Shoalhaven Food Network

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Shoalhaven Food Network

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A network of creative, connected local food purveyors, growers, producers and hospitality venues.

05/11/2026

🏆 BEST SCHNITTY 2026 | NOMAD Kitchen & BBQ

A huge congratulations to our wonderful SFN members Nomad Kitchen & BBQ, who have taken out the title of Best Schnitty 2026 in 94.9 Power FM's Best of the Best Awards! 🎉

We're always proud to celebrate the achievements of our members and this is another well deserved win for the Nomad Kitchen & BBQ team.

Congratulations Wes, Kim and the entire team! 👏❤️

04/11/2026

FACES BEHIND THE PLACES | John Evans & Sonia Greig – SOUTH on albany

Behind every great dining experience are the people who bring it to life, and this week we're shining the spotlight on the talented husband and wife duo behind SOUTH on Albany, John Evans and Sonia Greig!

Nestled in the heart of Berry, SOUTH on Albany has become a much loved dining destination, known for its beautiful seasonal food, exceptional w**es and warm, welcoming hospitality.

Meet John Evans | Chef & Co-owner

With a career spanning Michelin-starred kitchens in the UK and some of Sydney's most celebrated restaurants, John brings a wealth of experience to the Shoalhaven dining scene.

At SOUTH on Albany, his passion for fresh, seasonal produce shines through in a constantly evolving three-course Chef's Menu, showcasing quality ingredients, thoughtful flavours and the very best of what's in season.

Meet Sonia Greig | Co-owner & Sommelier

Working alongside John, Sonia brings her own incredible knowledge and passion for w**e to the table. An award-winning sommelier, Sonia has carefully curated a w**e offering that perfectly complements John's cooking, making every visit to SOUTH on Albany a truly memorable experience.

🏆 And there's plenty to celebrate!

SOUTH on Albany has recently been awarded a Chef's Hat for 2027, marking an incredible five consecutive years of recognition!

Adding to the celebrations, the restaurant also received Two Glasses in the 2026 Australia's W**e List of the Year Awards, recognising the outstanding w**e experience Sonia and the team have created.

What an achievement for this wonderful Berry restaurant!

We're incredibly proud to have John and Sonia as valued members of our network. Their dedication to their craft, commitment to quality and genuine passion for hospitality are a wonderful reflection of the talent and experiences that make the Shoalhaven's food scene so special..

A huge congratulations to you both and the entire SOUTH on Albany team. We're so pleased to celebrate your continued success!

04/11/2026

📌 What's On This Weekend? | 6–8 November

The weekend is almost here, and there's plenty happening across the Shoalhaven!

From live music and great local food to a little culture and some Sunday afternoon drinks, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

🎶 Friday 6 November
🍻 Live Music at BridgeHaus, Nowra – Open Mic & Talent Show from 5pm, followed by local band Twisted Arrow from 7pm.
🩰 Ballet Masterclass with the Victorian State Ballet at Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.

🎭 Saturday 7 November
🩰 Swan Lake at Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre – Experience this beautiful classical ballet, with performances at 2pm and 7:30pm.

🍹 Sunday 8 November
🎶 Sunday Sessions at Swordfish Brewing, Sussex Inlet – 1pm–4pm.
🍸 Sunday Sessions with Harry Tompsett at Bannisters Pavilion Rooftop Bar & Grill, Mollymook Beach – 5pm–8pm.

Whether you're catching up with friends, enjoying a long lunch or heading out for some live entertainment, there's no shortage of reasons to get out and support our wonderful local businesses!

Explore what's happening across the Shoalhaven and plan your weekend:
🌐 https://shoalhavenfoodnetwork.com.au/events?days=0

01/11/2026

🎶 5 Little Pigs IS HEADING TO SUSSEX INLET!

Great food, live jazz and a very special collaboration!

Here's one to pop straight into your November calendar!

On Thursday 12 November, Huskisson favourites Five Little Pigs are heading to the Ellmoos Centre in Sussex Inlet for a special guest chef evening featuring Australian entertainer Monica Trapaga & The Pocket Trio.

The evening begins with a welcome drink, canapés and dinner prepared by the talented Five Little Pigs team, before guests enjoy a live performance from Monica Trapaga and The Pocket Trio.

Think delicious food, swinging jazz, great company and a fantastic evening of entertainment!

DINNER & SHOW | $115 per person

Includes a welcome drink, canapés, dinner and the live performance.

MUSIC OPTION | $30 per person

Includes a welcome drink, cheese platter and the performance.

📅 Thursday 12 November
⏰ 5:30pm–9pm
📍 Ellmoos Centre, 173 Jacobs Drive, Sussex Inlet

We love seeing our members take their talents beyond their usual four walls, and this is a fantastic collaboration bringing great food and live entertainment together in Sussex Inlet.

To find out more or to book your tickets, head to:
🌐 https://shoalhavenfoodnetwork.com.au/our-directory/event/five-little-pigs-guest-chef-event-monica-trapaga-and-the-pocket-trio

30/10/2026

🎓 35 GRADUATES, ONE FANTASTIC YEAR!

What a way to finish another year of Gaining Through Training (GTT)!

This year, 35 students successfully graduated from the program, marking another fantastic milestone for this important Shoalhaven Food Network initiative.

To finish the program, 25 students came together at Darling House Deli for a hands on coffee course and graduation celebration, putting their skills into practice one last time before wrapping up the year.

And here's something we're particularly proud of...

Of the 25 students who attended graduation, 22 told us they were already employed, with some even juggling two jobs!

That's a pretty fantastic result and a wonderful reminder of why Gaining Through Training is so important.

The program is all about helping local high school students build the confidence, practical skills and industry connections they need to take their first steps into hospitality.

Through hands on experience, recognised industry training and the support of our local hospitality community, students gain valuable skills they can take directly into the workplace.

So, what's next?

We're now working towards establishing a GTT hiring list, connecting our graduates with Shoalhaven Food Network members looking for enthusiastic young people to join their teams.

It's another way we can help bridge the gap between school and employment while supporting the future of our local hospitality workforce.

A huge congratulations to our GTT Class of 2026!

And of course, thank you to the schools, trainers, sponsors, hospitality businesses and industry partners who continue to make this program possible.

We couldn't do it without you! ❤️

29/10/2026

🌿 FACES BEHIND THE PLACES | Sean McCarthy |

From Michelin-starred kitchens in Scotland and superyachts cruising the Mediterranean, to building a business and raising his family right here on the South Coast – Sean McCarthy’s hospitality journey has taken him a long way.

Sean left school in Year 10 to begin his chef apprenticeship, setting in motion a career that would take him through kitchens in Melbourne, Edinburgh, the South of France, Italy and beyond.

Eventually, that journey brought him to the Shoalhaven.

Today, alongside his wife Liz, Sean is behind Season & Savour, bringing years of international experience to weddings, private events and intimate dining experiences across our region.

His story is also a pretty great reminder of something Sean strongly believes – hospitality skills can take you anywhere in the world.

We’re proud to share Sean McCarthy as one of our Shoalhaven Food Network Homegrown Heroes.

There’s plenty more to Sean’s story, to read more head to our website:
🌐 https://shoalhavenfoodnetwork.com.au/heroes/homegrown-heroes/sean-mccarthy

29/10/2026

🐎 MELBOURNE CUP IN THE SHOALHAVEN!

Where will you be celebrating Tuesday 3 November?

Whether you're planning a long lunch with friends, a little glamour and Fashions on the Field, or a relaxed afternoon of great food, drinks and racing, our local venues have you covered!

Here's where you can celebrate across the Shoalhaven:

🥂 Willinga Park | Bawley Point
A premium race day experience with delicious food, live music and Fashions on the Field.

🍷 Cupitt's Estate | Ulladulla
Beautiful vineyard views, long-table dining and a special community fundraising connection.

🍽️ The Growers by Ponte | Worrigee
Gather your favourite people for a festive Cup Day lunch.

🏇 North Nowra Tavern
A special luncheon, sparkling on arrival, sweeps and Fashions on the Field.

🥂 Club Nowra
A Chinese banquet lunch, prizes and best-dressed fun.

🍴 Bomaderry Bowling Club
Buffet lunch, bubbles, sweeps and Fashions on the Floor.

Whatever your Cup Day plans, there's no shortage of fantastic local venues ready to welcome you.

For more information on what's on, head to our website:
🌐 https://shoalhavenfoodnetwork.com.au/events?days=0

29/10/2026

🏆 A big congratulations to our members at North Nowra Tavern 🍻

What a fantastic achievement, taking home Best Bottle Shop at the 2026 Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards!

A wonderful recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire team.

We're so proud to have North Nowra Tavern as part of the Shoalhaven Food Network and love seeing our local businesses recognised for their excellence.

Congratulations to the whole team on this well deserved win! 👏🎉

28/10/2026

📌 What’s On This Weekend?

Another weekend is almost here, and there’s plenty happening across the Shoalhaven from Friday through Sunday!

From local markets and Halloween fun to live music, woodfired pizza, great food and w**e, there are plenty of reasons to get out and about and support local this weekend.

FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER

🥕 FAB Farmers Market | Martins Ridge Farm, Burrill Lake
4pm–7pm

🩷 Frocktober Fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Research | Club Nowra
From 10am

SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER

🎶 Jemma Beech at The Rutledge | Berry

🎃 Halloween at North Nowra Tavern | North Nowra

🎤 Frenchy – Never Been Before | Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
8pm

SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER

🍕 Wood Fired Pizza Afternoon | Martins Ridge Farm, Conjola
5pm–8pm

🎶 Sunday Sessions at Swordfish Brewing | Sussex Inlet
1pm–4pm

🍷 Aristotelis ke Anthoula & Caterina KV | Caterina, Kangaroo Valley
From 12pm
Six new w**es matched with six seasonal plates, with the w**emakers joining in for the afternoon.

🎶 Sunday Sessions with Horse Drawn Cadillac | Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla
12:30pm–3:30pm

🎶 Sunday Sessions with Alex Clark | Bannisters Pavilion Rooftop Bar & Grill, Mollymook Beach
5pm–8pm

There’s something happening from one end of the Shoalhaven to the other, so make a weekend of it and get out there to support our local venues, producers and businesses. 🙌

👉 Head to the What’s On page on the Shoalhaven Food Network website for event details, bookings and more.
🌐 https://shoalhavenfoodnetwork.com.au/events?days=0

27/10/2026

🏆 SHOALHAVEN SHINES IN THE SMH GOOD FOOD AWARDS!

There’s plenty to celebrate in the Shoalhaven, with some very familiar local names awarded Chef's Hats in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards 2027! 👏

A huge congratulations to:

👏 Simon Furley & the team at
👏 John Evans & Sonia Greig -
👏 Alex Pritchard -

It’s fantastic to see the Shoalhaven continuing to make its mark on the NSW dining scene, and even better to see the people behind some of our region’s incredible food experiences receiving the recognition they deserve.

From Simon and the Bangalay team’s continued focus on local produce and the flavours of our region, to John and Sonia’s much-loved South on Albany, and Alex beginning an exciting new chapter with Sara Dining in Berry – there’s a lot happening in our little corner of the South Coast!

We’re especially proud to have Simon, John and Sonia as part of the Shoalhaven Food Network and love seeing our members recognised for the work, passion and talent they bring to our local industry.

A huge congratulations to all involved, it's such a great result for our local hospitality community and another reason to be proud of the food scene we have right here in the Shoalhaven!

Address

56/58 Junction St
Nowra, NSW
2540

Website

https://www.shoalhavenfoodnetwork.com.au/

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