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.