Sharing stories, sharing Country: a Native Food Experience

The Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Engagement Team is proud to present a Native Food Experience on Thursday 12 February.

Created in collaboration with Executive Chef Vanessa Harcourt and set within Strangers’ Restaurant overlooking the Domain, this special evening brings together cuisine, culture and community through a three-course journey that shares the knowledge and traditions of the world’s oldest continuous culture.

Every dish is presented as a story on the plate, weaving flavour with meaning, and many of the ingredients are sourced from Parliament’s own rooftop native food garden.

Guests will begin their meal with an entrée inspired by the Bundjalung Nation from northern coastal NSW – the traditional mob of Legislative Council Officer John Ferguson – celebrating a region renowned for its abundant hunting and fishing grounds.

The main course brings flavours influenced by Wiradjuri man and Aboriginal Engagement Team member Damon Goolagong. Known as ‘the land of the three rivers,’ Wiradjuri Country spans a vast area of central NSW, where skilled hunter-fisher-gatherers feasted on yabbies, fish, kangaroo and foods gathered from the land, including fruits, nuts, yam daisies and wattle seeds.

To finish, a dessert shaped by Joe Stewart’s Quandamooka mob reflects the waters and coastal beauty of the northern NSW border, where Pandanus trees, berries and honey are prized.

Former ABC radio presenter Simon Marnie will host the evening, guiding a conversation that brings to life the inspiration behind the menu, the cultural significance of indigenous foods and the shared journey towards reconciliation.

If you have any questions regarding the menu or dining experience, please contact us at (02) 9230 3444. Please see the allergen disclaimer .

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