Staff members Michelle Kewell, Michelle Cartwright and chef Ben Payler at The Pantry, 2 Egmont Terrace, Hawthorn. Source: AdelaideNow
FORMER Hilton Adelaide chef Ben Payler has been given free rein to showcase skills largely learnt from Adelaide food king Cheong Liew.
He is at the helm of the latest food haven, The Pantry, which opened on November 1, in the Egmont Tce space which previously housed the Hawthorn butcher shop for about 40 years. The cafe, which also acts as an art gallery, now sports a decor mix of "retro, vintage and modern", says manager Michelle Kewell.
The menu, dominated on weekends by all-day breakfast including a multi-course spread for $25, is described as contemporary Australian with a French influence.
It is expanded to suit special events and The Pantry's monthly degustation dinners, which begin on Saturday, December 11. Pantry platters, $15-$25, are tipped to be a popular alternative to the weekend brekkies.
* Open Wed-Sun, 8am-5pm, plus special events.
To book, ph 8271 4409, www.thepantry.net.au.
Dianne Mattsson
CHEF'S TREE CHANGE
ONE-TIME gun chef for the Trim empire, Mathew Goodlet, has returned from a three-month Asian holiday and swapped life in a big, city kitchen for something more idyllic in the Barossa. Mathew has joined long-time mate Karen Roesler at Barossa venture Lyndoch Hill Retreat.
The pair will be building on Karen's focus on produce from local farms and the restaurant's own vegie patch.
The two-to-three-person kitchen is a far cry from Mathew's role as executive chef of North Adelaide's Sparrow and, before it closed, Farina in the CBD.
PICK OF THE CROP
TWO South Australians have featured in the top honours at this year's Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year awards.
Naked Run Wines, with whites and reds out of the Clare and Barossa valleys, was named Sommeliers Choice, while Kingston Estate Wines' Donna Hartwig received the Members Choice award.
Top gong went to Anna Pooley, based at Treasury Wine Estates' Heemskerk Wines in Tasmania, for chardonnay, traminer and pinot noir that sourced fruit out of the Adelaide Hills and especially Piccadilly Valley as well as Tasmania.
HEAD TO THE HILLS
MORE Adelaide Hills thrills this weekend with the Picnic
at Marble Hill on Sunday, a great build-your-own alfresco feast at the ruins of the governor's former summer residence that was gutted by the 1955 bushfires.
More than 15 food and wine stalls include Udder Delights, Skara Smallgoods, Christine's Cakes, Woodbake Cafe and Ashton Valley Crush, while wines include Henschke, Ashton Hills, Ngeringa, Lucy Margaux and Whisson Lake.
The Hills Slow Food chapter will spit-roast a whole lamb, while the season's first cherries will make an appearance.
* The picnic is 11am-4pm. $15 for over-18s, including an Oxfam picnic basket. Proceeds to the Cora Barclay Centre for hearing-impaired children.
TOP DROPS TO COVET
HERE'S your chance to gather a serious SA wine that no one else will ever be able to buy with proceeds going to Variety.
Chaired by Clare leader Tim Adams, a dozen producers have donated their best 2009 barrels that have been bottled and labelled specially for the event.
The list includes Tim Adams Wines, Charles Melton Wines, Elderton, Henschke, Jim Barry Wines, Kaesler, Majella, Penny's Hill, Peter Lehmann Wines, St Hallett, Yalumba and Barossa Valley Estate.
* Friday, November 26, 11.30am-3.30pm, at the National Wine Centre, $130, for tastings and a three-course lunch. To book, kate@ varietysa.org.au or
phone 8293 8744.
WINE CHAT
ENTHUSIASTS can "chew the fat" with influential wine writer Max Allen at a free cocktail party for the launch and signing of his new book.
* Stag Hotel, Rundle St, city, 6pm, Thursday, November 25. Limited spots, book by Monday rsvpmaxallen@fosterhill.com.au.
theadvertiser@taste.com.au
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