It’s been a little while between blogs, so I thought I’d take a minute to catch you all up on the latest from our little favourite corner of the world at the Dimboola Golf Club restaurant.

So… I did it. I finally made it to Daylesford.

After years of hearing about this magical little food-lover’s paradise and never quite finding the opportunity to get there, I woke up one day last week and thought — if not now, when?

Ah, quinces. That knobbly, golden fruit that’s often misunderstood and underutilised — until you cook it. Who would’ve thought that a simple poach or boil could completely transform its colour, texture, and flavour?

May Wrapped Up – Events, Food, Gardens & Community

Well, my motto of blogging more often went straight out the window when May rolled in. 😂 But with everything that’s been happening, I’m extremely thankful. It’s been a full and beautiful month of events, catering, cooking, and community — and the restaurant has been steady too, which is always a great feeling.

Running a restaurant is all about consistency, but sometimes, taking a break is just as important. We opened the restaurant in late November, and by December, I reached out to the Agrarian Kitchen to see if they offered cooking classes at the start of the week. Lucky for me, they did—so I locked in April 1st.

So, the last blog was nearly a month ago, and we’re well and truly back into the swing of things at the golf club after reopening post-fires. I said yes to a few events because, let’s be honest, running just the restaurant alone is unpredictable—some nights we might get three people, other nights 20 to 50 people. 

Reflections on a Rollercoaster Week: A Busy Return to the Restaurant

As we rounded off the second week back into the swing of things at the restaurant, I couldn’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of emotions from our first week. It felt surreal to be opening the doors again—on one hand, it didn’t feel quite right, like we shouldn't be there, but on the other hand, I felt so incredibly thankful that we were. It was a strange mix of emotions that kept me on my toes.

 Saturday, January 25th, we held our final dinner service for the week, choosing not to trade on the 26th in line with our stance on changing the date. After enjoying a rare Sunday off, I spent Monday planning a new menu for the week ahead, swapping out the pork loin for a duck and pineapple curry, adding a Bloody Mary and grilled halloumi tomato salad to the starters, along with a twice-baked cheese soufflé and some fresh new desserts.

That afternoon, as I deep-cleaned the kitchen, I received an emergency Watch and Act warning. I quickly gathered my valuables and left. The winds were picking up, and thick smoke filled the sky. On my way home, I called my brother for advice—he and his family had packed bags and were ready to evacuate if necessary.

As we wrap up the first five weeks of opening our restaurant at the Dimboola Golf Club, I find myself filled with gratitude and joy. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and it’s all thanks to the incredible people who have made it possible.

As I sit here on a Tuesday evening, finally enjoying a quiet moment at home, it feels surreal to reflect on the whirlwind that has been the opening week of our restaurant at the Dimboola Golf Club. This afternoon, I even managed a “nana nap” and some peaceful time tending to the garden—a stark contrast to the 80-hour week I just powered through to bring this dream to life.

What started as an idea in late August has rapidly taken shape, and now, just a few months later, it’s all coming together! Watching the splashbacks go up and the sinks being installed yesterday felt like a real “pinch me” moment.