Frankly Frankston has a cheeky chat with the very passionate foodie Dale Payne, head chef at The Cheeky Squire in Frankston. With 12 years’ experience under his belt, he’s created quite a stir in Frankston since the eatery opened in June.

What is the most popular menu item at The Cheeky Squire?

That would have to be our slow-cooked sticky lamb ribs.  The meat is really tender and falls right off the bone.

What is the concept of the menu?

Our concept consisted of teaming up with James Squire and matching craft beer with our delicious casual, modern-style pub grazing menu, designed to be shared with family and friends.

What trend are you loving at the moment?
 A “grocerant”, which is a mixture of a restaurant and a retail store in which restaurants sell the fresh produce they cook.

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?

Making a difference in terms of the success of our business and the personal success and development of our team. Plus it’s always good to know when a customer loves their experience at The Cheeky Squire.

Please tell us a little about your professional background?

I completed my qualification at William Angliss and have been working in hospitality as a qualified chef for over nine years. I have had the privilege to have worked with a number of Melbourne's most talented chefs over the years, sharing recipes, learning and developing new styles of cooking and learning different techniques. My recent qualification as a certified trainer has allowed me to train and assess students wanting to excel in hospitality. I'm currently working as a head chef and I'm very passionate about training and development within the workplace, demonstrating new techniques, teamwork, leadership, coaching and team motivation.

What is your style in the kitchen?

Fast-paced, collaborative, agile and energetic. I like to empower my team to get things done. I don't believe in a dictatorship style.

Now that spring is here, what ingredients would you be using in your new menu?

Artichokes, asparagus, sugar snap peas and broad beans - all delicious ingredients.

When you’re not in the kitchen, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going out to restaurants and trendy cafes. I love going to the local market to see what fresh ingredients are available and in season. I also enjoy watching soccer and training at the gym.

Any advice for aspiring chefs?

Listen, communicate, research, network, set goals, go above and beyond, be humble and create a great leadership team.

 

Can you find an original sweet treat to be coated in milk, dark or white chocolate? Something to get everyone’s taste buds jumping for joy?

During the September holidays, every time you spend more than $10 in Chocolate Grove’s Chocolate Shop you get the chance to present your very own sweet treat idea to be coated in chocolate.  At the end of the promotion, Chocolate Grove will choose three sweet treats to take forward to a small production run in its chocolate factory.  If your idea is chosen you will be invited to come and see your very own creation being made on the factory’s chocolate coating machines, and Chocolate Grove will package it all up with your very own personalised label.

The Chocolate Grove Shop and History Centre is a wonderful family holiday destination. Wander through the special section on the history of Australian confectionery and chocolate with stunning memorabilia.  It’s fun for all the family, and there’s a multitude of sweet treats to choose from, including Chocolate Pizzas, Chocolate Gold Nuggets and Gold Bullion Bars. And Chocolate Grove has something special for mums and dads too - its brand new full-size Milk/Dark Chocolate Champagne Bottle!

The sweet treat promotion runs from Saturday, September 23, to Saturday, October 7. 

 

CHOCOLATE GROVE
A: 48 Aster Ave, Carrum Downs

T: 9775 1888

W: chocolategrove.com.au

 

Carrum Downs is home to Australian-owned family business Dainton Family Brewery. Two passions keep this business flowing: beer and family.

After being established in 2013, this brewery and tap house has become the local watering hole as it keeps its loyal patrons returning for fresh and often surprising brews.

The family-centric team have only been making beer for a year, yet their Cherrywood Smoked Baltic Porter was named Champion Australian Craft Beer at the 2017 Australian Craft Beer Awards, where it also won the Champion Porter/Stout. This beer was a surprising winner given its complex and unexpected flavour profile.  The Daintons also received gold medals for their IPA, Choc Orange Porter and Cherrywood Porter, silver for their Draught and bronze for their Cranberry Gose.

“We are humbled and excited by the win,” said founder and head brewer Dan Dainton.  “The award was a huge surprise and we are really thrilled to think that we rate alongside our peers in the industry.”

This brewery has come a long way since its gypsy brewing beginning.  In fact, to put their win in perspective we’ll do a little maths for you: a total of 682 beers from 118 breweries were entered for judging in the awards. They did mighty well!

As Dan said at the awards: “Everyone in this room, if you know me or have had anything to do with me, you deserve a little bit of this and the industry deserves a little bit of it – we’re all trying to make better beer; we’re all trying to make something amazing.”

True to his spirit, Dan thanked his extended family, the Carrum Downs community. “We’re so excited to be part of the community, and we appreciate everyone who has got behind us either by supporting or visiting us. Thanks to those who have helped us integrate ourselves into the community area, and most importantly those who have tried our beer.

“The fact that a beer that drinks like a chocolate cigar has won Australia's best craft beer makes us believe we as a beer-drinking community are on the right track to drinking more exciting, flavoursome and independently made beer.”

We don’t have our beer goggles on when we say it really does taste as good as it sounds. Go on, we hear a beer a day keeps the doctor away!

DAINTON FAMILY BREWERY
A: 560 Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Carrum Downs

W: daintonbrewing.com.au

 

Looking for a lunch-time spot when it’s cold outside? You’ve found it!

The Spice Club in Frankston is full of wonderfully warming and flavourful cuisine that harks from the Punjab region of Northern India. This winter check inside to taste their delicious range of lunch-time spice infused dishes that will keep you coming back for more.

Let’s find out what’s in store.

As soon as you step inside The Spice Club, the aroma from the Tandoor oven gets your taste buds talking! Tandoori spice is the hero of this innovative Indian restaurant’s winter lunch-time menu. Mouth-watering Tandoori ‘Kathi’ chicken rolls are created with five spice, yoghurt, mint sauce and fresh salad and are ideal cold weather hunger-busters. Tandoori lamb ‘Kathi’ rolls are stuffed full of minced lamb, herbs, black pepper and mint sauce plus salad, and The Spice Club’s Tandoori fish ‘Kathi’ rolls are a unique twist on the traditional wrap concept. (Think grilled fish Tikka with salad and mint sauce.) All lunch specials start from $9.90.

Drop into The Spice Club this winter for a sensationally satisfying lunch-time meal and leave having savoured a small slice of exotic Punjab flavour.

Open six days a week.

THE SPICE CLUB

A: 506 Nepean Hwy, Frankston

T: 9770 5011

W: thespiceclubfrankston.com.au

Croissants. Cheese. Madeleines. Baguettes. Apple tarte tatin. Crème brûlée. Meringues.

 

Okay, now that we’ve got your attention we need to inform you of our own little (but mighty) French escape right here in Bonbeach. It’s called The Little French Deli & Kitchen.

 

With a deli and bistro, you’re spoilt for choice. If you’re craving quintessential French cuisine, the 60-seat bistro with full service for lunch or dinner will conquer any hunger pangs.  A classic French menu is filled with locally sourced produce and the usual suspects - French onion soup, snails, soufflé, boeuf bourguignon and cassoulet.

 

Chef Laurent and owner Chris have both worked in Michelin star restaurants overseas and describe their food as “French flavours, Australian passion”. They told Frankly Frankston they’re “producing good quality bistro food that’s done really well with a lot of attention to detail”.

 

If a snack is on your mind, dive into the deli and we dare you to pick just one freshly baked French pastry. The full-time pastry chef fills 70 per cent of the deli with traditional pastries, so why not sit down and indulge in a coffee with a pastry or three or a casual lunch (all available for takeaway).

 

If you’re as indecisive as us, you’ll be best suited to the chef’s plate of the day for your dinner choice, called the Le plat du jour. It’s a traditional French way to eat, and while the contents vary weekly with seasonal finds, the price remains the same at $25 for the plate, or add a glass of wine for $35. Pop in every week to be dazzled each time.

 

A cosy courtyard is welcoming of four-legged friends and there’s live jazz or blues every Sunday from 3.30-6.30pm.

 

THE LITTLE FRENCH DELI & KITCHEN

A: 524 Nepean Highway, Bonbeach
T: 9776 0855
W: www.thelittlefrenchdeli.com

Experience the cycle of life at the artisan farm where all things craft converge.

 

The Craft & Co Farm in Bangholme is an amazing 40-acre vineyard, café and cellar door farm-site full of down to earth wonder and delicious sensory awakenings. Here you’ll find eats that scream taste and state-of-the-art style plus artisan wines, craft beer and spirits (distilled and brewed at The Craft & Co’s sister site in Collingwood) and an atmosphere that’s all about settling in for a long day of feeling oh so fine.

 

Magic happens at this farm where people meet to unwind in a family friendly environment. There’s a fabulous range of function spaces that cater for gatherings of up to 100 guests for engagements or birthdays or even corporate events, and live music floats through the air on weekends where guests are encouraged to sit back and experience a unique ambience while sampling the most delicious local artisanal produce. 

 

The Craft & Co Farm focuses on bringing together the best of garden-fresh produce with an education based philosophy. The launch of their new botanical and vegetable gardens provides The Craft & Co café and distillery with a wide range of home-grown ingredients to cement this forward-thinking community-based movement’s position as provider of paddock to plate perfection. The addition of chickens ensures eggs are at their best, and all visitors are encouraged to wander and become familiar with the farm’s growing flora and fauna. (Which is ideal for kids who love to learn about the cycle of home-grown food production.) Mum and dad can enjoy the cellar door which is stocked with artisan wine.

 

Spoil yourself this winter with a visit to The Craft & Co Farm in Bangholme. Eat, drink and play the day away and stay – where craft and nature are in perfect balance.

THE CRAFT & CO FARM

A: 170 Riverend Rd, Bangholme

T: 9773 4880

W: thecraftandco.com.au

Frankston’s iconic Boathouse Restaurant is the perfect place to keep warm this winter with its delicious Winter Warmer Specials.

 

Located on the meandering Kananook Creek, this elegant restaurant takes you back to another time and place.

 

Relax and unwind with family and friends whilst tantalizing your taste buds with its lovely winter dishes, including slow baked pork shoulder, beef and sage ragu, confit chicken and succulent corned beef. Our regular favourites such as oysters Kilpatrick, poached salmon and fillet mignon are still available along with market fresh fish specials.

 

Enjoy a two-course meal mid-week for only $45 or three courses for only $55, including a complimentary glass of wine.

 

Get hooked with The Boathouse Fish and Chip Fridays, with market-fresh soda-battered fish, hand-cut chips, a light salad and tartare sauce for only $20, available for both lunch and dinner every Friday.

 

On the 27th July, they are hosting an “Intimate Art Experience” in conjunction with Original Oz Art at the Boathouse Gallery. You can enjoy a two-course lunch with a glass of wine while watching and learning from their special guest artist Cathy van Ee. Bookings are essential with a limited number of seats, contact Christina at [email protected] or phone her on 0412 543 338.

 

THE BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT
A: 366 Nepean Highway, Frankston
T: 9770 5330
W: theboathouserestaurant.com.au

FB/INSTA: @theboathousefrankston

With its enviable location, exotic menu and an extensive range of beer, wine and spirits, Frankston Waterfront is the place to visit for a relaxed and casual seaside dining experience.

 

Frankston Waterfront is a family restaurant with indoor and al fresco dining areas, and its water’s-edge perch on the banks of Kananook Creek means you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay while you tuck into your wholesome breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

The menu options include a fabulous choice of steaks, seafood and international cuisine.  Start your day off with a hearty and healthy smashed avocado and goat’s cheese for breakfast, or perhaps indulge in a three-tier stack of red velvet pancakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  You’ll soon discover why this restaurant is a favourite of Peninsula residents and visitors alike.

 

Frankston Waterfront is open every day for breakfast from 8am-noon and lunch from 11.30am-4pm, with dinner served Thursday to Sunday from 5.30pm til late.  And keep an eye out for the takeaway menu coming soon.

 

FRANKSTON WATERFRONT

A: 2 Kananook Creek Blvd, Frankston

T: 9770 0070

W: www.frankstonwaterfront.com.au

 

Treat yourself and your tastebuds every week at The Boathouse and enjoy Fish & Chip Fridays. The Boathouse chefs are whipping up a seafood treat every Friday for lunch and dinner with market-fresh beer-battered fish, hand-cut chips, a light salad and tartare sauce for only $20. Why not spoil yourself with a glass of Boathouse wine and start your weekend off with a bang.

Looking for an excuse to get out? Head along to The Boathouse from Tuesday to Thursday and enjoy a Mid-Week Indulgence special for lunch or dinner. Diners are relishing the new seasonal menu with a choice of either a two or three-course meal and a complimentary glass of wine from only $45.

As we head towards winter the menu will change again to incorporate some hearty winter warmer meals, including braised pork belly, beef and sage ragu, confit chicken and osso bucco - good old comfort food to warm you up. Enjoy a romantic meal by the fireplace, or bring a group of friends and make a night of it.

Of course, wedding season is not too far away, and The Boathouse is the perfect venue to host your wedding and reception. There is room to seat up to 70 guests, or if a cocktail-style function is your preference the venue will easily cater for up to 140 guests. For more information or to arrange a time to inspect the venue, contact Cameron on 9770 5330.

For more information visit www.theboathouserestaurant.com.au and follow The Boathouse on Facebook and Instagram @theboathousefrankston

THE BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT
A: 366 Nepean Highway, Frankston
T: 9770 5330
W: theboathouserestaurant.com.au
FB/I: @theboathousefrankston

Peninsula winemakers are toasting their success at the 17th International Cool Climate Wine Show.

The show attracted 544 entries in 29 classes, including sparkling wine, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, and event organiser Bec Davis said local vineyards performed “outstandingly”.

“Foxeys Hangout won best Mornington Peninsula White and Red, Nazaaray picked up the People’s Choice Award and there was a swag of other medals across all classes, with golds going to Merricks Estate, Portsea Estate and Hickinbotham; silvers to Trofeo, Red Hill Estate, Baillieu, Elgee Park and Bellingham; and bronzes to Bittern and Telera,” Bec said.  “Our local vineyards shone next to a high calibre of national and international entries.”

The ICCWS was hosted by the William Angliss Institute and included a public tasting and awards dinner. For Mornington Peninsula fine wine retailers, restaurateurs, sommeliers, cellar door staff, wine educators and wine enthusiasts, the ICCWS provided an excellent opportunity to taste an extraordinary breadth and depth of cool climate wines.

For full information on the ICCWS and the 2017 results, go to www.coolclimatewineshow.org

Just a short walk towards Seaford Pier, and housed in the famous, award-winning Seaford Surf Life Saving Club building, is Beach Cafe Seaford.

Perched among the dunes overlooking the beautiful, ever-changing Seaford beach, this little cafe is just the place to meet friends and family, be it for breakfast or lunch, with weekly specials, scrumptious cakes and cookies, hot chocolates, or your daily coffee with friendly, attentive service. 

Their menu is sure to delight with tantalizing dishes for breakfast including; seasonal fruit salad with organic honey yogurt, eggs benedict, mixed berry pancakes or sweet corn fritters. If you’re feeling especially lavish, their Belgium waffles are to die for.

If you’ve worked up an appetite after your morning stroll on the beach, warm up inside with a lunch of Penne Espaniola that has pasta adorned in roasted peppers, black olives, chorizo sausage and Napoli sauce. If the beach scenery has you craving seafood, try their Prawn Linguini with Tiger Prawns seasoned with garlic, chilli, spring onions and olive oil.

If you’re a caffeine addict you can’t go wrong either. Why not grab a coffee on the deck or take one away while you explore the beach and foreshore.  The dolphins are free.

BEACH CAFÉ SEAFORD
A: 1/10N Nepean Highway, Pier Foreshore Reserve, Seaford
T: 8774 0470 

Celebrate international cool climate wines at the recently renovated Mornington Racecourse.

Recognised as Australia’s foremost show for inspirational cool climate wines, the International Cool Climate Wine Show provides an opportunity to benchmark in an environment where like is judged against like, where elegant wines with restrained fruit are seen at their best, and where diversity is encouraged and rewarded. The Mornington Peninsula boasts some of the best cool climate wine in the world, making it a perfect venue for an international show.

Each year the ICCWS attracts more than 500 wines in up to 40 classes, including new Italian Classes thanks to a recent partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Melbourne.

PUBLIC TASTING
Tuesday May 23, 2017 from 6pm - 8pm, Mornington Racing Club, $25pp includes wine and Mornington Peninsula finger food.

AWARDS DINNER
Friday May 26, 2017 from 7pm, Mornington Racing Club, $125pp ($110pp concession) includes a tasting platter of Mornington Peninsula gourmet produce; three-course dinner; tea and coffee plus a selection of fine wines from the Show to match.

Cost $130pp if booking both the Public Tasting and Awards Dinner or $160pp VIP Trophy Table at the Awards Dinner (for the first eight people to call and book directly). Includes pre-dinner private tasting, dinner plan as above plus seating at a judge's table with a selection of gold medal wines.

Enquiries, bookings: www.coolclimatewineshow.org.au, email [email protected] or phone 0432 434 255.

Captain Gummy’s Fish & Chips has been nominated in Australia’s Fish and Chips Awards and the team is ecstatic.

The family run business is all about serving their customers the best food, and this means nothing is frozen. Nothing - from crispy hand-cut potato cakes to fresh meat from the butcher for their mouth-watering kebabs, homemade batter and of course fresh seafood. This point of difference is critical as the team likes to give back and support local suppliers.

Weeks after the announcement the Gavalas family still feel like they’re living a dream. The family of six have been in the fish and chip industry for more than 25 years and it’s been an unbelievable and rewarding experience for the small family business. They are honoured to be nominated and they’d be over the moon if they won – but it’s up to the people.

Anna Gavalas told Frankly Frankston: “Support from the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston locals has been amazing. It’s so much more than we could have imagined. We never experienced it at our other store locations, but the locals really get behind small businesses here.”

And the secret to their crispy chip? Their desire to serve the best possible product to their customers and the many years spent perfecting their supplies, quality and family recipe. Anna’s brother, Andrew, says: “It’s the way we go about things - we pay extra attention to our products because we are a cut about the rest.”

Follow their story to the top on Facebook and ignite your cravings as they share new menu items (like their new Gyro Snack Pack). With gluten-free options and compliments on their high hygiene standards, you should make the chip to Captain Gummy’s.

To make sure this nine-month-old Frankston business takes the (potato) cake you can vote here at www.fishandchipsawards.com.au/Vote . The public voting closes on June 26, with award winners announced at the state awards on July 14.

CAPTAIN GUMMY’S FISH & CHIPS
F: @captaingummysfrankston
A: 145 Beach St, Frankston
T: 9770 1414

Set back from Nepean Highway in Mount Eliza, Underground Wines is the go to winery when you’re looking for convenience, premium quality and the right price. This five star winery stocks a wide range of deliciously decadent and flavour-full Royal Melbourne Show Winner Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and an award-winning (Holiday Best Value) Pinot Noir that comes first place for value, verve and versatility (Underground’s San Pietro Shiraz also packs a robust red punch to the palate!).

Apart from being conveniently located, Underground Wines is a family owned and operated business that provides vino lovers with a selection of Peninsula-made product that is distributed Australia wide - plus they are open seven days a week. Take your time to explore the structure, aroma, texture and balance of their exceptional wines at one of their daily tastings, or experience their exclusive cellar door specials (think Rose, Grigio, Shiraz, Cab/Merlot and sweet Veriloose for $10 a bottle or $100 a dozen).

Operating for 12 years, Underground Wines seeks to express the fundamental qualities of the grape and works hard at the art of doing so. Visit today to take home your piece of authentic Peninsula flavour at a most competitive price.

UNDERGROUND WINES
1282 Nepean Highway, Mount Eliza
T: 9775 4185
W: ugwine.com.au

Pop into The Riviera Hotel and be surprised at what you find.  This authentic Art Deco pub in Seaford offers a relaxed bayside atmosphere and top-notch meals that satisfy.

The Riviera is well known for delicious food, a family-friendly atmosphere and service that makes its mark.  The hotel has launched a trivia night that gets the punters talking - and laughing - while knocking back a few bevvies. It runs every Monday from 7pm and the winning team walks away with a $50 venue voucher - and boasting rights, of course.

The Riviera is an entertainment space for all the family. There’s a well-equipped kids’ playroom that takes care of any itchy feet, making family dining a breeze, while the front bar and sports bar with Tab, Fox Sports and Sky Channel facilities are perfect for adult getaways.

The Riviera family bistro has something for every member of the clan. There’s the delicious chicken parmigiana, fish and chip and garlic prawn pub meal staples, as well as chicken and lamb souvlaki, beef and black bean stir-fry and chorizo pasta. A rotating specials board keeps the tastebuds tantalised, the seniors’ meals are spot on and the dessert board delivers on sweet-tooth satisfaction. There’s a special bar menu and a beer garden too, making The Riviera the perfect location for an end of working day escape.

Make your escape to Seaford’s Riviera with family and friends this winter.  It’s open seven days a week.

THE RIVIERA HOTEL
A: 30 Nepean Highway, Seaford
T: 9786 5666
W: rivierahotel.net.au

Just a short walk towards Seaford Pier, and housed in the famous, award-winning Seaford Surf Life Saving Club building, is Beach Cafe Seaford.

Perched among the dunes overlooking the beautiful, ever-changing Seaford beach, this little cafe is just the place to meet friends and family, be it for breakfast or lunch, with weekly specials, scrumptious cakes and cookies, hot chocolates, or your daily coffee with friendly, attentive service.  You can't go wrong, so why not grab a coffee on the deck or take one away while you explore the beach and foreshore.  The dolphins are free.

BEACH CAFÉ SEAFORD
A: 1/10N Nepean Highway, Pier Foreshore Reserve, Seaford
T: 8774 0470