Words by Helena Snelling. Images via Ondeen/Facebook
Known for its farm-to-plate philosophy, Adelaide Hills restaurant Ondeen is partnering with a local truffle producer for a special four-course dining experience celebrating the enigmatic fungi.
Ondeen, which opened in early 2024 by award-winning chef Kane Pollard, is hosting the Winter Truffle Table in collaboration with Piccadilly-based Quercus Truffles. Set within the historic 170-year-old Adelaide Hills landmark that was once home to the renowned Maximilian’s restaurant, Ondeen champions seasonal, locally sourced produce.
“We have a set menu that we do Thursday to Sunday, and it changes fortnightly. If there are new ingredients coming in, we’ll change it daily,” said Jack Raft, who works at the restaurant and helped curate the event.
“We have a beautiful garden we forage from as well, with lots of different fruits and botanicals from the property”.
The one-night-only event will showcase freshly foraged Périgord black truffles from the Piccadilly Valley, with each course designed to highlight the ingredient’s distinctive aroma, depth and earthy character.
That commitment to local ingredients made truffles a natural fit for the event.
“Early days at Ondeen we did another truffle dinner at their property. This time we’re bringing it to Ondeen,” Raft said.
“The truffle dog and the Quercus Truffles family are coming to Ondeen. The whole dinner is based around introducing how exclusive and brilliant truffles are, especially those grown in the Adelaide Hills.”
Quercus Truffles is a family-run business in Piccadilly that supplies Périgord black truffles to restaurants across Adelaide. The farm is herbicide and pesticide free, with kangaroos and deer helping to naturally maintain the grounds.
Raft said the dinner goes far beyond simply adding truffles to a dish, calling the night a “storytelling experience”.
“It’s not just truffles sprinkled on pasta. Truffle is really infused into each dish.”
Guests will be welcomed with a truffle martini on arrival, followed by the opportunity to meet the farm’s truffle-hunting dogs and learn more about the process of sourcing the highly sought-after fungi, before settling in for an intimate dining experience by the fire.
But beyond the food itself, Raft said the night is an opportunity to “find out a little bit more about the artistry and the reason truffles are so rare, with a bit of storytelling”.
“It’s a four-course set menu, sitting down and having a really in-depth experience with our chefs.”
The dinner will also feature a “beautiful wine pairing that ties everything together”.
While the Winter Truffle Dinner is a one-off event, Raft hinted that further collaborations between Ondeen and Quercus Truffles may be in the works.
“This is a nice introduction to some more things we have planned with Quercus”.
The Winter Truffle Table
Where: Ondeen, 15 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Verdun, Adelaide Hills
When: June 19, 6pm – 9:30pm
Cost: $250 pp
For tickets, click here.
