Kawul are the new kids on the Pokolbin block | Food Bites
MORE GALLERIES
Saturday was a special day for new kids on the block Kawul.
The Pokolbin restaurant officially launched on September 28 with a smoking ceremony featuring didgeridoo players, cultural dancers and the team's very own Bangarra dancer, Kassidy Waters. Bush tucker platters proved popular.
Kawul can be found at the former Love Kitchen, formerly known as Nanna Kerr's Kitchen. The new owners are Sean Tynan and Kassidy Waters, from the Central Coast, and Kim and Scott Waters, from Lower Belford.
Kim Scott told Food & Wine she and Kassidy were both "Wanaruah people and are immensely proud of our heritage".
"We loved eating at Nana Kerr's. A friend actually tagged me in the post which stated Love Kitchen had closed, so I contacted Jimmy (Wright) regarding the premises," Kim said. "So far we have turfed the lawn garden added many beautiful fixtures and it's only just the beginning."
The menu is plant-based with meat options with dishes including dukkah crusted barramundi with sautéd warrigal greens, truss tomatoes and passionfruit dressing; zucchini flowers with vegan cream cheese and smokey aioli; and lemon myrtle macadamia chicken breast with roasted chats, broccolini and native bush tomato jus. There is also a separate children's menu.
"Myself and Kassidy are completely plant-based - we feel it is important to offer healthy plant-based options to customers while also catering for customers who enjoy meat," she explained.
FRESH FACES: Say hello to Kawul, at 16 Pokolbin Mountains Road, Pokolbin.
"I have always purchased my fruit and vegetables from Organic Feast as I am very conscience of pesticides and other chemicals used on fresh produce and avoid non-organic wherever possible. Being plant-based is a health choice and cruelty-free choice for us. I have many rescued animals on our property including 21 lambs we rescued from near Coonabarabran last year from drought, five steers, a goat, a deer, horses, dogs, cats and native animals."
In charge of the kitchen is chef Jayden Casinelli, formerly of Muse, who Kim describes as an "extremely talented young man who has success written all over him". He will be sourcing produce from Organic Feast "and other local producers wherever possible".
"Customers are loving the bush tucker vibe we have added to our menu, our cultural Wanaruah heritage, and native edible plants and trees in our garden."
Kawul, at 16 Pokolbin Mountains Road, Pokolbin, is open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm, and 9am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday.
Bogans unite
Do you have a mullet, or know someone who does? Next Monday, October 7, is Mullets Eat Free Day at Burger Urge Glendale and Greenhills. If you sport the business at the front, party at the back 'do, you get a free Truffled Bogan Royale with any drink purchase. Don't have a mullet? Wear a mullet wig. You can also enter to win the ultimate bogan holiday for two to Kuta Beach, Bali, valued at $3000. Second prize is a pimped 1993 Ford Falcon named Sharon. To enter, head to Burger Urge's Facebook page and let the team know "Who is your biggest bogan mate and what is the loosest thing they've ever done?". Most liked comment wins the major prize. Second most-liked comment wins the runner-up prize. Entries close on October 9.
Good Food Guide
The best Australian restaurants have been recognised at the Good Food Guide Awards 2020. Muse restaurant at Pokolbin was awarded two chef's "hats"; while Bistro Molines, subo, Margan restaurant and Muse Kitchen were awarded one hat.
Spring lunch
The Hunter Culinary Association Spring Lunch is being held at Restaurant Mason at Longworth House on Tuesday, November 12. Guests will be treated to a three-course lunch with matching premium Hunter Valley wines and enjoy a presentation on Appellation Oysters by Paul Ryder, of Australia's Oyster Coast. An oyster tasting will also take place, with a short presentation by a Hunter Valley semillon winemaker. Tickets cost $100 for Hunter Culinary Association members; $130 for non-members.
Junior tasting
Tulloch Wines are offering a Junior Tasting Experience during the school holidays. While mum and dad are busy tasting wines, the kids are kept busy with five snacks matched with non-alcoholic drinks.
Hotel finalists
Newcastle and Hunter hotels are in the running for the prestigious Australian Hotels Association NSW 2019 Awards for Excellence. For the third consecutive year, the Cambridge Hotel is a finalist in the Best Live Music Venue category, while the Stag & Hunter received its first nomination in the same category. Hotel group Hunt Hospitality has been recognised in the Heart of the Community category while the Chelmsford Hotel at Kurri Kurri is a finalist in the Best Promotional Concept category for its unique Mulletfest event. The Argenton Hotel, Bradford Hotel, Harrigan's Irish Pub and Accommodation, Hotel Jesmond, Shortland Hotel, Rutherford Hotel and Windsor Castle Hotel are all finalists in Regional Hotel of the Year. The full list of finalists can be found at ahanewcastlehunter.org.
Local heroes
Steve Poulton, of Soul Café, is one of three 2019 Westfield Local Heroes finalists announced last week. The other finalists are Carly Reasbeck, from Got Your Back Sista, and Phillippa Woolf, of NSW Police Legacy. Poulton played rugby league for Wests Newcastle in the 1980s and, for the past 14 years, has been volunteering for 20 hours a week at Soul Café in Newcastle, collecting donated food and cooking breakfasts for homeless people.