The next few months will be a busy one for South Australian food producer, cook and food educator, Saskia Beer, as she offers her 25 years’ experience as a chef and food producer to team up with Novotel Barossa Valley Resort in the redesign of the hotel’s restaurant, as well as the food & beverage selection.
It’s a partnership that will truly highlight Barossa produce, and its local producers, as “food heroes”, making the Novotel the foodie destination in the region, and reminding both visitors and locals alike of the area’s rich food heritage. It also means that guests will be able to take part in exclusive food experiences like farm tours with cooking demonstrations, foraging and skill based classes for hotel guests and conference groups.
Saskia Beer Farm Produce will lead the charge in sourcing local growers and animal producers to form produce partnerships, creating unique Novotel branded products for the new menus. This ushers in a new period of “paddock to plate”, as Saskia Beer Farm Produce will provide base products like as ham, bacon, sausages and charcuterie as well as make stocks, glazes and speciality pies.
Novotel chefs will also learn to make Beer’s special sauces, prepare vegetable and salad accompaniments, and even fine tune the final preparation of meats to her standard.
Of her joint venture with Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Beer says, “It is so exciting that Novotel Barossa Valley Resort is going to prioritise its restaurant makeover and take full advantage of the unique food culture of the Barossa Valley.
“I’m delighted to be working with Novotel Barossa to help transform their hotel as a real foodie destination, a centre for learning, a generator of unique events, and a chance to build lasting links within the Barossa community. All my dishes will be produce driven not chef driven with ingredients as the hero. For me it’s really important to pass on our Barossa food heritage to visitors, which in turn helps us to maintain and build that heritage for the next generations”.
The refurbishment of the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort’s restaurant includes a name change (signalling the “end of an era” for Harry’s Bar & Restaurant, and a new name to be unveiled in May), as well as a total redesign of the venue. The addition of a signature Gourmet Bar will add a new sophistication to the restaurant as well. The hotel will also become a “paddock” of sorts, where specialised vegetables will be grown on site, and Chef and the kitchen team can forage the local area for ingredients.
General Manager of Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Sarah Henderson, says, “To be working with one of the Barossa region’s finest food specialists is a real coup for us. We’re really excited to have the Saskia’s expertise from both the farm gate and in the kitchen to bring a true sense of authenticity and locality to the hotel restaurant experience.
“The Barossa Valley has a reputation for its world-class food and wine experiences and it is our intention to create an inviting new restaurant space and food philosophy in partnership with Saskia Beer, so our guests can “Be Consumed” and taste the very best that the Barossa has to offer,” said Sarah.
For more information on Saskia Beer, visit www.saskiabeer.com and for more about Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, visit www.novotelbarossa.com.au
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