 Central Victoria has developed in leaps and bounds over the last five years. The new generation of farmers, who are producing high quality products, are adopting new farming methods with the focus on quality rather than quantity; they are the stars of our menu. Its an exciting time to be a part of Central Victoria, and in particular Bendigo, with the evidence of a growing food & wine trend. |
B & B Basil
Coming back to Bendigo six years later, its’ wonderful to see a thriving, multi-million dollar business with George’s micro herbs showcased on popular TV cooking shows & on top end restaurant menus around Australia & abroad.
They are regional Victoria’s first coffee roaster and have been in operation for more than ten years; providing great coffee for commercial & domestic use. More than fifty high quality single origin beans are sourced from around the globe to produce the broad range of complex blends, some of which are also Fairtrade organic coffees. On offer is a range of coffees to suit most tastes and brewing methods. The moment you step inside their door you are engulfed in the aroma of the coffee. It is well worth the visit to their factory outlet at 165a Strickland Road, East Bendigo. Mason’s Blend is a collaboration between ourselves and the Master Roaster at Custom Coffees.
From Bendigo, Inglewood is a town on the drive up the A79 to Mildura, taking approximately 40 minutes from Bendigo city centre. James and Pat have transformed the local butcher shop, replacing just about everything, in order to accommodate the process of dry aging whole carcass. Approximately $8,000 worth of meat can be hanging at one time in the temperature controlled cool room & with the butcher shop out front, anyone can pop by and pick up some tasty meat for their next barbeque or evening meal. Its not uncommon for Bendigo folk to make the weekly journey for their meat – that is the strength of quality in their meat. We are delighted to showcase their beef & lamb on our menu, as well as their sourced duck & quail.
The farm is now run by Access Employment, an agency encouraging local people with disabilities into the workforce. After driving past one day & noticing the farm, Nick phoned the agency and arranged a meeting with Ros, the farm’s horticultural co-coordinator. The family was invited out to see what was growing and to meet the team. The kids had the opportunity to pick zucchini, cucumber, squash, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, radish & daikon. Long rows of rhubarb were growing as well as eggplant & we discussed the possibility of them growing and supplying our restaurant with vegetables – all organically grown. As it is a not for profit organization, we offered to donate the seeds for them to plant & nurture until ready for harvest. A sample of one of the dishes featuring PepperGreen Farms produce may read; ‘PepperGreen Farm grilled zucchini salad, toasted pine nuts, mint, fennel, goat’s cheese & salsa verdi’ For more information http://www.accessemployment.com.au/
Yapunyah Meadow Grazed Chicken
For more information check out their website at www.ymg.com.au |
25 Queen Street, Bendigo VIC 3550 03 5443 3877
| Central Victoria has developed in leaps and bounds over the last five years. The new generation of farmers, who are producing high quality products, are adopting new farming methods with the focus on quality rather than quantity; they are the stars of our menu. Its an exciting time to be a part of Central Victoria, and in particular Bendigo, with the evidence of a growing food & wine trend. |
B & B Basil |
