
Illawarra: a loose translation of Indigenous Dharawal words meaning ‘high place by the sea’. From the clifftops of Stanwell Park, through the hub city of Wollongong, to the expansive Lake Illawarra and down the coastal plain to Kiama and Gerringong, the Illawarra is unique and beautiful. It’s a region of contrasts – towering peaks that plunge straight to the sea, a groomed central headland that looks north to National Park serenity and south to billowing chimneys and the clunking echoes of loading coal. Textured by a history of coal and steel, the diversity of the Illawarra landscape is matched only by that of its people, and its food. From a Thirroul espresso bar to a Dapto chicken shop – contrast is a part of Illawarra life.
As the Illawarra grows as a region, so too does its food. In recent years, the Illawarra has undergone a transformation in food culture led by a generation of chefs, business owners and producers with passion for their product and their industry. Where once quality coffee was only available to those in the know, now a slew of cafés are serving their uniquely crafted brews and innovative casual fare. A nightlife once dominated by pubs and clubs is now awash with boutique bars, mixing quality drinks for an increasingly educated audience. The region’s restaurant base has undergone an injection of youth, with a surge of new venues that put local produce and seasonality at the centre of their menus.
Illawarra Photopraphy
Quality photography is so important to us. To share a story through an image, we rely on experience and creativity to bring food and landscapes to life. If you’re a chef, a restaurateur, a producer, or just love promoting your region – Quicksand Food can help bring your business to life with professional food, interior, landscape, or lifestyle photography. If you would like to purchase any official Quicksand images, please get in touch via the contact page of the website.
Books from this region:
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The Illawarra Cookbook (2017) — Signed Edition
Go behind-the-scenes of the Illawarra’s vibrant culinary industry with The Illawarra Cookbook (2017), a hard-cover, coffee table-style cookbook featuring 55 recipes from the region’s best cafes, restaurants and bars, including Caveau, Kneading Ruby, Dagwood, The Scarborough Hotel, Sandygoodwich and Earthwalker + Co. Filled with stunning regional imagery and features of the region’s artisan producers, farmers and small businesses– read, listen, cook and enjoy the journey. Available as a printed publication, and in eBook format.
Select options $39.95