Last week I made a welcome return to Garum for the first time in a few years. I was invited in to sample the new menu, developed by Guy Grossi and Head Chef Paolo Apuzzo, who in this iteration have made the most significant changes since Garum opened in 2018.



The Roman-focussed menu is designed so that dishes can either be shared or enjoyed individually and includes new antipasti, handmade pasta and secondi dishes alongside Garum`s signatures.

The full menu can be seen on Garum`s website.



Dishes we tried, as pictured here, were:

- Pane: sourdough, moretum (Roman herb & cheese spread)

- Vitello Tonnato: veal, tuna, caperberries

- Ricotta e Carciofi: La Delizia Latticini ricotta, artichoke, lemon, mint, almond

- Tortellini d`Anatra: duck, porcini, pear, sugo

- Papa`s Agnello: Arkady lamb shoulder, parmigiano, breadcrumbs

- Carote: carrots, sheep yoghurt, puffed grains

- Tiramisu: coffee, mascarpone, savoiardi

- Limoncello Savarin: Limoncello, whipped ricotta, mascarpone, pistachio



The tortellini was the visual star of the meal, however the overall highlight was the savarin. Reminiscent of a rum baba, it`s a brioche-like pastry soaked in Limoncello. Every mouthful was a citrusy and boozy delight, and it`s the kind of dessert I`d return for. The Tiramisu remains one of Perth`s best.



Thanks to Guy Grossi for his hospitality on the night, and Peach and Pineapple for the invitation.



@garum.perth



#morsels #perth #pertheats #foodwriter #invited

There`s a hot new contender for Perth`s best brunch dish - the Bombay Beef Hash from Social Manna.

Chef & owner Sandro has been learning the ways of Indian cooking, and combined that with a family recipe from his kitchen hand @farhan_tazwarr to produce this cracker of a dish.

With Bombay potato hash, masala pulled salt beef, curry leaf oil, fried egg, raita, mango lime chutney and a perfect roti, this is not only a great brunch dish but features a deep and rich curry that would put many other restaurants to shame. Outstanding.

@social.manna

#perth #perthfood #pertheats #perthbrunch #perthbreakfast

Tuesday this week saw 85 exhibitors showcase their products at the sixth annual Meet the Buyer food and beverage trade show at Crown Perth. Presented by Buy West Eat Best, Meet the Buyer is WA’s only dedicated food and beverage industry and business trade show and networking forum.


This year’s event attracted a record number of exhibitors and delegates, and it was pleasing to see plenty of new businesses in attendance. There was a buzz in the room from the very beginning, and feedback I received from businesses and attendees was very positive.


Swipe through to see a selection of photos, comments from exhibitors and some of my favourite product discoveries from the day.


@buywesteatbest


#buywesteatbest #meetthebuyer #perth #collab


Acknowledgement of Country was delivered by Moorditj Mob from Wesley College.


Established in 2000, Fremantle Octopus is one of WA’s most successful seafood businesses, and can be found in almost every local IGA, Spudshed and Coles.


“The referrals we get from Meet the Buyer are very positive, because everybody`s here looking for new products,” says National Manager Niall Forsyth.


“We’re probably the world`s most recognised MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified octopus brand, and we export to about a dozen countries,” he explains. “30 percent of our product goes overseas and we`re trying to grow into the international market, but it`s different than selling to domestic retail. They say, we want to buy your product and you ship it to them the next week. It doesn`t work like that internationally. It’s a long haul but we get there.”


@fremantleoctopus


Tony Galati from Spudshed in conversation with the SipSation team.

@spudshed @drinksipsation

Media and TV interviews were conducted throughout the day.

The event’s MC Alana McLean interviews Manuela Sultana from Kiss Kiss Artisan Foods, one of my favourite exhibitors on the day. Currently manufacturing over 165 different sweet and savoury products, this family owned and operated business is expanding into retail.

Their cake and cheesecake “flights” are sure to be popular so keep an eye out.

@kisskissartisanfoods

“This is our third time coming to Meet the

Last week saw the launch of Koko Black`s new and improved Claremont Quarter store, and I was invited in for a sneak peek before the doors opened. Guests were treated to chocolate for breakfast, both in liquid and solid form, which is a great start to any day. There were also live demonstrations by Koko Black’s Head Chocolatier, Remco Brigou.

It`s great to see this premium Australian brand reinvent itself, with dine-in lounges being replaced by in-store chocolate "bars", where you can grab a hot or iced drink on the move. The new stores are brightly coloured, and the quality of the hand-crafted chocolate and packaging really stands out.

Chocolates are available in all manner of varieties, shapes and flavours from buttons to balls to blocks, and of course individual truffles - good luck choosing from their large selection. Christmas items are available now, including a huge advent calendar. Gift packaging can be customised with names and messages.

Koko Black at Claremont Quarter is open now, next to Coles.

@kokoblackchocolate @claremontquarter

#perth #perthfood #pertheats #chocolate #invited

Big Buns Deli is a recent addition to the CBD sandwich scene, a two-holes-in-the-wall kiosk just past the QT Hotel on Murray Street.



Owned and operated by highly experienced and well-travelled chef Raphael Beilharz, Big Buns serves fresh and hot sandwiches, covering breakfast and lunch in a range of styles and fillings.



I`ve visited three times over the last few weeks, and tried the following sandwiches you can see in my pictures:



- Egg & cheese: soft scrambled eggs, chives, onion jam, deli sauce, cheddar on sesame brioche

- Cheese & onion toastie: Swiss, cheddar, American, mozzarella, onion jam, Dijon on sourdough with a side of aioli

- Chicken & Ranch: chicken schnitzel, ranch, hot honey, shaved iceberg, pickles, American cheese on milk bread



All three sandwiches delivered in the appropriate way. The breakfast is delightfully soft and creamy, the toastie has plenty of gooey cheese pull and the chicken & ranch is a behemoth of a sandwich you could share, if so inclined.



Sandwiches are made to order and all but one is under $20, which makes them a worthy competitor for your dining dollar. Attention to detail and quality is evident in the ingredients, sandwich construction and friendly service.



Coffee is from Blacklist, and covers all the usual bases. Swipe through to see the menu, and follow their insta for info on specials.



Big Buns Deli is open seven days, and definitely worth a visit if you`re in or near the city. It`s already become a regular lunch stop for me 🥪👍🏻



@bigbunsdeli



#perth #perthfood #pertheats #perthlife #westernaustralia

I recently revisited KARLA in Yagan Square`s Stories precinct, where I last dined two years ago. It`s the sister to Nokturnl Asian-fusion restaurants Lotus at the Beaufort (one of my favourites), Tonic & Ginger (Old Synagogue), and the excellent BANGLA (The Station).

As per the website: "KARLA draws inspiration from the Noongar word for ‘fire,’ creating a culinary haven where modern Asian cuisine cooked over flames and coals takes centre stage."

Like Lotus, the best-shared menu features a mix of small and large plates, with plenty of variety and moderate heat levels to keep most happy. Thankfully, there`s a sizeable drinks menu with excellent signature cocktails to solve any chilli-related issues 🥵

Much of the menu was similar to my last visit, with key changes in the main courses so I focused my choices there. My highlights this time were the curry puff, rice noodles and peanut satay sauce. I`d love some more heat from the chicken wings, but you can`t have everything!

If fire-cooked local ingredients with Asian flavours appeal, KARLA is hard to beat.

Dishes pictured here:
- Whipped sesame tofu, wild mushroom medley, cassava cracker
- Spiced vegetable curry puff, mango chutney
- Korean fried chicken wings, kimchi caramel, chilli, spring onion, sesame
- Charcoal roasted miso pumpkin, dal makhami, pepitas, sunflower, fried curry leaves
- Wok-tossed pad see ew rice noodles, topside beef, gai lan, soy caramel
- Seasonal Asian greens, mushroom xo, shaoxing wine, macadamia sambal
- Crispy Roti, peanut satay
- Peanut butter parfait, crushed cookie, miso caramel, chocolate ice cream

@karlarestaurantperth

#invited #perth #perthfood #pertheats #perthlife

CU29 is a new restaurant and bar in the heart of West Perth that opened quietly in June, and more recently announced its arrival via traditional and social media. I’m not one for launch parties, however I was happy to accept an invitation to dine for weeknight dinner.



Promising to ‘fuse global culinary influences with the very best of WA produce’, I`m pleased to say that CU29 delivered one of the best meals I`ve had in a long time. It`s a beautiful venue with a well-executed menu, attentive service and an overall experience that won`t break the bank. My food highlight? The lamb rump char siu.



Recommended for a special occasion, business lunch or even a simple weekday dinner for two.



Follow the link in my profile or head to morsels.com.au to read my full story.



@cu29wa



Dishes featured here:

- kangaroo tartare, hash brown, egg yolk cream, yuzu, wattleseed

- scallop crudo, mandarin vinegar, macadamia cream, karkalla, kaffir lime

- heirloom mushroom quiche, charred heirloom mushroom, mint, mushroom jus

- Wagyu lamb two ways - rump char siu, pulled lamb nest, kohlrabi soybean cream, cumin salt

- Antarctic toothfish, kombu, fish roe, zucchini, lemon myrtle, wild garlic flower

- Triple-cooked Kipfler, cheese foam, pickled shallot, capers

- Sandalwood nut tart, saffron poached pear, orange namelaka, chantilly, orange veil

- fig sorbet, white chocolate mousse, rhubarb compote, basil



#invited #perth #perthfood #pertheats #westernaustralia

I`ve recently been inspired to write again, so expect to see me doing more of the thing I enjoy most - telling the stories of the people and places that make Perth hospitality so special.



First up is one of Perth`s best cafes that somehow flies under the radar, and deserves more attention - Source Foods on Beaufort Street. Yes, the coffee, food and service are outstanding, but the story behind that begins with a core team unchanged for 12 years.



Follow the link in my profile or head to morsels.com.au to read the full story.



@sourcefoods



Have a story to tell? Get in touch.


#perth #perthfood #pertheats #perthlife #westernaustralia

Here are some photos from last night`s sold-out "Daph`s x Servo Sunday Roast" event, held as part of Leederville`s NOM NOM food, wine and music festival.



A collaboration between Daph’s Restaurant and Servo, this three-course meal saw a reimagining of the traditional Sunday roast with a festive nod to Christmas in July. Daph’s chef-owner Pepe Dart joined the Servo team to deliver a generous menu of fire-roasted and slow-cooked dishes.



Starters:

- woodfired bread, zaatar

- mushroom pate, toasted macadamias, date molasses

- BBQ pork belly pops, pickled apple puree, fennel remoulade

- charred octopus, shakshuka sauce, green olives, preserved lemon



Mains:

- fire-roasted picanha (beef rump cap)

- Yorkshire pudding

- beef fat roast potatoes

- gratinated cheesy leeks

- pan-fried cabbage

- beef jus



Dessert

- apple and custard Davidson plum pie, double cream



@nomnomfestival @daphsrestaurant @servoleederville @mediacircuscreative



Running until Sunday August 9, there`s plenty of time to attend a NOM NOM 2026 event. The festival has once again brought together Leederville’s best venues, chefs, winemakers, entertainers and creatives for a program of long lunches, collaborative dinners, interactive workshops, boozy brunches, cocktail trails, nostalgic party nights and one-off culinary events. Follow the link in my profile for more information.



#invited #leederville #perth #perthfood #pertheats

We all know Perth loves a freebie, and the crowds showed up yesterday to see The Good Grocer team up with Testun and Threecoins & Sons at their 2nd Ave Mt Lawley store.



On offer was 300 free piadina – an Italian flatbread sandwich – using fresh tortillas made in-store, filled with local produce and artisan products.



Each piadina reflected the personality of the restaurant behind it. Frank Trequattrini, who you’ll usually find at Threecoins & Sons, served a light, fresh produce-led piadina whilst Chris Caravella brought Testun’s more boisterous, fun style to his.



Frank’s Piadina: El Arquero-pickled zucchini, La Delizia Lattacini stracciatella & pistachio pesto


Chris’ Piadina: Flame-grilled Barbaro mortadella, tomatillo, pineapple & gherkin salsa, chilli mayo, provolone & pickle chippies



@goodgrocerwa @threecoins.sons @testun.bar



As well as a fantastic sandwich, shoppers enjoyed live entertainment, face painting and samples from local businesses including:



El Arquero Tequila - @elarquerotequila

Rocking Rayu chilli oil - @rockingrayu

La Delizia Latticini - @la_delizia_latticini

Calda Calda pizza bases - @caldacalda_

Barbaro Smallgoods - @barbarosmallgoods

SIPPI Soda - @sippisodaco

Gesha Coffee Co - @geshacafefremantle



Sunday`s event was part of The Good Grocer’s "In Good Company" initiative, designed to connect customers with chefs, makers, producers and experts through local collaborations.



#perth #perthfood #pertheats #westernaustralia #collab