The Bugle 20 Sept 2014
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Gerroa, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra
Beating Italy at its own game: the Kiama connections In a David and Goliath battle, John and Sam Crowl from The Cow and the Moon Artisan Gelato in Sydney’s inner west caused headlines around the world recently when they won the World’s Best Gelato title in Italy. The Bugle, however, is the first to report on the Kiama side of the story. The owners of The Cow and the Moon have strong ties with Kiama and the Illawarra. Wendy Crowl (nee Maurer) grew up in Kiama with parents Ian and Anne Maurer. John Crowl grew up in Albion Park. The couple met at The Spanish Inn restaurant in Bong Bong St where John was an apprentice chef and Wendy was working part-time whilst studying at Wollongong University. Having a holiday home in Kiama, they regularly return to the Illawarra to visit family and friends. The father and son team from The Cow and the Moon say the atmosphere in Italy was electric, the competition fierce and winning the competition was incredible. “It was truly a dream come true,” says John. The three day finale to the Gelato World Tour attracted over 70,000 people with 24 finalists competing from Rome, Valencia, Sydney, Melbourne, Dubai, Berlin
and Austin in the US. More than 6500kg of gelato was produced and more than 70,000 cups and cones were consumed in the town’s Piazza Fellini. Their winning flavour, Mandorla Afforgato, embodies a Madegascan vanilla bean gelato with roasted caramalised coffee almonds folded through with a Kenyan coffee and salted caramel sauce. Wendy’s father Ian, and his wife Judy East, travelled to Rimini as John and Sam’s official cheer squad – a tough job but someone had to do it – as Wendy stayed home to man the shop. Good thing too, given the ensuing madness. “Since winning, the lines at our gelataria have been out the door and down the street and Mandorla Afforgato has been made nonstop,” says John. Wendy’s brother Damien, who lives in Kiama, has been up helping with the crowds. John has been making gelato for many years before opening The Cow and the Moon, and has taught many people around Australia and the world how to make artisan gelato. In Kiama he has been an important mentor for Kel and Mahlah Grey of The Pines as they have diversified their dairy farm’s product into gelato making. “John has been amazingly
generous with his time and expertise,” says Kel. “He is so passionate about getting a quality product and understands what we are trying to achieve.” Naturally enough, guests at the recent wedding of their daughter Katie in Kiama, enjoyed a superb gelato cake the Crowls produced for the occasion. For the observant, the final Kiama connection with The Cow and the Moon comes with the artwork on the walls of the café. The queuing crowds have plenty of time to appreciate the quirky work of local artist Wendy O’Malley, who now runs Moss Nest in Berry and was the illustrator of the much loved book, The Great Rock Whale. Details: The Cow and the Moon, 181 Enmore Rd, Enmore, Sydney
Inside this issue Our guide to Folk by the Sea p3
Hot Rods prove popular p4 John and Sam were ecstatic at the win
Guess who’s leased this? p 6 Wendy behind the counter at The Cow and the Moon
Who should join our Arts and Sports Honour Rolls? Nominations for the Kiama Arts Honour Roll and the Kiama Sports Honour Roll are closing soon. The Rolls honour individuals from the Kiama community who excel within their chosen field. The Arts Roll was initiated in 2013, and the Sports Roll in 2008. Past recipients of the Sports Roll include Mick Cronin, Norma Stead, Simon Kale and Sally Fitzgibbons. The late Australian painter Lloyd Rees (right), who had a strong association with Gerringong, was the first inducted into the Arts Roll. Details: Nominations close Sun 5 Oct, with the announcement made on Australia Day.
Sydney to discover our best food p7