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Explore the Seven Seasons
Darwin Convention Centre has developed a new menu celebrating Australia’s indigenous culture.
“The menu is not only about the taste, smell and look of the food, it is about understanding the local land and how Aboriginal people have used the ingredients available to them.” Toby Beaton
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or the Larrakia people, the traditional owners of the Darwin region, the year is divided into seven seasons. There is no beginning and no end but a constant change that can be felt. Each season has distinctive patterns of weather changes and plant and animal activity, each with their own special purpose. Darwin Convention Centre’s Seven Seasons menu is a culinary journey inspired by the Gulumoerrgin (Larrakia) seasons. Available for events with 10 to 1500 delegates, the Seven Seasons menu provides the opportunity to experience the dramatic changes of the Gulumoerrgin seasons and the corresponding impact these changes have on the sights, sounds, landscape and natural habitat. Executive chef Toby Beaton has developed a menu that combines local fresh produce and traditional indigenous food. “When developing the menu, we didn’t just look at the ingredients,” he said. “We looked at the history of the food, how it was gathered, how it was prepared and how it was cooked.” Currently available as a seven-course degustation or three-course banquet, the menu allows guests to be part of a journey that has been evolving for over thousands of years. “The menu is not only about the taste, smell and look of the food, it is about understanding the local land and how Aboriginal people have used the ingredients available to them,” said Beaton. Some of the local ingredients include mud crab, Kakadu plums, wattleseed, barramundi and, of course, mango. In a convention centre first, the Seven Seasons journey goes beyond food; it also includes a visual and sound experience, creating a full sensory culture immersion. Audio and visual packages accompany each course giving delegates a deeper experience and understanding of the Gulumoerrgin seasons. “We wanted to provide our clients the opportunity to integrate the Seven Seasons menu into their event on varying levels,” said Darwin Convention Centre general manager Peter Savoff. “Event planners can chose just the menu, or add on the production elements to give a deeper experience to their delegates. “We can even assist them with including local performers to give a full culture evening. The menu works perfectly with an awards night or gala dinner.” To find out more about incorporating the Seven Seasons menu into your next event, contact the team at Darwin Convention Centre: sales@darwinconvention.com.au n www.spicenews.com.au 13