November 5, 2020
Diners at the KCCI breakfast in Kingaroy on Thursday morning had the opportunity to preview copies of local chef Roberta Schablon’s new cookbook, “The Saucy Fork”.
The book, fresh from the printers, has 14 chapters featuring different food producers from the South Burnett accompanied by stories by Kathy Cope.
After each chapter, there is a recipe by Roberta highlighting the particular produce featured.
The book will be officially launched on November 14 – at 10:00am at Taste Of Tingoora, 73 Tingoora-Charlestown Road, Tingoora; and at 6:00pm at Clovely Estate, Steinhardts Road, Moffatdale.
Copies can be ordered on Roberta’s website
“The Saucy Fork” is also the name of Roberta’s Cloyna-based catering business which has been providing high-end food for local functions for almost a decade.
Roberta has a passion for local produce and prepared the “Locavore Breakfast” for the KCCI on Thursday which included asparagus, eggs, bacon, chipolata, garlic, herbs, barbecue sauce and sourdough all sourced in the South Burnett.
Roberta also had some exciting news to share … the not-for-profit “Farm 2 Fork Collective” plans to open an outlet in an empty Wooroolin shop featuring nothing but South Burnett food and wine.
“It is based on a farmer’s market but I just wanted it to be easy for farmers … so I was looking for a closed shed or something that was closed in where they could have their dedicated space,” she said.
Roberta was joined by Skye Douglass, from HighBrit Beef, and BIEDO CEO Kristy Frahm to explore the idea.
They now have nine people on the committee and it has just become an incorporated association.
Their vision is that shop will stock local products – perishable and non-perishable – and wine, all in one spot.
“As a caterer my issues were accessibility. The South Burnett needs a place where everything is accessible. I have driven 40 minutes just to pick up product and driven 40 minutes back,” Roberta said.
“No chef or cook will do that in a local business. I want to see them using local produce in local businesses, but they’re not because it’s too hard to access.”
Roberta said that by using local produce, businesses created “a story” for tourists to take home, “a food memory” which is the modern equivalent of souvenirs.
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The Farm 2 Fork Collective has a special event taking place this weekend.
The Olive Grove Picnic With Producers will be held at 1468 Barambah Road in Moffatdale from 11:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday.
The event has been jointly organised by Clovely Estate, the Farm 2 Fork Collective, The Saucy Fork and Pursers Coaches and will take the form of a family picnic among Clovely’s olive groves.
Entry tickets are $6.50 per person via Eventbrite (available until November 6) and guests should BYO blankets or chairs and lawn games.
The Saucy Fork will have grazing platters for two available for pre-purchase at $30 each (phone 0416-142-044 to order) and Pursers will provide return bus transport between Kingaroy, Murgon and Moffatdale for $10 per head – phone (07) 4168-1533 to book a seat.
Clovely Estate wines will be available to buy on site (no BYO alcohol is allowed).
