Food & Travel

Thirroul Co-op volunteers share their passion

By Mark Fetterplace On a blustery but beautiful summer’s day, the Flame Tree Food Co-op had a morning tea get-together of their wonderful volunteers on the grass behind the Thirroul Surf Lifesaving Club. There was a fantastic community spirit...

The Illawarra Flame

April 2025

Food & Travel

Pagan loaves, Christian bread, a secular treat: a brief history of hot cross buns

In some ancient cultures, bread was more than just food. It was a symbol of faith. Ancient Greeks baked small round loaves marked with crosses to honour their gods. According to some historians, these marks could represent the four seasons or four...

The Conversation

April 2025

Food & Travel

Here’s who topped the rankings in this year’s scorecard for sustainable chocolate – and which confectionery giant refused to participate

The Gender award went to Mars Wrigley – which produces Mars, Snickers, Twix and Malteasers – recognising the company for work supporting gender equality

The Conversation

April 2025

Food & Travel

Around the world in Wollongong: 11 foodie favourites to visit this Harmony Week

This diversity of culture has contributed a rich variety to local cuisine and the Illawarra is home to specialist supermarkets to purchase ingredients for home cooking.

Susan Luscombe

March 2025

Food & Travel

Cosa Nostra sale will mark the end of a local dining era

The big news on the Wollongong restaurant scene this week is that one of the city’s most popular Italian restaurants, Cosa Nostra, is on the market. After decades, cooking and serving meals in Wollongong, Cosa Nostra owners, Neve and Giorgio Piras...

Jeremy Lasek

March 2025

Local Business

Earth Walker & Co: From cafe to cultural haven

By Emma Maggs A cafe in the heart of Coledale, Earth Walker & Co. is embarking on an exciting new chapter under the creative vision of founder Ciara Kulmar. Many locals in the area have borne witness to the changes and are enjoying the new...

Emma Maggs

March 2025

Food & Travel

What’s the difference between Hass and Shepard avocados? It’s not just the colour

We now know that a majority of this fat is oleic acid, a monounsaturated (healthy) fat that helps to reduce cholesterol and improve heart health

The Conversation

February 2025

Food & Travel

Thirroul’s Flame Tree Food Co-op to open at 9am weekdays in 2025

Flame Tree Community Food Co-op is a community owned non-profit food grocer in Thirroul, on Lawence Hargrave Drive close to the train station. Our aim is to source local organic produce, support local growers and producers, offer high quality fresh...

The Illawarra Flame

January 2025

Food & Travel

Top Thai chef returns to Black Duck Bistro

After a year off, Aksarapak Chotikasathira (known to everyone as Kay) has recently made a welcome return to the kitchen at The Black Duck Bistro at Wombarra Bowlo. “I had cancer, and last year I dropped all my work to concentrate on getting...

Cathy Law

December 2024

Food & Travel

The Pines Kiama opens pop-up farm shop

After years of frustration, Mahlah and Kel Grey of The Pines Kiama are finally able to open their dairy farm to the public thanks to changes to state rules promoting agritourism. “We’ve always wanted to be able to have people visit our farm to...

Cathy Law

November 2024

Food & Travel

Lili J Cafe sisters plan pop-up nights in fresh space

Evolution continues at Lily J Sisters Raquel and Meni Jaque are excited by the opportunities that are now possible at their much-loved Lily J Café. Originally confined to two rooms of an old florist shop on Corrimal Street, April saw them finally...

Cathy Law

December 2024

Food & Travel

Julia Child’s France, pig slaughter in Portugal and a culinary detective: 5 delicious food writing classics

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article

The Conversation

January 2025

Food & Travel

Fresh seafood on the menu this Christmas

Planning a seafood feast this Christmas? Want to do the right thing for sustainable seafood supply, the environment and your health? Here is your guide to making informed choices that support sustainable practices.

Susan Luscombe

December 2024

Food & Travel

Where to satisfy Christmas cravings and find festive feasts

If you’re staying in, catching up with friends or spending the Christmas season by the beach, we have you covered. Stay in Can’t live without Miller’s Local Bakehouse iconic croissants, mince pies, sourdough and lemon layer cake over Christmas?...

Amanda De George

December 2024

Food & Travel

Thirroul has a thriving food scene? True story

If you’re in town for the True Story Festival or just here on the lovely Coal Coast for the day, rest assured Thirroul has all your food and beverage needs covered. But first you need to get the lay of the land. ‘Little Thirroul’ is south of the...

Amanda De George

November 2024

Food & Travel

Cooking Thai noodles with Natalie

For local cooking classes you can’t go past WEA Illawarra. Operating continuously since 1913, WEA is an independent community based not-for-profit offering adult education and leisure courses at affordable prices. Natchanok (Natalie) Siriteerajads...

Susan Luscombe

October 2024

Food & Travel

‘House full’: Wollongong’s iconic new beachside bar and bistro is a hit

“Wollongong has been craving a place like this.“ I have no idea who the bloke at the bar in front of me was but when he said this to me while watching a whale playing just beyond the surf break as his beer was being poured, I had to nod in...

Jeremy Lasek

October 2024

Food & Travel

Bulli crop swap leads green change in Illawarra

Bulli residents are spearheading an ever-growing crop-swapping movement in the Illawarra by exchanging goodies from their gardens and pantries.

Oguzhan Dincsoy

October 2024

Food & Travel

Coledale Public School’s Banana, Warrigal greens or Spinach Pancakes

The children at Coledale Public School are busy in their garden this spring – running around with watering cans, carrying armfuls of mulch for veggie beds and rounding up the chickens. In November, the community will be invited inside to see the...

The Illawarra Flame

September 2024

Food & Travel

Make the Keiraville CWA’s Zucchini & Capsicum Pickles

Thanks to Marion Cook, publicity officer for Keiraville CWA, for sharing this ‘Zucchini & Capsicum Pickles’ recipe. Ingredients 1kg zucchini chopped 2 onions chopped 1 red capsicum chopped 1/4 cup salt 2 cups sugar 2 cups white wine/cider/white...

The Illawarra Flame

August 2024

Recipe

Coledale Public School’s Swiss Chard Mini Quiches

The Illawarra Flame

September 2024

Food & Travel

New lease of life at Shellharbour beach

The dreams of beach-going Shellharbour locals are finally coming true, with the newly leased Surf Club function centre soon to open a kiosk as well as be a venue for events. “People are already shouting coffee orders when they walk past and see...

Cathy Law

July 2024