Comeals

aside 26 Nov

Co-meals – meals with non-creepy strangers from the interweb

So, I got a little ranty-pants in my last post.

The bottom line was that Loam was amazing and one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed it so much (I’ve been twice) is the company.

I told you about co-meals in my last post and I must confess that it’s not until recently that I’ve started to have co-meals with people I don’t know.

In fact, I once turned up to a dinner soiree organised by the wonderful DC (brother from another mother) and not only did I not know anyone but I didn’t even know what they looked like. Sure I’d spoken to DC online (in 140 characters or less)  before but I had no idea what he looked like… I just knew he wanted to eat suckling pig. That was enough for me.



Oink

For the record, I didn’t leave my location with a friend just to be safe.
Although on that topic, mum seems to have an amazing internal GPS radar that gives google maps a run for its money.

So to co-lunch with awesome people the first thing you need to do is… get there.
Once you get over the anxiety of not knowing anyone, you have a lot of fun.



One of the biggest co-meals I've been on... 70 people Duckfest

I’ve met some amazing and wonderful people who I won’t name because that makes me the creepy one. The coolest thing (without getting soppy here) is that they’re amazing people and now friends who I respect, enjoy sharing meals with and enjoy their company immensely. We hang out, text, catch up and continue to eat copious amounts of exotic foods that make me exceed my calorie intake daily x 3.

In fact, there’s been some that I even do business with now!

It’s true, you work with people you trust.

So my advice to you if you’re up for something new. Don’t be that person that can’t go anywhere because you don’t know anyone. You’ll miss out on the opportunity of creating great friendships and the excitement of the unknown.

To all the great folks I’ve met this year at dinner soirees, you’re ace, thanks for breaking bread.

 



Educational co-meals... I swear it was education...

How’s this for a new slogan?
Co-meals the only way to dine.

No?
Ha, ok.

 

 

aside 24 Nov

The myth of high traffic areas, a lunching experience and why you should dine with strangers

I have a friend (I have more than one) and pseudo brother DC who is the guru of organising co-meals.

Co-meals -  A meal you have with like-minded people, mostly strangers who maybe perhaps have come from the interweb.

Yes, I made the term up.

No, you cannot keep it.

No, I’m not sure if it’s original but hey…

Anyway back to DC.
For months he’s been talking about lunching at one of (in my opinion) the best dining experiences available in Victoria, Loam Restaurant.

Before I launch into a glitzy marketing description of Loam, let me tell you what it really is.

It’s a restaurant (duh genius) that focuses on (mostly) local produce and (always) seasonal fare. It doesn’t have a menu (you read that right) instead you’re given a list of ingredients.
What you do is you pick the ingredients you don’t like (onions are gross by the way) and then pick how many dishes you want to eat and then they feed you.

That’s it.

(Not recommended for control freaks, although you should really let go a little…)

What I failed to tell you above is that it’s in the middle of nowhere with no major signage (good one VicRoads – not) to help you find it. They don’t market themselves and they don’t even have a website – yet they were voted best regional restaurant in Victoria at the Good Food Guide for 2011.



What middle of nowhere looks like...

So they’ve gone against every thing we’re told to do in business. I have many capable friends (told you there were others) who want to open up a business and they’re waiting to discover the perfect high traffic area.

So what is it about this place that made me drive 300kms, to the middle of nowhere, in one day to have lunch there?

Service

From the moment you book to the moment you leave, their service is friendly, knowledgeable warm and unforgettable. If there was ever a survey about their service, nobody would ever tick the ‘satisfactory’ box.

Concept

Maybe I don’t dine around often but this concept was (and probably still is) new, exciting and innovative. Plus, there’s something amazing about getting a surprise for your meals. Think of it like a pleasant Christmas surprise at every course.



The menu concept

Food

Have some pictures, words can’t do it justice.



Starters: Salmon Jerky and Portarlington Mussels



Yabby, broad breans, rice starch and sea palm



Stripy trumpeter, anchovy, avocado and pork fat



Suffolk lamb rump, Bruny Island C2 rind, witlof and curry



Grass parfait, sorrel, parsley, chocolate and whole salted lemon



Double whipped burnt butter

Touch
Not to name drop (although it can be fun) but this year I met Stephan Bognar, the CEO of Maddox Jolie-Pitt foundation who talked about what tourism meant to him. He said the way to educate people to have a successful experience in tourism is through the letter T… touch.

Loam have that touch.



Touch: outdoor look for an indoor picnic



Small touch even in the lavatory

Experience

The best thing of all, it’s so much more than just a lunch.
It’s an experience.

So why do people wait for that ‘high traffic area’?

Surely if you have a kick ass product, crazy people like DC, myself and the other 5 will come to find you.
Signage or no signage.

If you love it, you’ll live it, you’ll believe in it and you’ll do whatever it takes to get there.

What’s everyone waiting for?

 

… more on dining with strangers next time.

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