Degustation Dinner: Eat Your History

A special seven-course menu featuring historically themed dishes. A culinary journey on the history of food production, farming and harvesting around the Lower Hawkesbury River. Expert talks, storytelling and live music accompany each mouth-watering course.

From freshly shucked oysters with finger lime to savoury damper with macadamia and sea celery pesto; from colonial curries to slow-cooked corned beef; from baked hominy and traditional puddings to myrtle teas and shortbread—enjoy a long table dining experience in mid-winter, lit by candles with a fire in the courtyard.

Chef, Johanna Bedowes has curated menus for large-scale gatherings, more intimate evenings on the river, as well as for women's groups in the Central Desert. Johanna honours both tradition and local abundance from Mangrove and Hominy Creeks to Hawkesbury River produce and favours.

Colonial Gastronomer Dr Jacqui Newling is a leading voice in Australian food culture with a Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomy. Jacqui brings insights from the bush kitchen, historical recipes and revealing what was on the governors table.

Brooklyn based storyteller, Chris Haywood brings alive his deep association with the river, its history and ecosystem through historical yarns and anecdotes.

Hawkesbury River Fisherman 'Nipper' will talk about 'Nippers Catch' and sustainable fishing on the Hawkesbury River.

Musicians Holly Brewster and Friends will entertain us with inspiring and dramatic stories from the rich history of the river communities.