Rangebow brings gourmet, culture and comedy

By VICTORIA MCGUIN

The Rangebow Festival is a three-day celebration of the creative life and spirit of the Range communities, with a focus on diversity, inclusion, sustainability and reconciliation.

Events include a world premiere play, enchanted garden, sound-bath, cabaret, opera, and a stunning exhibition of Indigenous art, curated with the help of Quandamooka artist, Libby Harward of Munimba-Dja Aboriginal Gallery in Maleny. This very special experience will include our First Nations brothers playing a blownglass didgeridoo, created by acclaimed local glass artist Tina Cooper of Montville.

The hugely popular with Aunty Dale Chapman also returns - this was a sell-out event during 2022’s festival.

“It was fabulous last year,” said Aunty Dale, “I really enjoyed it, which is why I am so happy to come back this year!

“The NAIDOC theme for 2023 is ‘For Our Elders’, and my chef team decided to pay homage to me as their elder, through Forage Fire Feast very kind.”

Open Tuesday through Sunday for Breakfast & Lunch

Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for Dinner

Aunty Dale is one of Australia’s leading Indigenous award-winning chefs and she will work alongside a team of seven talented chefs, including Chris Jordan of Three Little Birds, using sustainable, ethically sourced bushfoods and local produce.

“The team cook with passion, they use sovereign foods and botanicals, showcasing flavours from the local land,” shared Aunty Dale.

“We will start with canapes on the lawn and a smoking ceremony. There will be a yarn with Aunty, and then we will be elevating the Sunday Roast with gorgeous lumps of game, meat and fish.

The Craft is a new bar and restaurant location, established purely to showcase the region's local brewers and food producers. Contact us

344 Flaxton Drive Flaxton QLD 4560 07 5239 8957 admin@thecraftsc com www.thecraftsc com

“Expect vibrant colours and deep flavours, with extra touches between courses, and to finish, pannacotta, a cup of tea and foraged grain biscuits.

“It will be a culinary adventure.”

If that’s not enough, you will be entertained by Australia’s godfather of Indigenous comedy, Sean Choolburra, while enjoying the stunning menu.

Palmwoods

Homegrown Cafe

A must visit for breakfast, lunch or to enjoy the home made baked goods. Serving locally sourced produce and small batch in-house roasted coffee. Café or garden seating. Seasonal dinner first Saturday of the month. FB: “HomeGrownPalmwoods”

4/6 Little Main St. Palmwoods

0458 270 368

HOURS:

Tue - Sat: 7:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday and Monday Closed

Flaxton

Kondalilla Restaurant

Situated on the grounds of Kondalilla Eco Resort, Kondalilla Restaurant is a vegetarian and seafood restaurant with vegan options. Visit Kondalilla and enjoy a space of tranquility while you choose from our exquisite menu. Everyone's welcome.

61-101 Kondalilla Falls Rd Flaxton

5445 7650 Ext. 2

Opening hours: Thursday & Friday: 12pm - 8pm

Saturday & Sunday: 9am - 8pm

Sean’s unique comedy style is built on storytelling and his performances are suitable for all ages. He also provides solo cultural performances and workshops to schools, communities, and corporate organisations.

“I’ve been busy doing three one-hour shows a day to different schools recently, so that’s 15 shows a week – pretty exhausting!” Sean shared with me when we recently caught up.

Sean’s career has seen him perform at festivals such as Woodford and the Adelaide Fringe, and major events such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the NRL Indigenous Games.

Sean and Aunty Dale’s family are connected, and he explained to me how much he was looking forward to hosting Forage Fire Feast

“I love Aunty Dale’s food. I remember having some wattle seed and bush pepper popcorn, which was so good!

“I’m not so great at cooking, except Mexican food,” Sean admitted. “I don’t know why that is, but when we go to Mexican restaurants, my family say, ‘Man, your Mexican is 100 times better.’

He stopped for a moment to consider. “I wonder if Mexicans have ‘Aussie Tuesday’ nights? You know how we have Taco Tuesdays, and people often have Friday fish and chips…

“I reckon tastebuds are open to any culture and society, it’s our minds that sometimes aren't."

Sean is based in Townsville, having moved back home during Covid. “I’m looking forward to coming to the hinterland and experiencing the different foods, the dance and music at Rangebow. It’s going to be good to be in the area, meet all the local people and be part of it.”

If last year is anything to go by, Forage Fire Feast will sell out –so secure your tickets early!

Forage Fire Feast – a First Nations Gourmet and Culture Experience is being hosted by Flaxton Gardens, 313 Flaxton Drive, Flaxton on August 10, from 6-10pm. For tickets visit therangebowfestival.org

The Maleny Pie Guy

Treat. Your. Self. Real. 'Cos if you're going to treat yourself, do it properly. Real food, made with real local ingredients and real passion.

Really!

13 Maple St. MALENY 0479 042 845

HOURS

Open 7 Days: 8:00am - 3:30pm

By VICTORIA MCGUIN

It’s that time of year when the mornings are chilly, the nights are nippy, and the best lunch has to be a hearty soup!

Homegrown Café in Palmwoods regularly champions the humble soup, but they are not content with your basic pumpkin… oh no, this popular eatery takes soup up a few notches, so they become a filling meal by themselves.

I caught up with owner Sarah Wright, who shared their secrets to making a stand-out soup.

“Our soups are always on the menu, and they are seasonalproduce-driven, with fresh ingredients. We then like to add different toppings and garnishes to take the soups to another level.”

Of course, there are other meals on offer and the ‘Lunch Special’ is the blackboard to check out and see what delicious comfort food can tempt you each week.

On my visit, the selection included Pappardelle Pasta with Beef Ragu, or Roast Pumpkin and Sage. There were also sides of Sauerkraut (beetroot, or carrot and turmeric, or original) and local Kimchi to complement your breakfast or lunch. Plus, a seasonal special of Pear and Rhubarb French Toast Brioche.

As for the soup flying out of the door to the customers in the sunny garden? Sweet Potato and Miso, with soy lime cream and wasabi chickpeas, along with home-baked focaccia bread, made daily.

“I have been very inspired by a New Zealand publication called Dish, which has some incredible soups,” shared Sarah.

“We made a delicious green soup similar to their ‘Fix Me Up’ recipe, with broccoli, spinach, peas, potato, garlic, basil, mint and cream as the main ingredients – the topping was plain Greek yoghurt and dukkah. It went down a treat!

“Yellow Curry Lentil Soup with kumara, green beans, ginger and cashews is also another winter warmer.”

The soups change monthly, so keep an eye on the Homegrown socials for updates, or pop in and check out the blackboard.

Along with making sensational soups, Sarah and her team are extremely community-minded and environmentally aware, and often host local longtable events. During this year’s Curated Plate (a 10-day culinary festival on the Sunshine Coast from July 28 –August 6), Homegrown is hosting a Zero Waste Garden to Plate event.

“I’m thrilled to say that Chef Paul West, founder of the Grow It Local network and presenter on River Cottage Australia, will be making a guest appearance!” Sarah said with a big smile.

Paul’s latest book is, coincidentally, called Homegrown, so being connected with Sarah’s café and its sustainable ethos is perfect.

To keep up to date with food events and seasonal menus, visit the ‘Homegrown Café Palmwoods’ Facebook page or ‘homegrownpalmwoods’ on Instagram.

MARKET GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON

SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Montville Growers and Makers Market 7:30am - 12pm

Piping hot pancakes, buskers, genuine locally grown food, handmade craft, barista made coffee, under historic fig trees, profits maintain our Village Hall. Stall holder enquires: Liz 0424 042 376

THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Witta Growers Markets 7:30am - 12pm

50+ stalls, this vibrant market has everything from fresh local produce to gourmet food, quality art and craft, live music, hot food and coffee. email: wittamarket@gmail.com

FOURTH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Mapleton Country Markets 8am - 12pm

Fresh fluffy waffles, sourdoughs, jams and chutneys, honey, pestos, plants, timber, jewellery, arts and crafts. Hot food, coffee van, live music. Ph 0419 726 603

by A. TABLEHOPPER

Iam an ‘average joe’ who enjoys good food, not a food critic by profession, so excuse my lack of fancy terminology!

I have not been paid to promote anyone – I am simply sharing my opinion on the hinterland eateries I visit, for their service/ambience and presentation/ flavour.

there are plenty of tasty options on the menu, such as wraps (breaky, Cajun chicken, veggie), toasties, gourmet sausage rolls, croissants and homemade pastries.

I chose the Salmon and Dill quiche with salad, and it arrived within five minutes in a rustic bowl with a serving of balsamic vinegar.

Salmon and fluffy egg combined with pastry and a touch of dill is generally a winner for me, and this one didn’t disappoint. The flavours were well balanced, and the warm quiche came with a generous, fresh, mixed leaf salad, tossed with crunchy cucumber, red onion and tomato.

I followed this with a gluten-free orange, almond and chocolate cupcake, and pot of breakfast tea. I have no problem with gluten, but sometimes it’s good to try gluten-free for readers who have food intolerances.

Well, let me tell you, this was one of the most delicious, moist cakes I have tried in a long time. The orange and almond flavours were a food marriage made in heaven, and the chunks of dark chocolate elevated this dessert to another dimension!

TO PROMOTE YOUR MARKET OR STALL HERE

TO PROMOTE YOUR MARKET OR STALL HERE email sales@sunnycoastmedia.com.au email sales@sunnycoastmedia.com.au

The July 5 edition deadline is June 26 - Book Now!

I found myself in Mapleton one sunny day this month and stopped in at La Botiga for a mid-morning ‘brunch’.

If you are wanting a traditional all-day breakfast, this is not the spot to find it, BUT

As for the ambience, this is clearly a popular local spot, with friendly staff and many customers greeted by name. The walls and shelves are adorned with local art and jewellery for sale, and in the corner is a ‘give and take’ bookshelf filled with well-read

With long wooden tables and cheery lighting, this is a place for community connection, plus the choice of outdoor seating to watch the world go by and greet the many dogs on their daily walks.

So, if your tummy starts rumbling in Mapleton, I reckon this is a great spot to stop!

Winter trading hours - open 7 Days from 8am - 4pm