Local foodies share their Christmas plans

I asked some familiar foodie faces what their plans are this Christmas season. Here's what they said:

Harley and Johns Seafood Market

The lead up to Christmas is a busy time for H&Js. The team works hard on making sure our seafood is first class and the display well-stocked. On the 23rd and 24th, there will be a marquee in the driveway for speedier service, although the shop will also be open. In the marquee will be prawns, oyster, bugs, lobsters, crabs. If you have an order over $250 you can head to the website to place it. For a smaller order, just come in and pick out what you would like. The 24^th will be a party atmosphere with a 'Meet the Maker' event from 6am-12noon. The following local producers will be in attendance: South Coast Distillery, South Coast Blends, My Mate’s Relish, Kielty’s Irish Sauces, Wild Paws, Second Fiddle Smokehouse and Artisan Delish Salamis.

Harley and Johns will be closed on Christmas Day but will reopen Boxing Day for reduced hours for the week leading up to New Year to allow the team to have a well-earned rest.

Wollongong Online Farmers Markets

The team at WOFM have local producers front of mind this Christmas, stocking up on local, sustainable and affordable goodies. With a wide range of gift options, the handpicked hampers are the front-running favourite for their friends and family this holiday season.

Think local first when doing your Christmas shopping.

Our awesome WOFM team has worked extra hard this year and will be taking a much-needed break over the holidays. Our last pick-up will be Thursday 22 December and we'll be back the first week of February.

Flame Tree Co-op

2022 has been a year of change for Flame Tree Co-op. We have a new manager, Dean Mastroianni, and a new board. The last three years have been rocky with weather and supply chain disruptions alongside the challenges of managing a shop during Covid restrictions. Our values – caring, ethical, responsible, transparent and practical, which are shared by our members and suppliers – will see us survive through the challenges. Thanks to all our volunteers for supporting us and to our customers for choosing to shop locally and ethically.

The shop will be closed from 25 December to 2 January inclusive. See you in 2023.

Balinese Spice Magic

This much-loved Wollongong favourite will be closed for their annual break from Sunday, 18 December 2022, reopening Tuesday, 3 January 2023.

Jules says: This year my family and I are going home to Bali to catch up with family and immerse ourselves in Balinese ceremonies, mostly in our home village of Baturiti, and some pilgrimage to other temples, as well as having a small holiday in-between. Follow us on Instagram for updates.

We thank you for your support and love in 2022 and we are so looking forward to bringing you the tastiest Balinese in the Illawarra in 2023.

Much love and gratitude, Jules and BSM team.

Eve & Co

Lisa says: This year we’ll be staying home and spending Christmas with my side of the family. I have lots of family coming, with a special visit from my younger brother who I haven’t had a Christmas with for quite some years - so it will be great to have him and his family.

I love Christmas, the sharing of yummy food which I love to prepare for others, laughs, games and just hanging together is what it’s all about for me. We’ll do a white elephant gift exchange but no big gifts. I’m a huge gift giver but I think there’s too much pressure around Christmas time for families.

I suppose if you’re going to buy, buy local where you can would be my message this Christmas, although it’s my mantra the whole year.

Manami from Healthy Cities and Stir It Up!

Christmas in Japan, I think, is big for kids and couples but does not hold a cultural significance, and that’s the same in Australia for me and my family. It is, though, a time to have something special with my friends. It’s the time to have a good chat, a lot of laughs and smiles with yummy food to share with everyone. I love cooking and eating so thinking about what to serve on the day is a Christmas thing but there is always a combination of summer fruit and flavour-rich cheese or deli meats.

One such combination that I think so good is watermelon and feta cheese. The sweet, juicy, cold fresh watermelon with salty, rich, and strong goat feta cheese! You can simply serve cubed watermelon with small crumble of feta cheese, or make them into a fancy salad just like Jamie Oliver does in this recipe.

Nina Cantina

Nina runs culinary tours of the special foodie locations of the Illawarra. Check out the website for tours running in 2023.

She says: I am looking forward to spending time with loved ones and cooking delicious locally produced seasonal food. Don’t forget to shop local this Christmas.

Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine

Anna says: Christmas Eve is always a special day in the calendar for our little brewery, when the locals all come together for a catch up and some festive cheer.

Growing up, there was always that one place that everyone would go to see their mates the day before the family gathering, and for people that live away it's sometimes the one time a year you'd see them. Both Billy and I love that and set out to create it at our own place by hosting the annual Christmas Eve party. As usual the locals have surpassed our expectations with dress ups and Santa and potluck fare, and created a community we're super proud to be a part of, so we look forward to Christmas Eve every year.

Bakers Chemistry

Sara says: This year Christmas is going to be very special for me because for the last two years we weren’t allowed to celebrate with our loved ones and didn’t get chance to share much about Christmas with my kids. This year all of our family and friends will gather, laugh and share the love.

Most importantly, as I can see people coming back to their normal life and socialising which is very positive, it’s leading us free from fears, anxiety and being more confident with the increased quality of life.

We are closing from 25th onwards for two weeks.

Popes Produce

Sarah says: Christmas for our family is a moveable feast. Each year a different section of the family hosts & the table groans with deliciousness. My step mum is Danish, so when it's their turn it's a strictly Danish affair with traditional dishes celebrated on Christmas Eve.

For several years now, when we host or my sister does, we concoct ridiculous gingerbread constructions - purely for the silliness, the tear-streaming type of giggles and plenty of champagne.

Our first attempt was a caravan complete with wading pool and gingerbread people cooling off. Every family member gets to add a little more ornamentation with each pass.

Then we attempted a beach hut scene, blue jelly for the ocean with a T-rex surfing amongst the features.

The all-time favourite was the ewok village set over a custom-made three-tier platform taking up half the kitchen table. Nothing like Persian fairy floss for 'smoke', Santa on the snake lolly suspension bridge between platforms & everything else that crossed people's mind.

[There's] nothing like playing with food to bring a family together.

Looking forward to this year's gingerbread concoction!