If you’re looking for somewhere to wine and dine in the Illawarra, or even just enjoy a coffee, check out these offerings of the most popular foodie stories in 2024.
18. The master’s apprentice is now in charge at Gerringong Bakery
by Karen Lateo
The master and his apprentice reunite at Gerringong Bakery – Jason Caldwell and Jock Donaldson. Photo: Karen Lateo.
Jock Donaldson taught Gerringong Bakery’s new owner Jason Caldwell everything he knows … but the community just wants to know when will Jock’s famous cream buns return?
17. Wollongong brewery’s new sustainable endeavour starts with this organic beer
by Keeli Royle
New beer Organic Hazy could be the start of a new wave of sustainable beers, but it still needs to pass the taste test. Photo: Five Barrel Brewing.
A new creation from Five Barrel Brewing could be a game-changer for the small, family-run business as it embraces sustainability and finds new ways to reduce its environmental footprint.
16. From beans to brews: Gerringong specialty coffee roaster’s 15-year journey to elevate South Coast’s coffee culture
by Kellie O’Brien
Daily Grind Coffee started roasting its blends 15 years ago. Photo: Supplied.
Starting with a couple of beans in the basement of a cafe in Gerringong, coffee roaster Daily Grind Coffee embarked on a mission 15 years ago to elevate specialty coffee on the South Coast, filling a void in an era dominated by major coffee chains.
15. Embers in the Village offers a slice of India with new Windang fusion pizza restaurant
by Kellie O’Brien
Embers In The Village owner Abhishek Jain has opened pizzeria Slice of India. Photo: Supplied.
Butter chicken on a pizza? That was the inspiration for the owner of popular Indian restaurant Embers In The Village to launch Slice of India in Windang. The new pizza shop was inundated with orders for its Indian fusion pizzas on its first weekend.
14. Figtree chef takes the cake: Brooke Silk places third in World Food Championships with well-balanced dessert
by Kellie O’Brien
Brooke Silk is the Wollongong chef bringing the fine-dining experience home. Photo: Amani Lindsell.
Figtree chef Brooke Silk wowed judges at the World Food Championships, earning third place in the dessert category with her stunning creations. With a golden ticket to next year’s competition already secured, her culinary journey is far from over.
13. New Wollongong bar and restaurant a dream come true for Stephen Umpleby
by Kellie O’Brien
Stephen Umpleby (centre) with his staff from new Wollongong bar and restaurant Dreams on Crown. Photo: Supplied.
It was a rough start for Wollongong’s new Dreams on Crown Bar and Restaurant after losing its chef 24 hours before opening, but it didn’t deter owner Stephen Umpleby from continuing with his long-held vision of launching the business.
12. Chocolatier choc-full of passion elevates hand-crafted bonbons to royal standards
by Kellie O’Brien
Chocolatier Michelle Armstrong and some of her bonbons. Photo: Supplied.
Michelle Armstrong has worked in kitchens internationally alongside world-renowned chefs, but she’s now finally pursuing her passion for sweet treats as she makes hand-crafted artisan chocolates and bonbons in Kiama.
11. From suitcase to success: Duck In Heaven’s journey from humble beginnings to new expanded premises
by Kellie O’Brien
Duck In Heaven has moved into new premises due to growing demand. Photo: Supplied.
Cooking for Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly inspired Jeni Sae-Yang’s Asian-influenced Duck In Heaven Cafe, which four months on has been such a success it’s resulted in her moving into larger premises in Woonona and planning cooking classes.
10. From suburbia to spores: How Calderwood Valley Mushrooms grew on the Tavernese family
by Kellie O’Brien
Mushrooms growing at the Illawarra’s only mushroom farm, Calderwood Valley Mushrooms. Photo: Supplied.
Eighteen years ago, a quest to escape suburbia for a more tranquil retreat led Hilary and Richard Tavernese to purchase a mushroom farm, despite limited experience with fungi. Now owning Illawarra’s only mushroom farm, Calderwood Valley Mushrooms, Hilary admits it hasn’t been the easiest journey.
9. World-class chef shares his passion for cooking at Coniston cafe
by Eileen Mulligan
Chef Peter Washbourne has worked in some of the biggest cities of the world but is at home in Bridge St, Coniston. Photo: Eileen Mulligan.
Chef Peter Washbourne has worked in prestigious hotels in some of the world’s biggest cities, catering to the high and mighty, but these days he is happier running his cafe, Fresh@5 in Coniston, catering to office workers, teachers, lab staff, BHP workers and passing tradies.
8. South African cafe and grocery store Big Five Lapa built on lion-sized heart and pride of heritage
by Kellie O’Brien
It’s not just the mouthwatering barbecue meats that have earned Big Five Lapa the tick of approval from the locals – it’s their community spirit, too. Photo: Supplied.
There’s more than just South African flavours behind the popularity of Woonona cafe and grocery store Big Five Lapa, operated by William Plotz and his father Johan. There’s also a great helping of generosity.
7. Meet Mark LaBrooy – the man behind the menu at the new North Wollongong Surf Club restaurant
by Keeli Royle
Mark LaBrooy is in the process of creating and curating the menu for the new Boathouse restaurant at North Wollongong Surf Club. Photo: Keeli Royle.
The man behind North Wollongong Surf Club’s new Boathouse restaurant has been busy cooking in his Austinmer home to create the perfect menu for the beachside space ahead of its opening. Mark LaBrooy is the new venue’s manager after more than a decade with the Three Blue Ducks.
6. Brown Sugar owner shares the story behind cafe’s sweet success
by Zoe Cartwright
Tenille Dewhurst, owner of Brown Sugar Espresso, is dedicated to using the cafe as a way to uplift the community. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Brown Sugar Espresso doesn’t just serve great coffee – it goes above and beyond to serve the community. It’s been a port in a storm for many customers during tough times, and one of those was current owner Tenille Dewhurst.
5. Blessed Bowls Thirroul overflowed with opening day success – now a dining room is coming
by Dione David
Blessed Bowls Thirroul owners Saskia Martin and Adrian Erdedi have been “blown away” by the response of customers. Photo: Blessed Bowls.
Blessed Bowls Thirroul co-owners Adrian Erdedi and Saskia Martin closed the doors after their first day of trading, hugged each other and cried. Having served just shy of 500 acai bowls on day one, demand was roughly double what they had anticipated.
4. Sister act reunites to open Kiama’s newest Mexican restaurant, a tribute to Frida
by Karen Lateo
Kirsten Sigmund draws inspiration from the colourful life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Photo: Karen Lateo.
Kirsten Sigmund was adamant she was never going to open a restaurant, let alone a Mexican restaurant. She’s just opened her third – Frida’s Cantina in Kiama – and says it feels like coming home.
3. If you’re devastated Unanderra Charcoal Chickens is closing, here’s where to go to get your fix
by Zoe Cartwright
Andrea Gregoriou grew up with her dad, Leo, and mum, Des running the beloved Unanderra Charcoal Chickens TakeAway. Photo: Andrea Gregoriou.
After 30 years, Unanderra Charcoal Chickens Takeaway closed its doors for the final time. Des and Elias (popularly known as Leo) Gregoriou opened the shop 33 years ago, when they were 24 and 30 years old.
2. He had $28 in his pocket and a lot of grit, now Jin Kim is opening up shop in Thirroul
by Dione David
Jin Kim has now opened a restaurant in Thirroul. Photo: Jin’s Place.
Jin Kim had spent two nights on a park bench with nothing but his suitcase, $28 in his pocket and a return ticket home to South Korea, when he came across the sign that changed the course of his life. The now successful owner of Thirroul restaurant Jin’s Place recalls the tough start to working life in Australia.
1. Albion Park’s beloved burger joint Joe’s Milkbar flips the script after facing closure
by Kellie O’Brien
Joe Lee has reopened the doors to Joe’s Milkbar in Albion Park. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
When Joe’s Milkbar decided to close its doors, the community rallied around owner Joe Lee, inspiring him to reopen the beloved Albion Park burger place – with a few changes.
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