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Darwin Convention Centre Launches Indigenous Inspired Menu
Darwin Convention Centre launches a new Indigenous inspired menu, available for events with 10 to 1,500 delegates. The Seven Seasons menu is available as a 7-course degustation, or 3 course banquet.
The Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the Darwin region. The Darwin Convention Centre’s Seven Seasons menu is a culinary journey inspired by the Gulumoerrgin (Larrakia) Seasons.
The Seven Seasons menu provides guests the opportunity to experience the dramatic changes of the Gulumoerrgin seasons and the corresponding impact these changes have on the sights, sounds, landscape and natural habitat.
Toby Beaton, Executive Chef Darwin Convention Centre, has developed a menu that combines local fresh produce and traditional indigenous food.
“When developing the menu, we didn’t just look at the ingredients. We looked at the history of the food, how it was gathered, how it was prepared and how it was cooked.”
“We have provided guests the opportunity to be part of a journey that has been evolving for over thousands of years. The menu is not only about the taste, smell and look of the food, it is about understanding the local land and how Aboriginal people have used the ingredients available to them” Beaton said.
In a Convention Centre first, the Seven Seasons journey is beyond Aboriginal food, it also includes a visual and sound experience, creating a full sensory culture immersion.
Audio and visual packages accompany each course giving delegates a deeper experience and understanding of the Gulumoerrgin Seasons, the distinctive weather patterns, changes in plant and animal activity, each with their own special purpose.
“We wanted to provide our clients the opportunity to integrate the Seven Seasons menu into their event on varying levels” said Peter Savoff, General Manager Darwin Convention Centre.
“Event Planners can chose just the menu, or add on the production elements to give a deeper experience to their delegates. We can even assist them with including local performers to give full culture evening. The menu works perfectly with an awards night or gala dinner” added Savoff.
Stephanie Ong from Faces of Asia had the opportunity to experience the Seven Seasons dinner on a recent famil and was impressed.
“The thought behind the dinner at the Darwin Convention Centre was great,” said Ong. “The effect was really something for a special events planner to see – I was in awe! The Seven Seasons dinner was truly a multi-sensory journey!”
Roque Lee, Larrakia Elder explains that is important that we understand the Gulumoerrgin Seasons because of survival. “You may find yourself in a situation where you need to know what plants and berries you can eat at certain times of the year, or when it is best time of year to catch barramundi.”
Lee continued “Teaching the next generation and non-Aboriginals about the Seasons will educate people on looking after the land and understanding all the plants and habitats each have their own special purpose.”
“I am very excited to see our traditional food being used in modern cuisine and we are getting to share the Larrakia culture with people from all over the world” said Lee.
After experiencing Seven Seasons, guests will leave with a fuller appreciation of the deep connection the Larrakia people have for the land on which the Darwin Convention Centre stands.