Meet My Peninsula Foodie Friends

I grew up on a farm on the Mornington Peninsula and am lucky to have many foodie friends spread across the Peninsula. I know that the best food always comes from the people who are the best at what they do.

I may be biased – I’ve known him since kindergarten – but I think some of the best mussels in the nation are grown by Harry down off the pier at Flinders. He’s a bit of a vagabond with a mop of wilde blonde hair and a face seasoned by decades at sea. He grows his big, plump and juicy mussels in the cool, clear water off Flinders and sells them from his boat moored at the pier. Just up the hill in Flinders Village is a little shop where an old friend, Hanoi-born chef Chien, cooks awesome pho. His rich and aromatic broth, redolent of star anise and lemongrass, is as delicious as it is restorative, especially on cool days.

Come winter, I always check in with Jenny and her truffle dogs at Red Hill Truffles. Her family has been on the Peninsula for generations, and she brings a sense of local hospitality to her truffle hunts. They are always fun and end with a delicious slice of wood-fired pizza topped with loads of shaved truffle.

In late summer and throughout autumn, I drop by the local orchardists to pick up a bag of apples. Mock Red Hill grow great biodynamic apples that are crisp and crunchy, and they also serve up awesome apple pie. Not far away in Main Ridge is Glenn Staples, I’ve known Glenn since prep. He is intensely proud of his 25,000 trees that he farms with his son Nick. Look for the sign on Roberts Road letting you know when they have fruit at their farm gate.

I live in Melbourne now, but after visiting Mum in Arthurs Seat, I drive back home via Torello Farm. I love what owners Sophie and Mark are doing by helping young farmers grow veg on their Dromana market garden and farm gate. I always fill a box with fruit and veg from their farm and from other farmers on the Peninsula. I love their lamb and add a jar of Stringy Bark honey from Peninsula Pure Honey to make sure I get a real taste of the Mornington Peninsula to remind me of home.