nadine), then it was back into the bus and off across Woodbridge Hill to Tas Saff at Glaziers Bay (outside Cygnet), and the property of Terry and Nicky Noonan.
(Pictured below, Nadine at Fleurty's)
Terry and Nicky presented as a couple who bantered between each other with their presentation to the group in a jovial Punch and Judy-type act! They had us in fits of laughter throughout their talk, and I found them a lovely and amusing couple. The information they also imparted to the group was invaluable, especially for the saffron industry, and I will be surprised if there isn’t a paella included in many people’s menus over the next few weeks!
It was difficult to extract everyone from Tas Saff to get back on the bus and continue the trip but eventually we made it back across Woodbridge Hill to our ultimate destination of Peppermint Bay, and into the welcoming arms of old Rita-favourite Paul Foreman!
Once again, Paul pulled out all stops to present everyone in my group with the most perfect in food – ever! PB couldn’t be faulted in their hospitality – from CEO Luke, all waitstaff and kitchen staff, and Heddy in the providore.
(Below - medium roasted beef tenderloin, carrot, proscuitto, spinachand gorgonzola puree)
It was a pleasure to be able to be in a situation where I was able provide a group with a glimpse as to why my passion for fine food and dining exists. Quite a few present yesterday hadn’t ever been to PB for a starter. Many also hadn’t tasted what we class as fine food. Paul managed to strike a fine balance for some, a feat which I applaud. His food was proclaimed as being ‘some of that wanky food, but tasting good’.
(The troops pictured above, spellbound, listening to Frances, and Paul....)
Your average diner quite simply doesn’t give the proverbial shit about food – and why should they? They eat to live, not live to eat (unlike me!). It’s not until they are on the receiving end of a meal such as we had yesterday at PB that they experience a tiny glimmer of what other people experience often. My greatest wish would be for everyone to forget drunken orgies, violence, discrimination, one-upmanship, hurt and rudeness, and embrace simply sitting down and savouring delicious food lovingly prepared.
The talks following lunch were equally as informative. Frances Bender from Huon Aquaculture managed to charm all present, and meet the challenge presented (as she had quite rightly anticipated) with questions around last week’s 7.30 Report salmon battery farm issues intelligently and realistically. I don’t know about anyone else but I was made happier after listening to her addressing many of the concerns raised by the 7.30 Report.
Paul Foreman (below) also spoke well about working in hospitality, which was great for the classroom high school teachers in my group to hear.
All in all, a great finish to the Tasmanian chapter of the federally-funded Career Advice Australia initiative, of which Regional Industry Career Adviser (RICA – or as you more familiarly know her, Rita, is part).
I would like to thank and acknowledge everyone with whom I have had dealings over the past 4 years, and who have added to my knowledge, and development as a well-rounded and informed human being. RICA is the sole reason for the birth of this blog site.
And don’t forget Luke – Paul REALLY needs another Thermomix down there at PB!
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