By Simon Haslam
There might be those around the area who remember the site of Harvest in Newrybar as a post office, a general store or a residence – over 100 years a site has the chance to develop a bit of history.
The old bakery, restored by the present owners (Kassia and Tristan Grier, and Brooke Hudson), is proving the case for cherishing and re-imagining our history instead of building over the top of it.
Many community-style events are now held around the old ovens, bringing people back together as they have always done in the country. But of course there are some uniquely modern elements now: an awarded restaurant, an adjacent gourmet deli and modern versions of old-style sustainable gardens all around.
It’s ten years since Gary and Emma Sharman sold what was then called the Harvest Café to the Griers and Brooke Hudson, and there have been a lot of popular dishes served in that time.
Our favourite development has been the Wild Harvest sessions with Bret Cameron (executive chef), Noah Kaufman (head chef), and Peter Hardwick (forager) combining to present what is truly a unique experience of eating foraged food that changes weekly. (See echo.net.au/2016/06/civilised-wild-food/ for more.)
On Sunday 2 and Monday 3 April more recent history will be celebrated as Harvest serves what they call ‘our best and most popular dish from each year’ in ‘a unique and exciting’ ten-course menu.
The wild harvest makes the list as the best ‘dish’ of 2015, followed by ‘dessert’, which has fortuitously been named either the best or the most popular dish of 2016.
The Sunday session is already sold out, however there are still seats available for the Monday night. Cost is $110 per person including bubbles and beer on arrival at 6pm.
Info: email [email protected] or call 6687 2644.