It’s finally on. More than a year since Australian TV food presenter Lyndey Milan visited the region to try out some of the top gourmet goodies, her Blue Mountains episode will feature on her show Taste of Australia.
The Gazette caught up with the popular food personality when she visited the region where she made a special pitstop at Josophan’s Chocolates in Leura. Focusing on the slow food movement, she tried wagyu beef in the Megalong, stocked up on juice and apples at Logan Brae Orchard, went foraging for wild mushrooms in Oberon and had the chance to make a very magic pudding (the trick is in the coffee) at Norman Lindsay Gallery. All while staying, and cooking up that produce, at Katoomba’s historic Carrington Hotel.
At the time she told the Gazette she always had a weak spot for the Mountains after growing up as the youngest of three sisters and regularly holidaying here.
“We always thought the story was about us, that The Three Sisters were named after us and we loved the scenic railway,” she said.
The Mountains chapter is one of 14 episodes featuring the best food and wine on offer in her own backyard, and showing the characters, places and pastures which make up the backbone of Australia’s thriving culinary culture.
“Australian food is so diverse that often people don’t know what we grow here. There are very few countries where you can visit a wagyu farm, hand milk salmon, ride a camel along the beach and then enjoy a fabulous meal accompanied by a glass of local wine,” Ms Milan said.
“To me, it is this diversity which defines the Australian food industry and that’s what this series is all about.”
Ms Milan, who has an OAM for services to the Australian food and wine industry, has forged a career championing regional produce.
Famous foodie faces on her show, which started in March, include Rick Stein, Neil Perry, Maggie Beer, Pete Evans and Tetsuya Wakuda.
Lyndey Milan’s cooking series Taste of Australia, featuring the Blue Mountains, will hit 7TWO screens on May 25 at 1.30pm.