The Good Life
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Bean to Barista Coffee School Sample ran a series of events prior to the festival day. These photos are from the opening lunch. Local brewer Stone & Wood supplied the beer but wines on the day were provided by Philip Shaw Wines of Orange, described recently as a rival of Byron for the foodie tourism market. Photos S Haslam.
Richard Bradbury
By Vivienne Pearson Funny to think that only 30 years ago a cup of instant coffee was our standard caffeinated beverage and any coffee involving the word ‘international’ was considered downright sophisticated. We are now a nation of coffee afficionados. Our daily latté (or three) is seen as a basic need and cafes thrive or die on the quality of their coffee. My personal knowledge about coffee has skyrocketed. I have moved from disliking coffee (though I’ve always loved the aroma) to being very fond of a mocha. All of this is thanks to my choice of life partner – my husband, Richard Bradbury, is a barista, trainer, Q Grader (for those who know about such things), coffee roaster and president of the Australian Subtropical Coffee Association.* His new venture is set to increase the coffee literacy of the area even further. Bean to Barista Coffee School is opening in Brunswick Heads. It’s not a cafe – Bruns already has plenty of excellent cafes for people to choose from. Barista skills training will be offered – both for beginners wanting to find hospitality work and those wanting to refine their existing skills (including latte art and workflow skills for busy cafes).
Old school taste Old school prices Old school friendly
There will also be classes about making coffee at home (or work). Espresso@Home allows you to bring in your machine from home to learn to get the best out of it, as well as have a play on top-of-the range machines. Simply Good Coffee@Home is for those wanting great coffee at home without the espresso equipment price tag – you can try out various pieces of filter equipment that are affordable and don’t take up space on your bench. Other classes allow you to indulge your senses while you learn about coffee. Bean to Cup is a workshop where you can indulge all your senses in experiencing coffee from growing to drinking, and Curated Tastings are shorter sessions for indulging your tastebuds in trying different coffees from local farms in our region as well as the best of coffees grown overseas. One-off workshops delving further into the sensory elements of coffee will come in the future.
Sample Opening Lunch. L to R: TV celebrity chef Paul West of River Cottage (main course chef) receives a whisper from Ben Williamson of Brisbane’s Gerards (first course). Matt Golinsky, former TV chef on Ready Steady Cook emceed the panel. A modest-looking Belinda Jeffery made the dessert table described by Sample’s Remy Tancred as a ‘standout’, and the host for the day was Sarah Swan, who is resident chef at the Byron Bay Golf Club. The view from the deck of the Byron Golf Club at the Sample opening lunch on Friday
To kick off the opening of Bean to Barista Coffee School, Richard is offering locals up to 50 per cent off normal class costs for the first two weeks: Tuesday 12 – Friday 22 September. Class times at www.beantobarista. com.au or Facebook: @ beantobarista. Bookings essential – via: info@ beantobarista.com.au. Bean to Barista Coffee School: rear of 21 Fingal Street, Brunswick Heads (between Wheel of Life Pottery and St Thomas’ Anglican Church).
Lunches $9.00 every day Chicken Schnitzel
* He does sometimes despair at having a mocha-drinking life partner but, in the main, he’s very kind about the faces I make when I try a short black or filter coffee.
This roast baby fennel with sheep’s milk yoghurt, Brookfarm lemon myrtle oil and sourdough crumbs was absolutely delicious
$10.00
every Wednesday night Open daily for lunch from 11.30 am Open nightly (excluding Mondays) from 5.30pm Catering for functions up to 160 people MULLUMBIMBY RSL DINING ROOMS 6684 2533 58 DALLEY STREET
44 September 6, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo
Chocolate Lounge
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Chai
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Coffee
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Hot Chocolate
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Milkshakes
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Chocolates
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Fudge
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Light meals
1/53 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby 0406 422 465 y www.puremeltchocolate.com
Tomatoes riberry barberry green peach first course by Ben Williamson of Gerards Bistro in Brisbane
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