The
Good Taste
Good Life
Pinning her luck on farming
Walking down the main street of Bangalow, Mary Pinzone saw a petition to start a local farmers market – the first in the Byron region. Having recently moved to the area, she decided the time was ripe to make a career change as well – trading in a desk job for working the land. So she did. Twenty years later, Mary is still growing strong and one of the original founding members of the Byron Farmers Market. ‘I do love it,’ says Mary. ‘When you’re growing fresh produce, not everything always goes to plan. It was a huge learning curve, but I still get such joy from simply growing things and watching what comes of it – like a beautiful silverbeet leaf, or almost perfect bulbs of garlic.’ Mary and her husband, Peter, have a citrus orchard and mixed veggie garden on 2.5 acres in South Ballina. It’s small but very productive. They grow a range of leafy greens, seasonal herbs, chillies, cucumbers, snake beans and garlic, and much of the harvest is used to make Mary’s famous ‘Pinny’s Products’, including chilli jam, harissa, sambal, relishes and her famous bread and butter cucumbers, which she sells exclusively at Byron Farmers Market. Mary says she still clearly remembers the very first farmers market, at Butler Street Reserve in Byron Bay, in December 2002. ‘It wasn’t very easy to get the farmers’ market started. There was some resistance, and it took
BALLINA
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
We are thrilled to announce that Wharf restaurant is now open to the public! It is important to us that we support the community as best we can, and do our best to uplift spirits with delicious seafood and welcoming customer service. As part of our reopening, we have also launched a new restaurant and takeaway menu! Book now while tables are still available
Ballina
FB/Insta: wharfbarballina 12–24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259
Mary Pinzone at Byron Farmers Market. Photo Elize Strydom us nearly a year to get it up and running. ‘Back then there were no other farmers’ markets around and we were besieged by customers. It didn’t matter what type or amount of produce you brought, the demand far outstripped the supply. The locals just loved it.’ What started as half a dozen stalls has today grown to more than 75 and become very much a part of the fabric of the Byron Bay community. For Mary, every Thursday morning signals a chance to catch up with other farmers and her loyal customers – a ritual she still cherishes. ‘The farmers market really is a special place. I love the fact that customers appreciate that you grew it yourself – and their feedback each week is lovely. They’ll tell you if they enjoyed something. It sounds silly, but they are like friends. Even after all these years I still enjoy Thursdays. It’s my play day.’ Q Byron Farmers Market is held every Thursday 7am–11am at the Cavanbah Centre, and Bangalow Farmers Market is every Saturday morning 7–11am behind the Bangalow Pub.
BANGALOW
Bowlo Kitchen
Family friendly, tradies’ local, restaurant quality, Wednesday to Friday happy hour, midweek specials, excellent wines, foodies delight, creative cocktails, local produce, massive kids’ space, welcoming staff, Open Wed–Fri 12–2.30pm & 5–8.30pm; and CovidSafe. Sat 12–8.30pm; Sun 12–7pm.
The Bowlo, Bangalow 6687 2741
Club open Wed–Sun from 12 noon www.bangalowbowlo.com.au bangalowbowlo @thebowlo
BYRON BAY
St Elmo Dining Room & Bar
Open Thursday – Sunday 5 – 10pm Cnr Fletcher St and Lawson Lane, Byron Bay 6680 7426
St Elmo is a place where you can enjoy great company, first-class food, sophisticated cocktails and an extensive wine list. St Elmo is plating up modern Spanish cuisine to be enjoyed amongst friends and family. Our menus change regularly and feature daily specials.
Chupacabra
Fresh authentic Mexican in a relaxed atmosphere.
www.stelmodining.com
This is food made with love, all produce sourced locally. Eat in or take out. Margaritas and tacos all night long! Shop 12A, 3 Clifford St, Family friendly, totally GF menu. Suffolk Park DINNER 5pm – 9pm 6685 3059 WED – SAT www.chupacabra.com.au Book via Resy @chupabyron
Swapping inner city life for the rainforest If you want to taste some of the incredible array of foods native to the Northern Rivers, a visit to Rainforest Foods at the Mullum and New Brighton Farmers Market is a must. Tangy Davidson plum sauce, riberry jam, finger lime marmalade and lemon aspen jelly are among the delicious native flavours on offer, along with macadamias, macadamia butter, and macadamia oil. Tuckombil farmer, Anthony Hotson started Rainforest Foods more than 20 years ago after swapping his inner-city lifestyle and career in the arts for a ‘real’ job growing food. His passion for native foods is matched only by his passion for restoring and protecting the natural environment. The business grew from a desire to conserve and regenerate a remnant of the Big Scrub (the rainforest that once covered much of the Northern Rivers) that was on the Hotson family property. He and the family planted out native rainforest species like macadamias, finger limes and Davidson plums and eventually began to value add and market their produce. Part of the mission of the business is to educate people about the value of native foods – their flavours and powerful nutritional properties, but also their importance in the ecosystem. The Northern Rivers’ most famous nut, the macadamia, is
Come along to the Bangalow Bowlo and find out.
Russian Craft Sauerkraut Fermentation Workshop Learn the secret art of fermentation that turns normal food into healthy probiotics. In this fun course you will learn the skills necessary to start making your own fermented foods at home. At the end of the course you will take your self-fermented sauerkraut home with you.
Sunday 29th of November Rainforest Foods stall assistant John Cottrell at the New Brighton Farmers Market
9am –1pm
Price $120
Where: 56 Natural Lane, Coopers Shoot
the star of the Rainforest Foods stall, and they’re available in all delicious iterations; there are dry-roasted, honey-roasted and milk and dark chocolate coated whole nuts, however it’s the plain and simple natural, raw macadamia that remains Rainforest Foods’ best seller. The natural macadamia spread – made with 100 per cent raw macadamias, is another favourite. It’s a versatile, healthy product that can be used as a non-dairy alternative to butter, but has a whole host of other uses – including in satay sauces, as a dip with crackers, in dressings and marinades, in smoothies for extra protein, or in baking. Anthony says macadamias are high in monounsaturated fats and the ratios of different sorts of fats are perfect for us. ‘So it’s very, very healthy – an amazing nut.’
To book, or for more information
0409 302 548 |
zena.gourevitch
NEW MENU! Loft is back with an incredible new menu designed by our new Head Chef, Craig Mcfarland. A share-style menu featuring snacks & nibbles, deli boards as well as an array of larger main dishes. Perfect with a cocktail or wine. Open every day from 4pm - Late
Happy Hour $6
- 4PM - 6PM EVERY DAY -
$6
$10
$14
@loftbyronbay
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