One of the world’s most influential chefs, Rene Redzepi, has visited the Northern Territory as part of an Australian-wide produce research trip ahead of the opening of his restaurant Noma Australia in Sydney next year.
Supported by Tourism Australia and Tourism Northern Territory, Redzepi and his team of chefs visited Acacia farms to look at Magpie Goose live harvesting, tasted fresh mangos from Darwin mango farms, mud clams and green ants in Arnhem Land and also visited the Tiwi Islands last week.
Tourism NT CEO, Tony Mayell, said the trip was great exposure for the Territory.
“Rene is regarded as one of the world’s most influential chef’s so we were thrilled to partner with Tourism Australia to bring Rene to the Northern Territory,” said Mr Mayell.
“It is fantastic Rene was able to experience our local NT produce first hand as he seeks out inspiration for his new all Australian menu. With hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, Rene’s photos from his trip will help us tap into the growing food-tourism phenomenon by showcasing our food experiences to a global audience.
“The Northern Territory is home to incredibly unique food and cultural experiences. From Indigenous bush tucker to crocodile meat and fresh seafood – you won’t find a foodie experience like it anywhere else.”
Tourism Australia is supporting Noma as an extension of its global campaign ‘Restaurant Australia’, which showcases Australia’s diverse food and wine experiences to the world.
The campaign comes on the back of recent research by Tourism Australia identifying 'food and wine' as a key factor in holiday decision making, ahead of world class beauty.
John O’Sullivan, managing director at Tourism Australia said that at the heart of its Restaurant Australia campaign was people, produce and place, and that the Noma Australia research trip to the Northern Territory was specifically designed to provide a combination of all three.
“I have little doubt that the time they spent in The Territory was memorable and will have provided enormous inspiration and incredible ideas for Rene and his team as they go about creating an unique menu and unforgettable dining experience for those lucky enough to get a seat at Noma Australia when it opens in Sydney early in the new year,” he said.
Redzepi was especially grateful to spend time in the local Indigenous communities including the Acacia Larrakia community, 50km southeast of Darwin, Melville Island, Nhulunbuy and the Yirrkala community in north east Arnhem Land, home to the Yolngu people.
“Being in the Northern Territory was a unique experience unlike anything I’ve seen before. Truly exotic. Meeting the traditional peoples, seeing their food ways, their approach to life, was both humbling and inspiring,” he said.
Redzepi’s Copenhagen restaurant Noma is credited with changing the nature of dining and was named Number 1 in the world in the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants four times (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014).
Noma Australia will open in Sydney in January 2016 for 10 weeks. For more information visit http://noma.dk/australia/
Photos attached: Rene Redzepi and the NOMA team foraging for mud clams in Gove, Northern Territory
ENDS
Media Contact: Lisa Andrews, Corporate Media and Communications Manager +61 401 115 634
