BSF | CRAFT BEER CHEFS' TABLE

 

For the past five years Beaufort Street has been my spiritual home.  My role as Food Director of the Beaufort Street Festival is a labour of love and allows me to collaborate with inspiring local businesses, creatives, foodies, chefs and likeminded souls. 

In the lead up to the festival, our little food commitee curates events to showcase all the wonder that Beaufort Street has to offer.  We celebrate good food and drinks amongst amazing company whilst raising funds for the Beaufort Street Network, the not-for-profit driving force behind the festival.

Last year we focused on hosting our food events in unused spaces.  This vision aligned with the Beaufort Street Network’s efforts to create a public space on Mary Street.  For two weeks, Mary Street was transformed into a pop up piazza which was just lapped up by locals.  For years the local community has been yearning for a free, comfortable public space on the strip and now these dreams are being realised.  We are chuffed that the City of Vincent is now working to develop a permanent public piazza. 

With our vision in mind the team at Five Bar jumped at converting their garage for our Craft Beer Crafts’ Table event.   The garage was transformed thanks to styling by Stacey Clark Stylist and we reveled in six courses of goodness by the talented chefs from Five Bar and Lot Twenty.  The spotlight shone on local breweries, with the gang from Eagle Bay Brewing Company and Homestead Brewery both attending to share their story.  A special shout out is definitely owed to Feral Brewing for a crazy end to the night with their lip puckering Watermelon Warhead sour. 

Photography by Danica Zuks.

Five Bar on Urbanspoon
Homestead Brewery on Urbanspoon
Feral Brewing Company on Urbanspoon

EAT | HOMESTEAD BREWERY AT MANDOON ESTATE (Swan Valley, WA)

I'm definitely a Swan Valley girl at heart.  I grew up in Henley Brook, before this rural village-style living was barely a whisper.  Blessed with a childhood of vegetable patches and scarecrows, weekends fearlessly riding ponies through the bush.  Our family home is still just that, the scarecrow might be gone but that dry, hot scent of summers gone remains unchanged.   

I love taking that long, winding drive down West Swan Rd and seeing how the view has shaped over the years. Pointing out familiar houses that have stood the test of time, whilst pleasantly surprised to see some have moved aside for new developments.  The Swan Valley is just brimming with fresh new life, that Australian spirit of let's give it a red hot go lingers here.    

Mandoon Estate is one of those new additions and is home to a fine dining restaurant, winery with a classy cellar door and the Homestead Brewery.   When you enter the gates and take it all in, you can't help but think … why didn't anyone do this before?  The green grass sprawls with families enjoying hot lamb rolls and deli meats in the sunshine and not worrying that the kids are running riot on the playground.  The restaurant is a relaxing reprieve to the chaos outside whilst the brewery is lively, full of cheer and welcomed cold beer.  

I'm yet to enjoy one of those hot lamb rolls, but have now spent two separate Sundays enjoying the laid back vibe at Homestead.  You've gotta love a good dose of pub food after a day of sampling far too many wines. Mandoon Estate really captures the essence of the Swan Valley, a haven for families to retreat, where kids can be kids and where honest, wholesome local produce grows strong. 

Beef and black swan pie with steamed buttery vegetablesPizza, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, basil, San Marzano's 

Beef and black swan pie with steamed buttery vegetables
Pizza, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, basil, San Marzano's 

Wagyu beef, brioche, baby cos, pickles, house made ketchup and chips 

Wagyu beef, brioche, baby cos, pickles, house made ketchup and chips 

Roasted beetroot, quinoa, roasted sandalwood nuts, goats curd and lemon 

Roasted beetroot, quinoa, roasted sandalwood nuts, goats curd and lemon 

Beer battered goldband snapper with chips 

Beer battered goldband snapper with chips 

Marinated pork ribs, corn bread 

Marinated pork ribs, corn bread 

Homestead Brewery on Urbanspoon