Small batch hills distillery Applewood are offering guests something a little different from the quintessential cheese and meats platters often on the menu at cellar doors.
Collaborating with Konbini, the railway station favourite, Applewood Creative Director Brendan Carter was thrilled to discover a shared love for great food, design and Japanese inspiration with Konbini and Good Gilbert mastermind Jason Barber.
“At Applewood we’ve searched for years to find the perfect food to elevate our gin-based cocktails, and coming from a wine background, food and drink pairings can become a bit of an obsession. When we met Jason, his can-do attitude and boundless creativity was infectious and now we couldn’t be happier with the experimental Japanese dishes we can offer our customers, particularly as a destination venue” he says.
Visitors to Applewood can choose between two delicious sandos, a Chicken Katsu or Mushroom Combo Patty, as well as popular snacks Korokke, described as Japanese-inspired tater tots, and Karaage (fried chicken). Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
Beginning as a successful small start-up, Konbini was one of the many businesses that suffered as a result of COVID-19 when its key customer base, railway commuters, began to dry up as a result of directions to work from home.
Not wanting to see the incredible creativity and success of Konbini lost, Brendan purchased Jason’s equipment to fit out the Applewood kitchen and thus began their culinary collaboration, with the Japanese-influenced design of Applewood acting as a natural fit for Konbini’s inventive Asian dishes.
The collaboration has received a stellar response from guests so far, inspiring Brendan and Jason to take their partnership further, embarking on an upcoming experimental menu which will focus on incorporating native flavours.
Konbini’s delicious menu is available at Applewood Distillery 12-5, seven days a week.
Find out more about Konbini’s menu at Applewood here.
You can find Konbini and Applewoods at 24 Victoria St, Gumeracha.
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