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The Perth Films – Rottnest Lobster

Hello there everybody, over the past month I’ve been hanging out with husband and wife super team The Offshoot Creative and we’ve been making a few short films all about Perth and the surrounding area.

In the first of four films I meet up with Kiren Mainwaring (chef and owner of Co-op dining in East Perth and Dear Friends in the Swan Valley) and our mission was to catch, cook and taste Western Australian Rock Lobster.

Kiren’s approach to food is a response to what’s fresh, local and in season, and he has a passion for the local seafood that can be found in the A-Class protected waters of Rottnest Island. This was the perfect time to catch some Rock Lobster as it’s the start of what is known as the ‘White Crayfish Run’.

The ‘White Crayfish Run’ is when the lobsters (or crayfish as they’re known to the locals) molt their shells and become a much lighter colour, almost a pale pink. They’re preparing to camouflage themselves as they march out across the sand to deeper ocean waters.

With the help of local fisherman and chef Aristos Papandroulakis, we jumped on his boat and pulled in a pot of fresh crayfish. Now it’s over to Kiren to cook them up on the beach BBQ with a salad of grilled peaches and nectarines and a selection of fresh ingredients he’s sourced from all over Perth. It truly is a celebration of West Australian produce.

Anyway, here’s how we got on.

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A Perth Bar Crawl From 50,000 Feet

WARNING: If you’re of a nervous disposition I’d advise against watching this video.

It still makes me wince every time I see myself clambering out the tiny door and putting my foot on the wheel step. You’ll see what I mean….

If you’ve just jumped out of a light aircraft over Perth, you’re probably in need of a stiff drink (I most certainly was). Here’re some great bars to get that much needed thirst quencher after plummeting to Earth from 50,000 feet.

The Mechanics Institute: Great bar in the heart of Perth’s Cultural Centre, with a wicked view of the city from their rooftop beer garden. A constantly changing cocktail menu ensures there’s something for everyone…although I still always go for a Hillbilly Bob’s Ruckus Juice and a burger from their kitchen downstairs. Winners of the 2013 Small Bar Of The Year Award. Well done chaps!

El Publico: Modern Mexican kitchen and bar on Beaufort Street with Australia’s best new culinary chef Sam Ward at the helm. Not only do they serve great and extremely interesting plates of food straight from the streets of Mexico, they’ve got an extensive tequila and mezcal menu. If I remember rightly last time I was there I had mezcal ice pops with sea salt and something else….but I can’t remember rightly because I had mezcal ice pops.

Stables Bar: No horses here anymore, no Sir. There used to be mind you, loads of them too as The Stables Bar in the CBD was originally one of Perth’s historic equine retreats. Now it’s split over two levels, an outside bar with panoramic views of the city skyline up top, and a cobbled courtyard and bar down below. The food menu is a take on modern Australian dining, but most importantly of all they serve a great pint of Guinness.

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48 Hours in Perth

I love Perth. I’ve been here just over four months now, and ever since we arrived we’ve been greeted with such warmth and made to feel at home.

And that’s just the thing folks, I really DO feel at home!

Perth is a big vibrant city with a great community feel. It’s Australias sunniest capital city with over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, 19 beaches, loads of great bars and restaurants, is a really easy place to live and extremely family friendly. I’ll have been here for six months when my Taste Mastering contract expires in February, but if you’ve only got a couple of days, here’re some top tips.

The Early Bird: Get up with the sunrise and go for a run, bike ride or canoe along the Swan River. Perth is such a great place first thing in the morning, with people of all ages out and about exercising in the numerous parks and open spaces. They’ve got the weather so enjoy the outdoors lifestyle.

Breakfast: After all that exercise you’re gonna need a hearty brekkie. There are so many great spots for breakfast in the city and more and more are popping up every week. My favourite is Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall on King Street, a retro barbers and café rolled into one. Treat yourself to a cold drip coffee whilst waiting for a haircut.

Hit The Beach: The only decision is, which one?! Perth has 19 beaches to choose from. The perfect spot for a swim, surf and snorkel is Cottesloe, but then you’ve got the historic seaside town of Scarborough with its impressive surf breaks. Fancy a spot of beach fishing? Then head to the clean, quiet waters of Floreat and City Beach, or for a day out with the kids relax in the calm waters of Mettam’s Pool. The list goes on….

Great Spaces: Kings Park is one of the largest inner city parks in the world with fantastic views overlooking Perth City and the Swan River. Take a free guided tour through the Botanic Gardens, connect with nature with over 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora, walk amongst the tree-tops on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, or do as I do and have a sausage sizzle on one of the free gas BBQs around the park.

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