ALBURY eatery The River Deck has the box seat for watching the seasons go by.
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A stone’s throw from the Murray River, the cafe has settled into its majestic natural surrounds over the past three-and-a-half years.
The River Deck head chef Ludovic Baulacky said the cafe continued to favour seasonal local produce in its new spring menu.
He said the Border and North East were spoilt for choice for regional produce.
“People are interested in where their food comes from now and food miles,” he said.
Baulacky said their spring menu featured Silver Creek Sourdough bread, Goulburn River Trout, Willowbank Farm vegetables, Milawa Free-range Poultry eggs and chicken and The Nutty Food Company’s plant-based cheeses.
“We’ve had Tolpuddle goat cheese from day one and Locky’s Meats does our bacon to order,” he said.
The Mauritius-born chef trained in London at the Michelin-starred French restaurant, Le Gavroche, before working in Europe and later moving to Australia.
He was head chef at Oscar Ws at Echuca for three years and also worked for The Epicurean Centre at Brown Brothers, Sam Miranda of King Valley, the Watermarc restaurant in Wangaratta and The Stanley Pub.
What's your favourite dish?
Any duck dish.
What's your favourite season?
Spring. There’s an array of vegetables coming up in spring.
What are the staples in your pantry now?
Butter, salt and fresh herbs.
What is your earliest cooking memory?
Both my mum and dad cooked a lot at home in Mauritius. Dad grew a lot of veggies in our big back yard. He grew bananas for local markets.
Which ingredients do you grow yourself?
Herbs, potatoes, pumpkin and corn.
Which six people would you invite to dinner?
My work colleagues from London. They’re headed here to run a restaurant during the Australian Open next year.
What is your favourite foodie ritual?
I like going to the Albury Wodonga Farmers’ Market.
What are you bingeing on TV? If anything.
Silent Witness, DCI Banks. I don’t watch much TV, but it’s usually police shows.
What did you have for dinner last night?
Chicken salad
What are you drinking?
Lager. Any brand.
Details:
The River Deck,
48 Noreuil Parade, South Albury
Phone: (02) 6023 5980
Open for breakfast and lunch seven days and dinner Friday and Saturday.