dinner?! Hippo

We are happy to introduce a new travel column from next month from Mathieu Cadart, a Mapleton local and Mobile Travel Agent. Mathieu walks the walk, having stayed in over 63 countries, and can arrange the best places to stay, eat, and visit for an amazing holiday. Isn’t that what we need and deserve after three years of being cooped up?

By VICTORIA MCGUIN

“Ihave recently returned to one of my greatest jobs and passions – travel!” Mathieu shared with his big, warm smile.

“I was in the travel industry for over 10 years helping craft holidays for people, providing experience and inspiration for travellers over every continent.

“I left to care for my father who passed in 2020, and then COVID really hit, so I moved from travel back to uni to attain a master’s degree in counselling, focussing on drama therapy.

“As the world begins to recover from the pandemic, and our need to explore has awoken, I have decided to head back into the role with MTA (Mobile Travel Agents) as my own boss, whilst having all the systems and support in place from MTA.”

From his early 20s travel was in Mathieu’s blood. “I have lived in Tasmania, Sydney, South Korea, England and Canada. I came to the Sunny Coast in 2014 after a long stint overseas and have found home.

“My father owned an amazing property in Mapleton, and as his leukemia moved into the final stages my partner and I moved in with him to provide round-theclock care. Within two short months, he passed away and I inherited his home. We absolutely love it here, and love being so close to him still.”

Being a food lover, I wondered what Mathieu’s favourite dish was from his travels.

“I honestly do not have a favourite food. When I lived in Korea, I loved eating kimchi and Korean BBQ, in Canada I loved the poutine, in Vietnam I adore Pho, and Mexican food is simply incredible! So fresh, tasty and spicy!

“I try to experience and enjoy what the locals enjoy (minus the deep-fried tarantulas in Cambodia – yuck!).”

Mathieu adores many of the places he has visited. “I love the countryside of Ireland, the dunes in Abu Dhabi, the Fjords of Norway, the rivers in Europe, and the bustling markets of Hong Kong.

“Each destination has so much to offer, and I am always finding things to fall in love with at each one!

“Travel is for the soul what nutrients are for the body. When we travel, and remain open to new cultures, ways of living and experiences we can really find ourselves. We can learn to appreciate who we are in our own culture, what we have, and evolve as humans.

“We can connect with parts of ourselves undiscovered and grow as individuals and as part of a community. We collect stories, which become part of our tapestry to share, and we can reflect on and learn to celebrate the differences we all have that make us who we are.”

Mathieu has had plenty of memorable experiences across the world, but Zambia is one that sticks in his mind.

“I was in a luxury camp in Zambia. I had not been to Africa before, and on the first night a group of us were sitting in an open, outside dining space breaking bread and enjoying dinner. In the distance, near a river I saw a hippo and was stunned. As it was night, I couldn’t see that well, but I knew it was a hippo (at a nice safe distance).

“As the meal went on, and it became pitch black I forgot about the hippo. That is until candles were lit on the table, and there was our hippo friend not even five feet from our table staring at us!

“I screamed, making the hippo jump, making the entire table shake, and thought ‘That’s it, we are all done for. We are hippo dinner,” and I tried to bolt.

“One of the camp workers grabbed me, introduced me to Bella, the hippo, and let me know she comes up every night to say hello and eat scraps!”

Mathieu still has many places he’s keen to visit, but he always loves coming home to the hinterland, being with his family, walking his dog and appreciating every day.

“I am excited to share more travel stories with the HT readers in my upcoming columns,” said Mathieu, as we parted company. So are we, Mathieu!

The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) is the not-for-profit food industry cluster, which supports collaboration and innovation, and consistently aims to grow the food industry.

Established in 2015, today FAN has more than 370 members from across the food value chain located in the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond.

We at the HT value the work FAN is doing to help and support the food industry, and we love hearing news about the hinterland-based members.

This month we share an update on The Village Pickle, which began its journey in late 2019. Yes, what timing…just as Covid was heading over to our shores.

Owners Brendan Chan and Jaimi Crocker transformed a run-down former café and butcher shop into a lingerworthy local. With a bright-blue façade, hand-crafted timber tables, a picket fence and front garden, they set the scene for catching up over a coffee or local craft beer.

However, Brendan and Jaimi made the tough decision to close their cafe at the end of 2022 amid the ever-rising costs of operating a small business in these current tricky times.

Pop up Coffee shop Thursday to Sunday French pastries and filled baquettes

Cooked breakfast Saturday / Sunday Ambient garden setting

"Having put the cafe side of our business to bed, we turned our focus to producing naturally fermented hot sauce from our Nambour headquarters," said Jaimi.

"Brendan comes from a 15+ year career in commercial beer brewing and has been fermenting foods since he was a teenager."

Syncing Brendan's passions for heat, flavour and lactofermentation - creating hot sauce was a natural progression, resulting in an amazing product.

"Our hot sauce was readily available at the cafe since opening, with Covid helping fast-track wholesale and other product opportunities," said Jaimi. "Now we intend to produce hot sauce as a full-time gig."

The Village Pickle launched a Kickstarter campaign on February 23. A pre-order campaign, designed to assist with raising the capital needed to continue and grow manufacturing capabilities. A fresh start and leg up for the loved local business.

So keep an eye on TVP's social media for updates on the campaign.

If you are interested in FAN, just head to their website, foodagribusiness.org.au, and see all the positive and supportive plans and events they have for members. FAN is backed by a strong community of supporters, sponsors and partners, including regional councils and Regional Development Australia.

by A. TABLEHOPPER

Ilove food, and I also like to sit and soak up the atmosphere. I can see where restaurants could improve (usually it’s such simple, basic stuff, it blows my mind that they haven’t done it) and I can also see when they are clearly doing it right.

So, for a bit of fun, I thought I would offer my services as a local food reviewer for the HT, and was pleasantly surprised when they said yes! I have chosen three cafes where I order the same dish, and I am rating them in a few areas: service, presentation/flavour, ambience.

None of these cafes knew I would be writing these reviews and I have not been paid to promote them. It’s also important to note, I am not here to ‘bag’ a business, as everyone is doing it tough, I am here to highlight different eateries and through my rating system one may top the list, but they are all worthy of your footfall and tastebuds.

Okay, let’s begin with….

Eggs Benedict With Salmon

BROWN SUGAR - NAMBOUR

Service: This is a small venue, and there were a few policemen having their morning coffee outside, a couple of women chatting at a table in the sunshine, and a focus group having a meeting inside. I was greeted with smile and ordered at the counter, before finding a small wooden table with a relatively comfy chair to enjoy the view of café life. The food and a pot of tea arrived around the same time, not more than ten minutes after I ordered. 9/10

Presentation/Flavour: I don’t know what bread they use, but it is delicious. I should’ve asked, but it tasted like Jeremiah’s Crust, and two slices, thank you! The eggs were probably slightly under for me, another 30 seconds to give them that bit more warmth. Loved the addition of dill on the Hollandaise, and the salmon looked and tasted fresh. I also liked that it was on the side, with a wedge of lemon. The ratios on this portion were just right. 8/10

MOUNTAIN BEAN CAFÉ – MONTVILLE

Service: A welcome greeting, but once I sat down one of the staff was talking loudly to a colleague about his weekend a few feet from me - not something I really wanted to hear. The food and drink was prompt. 7/10

Presentation/Flavour: Eggs arrived on two pieces of Turkish or sourdough bread, I think the former. The eggs could’ve done with another minute cooking, just a bit too runny and not warm enough for me. The salmon portion was just right though, as was the Hollandaise. The mini salad on the side was a surprise. I think it would have been better with a few cherry tomatoes and some spinach – lettuce doesn’t really go with Eggs Benedict. Good coffee. 7/10

Ambience: This place frustrates me. I have seen it go through a few incarnations over the years, and the most welcoming time with was the wooden chairs and tables outside, and comfy seating inside. The seats inside now aren't comfy enough to want to stay a while, which is a shame, but the colourful artwork on the walls is very cheerful and welcoming. There does need to be some decent, chilled music playing otherwise it feels a bit like a thoroughfare. 7/10

21/30

Flaxton

Ambience: I love the décor in here, the chintzy sofa, the crafted wooden tables, the various antique mirrors of different shapes and sizes on the walls, the wooden salt and pepper sets. The music was pretty relaxed, but then it stopped and didn’t go back on, which was a shame. Good music helps with atmosphere, people! 8/10 25/30 table service) and found myself a cosy corner. The eggs arrived super-fast, probably with five minutes, but my drink didn’t arrive until I had finished my meal. 7/10

Presentation/Flavour: Neatly presented with vibrant yellow Hollandaise, a touch of greenery, and two poached eggs. The ratio wasn’t quite right for me, a little too much salmon (believe it or not!) which was very thickly sliced, and a slightly larger portion of toasted sourdough would have been useful to mop up the egg. Also, everything was stacked, so the Hollandaise ended up covering all the food. 7/10

Ambience: A beautiful spot, with great attention to the décor. Stunning furnishings, with a rustic, almost Parisian feel, with unusual light fixtures, interesting framed black and white photos, Chesterfield chairs and sofas, and the occasional comforting sound of trains rattling past. The music is decent too. 10/10

24/30

Conclusion

All three venues served a decent meal, all three had friendly staff, and all three are places I would return, but the winner for food for me is Brown Sugar in Nambour, and the place I could happily while away a couple of hours is the impeccably designed Chew Chew Bistro. Mountain Bean, you are a good pit-stop with potential!

Open Tuesday through Sunday for Breakfast & Lunch

Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for Dinner

The Craft is a new bar and restaurant location, established purely to showcase the region's local brewers and food producers.

Contact

CHEW CHEW BISTRO – PALMWOODS

Service: The place was a third full, and it was around 10.30am, but a few groups were arriving at the same time. I was greeted by a friendly smile, placed my order (although they also do

Maleny

Kondalilla Restaurant

Situated on the grounds of Kondalilla Eco Resort, Kondalilla Restaurant is a vegetarian and seafood restaurant with vegan options. Visit Kondalilla and enjoy a space of tranquility while you choose from our exquisite menu. Everyone's welcome.

61-101 Kondalilla Falls Rd Flaxton

5445 7650 Ext. 2

Opening hours: Thursday & Friday: 12pm - 8pm

Saturday & Sunday: 9am - 8pm

The Maleny Pie Guy

Treat. Your. Self. Real. 'Cos if you're going to treat yourself, do it properly. Real food, made with real local ingredients and real passion.

Really!

13 Maple St. MALENY 0479 042 845

HOURS

Open 7 Days: 8:00am - 3:30pm

Palmwoods

Homegrown Cafe

A must visit for breakfast, lunch or to enjoy the home made baked goods. Serving locally sourced produce and small batch in-house roasted coffee. Café or garden seating. Seasonal dinner first Saturday of the month. FB: “HomeGrownPalmwoods”

4/6 Little Main St. Palmwoods 0458 270 368

HOURS:

Tue - Sat: 7:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday and Monday Closed