Page 69 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

LIFESTYLE • FOOD

Foodvixen bites STYLISH AND SOPHISTICATED
Wine, gossip and copious amounts
of cheese was just what I needed
Check in on the latest foodie after three weeks away at work.
adventures of local social The new wine bar called Esters
media influencer Foodvixen. at The Chambers is stylish and
sophisticated with a cracking wine
list and service to match.
Back in June, I shared a post about sweet
potatoes (of all things) on my Facebook
page. To cut a long story short, I was
contacted by a sweet potato farmer
named Grace from Goldtrim Farms
on the Atherton Tablelands. Grace Esters at The Chambers
was saddened to see the wastage of
perfectly good sweet potatoes left to rot
in the paddock because all their orders ESSENTIAL SUB-JECT
were for premium product only. The I’m a bit partial to the odd Meatball Sub
potatoes deemed less than perfect, the from Subway, especially when hungover
bent ones and the skinny ones and even (don’t judge me). So, when I saw the
the fat ones, were being rejected mostly New York Meatball Sub on the menu at
due to their appearance. Rattle n’ Hum Cairns on the Esplanade
When I shared Grace’s story I had no Rattle n’ Hum Cairns I had to have it. Jalapeno Poppers are
idea how it would go or what reaction optional... or essential in my case.
I’d get. Well, it turns out the post went
absolutely viral. The post was shared LOCAL TWIST ON OLD
a crazy 1400 times and seen by over FAVOURITE
120,000 people, and Goldtrim Farms To celebrate the recent
sold out of sweet potatoes that week. World Gin Day, I decided to
Turns out social media can be used put a bit of a local spin on
for good after all! It felt like the whole the classic G&T with some
of Cairns, including a few local cafes stunning edible flowers from
and restaurants, jumped onboard to Julatten Earth Food, Botanic
order a box of sweet potatoes and lend Australis Gin from Mt Uncle
a helping hand to a farming family Distillery, Blue Butterfly Pea
in need. A special shout out to Craig Flower Tea from my chef
Squire from Ochre Restaurant for buddy Saiful Azhar
continuing to support local produce (@kakimakan) and a reusable
by ordering ten cartons of sweet straw from Cherries Health +
potatoes! To most people, including Celebrating World Gin Day Wellness Store.
myself, wasting perfectly good food just
because of what it might look like is CROC SPOTTING
completely outrageous but it happens I checked out the Hartley’s
all too often. It still tastes the bloody smoked crocodile with local
same! Who could forget the mountains lemon myrtle linguine in cream
of dumped bananas on the ABC series and white wine sauce dish from
War On Waste? the new menu at Harbourside
As if farmers aren’t doing it tough Bar & Kitchen on the Cairns
enough. To top it off, they face the added Esplanade recently. The menu
pressure of their produce not meeting has placed a huge emphasis
market standards because it’s not pretty on locally sourced ingredients.
enough. Sheesh. My friends don’t judge Even the lemon myrtle linguine
me if I’m carrying a bit of extra junk in is made locally by La Fettuccina
the trunk this winter, so what the hell is Restaurant and Bar! First time
wrong with a fat sweet potato? eating croc and it certainly won’t
be my last. They say never smile
MORE: Search Foodvixen on Facebook at a crocodile but you’ll be smiling Harbourside Bar & Kitchen
while you eat this dish.

69 • tropicnow.com.au