The State of Taste

Ragazzone

Our cover star, chef Alejandro Saravia has been travelling across Victoria to discover the best produce. Here’s what he’s found.

Alejandro Saravia Ken Spence

Geelong and the Bellarine

Igni sets the standard in Geelong, but I discovered an amazing spot called Funk by Botanical Brew. It’s a tiny cafe with a beautiful vegetable garden out the back. They make their own ciabatta, work a lot with fermentation and serve beautiful coffee. +restaurantigni.com +botanicalbrew.com.au

Gippsland

Every time I pass through Warragul I go to Hogget Kitchen. Trevor Perkins and his team buy direct from producers – a lot of them he introduced to me and now I’m working with them. If you go further east, I recommend Sardine Dining for a taste of the seafood from that area. +hogget.com.au +sardinedining.com.au

Ballarat

Ballarat is going to become a clear example of what happens when a new generation of producers challenges the status quo. I was super surprised by restaurants like Ragazzone. The food was beautiful and they source ingredients as locally as possible. Renard is a proper cocktail bar stocked with Ballarat spirits. I’m a bit of a groupie of winemaker Owen Latta. His father started Eastern Peake, just outside Ballarat. They’ve since opened a new open-plan shed cellar door where you can sit and try the wines. +ragazzone.com.au +renardballarat.com.au +easternpeake.com.au

Great Ocean Road

In 2020, I cooked at a gala dinner in Apollo Bay and, at the time, found what I believe is the only working fishermen’s co-operative in Victoria. At Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op, they have a very casual fish and chip shop at the pier where the fishermen unload their catch. Apollo Bay is also famous for rock lobster, and you can enjoy one from the source, very simply cooked and with the ocean outside. +apollobayfishcoop.com.au

Bendigo

On the weekend, Babylon Lounge and Garden Bar has cocktails and music, starting in the afternoon and going late into the night. Choose the garden or the lounge and enjoy a Melbournestyle bar in Central Victoria. +facebook.com/

babylonloungeandgardenbar

Northeast Victoria

Around Beechworth, there are some great wineries, like Pennyweight and Castagna. In town is the excellent Provenance, where Michael Ryan uses regional produce to create his menu with Japanese influences. +pennyweight.com.au +castagna.com.au +theprovenance.com.au

Winter Warmer

Ready to spend a weekend discovering the best of Geelong? Here’s how to make the most of a mini-break.

If it’s been a while since you last visited Geelong, you might be surprised. Victoria’s second-largest city is a hot spot for exceptional dining, locally produced drinks and amazing attractions.

On the Plate

Winter means comfort food, and there are many places to enjoy it. Head to happening Little Malop Street, which is lined with restaurants. Slurp on a bowl of nourishing soup at Sober Ramen or taste the best of seasonal seafood at Felix, tucked into a laneway. After some fine flavours just like nonna used to make? Try Union Street’s Lipari Italian Restaurant, where pasta is a specialty.

In the Glass

Back on Little Malop, drop by Geelong Cellar Door. This cosy wine bar showcases cool-climate drops produced in the Greater Geelong region, as well as local craft beers and ciders. Ready to sip some great spirits? At Federal Mills, take a seat at Anther Distillery to try its range of gins in a tasting or, if you prefer, order a cocktail.

More to Do

Maybe you want to combine your weekend away with an event? See some extraordinary folk and traditional musicians at Portarlington’s National Celtic Folk Festival (10–13 June). Catch a game of AFL, when Geelong plays at GMHBA Stadium (throughout winter). There’s also the chance to check out the work of an important Wiradjuri/Ngunnawal artist at the Geelong Gallery when Brook Andrew–Hope, Peace, and Paradise opens 16 July. +visitgeelongbellarine.com.au

Geelong Cellar Door