Spotlight on

Bringing an ancient concept of togetherness to life with food

“Most of us try to escape our four walls whenever we can thanks to a year of restrictions and lockdowns caused by Covid-19,” - that’s the thoughts of Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Sunshine Coast chef and cofounder of events company The Ohana Group.

Ryan spent much of the earlier Queensland lockdown focused on putting together new, immersive food experiences for corporates and organisations who will be looking to reconnect with one another and strategise the way forward. Ryan, and his business partner Rashi, who takes care of the event styling and logistics, says the region is prime to develop its own identity for food experiences. “Food can tell the story of every region in the Sunshine Coast. From the rolling green dairy farms across the Hinterland to wild herbs foraged from the ocean near Noosa; our produce offers a deep, personal and earthy connection to place.”

Ryan’s career has indulged his passion for food, foraging, sustainability and the ocean with gigs on luxury and celebrity yachts sailing across Europe, Hawaii and The Pacific Islands (in addition to top Melbourne and Noosa restaurants like The Press Club). He worked with villagers, locals, producers, and foragers to source and create new dishes for guests. In 2018, Ryan returned to Noosa to start something of his own - The Ohana Group - Ohana being the Hawaiian word for extended family.

It is this togetherness that Ryan knows board members, corporate groups and staff will seek out in the coming months and years as businesses and organisations face pivotal times ahead.

“Nothing connects people together better than food. Our carefully curated experiences on the Sunshine Coast bring visitors together with local food producers from fourth generation beef producers in Maleny to Mooloolaba Fisheries and our many craft beer brewers.”

The storytelling of the region can be experienced with a private glamping retreat in the Glass House Mountains where groups settle under the stars to hear Aboriginal legends, enjoy dance and learn practices from the traditional custodians of the Sunshine Coast - the Kabi Kabi people. Ryan and his team incorporate bush tucker, native ingredients and cooking techniques into a fine dining experience including local whiting cooked in paperbark with cinnamon myrtle or kangaroo fillet with pepper berry and bunya.

For those wanting to be closer to the water, The Ohana Group creates a private dining island reached by boat, with cocktails and canapes onboard. Flowing tablecloths, tropical natives and white parasols set the scene as groups are welcomed with a crisp riesling or local craft beer. Ryan and his team serve up spanner crab and beach herb blinis, Noosa scallops with beurre blanc and lemon myrtle, local yellow-fin tuna sashimi with native finger lime ponzu or Mooloolaba prawn remoulade with green apple and champagne vinaigrette. A private sommelier pairs wines whilst the bartenders create cocktails in what is quintessentially the ultimate long lunch.

If groups prefer to get active together, there is also a ‘surf and cycle’ option. Starting with a private hot breakfast on one of the region’s many beaches, groups then have the option of taking to the waves with private guides, suited for all levels of ability. After a cold pressed juice, healthy corporates can begin their cycle, either along the coastline or inland to rainforests, cane fields and boutique villages. After all that exercise a cold beer awaits, along with a Mooloolaba tuna poke bowl, or a crisp glass of rosé and grilled local snapper with horiatiki and whipped oregano feta. Any aches and pains can be healed with ice baths, hot stone massages, foot treatments and detoxifying tonics, before retreating to the hotel.

Experiences are also tailor made by Ryan, and his business partner Rashi, whose passion for telling the story of the region through food is unyielding.

theohanagroup.com.au

TheOhanaGroup @the_ohana_group

In the neigHbourhood

The undiscovered gem of Buderim

Nestled in the hills behind Sunshine Coast beaches is the lesser known suburb of Buderim. Here you’ll find a quaint town centre, leafy streets, waterfalls, rainforest and locals who enjoy a ‘bush and beach lifestyle’ only a 10-minute drive from Mooloolaba.

The area is home to a touch of history too, being the first tourism destination on the Sunshine Coast. Early European settlers harvested much of Buderim’s forests to build crops for ginger, coffee, and bananas. In 1914, a small railway was built to transport the produce to market and in the 1920s, the town became a resort destination with guest houses and spa lodges.

Today, two luxury retreats attract corporate groups to Buderim - ‘boho luxe’ Aquila Retreat and Hamptons inspired Malumba Estate. Each property can be hired exclusively, or for larger groups you can book out both properties and travel between them in golf buggies or deluxe kombi vans.

BUSH Step out into the rainforest at the Buderim Forest Waterfall Walk, Buderim Falls and Foote Sanctuary. The tropical summer rains make these waterfalls particularly spectacular from November to February.

BEACH Placed on and around a volcanic plateau, just 600 feet above sea level, Buderim has views out to Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Alexandra Headland (or ‘Alex’ as the locals say).

PLAY Have a swing at the Headland Golf Club with its par 72 championship course, featuring a classic 60-yearold design. headlandgolfclub.com.au

CAFFEINATE Rue Bourbon is where you’ll get a free view of the Pacific Ocean with your espresso. This former shipping container gives ‘hole in the wall’ coffee a very Sunshine Coast feel. facebook.com/RueBourbonCoffee

DINE Dine on the wide verandas of a 140-year-old Queensland homestead overlooking the rainforest. Harry’s on Buderim is a fine dining restaurant with seasonal menus and degustation events. There’s a private dining room or you can book the venue exclusively. harrysonbuderim.com.au

DRINK After a walk through the rainforest, head to Buderim Tavern for a cold beer with local brews on tap. Groups can sit on the verandah and take in the sea views. buderimtavern.com.au

SHOP Family owned and operated Art Nuvo Gallery sells luxury paintings, sculptures and ceramics (artnuvobuderim.com.au). Tiffany Jones is one of Queensland’s most respected art dealers and her gallery is open by appointment. tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au

Situated on nine-and-a-half acres of private land on top of Buderim Mountain, groups will feel central yet secluded, surrounded by a crevice of rainforest and bamboo forest. Awarded five green stars for its ecofriendly construction, Aquila has a unique architectural design, aligned to the sun, moon and stars using feng shui and geomancy (the art of placing buildings auspiciously). Solar energy is stored by battery, beds are luxurious and made from natural fibres, rainwater is harvested, and no single use plastics are used.

The owner is an award winning interior designer who has created a boho-luxe interior with thoughtful touches and luxury inclusions, from crystal boxes to candles, and locally made Saya toiletries. Aquila Retreat sleeps 30 and caters for events of up to 100 people, boasting an abundance of entertaining and group association space.

Aquila in numbers

Sleeps 30

BEDROOMS BATHROOMS

FULLY EQUIPT KITCHENS CATERING, BAR & ICE FRIDGES BOARDROOM STUDIO 87 INCH LG CINEMATIC SCREEN YOGA & MASSAGE AREAS MARQUEE AREA FIRE PIT & FESTIVITIES AREA

30 GUESTS CAN STAY OVERNIGHT

100 GUESTS CAN EVENT HERE

This Hamptons style estate is set on 10-acres and caters for events of up to 200 people, with accommodation for 10-14 guests. Located directly next door to Aquila Retreat, golf buggies can be used to transport guests between the two properties. Groups can enjoy multiple event spaces with stunning ocean and Glass House Mountain views, including a champagne deck, and enclosed reception space. A popular choice for events on the lawn is pitching a sperry tent, marquee or tipi.

Having recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, Malumba Estate has everything covered, down to the last detail, including designer fittings, fabrics, and furnishings to give it that Hamptons vibe. Think parquetry floors, lavender, wisteria, lawn games, private helipad, baby grand piano, mineralised swimming pool, infrared sauna, silver cutlery and croquet lawn.

Malumba in numbers

Sleeps 10-14

4 5 2 1 LUXURY SUITES BATHROOMS FLOORS CHAMPAGNE DECK

1 ENCLOSED RECEPTION BUILDING

2 MARQUEE LAWNS

3 FIRE PIT & FESTIVITIES AREAS

1 PRIVATE HELICOPTER LANDING PAD

10-14 GUESTS CAN STAY OVERNIGHT

200 GUESTS CAN EVENT HERE