Made of Ballarat May-Aug 2022

May - Aug 2022

Celebrating the people, places and events that make Ballarat

Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country

What’s on: festivals, markets, workshops, experiences, exhibitions and more Craft Lab 22 Meet the producers

SCAN ME

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Ballaarat Ballaarat – the city’s original spelling derived from the Wadawurrung words ‘balla’ and ‘arat’, meaning resting place.

There are many things that Ballarat does well. Food, festivals, sport, art.

Then there are things that Ballarat does really, really well – like autumn and winter.

You only need stroll along the tree-lined boulevards and marvel at the vibrant autumnal hues contrasted against grand heritage streetscapes to know what we mean. Or even take a magical meander through the glistening parklands and misty mountains where winter wanderings are a regular occurrence. Just don’t forget your thermals, poncho and boots!

Of course, the city’s everyday offerings aren’t all that are worthy of perusal over the autumn-winter season. The upcoming calendar of events features the likes of the Ballarat Heritage Festival as well as the Ballarat Winter Festival, both falling within the school holiday periods. These festivals each boast their own alluring elements set to entice all ages. We’re talking Craft Lab 22, where traditional technique meets

What’s Inside contemporary form; the award-winning Ballarat Tweed Ride, where you dress in your bicycle best and wind your way around the town; and, of course, Sovereign Hill’s multimillion dollar Winter Wonderlights, back for yet another stellar year of absolute bright delights.

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Ballarat’s cooler climate also serves as an idyllic environment for cosy dining experiences and immersive indoor workshops that showcase the work of some of the region’s most talented makers and creators – chefs, sommeliers, ceramicists, jewellers and producers, to name a few.

It also provides spaces for reflection and relaxation. Just what the doctor ordered for the months ahead!

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Eat and Drink

Page 19

Stay

Page 20 - 21

Things to do

Page 22

Map of Ballarat

What’s On

Page 10 - 12 CraftLab 22 Page 14

New kids on the block

Page 15 A Taste of Ballarat: Mr Jones Page 16 - 17 Meet the producers

Ballarat is the name derived from the Wadawurrung words ‘balla’ and ‘arat’, meaning ‘resting place’. So while the weather may be on the temperate side, there’s no doubt our city will provide a place of rest with plentiful offerings that are more than warming – as long as you’re open to embrace them...

– Team Made of Ballarat

Cover image Historic Sturt Street. Matt Dunne.

Acknowledgement

Made of Ballarat is created and printed in Ballarat.

Published by City of Ballarat.

The City of Ballarat acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

madeofballarat.com / marketing@ballarat.vic.gov.au All information correct at time of printing. Please check for COVID-19 restriction changes ahead of your visit.

Printed by Low Co2 Certified Printer Sovereign Press Pty Ltd Ballarat

Mount Buninyong [Tara Moore]

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

What’s On? Ballarat’s festivals and events calendar is bustling yearround, regardless of the temperature outdoors.

In fact, it could be well argued that the cooler months are the most captivating, with festivals, markets, workshops, experiences and exhibitions to fast fill one’s diary.

The month of May is devoted to celebrating the city’s rich history with the Ballarat Heritage Festival (21-29 May). Steam train rides, history tours, the Ballarat Tweed Ride, tales of yesteryear – the fiesta is an award-winning event that showcases the inherent charm of Ballarat. New this year is The Food Edit - a collection of contemporary eat and drink experiences with a heritage twist.

June sees the city come to life with the Ballarat Winter Festival (25 June-17 July) with major attractions such as Kryal Castle and the Ballarat Wildlife Park introducing special activities for the whole family, and Sovereign Hill’s spectacular Winter Wonderlights (24 June-17 July) luring thousands to town with a sound and light show of awe and delight.

With other events including the AFL’s round 10 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns, The Design Exchange Winter Market (9-10 July), as well as the Buninyong Film Festival (20-21 May), there really is something for all tastes and discernments in Ballarat and surrounds this season.

Celebrating history at the Ballarat Heritage Festival.

Wintry fun at the pop-up CBD ice-rink. Image: Meda Design Au

Ballarat Heritage Festival

Ballarat Winter Festival

Dust off your tweed, oil up your retro bikes, and start growing that facial hair, the award-winning Ballarat Heritage Festival is back to celebrate the city’s rich heritage, iconic landmarks, and vibrant community.

Come for Winter Wonderlights, then stay to explore! Experience a oneon-one animal encounter and meet new arrivals at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, then sit back and warm up by a roaring fire while feasting on wintry comfort food.

This festival, just one hour west of Melbourne, is all about mixing old and new, retro vibes paired with innovative thinking, celebrating country and culture, a region that’s proud and historic while forever evolving as a modern city.

Recharged and refreshed, head to the CBD and lace up your skates.

The popular ice skating rink will return to the city and is guaranteed fun for the whole family. Or check out The Design Exchange Winter Market – a curated collection of the nation’s best makers, bakers and designers (9-10 July). Plus much more!

Held over nine days, expect thought-provoking art, interactive encounters, captivating heritage moments as well as delectable food and drink experiences.

What:

Ballarat Heritage Festival

What:

Ballarat Winter Festival

When:

21 May – 29 May

When:

25 June – 17 July

Where:

Various locations

Where:

Various locations

Visit:

ballaratheritagefestival.com.au

Visit:

ballaratwinterfestival.com.au

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

BASTILLE DAY D I N N E R Enjoy a French celebration at Lola.

AFL returns to Ballarat this July.

Restaurant Lola Bastille Day Dinner

Toyota AFL Premiership Season Round 10 – Western Bulldogs V Gold Coast Suns

Celebrate France’s national day in style at Restaurant Lola at The Provincial Hotel. Indulge in a four-course menu with matching French wines whilst enjoying live music.

Events at Lola are not to be missed. If you can’t make it on Bastille Day, plan ahead for the return of the ultra-luxe Veuve Clicquot & Lola dinner on Saturday 19 November. Head to the website for more details.

The Western Bulldogs will return to Ballarat in May to host the Gold Coast Suns in the second of the club’s two Toyota AFL Premiership Season matches at Mars Stadium.

This is a floating fixture with the date and time to be determined, but will be between Friday 20 May and Sunday 22 May.

What:

Restaurant Lola Bastille Day Dinner

What:

Western Bulldogs V Gold Coast Suns

When:

6pm for 6.30pm, Thursday 14 July

When:

20 May – 22 May

Where:

Restaurant Lola, 121 Lydiard St North, Ballarat

Where:

Mars Stadium, 725 Creswick Road, Ballarat

Visit:

theprovincialballarat/events

Visit:

westernbulldogs.com.au

History meets modern luxury, right in the heart of Ballarat.

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

See ceramic artist Ben Mazey in action.

A tasting like no other at Sovereign Hill. Image: Sovereign Hill.

Ceramic Masterclass With Ben Mazey – Blocking With Bright Colour

Whisky in The Wheelwrights at Sovereign Hill Step into one of Sovereign Hill’s most unique spaces where wood, fire, metal, heat and steam take centre stage.

Ben Mazey is an Australian-based ceramic artist who approaches his practice with 14 years of experience in fashion and design across Europe, Asia, and Australia. At present he uses a ceramic slab building technique, creating lamps, totems, wall panels, vessels, and large format installations.

Discover what whisky and rare trades have in common in a special whisky-tasting session hosted by Australia’s leading distilleries Archie Rose and Starward, together with Sovereign Hill’s rare trades team.

Each whisky tasting will be accompanied by a specially-selected snack, with discussions and demonstrations throughout the evening of heritage trades by Sovereign Hill’s coachbuilders, wheelwrights, blacksmiths and carpenters.

See Ben demonstrate how he takes simple, naive, and slightly nostalgic shapes and layers them together using a slab building technique.

What:

Ceramic Masterclass With Ben Mazey

When:

10am-5pm, Saturday 21 May

What:

Whisky In The Wheelwrights at Sovereign Hill

When:

5.30-7pm, Friday 27 May

Lydiard Street South, Ballarat

Where:

Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Ballarat

creativeballarat.com.au/masterclasses

Visit:

sovereignhill.com.au

Where: Federation University Ceramic Studio SMB Campus, Visit:

Immerse yourself in all things beer at an Aunty Jacks course.

An immersive experience awaits at The Shared Table.

Image: Matt Ray.

The Shared Table – A Shared Taste of History Dinner

Aunty Jacks Beer Course – Beer Styles & Beer Service Bootcamp

Enter the lovingly restored 1850s building that’s home to The Shared Table for an interactive and immersive five-course dining experience of storytelling, recipes and food.

This two-day course covers the characteristics, history and production of different beer styles plus important aspects of handling and serving beer. Informal discussions are complemented with tastings of individual beer styles.

Discover what influenced the ways people grew, prepared, and ate food in the 19th century, while enjoying a menu crafted with ingredients sourced from the best local producers of today.

After two days of beer fun, you’ll have the information and learning materials required to complete the Cicerone Certified Beer Server® exam. Presented by brewers Peter Aldred, Certified Cicerone® and/or Matt Ives, Certified Beer Server®, and occasional guests.

$120 per person including a Sovereign Hill Sly Grog cocktail on arrival.

Presented as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival – The Food Edit.

What:

A Shared Taste of History Dinner

What:

Beer Course – Beer Styles & Beer Service Bootcamp

When:

6.30pm, Saturday 28 May

When:

10am-5.30pm, 3 & 4 June

Where:

The Shared Table, 317 Learmonth St, Buninyong

Where:

Aunty Jacks, 315-317 Mair Street, Ballarat

Visit:

thesharedtable.com.au

Visit:

auntyjacks.com.au

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Discover the mysteries of the truffle at Black Cat Truffles.

Find something special at The Design Exchange Winter Market.

Image: Meda Design Au

Truffle Hunt & Taste of Truffles Experience

The Design Exchange Winter Market

Join Black Cat Truffles for a truffle hunt & taste experience – an invitation to find out more about this earthy, aromatic, and elusive delicacy. Talk to the truffle growers, see their truffle dogs in action, harvest truffles and sample a range of delicious truffle-infused treats in the beautiful cafe adjacent to the truffiere, with tips on how to get the best from your truffle. Truffles and the truffle-based product range will be available for purchase on the day.

Australia is bursting at the seams with amazing independent designers, artists and creators, and The Design Exchange Winter Market is all about bringing them to you over two inspiring days. It’s a celebration of small business, handmade, ethical trading and creativity in an atmosphere that is inclusive and inviting.

What: Truffle Hunt & Taste Of Truffles Experience

What: The Design Exchange Winter Market

When: 4 June – 28 August

When: 9 & 10 July

Where: Black Cat Truffles, 150 Howards Road, Wattle Flat

Where: Ballarat Mining Exchange

Visit: blackcattruffles.com.au

Visit: thedesignexchange.com.au

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Get hands on with Sylvia Nevistic. Image: Sylvia Nevistic.

The ever-popular Winter Wonderlights returns to Sovereign Hill.

Silver Spoon Making Workshop with Slyvia Nevistic

Winter Wonderlights Sound, lights, and wintry delights – an easy drive from Melbourne.

With a dazzling light show, full theatre program, delicious treats, snow, hands-on kids’ activities and more, Sovereign Hill delivers a Christmas in July like no other. By day, Sovereign Hill delights (check out the Winter Series program on their website), but when the sun goes down, it really shines.

Have you ever wanted to make a silver spoon? Perhaps a sugar spoon, tea or coffee scoop or, if you prefer, a gin swizzle stick. This fun, full day, hands-on workshop will give you the opportunity to make your own spoon in sterling silver.

This workshop is a great gift idea and is suitable for beginners or for someone wanting to upscale their jewellery making skills to small scale functional objects.

Winter Wonderlights begins as soon as the sky is dark enough.

What:

Silver Spoon Making Workshop

What: Winter Wonderlights

When:

Various dates

When: 24 June – 17 July

Where:

Ballarat

Where: Sovereign Hill

Visit:

sylvianevistic.com

Visit: winterwonderlights.com.au

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The hotel is situated opposite the multi-award winning Sovereign Hill and within close proximity to the historic centre of Ballarat.

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

See silver artisan Rachel Grose at Craft Lab 22.

The Shared Table is just one of The Food Edit’s iconic locations.

Image: Matt Ray

Craft Lab 22 – Meet the makers and share your passion

Ballarat Heritage Festival The Food Edit

Over two weekends, a selection of the finest makers from Ballarat and surrounding regions gather in one location. Heritage trades, fine arts, traditional practices, cultural rituals, lost skills and contemporary practice combined. The celebration of knowledge passed down generations, reinterpreted and contemporised.

A new addition to this year’s Ballarat Heritage Festival, The Food Edit is an exciting collection of contemporary eat and drink experiences, all with a heritage twist. Think vintage wine dinners and workshops, food of the goldfields explorations, markets, old school classic menus and more, all showcased in iconic Ballarat buildings and locations.

Join us to meet practitioners openly sharing their skills and techniques.

Experience everything from weaving, ceramics, natural dyeing, knife making, silverwork and upholstery to musical instrument crafting and traditional First Nations crafts from Australia and the world. Presented as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival.

What: Craft Lab 22

What: Ballarat Heritage Festival – The Food Edit

When: 10am-5pm, 21, 22, 28 & 29 May

When: 21 May – 29 May

Where: Ballarat Mining Exchange

Where: Various locations

Visit: ballaratheritagefestival.com.au

Visit: ballaratheritagefestival.com.au

Colourful fun with Kelsie White.

Experience a history-inspired lunch at Lola.

Kelsie White Watercolour Workshops

20th Century Toffs at Lola Award-winning winemaker Owen Latta of Eastern Peake and Latta and renowned food writer Richard Cornish host a four-course lunch featuring old school classics with matched wines.

Discover the basics of watercolour as you mix some paint, try out some techniques and learn all about the wonderful world of watercolour.

Hear about the colourful history of The Provincial Hotel, Restaurant Lola and the Ballarat region from Richard.

“I adore sharing my love of watercolours with people. Teaching classes is a passion of mine, and nothing makes me happier than seeing you give something a go and try something new,” Kelsie says.

Plus hear the stories behind the bottles from Owen.

Perfect for anyone wanting to try out watercolours, create some art for their home or looking for a fun and creative activity.

Presented as part of Ballarat Heritage Festival – The Food Edit.

What: Kelsie White Watercolour Workshops

What: 20th Century Toffs at Lola

When: Various dates

When: 12pm sharp, Saturday 28 May

Where: 25-39 Barkly Square, Ballarat

Where: Restaurant Lola, 121 Lydiard St North, Ballarat

Visit: kelsiewhitedesigns.com

Visit: theprovincialballarat/events

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Craft Lab 22

Craft Lab 22 The Long Shared Table

The stunning weaving practice of Wadawurrung woman Tammy Gilson. Image: Bowie Wallace.

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Celebrating the art of making

City of Ballarat Coordinator Creative City Tara Poole says the Craft Lab 22 theme – The Long Shared Table: an intersection of function and form – is informed by First Nations seasons in the Kulin nation.

“ We are examining the inspiration of domestic items which have evolved and been contemporised into items of great beauty” Tara says. “We decided upon a Craft Lab because crafts are singularly ‘secretive’ – the skills are passed down generations, often down a matrilineal line, talked about over kitchen tables or shared around food and gatherings. Creating a lab means we are helping bring these skills out from behind closed doors and we invite makers and artisans to share their knowledge.

The delicate details of Sylvia Nevistic’s work. Image; Lachlan Phyland

When she was in her early 20s, Sylvia Nevistic enrolled in a jewellery-making night class and discovered herself a newfound hobby. Little did she know that two decades on, that hobby of hers would become a long-term love affair.

“It wasn’t until I walked into my first fulltime course at TAFE a few months later that I thought, ‘this is what I want to do’,” the Ballarat-based jeweller says. “I had a couple of fantastic tutors that made it such an enjoyable experience. I was hooked.”

Sylvia is an artisan whose stunningly-crafted work draws inspiration from mother nature, historical art and poetry, and which uses traditional, age-old techniques to design and fashion pieces to last generations.

“Taking walks in the bush, on the coast and in the mountains provide the much-needed space to turn my focus to the minutiae, the macro ecologies, patterns, rhythm and transformation found all around,” she says. “When visiting a museum or gallery, I generally make my way to the decorative arts, in particular historical pottery and jewellery. I have had the privilege of visiting some amazing places in Italy that continue to inspire my work years later.”

Sylvia is one of the many artists set to exhibit as part of Ballarat’s upcoming Craft Lab 22 (21, 22, 28 & 29 May). Celebrating the art of making, the exhibition is presented as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival and will be held over two weekends at the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange. It will bring together a selection of the finest makers from Ballarat and surrounding regions in a showcase of heritage trades, fine arts, traditional practices, cultural rituals, lost skills and contemporary practice.

Adam Parker forging in his workshop.

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Image: Lachlan Phyland.

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

“ Crafts have always been incredibly popular – and the resurgence is less about increased popularity and more about awareness. Crafts are rich with tradition and connection to those things and people we love,” - City of Ballarat Coordinator Creative City Tara Poole.

The upholstery skills of Mari Teed are in high demand. Image: Lachlan Phyland.

They come from our common rituals and shared experiences. The last few years has made people yearn for real connection with others and also reminded them of our natural desire to make things. Crafts is a language of items and the creation of often traditionally functional items – like cups and vessels for instance – moves from being simply functional and into something beautiful. We’re very interested in that crossover of function and form,” Tara continued.

As well as Sylvia’s meticulous work, the Craft Lab program also includes (but is not limited to) the weaving practice of Wadawurrung woman Tammy Gilson, the ceramic technique of first-generation migrant Steph Wallace, the fibre objects of Rosemary King, the textile work of Robyn Stickland, the weaponry of Rob Geddes, the metalwork and jewellery design of Rachel Grose, the acoustic guitars of Nick Carpenter, the knifemaking of Adam Parker, natural textiles, dyeing and yarn production of Alex Bayley and the upholstery of Mari Teed.

Mari’s journey as an upholstery artist began during her gap year travels. Having always been interested in interior design and furniture, she met an upholsterer while working at a boarding school in England and thought it was a fascinating career choice to pursue.

“I love that every day is different and I am never doing the same thing,” she says. “It is very satisfying to see the transformation of aged furniture and having the responsibility to restore sentimental pieces and family heirlooms.”

“One of the best parts is getting to see all the beautiful upholstery fabrics and helping clients choose, and I enjoy teaching my apprentices and keeping the trade going.”

According to Mari, a lot of the greatest tradespeople are reaching retirement age and there aren’t many upholstery apprentices in Australia, with only one TAFE course in Melbourne.

But while upholstery may seem like a dying trade, the skill has been in quite high demand, especially over the last couple of years. Just as an example, if you’re after your own custom piece from Mari’s Creswick business Maverick Upholstery, you have to wait at least six months.

“People are starting to see value in creativity and recycling. They are moving away from the throw-away culture and spending more money on quality pieces,” Mari says.

“Furniture is an expression of people’s personalities and my clients really enjoy the process of customising their pieces.

“The pandemic has forced us, as a society, to slow down and spend more time in our homes and with travel not happening as much, people had more disposable income to spend on upholstery.”

Mari’s versatile skill set ranges from antique through to contemporary, and Craft Lab will have a number of her pieces on show, including a chair designed by renowned architect John Wardle. Mari says she hopes the exhibition will raise awareness of the love and energy infused into each of the works, and how vital it is that the trades continue to last through the generations.

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“I’d love those visiting to gain an understanding of the time that goes into upholstery and to gain awareness of the lack of training available and the lack of opportunities. That is why I have taken on two apprentices – to be able to train the next generation of upholsterers and to make people appreciate the years it takes to become an upholsterer and master of the trade. (It’s giving) a better understanding of why it costs what it costs because it is a laboursome and skillintensive process.”

Tara echoes these sentiments.

“As a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts, we are obligated to support the development of the creative industries to help deliver a more sustainable future,” she says. “Makers are keen to show what they do and visitors are enthusiastic to learn.”

“In the process, we are reviewing the practitioners’ businesses and what they are hoping to achieve. We support them to become resilient and financially viable.

The Lab is supported with displays, talks, presentations and meet-the-maker opportunities. We hope that each of the practitioners will go on to solidify their practice, and that we’ll attract a whole lot more new practitioners into the field.

“We are hoping that visitors will leave invigorated with the desire to learn something new, try a new skill and be inspired by the unique creativity of the Ballarat region.”

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Heritage Food event

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Select from a range of packages to explore some of the incredible fun-filled activities that Ballarat has to offer.

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European-style at Ellington’s Wine Bar.

Tasty wine and craft beer awaits at Midtown Cellars. Image: @thommitchell

Image: Jack Lovel

New kids on the block

Jean-Claude (Van on a Dam)

Ellington’s Wine Bar

After somewhere to stay that’s away from it all and that has a name that packs a punch (see what we did there)? The team behind boutique Lexton church conversion Grayling’s Gift have launched its latest accommodation offering, Jean-Claude.

Located just 10 minutes from Ballarat, the bush property is described as a “lush caravan fit-out like nothing you’ve ever seen”.

With its cool combination of live jazz, bottle shop and rooftop bar, Ellington’s Wine Bar is Ballarat’s newest go-to to discover wines from a carefully curated selection of local and international varieties.

With a slew of new openings, there’s plenty of reasons to put Ballarat at the top of your travel list. From a new dam-side romantic retreat and off-the-grid cabins among the wilderness, to cool new cellar doors and trendy neighbourhood cafes, there’s plenty to look forward to when you’re in town next.

The van itself offers king-size bed luxury and all mod-cons. It’s the perfect location for serious reflection.

Hideaway Coffee Bar Ballarat loves a good neighbourhood cafe, and we now have another one to add to our growing collection.

Hideaway by name, hideaway by nature.

Tucked away in the Ballarat suburb of Brown Hill is the newly-opened Hideaway Coffee Bar. Located at 69 Water Street, the venue operates a super cute coffee van on Mondays and Tuesdays while the cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday.

This European-inspired neighbourhood bar also features a menu of small, share plates inspired by the region’s best producers.

Right next door you can take your pick from more than 150 different craft beers at the freshly-minted Midtown Cellars & Bar. Unyoked at Peerick Vineyard Head off the grid and make the most of the beautiful scenery of the Pyrenees from the comfort of an Unyoked Cabin. Situated on the ridge overlooking Peerick Vineyard and Winery on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, it’s also the perfect opportunity to enjoy a glass or two of award-winning wine.

Start your planning at madeofballarat.com

Embrace the freedom of nature, breathe deeper and reset surrounded by Under the stars at Unyoked. Image: Matt Dunne

towering gums, wildlife and bird song. Image: Nikole Ramsay.

Damien Jones was only 23 years old when he started working under the direction of chef David Thompson at Darley Street Thai.

Mushrooms grilled in banana leaf Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022 with lemongrass and galangal

“Cooking with David took me to London to open his restaurant Nahm, plus travelling through Asia and finally cooking in Hong Kong,” Damien says.

Step one – prepare the mushrooms

His experience as a budding chef instilled in him a forever love for cooking, in particular for Thai food.

This recipe uses 220g of mixed mushrooms.

Shiitake, oyster, king brown and shimeji mushrooms all work perfectly. For a seasonal treat in autumn, wild mushrooms such as pine mushrooms and slippery jacks are a great addition.

“There’s something magical about Asian food – the spices, the markets,” he says.

To prepare the mushrooms, remove any tough stems, brush off dirt and cut into large pieces (about 3cm in size).

“ I have learnt to cook amazing Asian food in the past and still continue to enjoy cooking with the vibrant, aromatic and powerful flavours.”

Step two – prepare the lemongrass and galangal paste

Damien and his wife Danielle are the owners of Ballarat’s incredible modern Asian eatery Mr Jones. Boasting a sleek and elegant interior, the restaurant focuses on fresh and seasonal ingredients, interesting flavours and great techniques, with lots of time dedicated to perfectly creating every dish – such as Damien’s intricate mushrooms grilled in banana leaf with lemongrass galangal.

Pound ingredients in a mortar to a fine paste, or otherwise blend/puree until a fine paste.

“We want to provide interesting food that is great value and with professional, attentive service. A place where you would want to come back to regularly and is always exciting and consistent,” he says.

+ 3 coriander roots, cleaned and washed + 30g shallots (red or golden), peeled + 15g garlic cloves, peeled + 15g galangal, peeled and finely sliced + 20g lemongrass (outer leaves removed – the softer white centre is ideal), sliced finely + 2 large pinches of sea salt + 12 white peppercorns (whole) or a pinch of ground white pepper

Step three – produce mushroom mix Mix the mushrooms and lemongrass and galangal paste with: + 3 tablespoons coconut cream + 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (I prefer the Health Boy brand) Step four – make banana leaf parcel Note: If you are unable to purchase banana leaves, wrapping the mushrooms in baking paper will work fine. repare your banana leaves (2 x 30cm P square pieces).

Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. Try to buy soft banana leaves without any splits. If the leaf is too firm and difficult to fold, plunging it into boiling water for 10 seconds will soften it and make it easier to handle.

Take one piece of banana leaf, place mushroom mixture in the centre and fold the sides then the ends to make a square shape.

Place your parcel on top of the other piece of banana leaf and make a second parcel to go around the first.

A taste of Ballarat

Secure with toothpicks or skewers to keep the parcel from coming undone.

Step five – cook the parcel Grill or BBQ the parcel over a medium/high heat for 10-20 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking.

The banana leaf should be charred (it’s quite alright to burn the outside leaf, as this will impart a nice smoky flavour to the mushrooms).

The mushrooms should be hot, steaming and smelling delicious when finished cooking.

Step six – serve and eat pen the banana leaf parcel up and remove O any burnt leaf. You just want to eat the mushrooms, not the leaf.

Squeeze half a lime over the mushrooms and top with a small handful of Thai basil or coriander leaves. hilli lovers can serve the mushrooms with C freshly chopped chilli (I like the small Thai green chilli) or spoon over some chilli jam or crispy chilli oil.

The recipe is a great light lunch for one or entree for two. Serve with rice and enjoy.

Mr Jones

A taste of Ballarat

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Meet the producers

Creations of joy, inspiration and pure delight

Find out more at madeofballarat.com

There is no doubt that Ballarat’s rich natural characteristics serve as a lodestone of sorts for producers the country over.

Winemakers, artisans, farmers and chefs are drawn to the region’s cool climate, native landscape, bountiful produce, complex soil and slow-growing paddocks, patches and vines – all which combine to forge creations of joy, inspiration and pure delight.

We spoke to four of our passionate makers about where they source their inspiration and asked them to tell us why their hometown is the perfect canvas from which to make and create.

Ballarat’s growers are part of the Dollar Bill Brewing story.

Image: Teagan Glenane.

Ed Nolle

Dollar Bill Brewing “I’m Ed, I’m the brewer for Dollar Bill Brewing here in Ballarat.

We produce barrel-aged sour beers, so it’s the time we take and the care we take in our blending process and the quality of the raw materials that we source that makes what we make.

The growers and makers of the Ballarat region all contribute to what we produce.

It’s intrinsic to what we do. For sourcing raw ingredients from grains to fruit, to hops. The region’s got everything.

Dollar Bill Brewing’s Ed Nolle.

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You can taste our beers and you can explore all these deep depths of flavour within that.

The Ballarat climate is perfect for what we do and what we make.

There’s only a handful of these producers in Australia and pretty much a couple of handfuls in the world. It’s a little bit of inspiration from the Belgian producers and a little bit of inspiration from winemaking and wild fermentation.

We make stuff that we want to drink and people enjoy it.”

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

John Harris

Mitchell Harris Wines

“We opened Mitchell Harris Wines here in the heart of the Ballarat CBD, in this old electric motor workshop so that we could sell not only our wines, but showcase the best wines from the region.

We work with a number of growers in Ballarat and the surrounding regions who lovingly grow grapes to help craft our wines.

Winemaker John Harris behind the bar at Mitchell Harris Wine Bar.

I’m all about making wines of elegance and finesse and Ballarat is perfectly suited to grow those grapes for those wine styles. So I guess the artistry is in the tasting and the blending and knowing when to intervene.

The wines I love to craft are generally from cooler, slow-growing vineyards, they have complexity and real freshness and drinkability.

We love to share our wines with our guests here to surprise them, to delight them, to put a smile on their face and make their day better with a glass of local wine.”

Rebecca Matthews & Chris Pratt Kilderkin Distillery

“When the customer walks through the door into Kilderkin Distillery, we’re not just offering them a drink, we’re offering them a whole experience. We’re telling them about the production of gin, the botanicals that go into it. We’re telling them about the history of distilling in Ballarat.

Ballarat had the first legal distillery in the colony of Victoria, and we really began the distilling industry again here.

We make gins through extracting the flavours from botanicals by distillation. We take the vapours from the alcohol and water mixture and force them through the botanicals, and by doing so we produce the flavours that you’ll find when you open one of our bottles.

Sourcing local ingredients for our business is very important to us.

We work very hard to get what we can from Ballarat. And recently we’ve really pushed the limits in this, because we’ve actually worked with the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and sourced a lot of our plants from the gardens to produce a special gin.”

Kilderkin Distillery’s Rebecca Matthews & Chris Pratt.

Saltbush Kitchen’s Brigid Corcoran.

Brigid Corcoran Saltbush Kitchen

“I’m Brigid from Saltbush Kitchen and we are located in a beautiful village called Buninyong on the outskirts of Ballarat.

Saltbush Kitchen is a story about Australian food and art. What we do is explore the beautiful flavors of the Australian landscape, often known as bushfoods, things like lemon myrtle and pepperberry and mountain pepper and what we do is create products that make it easy for our customers to enjoy those flavors in their own home.

You sprinkle it on, you crumble it on, you rub it on and what you get is really delicious Australian flavour, and I know from the feedback I get from customers, there is an emotional connection sometimes to what these products are because it takes them to a place that they love or it reminds them of a landscape that they love.

It is about bringing that Australian joy to people’s cooking.

Bushfood-infused chocolates at Saltbush Kitchen.

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Eat & Drink Ensure that you set aside ample time to explore the ever-expanding culinary offerings, cosy cafes and rooftop bars.

Wander within the heart of the city’s food precinct as you unearth the fine cuisine, relishing in the award-winning contemporary eats and savouring the warming brews as they satisfy your soul.

Johnny Alloo

underbar

Cobb’s Coffee

Named after Ballarat’s first documented Chinese restaurateur, this popular all-day eatery serves delicious specialty coffee and a thoughtful food, wine and beer offering.

Behind an unassuming facade sits underbar – Ballarat’s upscale culinary destination. With just 16 seats and open only on Friday and Saturday nights, be sure to book ahead.

32 Drummond Street North, Ballarat

3 Doveton Street North, Ballarat

2 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat

johnnyalloo.com

underbar.com.au

cobbscoffee.com.au

Ragazzone

Roy Hammond

Ellington’s Wine Bar

Italian gets a modern twist at Ragazzone pasta and vino restaurant. They take inspiration from classic Italian cuisine – although don’t expect Nonna’s Bolognese.

If sharing food is your thing, then book a night of Korean-inspired snacks paired perfectly with something from the impressive selection of gin, whisky and wine at Roy Hammond.

Ballarat’s newest go-to to for a curated selection of local and international varieties.

It also features a menu of small, share plates inspired by the region’s best producers.

319 Mair Street, Ballarat

24-28 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat

405A Sturt St, Ballarat

ragazzone.com.au

royhammond.com.au

ellingtonswinebar.com

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Cobb’s Coffee is a neighbourhood cafe from the team behind Rumble Coffee. Bringing you coffee, sandwiches, and brew gear from the heart of Ballarat.

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Stay End your day of wholesome exploration with the right dose of rest and relaxation. Rug up in front of a warming fireplace, watch a movie with your loved one, run a bubble bath with a wine in hand, find your place on a boutique bed overlooking the cityscape, or read a book in a one-time butcher shop.

Whatever your holiday vision, make it a reality.

Goldies

Provincial Hotel

Cash Butcher

The Provincial Hotel sits pretty on Ballarat’s historic Lydiard Street. A stay at the boutique hotel isn’t complete without a dinner at Restaurant Lola.

Once a working butcher shop, Cash Butcher provides you with your own space and privacy, and has been fully refurbished to bring yesteryear charm to today.

506 Ligar Street, Ballarat

121 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat

Sebastopol Street, Ballarat

goldiesballarat.com

theprovincialballarat.com.au

airbnb.com.au

Lascelles

Unyoked Blue Pyrenees Estate

Quest Ballarat Station

Head off the grid and make the most of the beautiful scenery from the comfort of an Unyoked Cabin situated on the stunning Blue Pyrenees Estate.

Quest Ballarat Station is ideally located adjacent to the train and bus station and just a short stroll from the city’s shopping, theatres, and culinary delights.

6 Errard Street North, Ballarat

656 Vinoca Rd, Avoca

11 Nolan Street, Ballarat

lascellesballarat.com.au

unyoked.co/yogie

questapartments.com.au

Goldies is a beautifully restored 1880s original heritage home painstakingly renovated to maintain its original features while adding modern conveniences.

Enjoy luxurious, boutique accommodation in the heart of Ballarat. Choose from the ground or top floor two-bedroom townhouse or a grand six-bedroom house.

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Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Things to do The autumn leaves, the winter streets, the fallen snow, the season’s glow all make for a dreamlike scene from which to cast your escape.

Whether you’re visiting an award-winning attraction, perusing a winery, frequenting a market or exploring one of the region’s majestic natural wonders, the season’s vibrancy will only serve to further enrich your Ballarat experience.

Red Duck Distillery

Yarrowee River Trail

From the city’s Red Duck Brewery team comes Red Duck Distillery with an inspired spirit range in tow.

Cycle or walk alongside the Yarrowee River between the Gong Gong Reservoir Park and the hamlet of Magpie. Pass by forests and wetlands, paddocks, and native plantings and into the city streets of Ballarat.

11A Michaels Drive, Ballarat

Sebastapol

redduckbeer.com.au

gdt.org.au

visitpyrenees.com.au

The Ballarat Mill Markets

Michael Unwin Wines

The Green House Ballarat

Explore vintage heaven at The Ballarat Mill Markets. 2,000 metres of floor space is filled with the goods of 80 Mill Markets stallholders.

Family-owned winery run by Michael and his wife Catherine. The wines are processed and bottled on site from locally-grown grapes sourced from the vineyards. Tastings available 7 days.

This stunning indoor plant and event space, housed in an historic warehouse, is stocked with quality indoor plants, pots, and homewares. Plus, the cafe serves up delicious coffee and cakes.

9367 Western Highway, Ballarat

10 Powells Road, Ballarat

20 Elizabeth Street, Ballarat

millmarkets.com.au

michaelunwinwines.com.au

thegreenhouseballarat.com.au

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Wineries of the Pyrenees 30 minutes outside of Ballarat, the Pyrenees wine region is home to over 20 cellar doors.

Discover remarkable winemakers right on Ballarat’s doorstep.

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

A hungry resident at the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Candle dipping at Sovereign Hill.

Ballarat Wildlife Park

Sovereign Hill

A giant crocodile, cute koalas, lazy kangaroos, a tiger and prancing penguins – these are some of the animals you’ll encounter at the Ballarat Wildlife Park. The much-loved animal sanctuary is known for its focus on native fauna and its commitment to conservation and education. Get up-close during the park’s animal encounters, feed the kangaroos as they laze about, and learn about indigenous Australian animals and endangered species.

Sovereign Hill brings to life the excitement of Australia’s great 1850s gold rush. Named Australia’s best ‘Major Tourist Attraction’ four times, Sovereign Hill provides a unique Australian experience and a full day of entertainment.

Much loved activities such as the troopers and red coats, panning for gold in the diggings, and coach rides are available along with hands-on experiences like sweet-making and candle dipping.

For full seasonal program info head to sovereignhill.com.au.

250 Fussell St, Ballarat

Bradshaw Street, Ballarat

wildlifepark.com.au

sovereignhill.com.au

Luxe, boutique accommodation right in the heart of Ballarat.

The Mainstay beds 2

|

bath 2

|

guests 4

The Overlook beds 2

|

bath 1

|

guests 4

The Grand Terrace beds 8

|

bath 2

|

guests 12

21 Experience Lascelles Ballarat and book your stay today

lascellesballarat.com.au

@lascellesballarat

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Don Pl

ondon Pl

oo Pl

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Art Gallery of Ballarat Town Hall Ballarat Railway Station Her Majesty’s Theatre Regent Theatre Craig’s Royal Hotel Mechanics Institute Ballarat Library Civic Hall

Attractions

PLACES OF INTEREST

BALLARAT BASE HOSPITAL

ST JOHN OF GOD HOSPITAL

Victoria Av

Mill St

URQUHART ST

E3 D4 E2 E4 D3 D4 E4 D2 D3

STURT ST

MAIR ST

WEBSTER ST

DANA ST

Leechs Ln

Pencilmark Ln

Dickson St

CENTRAL SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE

Mckenzie St

Wigton Pl

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FEDERATION UNIVERSITY Camp St Campus (Arts)

Police Ln

FEDERATION UNIVERSITY (SMB Campus)

Chancery Ln

Hancocks Ln

Seymour St

Lewis St

Field St

m

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Scott Pde

Ebden St

Eastern Oval

Steinf ld St Sth

EASTWOOD ST

BRIDGE MALL SHOPPING CENTRE

CURTIS ST

Shepperd St

MAIR ST EAST

rC ou Se y

North

Haymes Cr

Pennant Pl

Nicholls Av

MELBOURNE - 90 MINUTES

T IA S TOR VIC

Corbett St

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

Issue 4 / May-Aug 2022

25 JUNE – 17 JULY WINTER WONDERLIGHTS ICE SKATING KNIGHTS OF FIRE + MORE Winter Fest Ad 23

BALLARATWINTERFESTIVAL.COM.AU