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"As to where I got them - I first met Michael Plane and Joyce Wilkie in 1999 while I was head chef at
a local restaurant, at which the owners truly believed in
sourcing the finest regional produce. They had the finest
local organic chickens and eggs, local biodynamic meats and
amazing vegetables which tasted like the ones we had grown
on our family farm as kids (and I had never really seen since).
"So over the years, Mike and Joyce have not only supplied fruit
and vegetables to the different restaurants that I have run,
they have become friends who share a passion for good food,
where food is our lives.
Joyce Wilkie adds nettles to the regular vegetable delivery
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"Last year, I taught a master class at CIT on regional
produce. Whilst investigating for this class, I stumbled
across many more suppliers than I had intended, realizing
that this region is beginning to blossom with many people
who also share that same passion for real food. We use as
many local suppliers as possible. I love going to the local
farmers’ markets each and every week, and I use it as an
excuse to hang out with like-minded chefs, friends and
apprentices. We drink coffee, smell and taste fruit, veg,
cheese, oils and nuts etc etc. I love meeting suppliers who
know what they are talking about and who enjoy talking about
food. It really gives me (and my chef friends) a sense of
understanding, respect and pride for our careers. We
understand where our ingredients come from and what to look
for in excellent produce.
"So after all that, during a weekly chat to Joyce about what
goodies she had for me that week, I asked her if she were
able to supply me with nettles for the winter menu. She
laughed and asked me if I seriously wanted to use the
“weeds” that grew around her farm. It was as simple as that"
Recipe - Nettle risotto with mascarpone
>
Bookings for Tom and Crystal's
Grazing Restaurant Phone (02) 62368777
See the
Sage website Bookings Phone
(02) 6249 6050
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