Wild Times in the Central West - SMH Good Food '100 Good Things' Guide. Dec 2020

15. Wild Times in the Central West

We may have been trapped in our own (very lovely) state for much of the year, but boy have we made the most of it. Closed borders have forced those of us with the means to travel to look to areas such as Orange, currently enjoying a massive boost in tourism. They've also enjoyed a massive boost in chefs, many of whom have left the big smoke in search of a quieter life. Good luck on that front. The area's restaurants are booked months in advance.

Sister's Rock, located at Borrodell Vineyard, features former Pilu at Freshwater chef Charles Woodward, who is making the most of local foragers and miso fermenters.

Charred Kitchen and Bar boasts a beast of a wood-fire oven made by head chef Liam O'Brien's (ex-Bentley, Bistro Moncur and Nahm, Bangkok) high-school tech teacher. The tasting menu is bedded in local ingredients, influenced by his working travels both in Australia and Thailand.

Dom Aboud is using everything he learnt during his years in front of the flames at Rockpool Bar and Grill at the Schoolhouse Restaurant at Union Bank.

And if it's all about the untested names, there's Antica Australis, delivering big Italian flavour in the tiny town of Carcoar, executed beautifully and originally by ex-industrial welder Paolo Picarazzi. 

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Photo Credit: @jasonloucas