Atop the National Arboretum, at the other end of the Lake from ASIO’s monumental new headquarters, floats The Conservatory restaurant. It seems a far better place to get the lie of the land, with its commanding views over the landscapes of Australia’s national capital.
And it is – with its own covert activity giving a new edge to the Canberra dining scene. The Conservatory restaurant has some very special dinner dates with a difference.
It’s no secret that fine produce and carefully-honed technique are essential ingredients in great dishes, nor that passion is the seasoning that turns food ideas into memorable flavours. But just how this is done is a closely guarded confidence that few chefs share.
So leading Canberra chef Janet Jeffs became a gastronomic Guy Fawkes when she set up the Kitchen Cabinet some years ago at Old Parliament House. She set about exploding food mystique by connecting consumers and producers, chefs and diners, and good food farms with family kitchens.
And now at the National Arboretum she has created an only-in-Canberra experience of a few very special seasonal dining events shaping a vision of a food democracy where we all get to know what’s on our plates. It’s a beautiful setting where grazing across Canberra’s fine food region is combined with take-home tips on techniques to transform cooking and dining at home.
Food security is the serious side of this glimpse into the Conservatory kitchens, where growing good food everywhere is the long-term campaign.
Dinner dates with a difference – for fine food with a 21st Century purpose. This limited Kitchen Cabinet season offers three ‘spring into summer’ dinners.
In October it’s The Big Cheese – a discovery of our wine and cheese Territory for you to map your favourites among our local cheese specialities and our top vineyards. All the dishes are matched with premium local wines to guide your own year-round selections.
In November the definitely-not-to-be-missed Greatest Hits! From the secret notebooks of Janet Jeffs, this seven-course tasting menu traces her Canberra years, at Juniperberry from 1995 and The Ginger Room from 2004. All the favourites have been found, including the hardest working boy, the great Mr Curly!
A Canberra Christmas is our favourite secret and so it is with And So it is Christmas, a festive season flourish of summer flavours from local farms and the fizz of fine sparkling wines. To be shared only with your closest contacts.
Bookings: www.gingercatering.com.au
