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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Janet’s world of local produce

JANET Jeffs puts her money where her mouth is when it comes to growing, promoting and using local produce.

Her dedication to the quality growers this region has every right to be proud of is most evident in The Kitchen Cabinet at Old Parliament House.

This is a special place indeed, not only for its new location at the front of this Canberra icon, but as a warm and inviting place to enjoy a coffee, lunch, afternoon tea or a drink on the terrace soaking in the views of another Canberra icon, the War Memorial. Take your carry bag with you because The Kitchen Cabinet is also a wonderful place to shop for “food less travelled”.

Janet, who says she is hard-wired to grow food, is now a farmer in her own right and from the fridges at The Kitchen Cabinet you can buy her free-range Wessex Saddleback organic pork, her premium rabbit from Braidwood, biodynamic osso bucco from a farm near Bungendore and much more.

Rabbit pies with mustard, made with love by Janet and her team in the kitchen, were on the menu on a recent visit. Flaky pastry, rabbit cooked “just so” and a wonderful side salad loaded with fresh capsicum, cucumber, tomato, onion and quality olives made for a perfect lunch. All for $8. This has to be one of the best deals in Canberra.

The two other pies on the menu during our visit were beef, bacon, red wine and rosemary, and snapper and prawn.

My friend’s quiche was extraordinary and another healthy lunch option. So, too, is the selection of pre-made gourmet sandwiches. And don’t forget the desserts. We shared a brownie – one of the best I’ve had in yonks.

After lunch, we took our time exploring the large range of regional products displayed throughout The Kitchen Cabinet and all for sale. Organic broad beans from Ballalaba, fresh cherries from Young, salad mix from Gundaroo and free-range eggs from Harmony Hills. Yumbo.

The chocolate section is enough to drive you insane and those with a sweet tooth won’t be able to pass by the honeycomb from Murrumbateman. Verjuice, jams and oils also line the shelves, including truffle-infused oil from Fedra Olive Grove, Collector.

There is something special about having lunch surrounded by food. And something special about buying local produce. Janet is right, we need to take responsibility for what we eat. For our own health, for our region’s health and for the world’s health.

The Kitchen Cabinet, Old Parliament House. Open 9am to 5pm, seven days. Call 6273 4366.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Wendy Johnson

Wendy Johnson

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