Rita’s current role at work, which, as previously explained, ends within the next two weeks, involves, amongst many other things, providing teachers with realistic hands-on experiences in the world of business and industry, thus hopefully giving them the proverbial ‘food for thought’ for the futures of their students, and an insight into ways of achieving success in pursuing your dream.
These glimpses into the world of business are one-off visits to local employers, industries and business people who are willing to share their industry knowledge with my groups in order for the teachers to be able to base their teachings around what they have seen and heard themselves from people involved in practicing their craft in today’s current climate
To this end, I am currently planning my final industry visit which promises to be a beauty. We will board our bus in town then travel down the Channel to the Fleurty property where farmer Chris Read will chat about his 3 small businesses there: his native pepper berry processing, his iris growing and his café. Then we will jump back on the bus and travel across to Glaziers Bay (outside Cygnet) to visit with Nicky and Terry Noonan at Tas Saff, who will speak to my group about the trials, tribulations and positives of saffron growing, then it’s back on the bus and back to Woodbridge to a sumptuous 3 course lunch (which will incorporate products made by the people we have just visited) at Peppermint Bay followed by a talk to my teachers by Head Chef Paul Foreman and guest speaker Frances Bender from Huon Aquaculture.
I have had an overwhelming response to my emailed invitations, and look forward to the day, as I hope my teachers are too! I’m sure this isn’t the last you’ll hear about this day….!
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
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42 comments:
Hi Rita.
Thought I would give you an update of what I see is happening in Tas hospitality at the moment.
Kingston Beach Corner Fish Shop is closing Sunday, re-opening monday with new owners, and new name 'Hungry Freds' (already one in new town).
Exciting new cafe opening very soon in channel region.
Bruny Island are about to gain a new restaurant at Dennes Point, Council are leasing it out to someone! Expressions of interest were months ago.
Drysdale Xmas shop today was extremley busy. :)
Thanks Anon - I love it when you report back to me.
Interesting news though. Looks like Kingston is forging ahead still.
Hopefully one day one/some restaurants will open in Kingston. It would be a great step forward. Although such a business may not survive in an area where people's fav meal is Mackers!
Hi everyone, I'm looking for recommendations for somewhere down the channel for lunch.
I'm looking for a change, so I'd like to exclude Peppermint Bay and Fleurties. Across the hills, I've also recently been to RVL and Home Hill. So they're also low on my list.
Anyone able to recommend another restaurant down that way thats worthy of the drive?
Hi Anon - there are heaps of places you could go in the area if you just want to go somewhere different. The question I would ask is whether or not you enjoyed yourself at any of the venues you mentioned as having already been to, plus whether or not you are going to these places for the food or something else.
Fast food places are abundant, as are mediocre places, but if you aren't fussed about that, you've got no worries about a lunch venue.
I would suggest Farm Gate Cafe at Kettering with its new owners - a lovely young couple who have relocated here from Victoria recently, and whose enthusiasm for their food, and using local products, is wonderful to see.
I have been to Pear Ridge (Margate) twice now, once it was foul and another time it was lovely, so I do wonder if thats an option worth considering?
ahhh, Pear Ridge! A beautiful place no where near its full potential!!
Pear Ridge still for sale
It's always for sale
Thanks Rita (and others). I'm looking for an experience similar to Fleurtys up to a Home Hill.
Farm Gate Cafe (if that's the place with the wooden pig?) is probably not really conducive to a long gossipy lunch as its a bit too small. Loved the snags from there though.
I've enjoyed Fleurtys on a number of occasions and would happily return.
I've been to Peppermint Bay many times (restaurant and bar), but its lost something this year. The food coming out of the kitchen is certainly less enjoyable. The time before last I witnessed a grumbling table raise it with the waiter who responded that the lady wasn't the only one to complain. Hopefully it was just a bad day in the kitchen, but the demeanour of the waiter led me to believe that there was an ongoing problem. Certainly front-of-house don't smile as much nowadays.
agree about Pear Ridge - it is having trouble reaching its potential.
What about the vineyard around the corner from Pear Ridge, Hobart side, on the other side of the road? Never been there, so can't recommend one way or the other.
Uh Brookfield?
Eww the interior of that place is like a 100 year old junk shop.
That's it, Brookfield. A resounding reply - clearly I'm meant to continue driving by.
Yes - for sure.
Not exactly exciting news with the Kingston corner takeaway closing. In actual fact it is just one takeaway owner leaving and another one taking over.
As for a restaurant in Kingston, the old welcome inn at the sports centre has been transformed into "Aura" restaurant.
Honestly you anons get out more, Kingstons a little wider than channel court.
Speaking of local news, has Moorilla got a new chef yet? I noticed they were advertising for chef's in the past couple of weeks but not for head chef roles. They seem to have gone very quiet and there hasn't been any announcement that I have heard.
Anyone been recently? I think they may have a new chef. The menu style is/seems/feels very different from previous menu's. I wonder if the Tetsuya thing is still on? I haven't been back since the last chef left.
Pear Ridge is one of the most beautiful spaces created that I have seen. It must have beenone of the most passionate and gutsy ventures put together. You can feel the dream that a couple have put together.
I love the garden and the building. I am not going to comment on anything else, but I would like to say that dreams often come at a high price. Stress, health etc. Some you win some you lose. Potential does not even come close to describing it.
Good luck.
Cartouche
What is going in to the space next to The Beach Restaurant at Blackmans bay any ideas all you Anon's
Well it's a dilemma isn't it?
Excluding Peppermint Bay, Fleurtys, The farm Gate Cafe, RVL and Home Hill, there isn't really a whole lot left to choose from.
Although, the Lotus Eaters in Cygnet is good and is run by the girls who used to run RVL a few years ago.
I'm struggling to think of some other suggestions, which is really kind of sad in itself.
If it's a nice day, howabout a picnic rug, some crusty bread, some nice cheese and a bottle of red..?
Anon 8.354 AM
New place next to the Beach Restaurant is supposed to be an indian takeaway I think, well its owned by the indian bloke who owns citrus moon building anyway.
BTW heard a rumour that Southern Lights at Kingston is crap. Pretty unsubstantiated comment IMHO but it's just what I heard. :)
Also heard that Chill Cafe in Channel Court is for sale.
This has turned into a Kingo Hospitality thread! Sorry Rita.
Just read on another blog that the Gloria Jeans Franchise is the busiest place in Kingston! What a joke. Carmon Kingston residents! I can't stand franchise coffee. I would rather support a small business that serves decent coffee.
That bloody maccas is busy too :/
Note to Rita:
Is it possible to get all the random Chinese writing removed from your blog the "Hmm" one.
I have actually eaten (once) at the Aura restaurant in the Southern Lights Hotel and it wasn't actually that bad. Well, the food and service weren't bad - the actual space is pretty crap IMO. But they are trying and Kingston needs something like that, so let's wait and see how they go. I also have to admit that I recently had a coffee at the Gloria Jean's while waiting for an appointment in Channel Court and greatly regretted it....
If I'm in channel court and need a coffee I decide to drive down to Kingston Beach. Only 2 'real' cafes there but the coffee is 100 times nicer than franchised crap.
Glorias beans are awfully oily and smell disgusting. Even the tea is bad. Friendly staff, but it's a coffee place...Bugger all use having friendly staff if they cant even make so so/okay/reasonable coffee.
Seriously the Gloria Jeans stores in Australia will all be bankrupt within a few years if they don't start making nice coffee.
Criterion Street Cafe seem to have found their new barista!!
Vlandi (I know it's spelt wrong but thats how you pro-nounce it) ex Zum Salamanca is now on the machine.
Rita, your blog has become very popular with Anons~!
Yes southern lights hotel has a fantastic view over all the housing department rooms inhabited by bogans.
Gary Baker and another have built the place next to the Beach restaurant in Blackmans bay. Kumar (ex Cassablanca) was a partner in the venture but pulled out. He is the owner/landlord of citrus moon but not the operator. Most of all it will not be a curry house, more likely a wine bar casual dining restaurant.
Just a thought for you all, how lovely it must be to be the lessee of the beach restaurant and have your landlord oipening the competition next to you.
Rita, I reckon its time to open up the Kingston debate up on its own thread.
I am pretty sure Gary sold the freehold of the Beach building when he sold the Beach business years ago.
Anon 10.56
No sorry. That is not correct.
New place next to the beach now has nothing covering the windows + wine glasses are now on table. Must be opening soon!!!!!
Can't wait to hear Ritas opinion on all things-hospitality in the Kingston region.
A seperate thread to discuss Kingston Hospitality is a great idea.
Sorry all....Rita has just this evening (9.30) returned from 2 days in Melbourne. Will respond to a few tomorrow. Also agree with comments re stupid Chinese spammers! It just seems like the one post they have targeted too. Pests!
C'mon Kingstonians, why not visit a different suburb to do your wining and dining.
Sir G you live in K area I believe, what are your opinions?
Well Nuff said:
I would love Beach road at Kingston to be lined with wine bars and restaurants and cafes. The location is perfect. But no one is biting.
I like the Beach restaurant at Blackmans Bay and have only ever had a good time there. Even the little takeaway beside it is good now.
That space on the other side was supposed to a ``Hill Street" style grocery but maybe the economic downturn killed that.
There was to be another gourmet grocer behind the Kingston Hotel but that has been ditched for a discount pharmacy.
For its population (35,000) the central Kingborough area is not well served for eateries.
Dom's is a modest place at the shopping centre but his grub is ALWAYS great. Juiced Up at Kingston Beach gets a good rap but there isn't much else in the way of eateries in the central hub of Kingston/Blackmas Bay. Lots of junk food,
Look, last night I couldn't get a pizza after 9.30, apart from Dominos and I don't like them. Not responding were PEP, La Venetia, Amichis and Perfect Pizza. Perfect Pizz is my favourite and I think is renovating, so that at least had a decent excuse.
We have one Chinese (Chopsticks) at Kingston and their lunchtime specials have been rotated for decades. They've had it too good and just seem to be cruising. i find it expensive for what they offer. I could go on but I'm tired of it. Me and the missus trot out our alternatives often and also often, just give up.
We cook more!
Good comments
Steve's Kebab House/Amichi's have been shut for months. Chopsticks food is crap. If the chinese only ate the food that Chopsticks served, all of China would be dead. Whats Doms? Beach restaurant used to be wayy better.!!!
kingston beach could be awesome!!!!
What's Dom's? What's Dom's? Dom's is the Asian Teahouse next to the decent little supermarket at Blackmans Bay.
Dominic Hi is a legend. I've been easting his grub sine he was in South Hobart, then the city, Salamanca, city and now BBay.
His Beef Rendang is world class as is much of his stuff. He's a stickler for getting things right. An Iron Chef.
The chinese place that is now souvlaki hut was a rat infested bogan hole.
Sir G old chum & all you anon's it would appear that Kingston is an emmotive subject. SGBF is entirely correct, Kingston is now at 35000 plus in its inhabitants and growing, you would expect its dining options to be significant. Sandy bay has less inhabitants and yet comands more eateries. Immagine the scandle if it too were under-represented.
I agree the beach area could rock, but as you once said, many people in Kingston go home after work, its a mortgage belt.
I would love you to tell us whats hot and whats not in kingston old chum. Might give us investors a reason to take a punt me old mate. C'mon SGBF "He who stands with me upon St Crispins Day" Might make some of us want to be a part of it.
You know Rita after three years of commenting on yours and Gobblers blog, the old chestnut of Kingston keeps rearing its head. Surely we can finaly open this up and perhaps put this one to bed. SGBF can you be our man on the ground our agent provacateur?
Letsdo this one once and for all, in the words of iron chef " who's cuisine reigns supreme".
A pissed cartouche.
But Cartouche, to quote the Lord Nelson Brewery ``I see no ships''.
There's nothing to report. The Beach, Asian Teahouse then cafes Juiced Up and Flynn's. That's it mate. Can't be the man on the ground when its a backwater (for food)! I love the area to bits in every other way.
Remember, sandy Bay is a busy thoroughfare, so picks up trade from the city, taroona (now they really DO have nowt), South Hobart, west hobart, north Hobart, New Town and lenah Valley!
get ye to the kitchen and cook.
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