Benkii review…

This inviting cafe is a welcome addition to Maroochydore’s dining scene. The dining strip along Duporth Ave in Maroochydore gets better and better every time a new restaurant opens – and the latest addition is no exception. Benkii is nestled neatly between a cluster of shops, unobtrusively opening out on to the avenue. It seems to be a bit of a CBD haunt with local businesspeople having discovered its good value and quality food >>>read more

or visit:

http://digitaledition.theweekender.com.au/?iid=45788&startpage=30

This post was written by Petra Frieser – Local Harvest
To find out more about the Sunshine Coast’s regional growers and producers visit:
www.localharvest.com.au

Ricky’s amazing flood relief fundraising lunch…

I had the pleasure of attending yesterday’s flood relief fundraising lunch at Ricky’s in Noosa and thought I might just have to post a little blog to tell you all how absolutely magical the food was…

The lunch itself was a 6 course degustation menu that was nothing short of spectacular. If you were thinking about going and didn’t, well, poo poo to you, because you missed a fantastic day. It was pretty much 5 hours of wining and dining – there are tougher ways to spend a day I am sure. Fortunately I had cleared my desk of any major deadlines and therefore was able to enjoy a guilt free afternoon. We won’t talk about the guilt that ensued afterwards from having indulged in so much wonderful food.

The menu was as follows… read and weep:

Tapas tastes:
Tomato gazpacho
Pea lemongrass coriander foam
Spanner crab and finger lime pearls on a betel leaf
2008 Seresin Gewürztraminer, Marlborough, NZ

Seared swordfish, green olives, baby capers, kipfler potatoes, tomato, parsley and Fat Hen extra virgin olive oil
2009 Pike & Joyce Pinot Gris, Adelaide Hills, SA

Prawn leek ravioli, lemon crème fraiche, salmon pearls on salmon broth
2007 Seresin Chardonnay, Marlborough, NZ

Trio of Lamb:
Zaatar crusted fillet
Slow braised pithivier and Jerusalem artichoke puree
Cutlet, broad beans, chorizo, artichoke salsa and sheep’s milk feta
2009 St Hallett Shiraz Grenache, Barossa Valley, SA

Caramelised white chocolate pannacotta topped with Kahlua jelly

Chocolate pavé and cherry ripple ice cream
A.R Valdaspino “El Candado” Pedro Ximénez, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

I might add that all of the food and wine, and prizes for the raffle and the auction was donated by some very generous sponsors and supporters of the event. The wonderful staff also donated their time so that we could all enjoy some wonderful service as well as the chef’s amazing creations.

Thanks Ricky’s for a wonderful day and the sponsors deserve a mention as well so read on:

Alsco Linen, Bouchon Wines, Carlton United Breweries, Darren Patterson and Seresin Wines, Costa Coffee, DC Limousines, fine Wine Partners, Ipswich Metro International, Kennedy & Turner Travel Associates, Learn to Surf Noosa, La Miche, Negotiants Australia, Noosa Journal, Noosa News, Noosa Party Hire, Pepper Online & Salt Magazine, San Pellegrino, Smashing Bottles, Spicers group, Southern Cross Fisheries, Sparkling Noosa, Suncoast Fresh, Suncoast Wholesale Wine & Spirits, Sunshine Coast Daily, The Cooking Company, The Ricky’s Staff, Tom Offerman Real Estate, Viande Fine Food Merchants, Weekender…

If you would like to see some more pics, become our ‘friend’ on FaceBook and visit:

http://www.facebook.com/notifications.php#!/album.php?aid=332274&id=687869877

This post was written by Petra Frieser – Local Harvest
To find out more about the Sunshine Coast’s regional growers and producers visit:
www.localharvest.com.au