The smoke has literally cleared in the capital, the air is crisp with autumn and Good Food Month has a stack of great events planned for all tastebuds.
One of the show-stopping events will see GOMA chef Matt Blackwell partner with Travis Goodlet, Executive Chef of Monster Kitchen & Bar to bring together the best of Queensland and ACT local produce for the unforgettable and decadent night.
We got to ask Matt a few questions ahead of the dinner on the 5th of March at Monster Kitchen and Bar.
Why do you think the Good Food Month events are so important to the city?
I think they really help the industry and the restaurants involved, by creating a bit of a buzz and getting people excited. They also help bring attention to some restaurants that people may not have heard of or experienced yet. I think it’s really cool for the guests to get a bit of a look at what’s going on in other cities and states, and what other restaurants and chefs are doing as well.
What was your inspiration for your Good Food Month menu this year?
I decided to mainly bring dishes from our current menu at GOMA, with a few tweaks and differences. I think the dishes I am bringing down with me showcase our style and direction the most, whilst also really showing off Queensland produce, suppliers and farmers. For the event we decided with Monster that we would each use our own states produce and really show some of the cool things from them.
Will you be using any local ingredients?
Not so much for my dishes on the menu, pretty much all my ingredients will be coming with me from Queensland. The guys at Monster on the other hand will be using all local ingredients from the ACT. For the event we both decided it would be cool to show off each respective states produce.
When you are off duty and not in the kitchen yourself, what are your favourite Canberra places to eat?
Well, this is my first-time visiting Canberra, so I was hoping someone would have some recommendations for me! Hopefully, I will get some time on the Wednesday night before the event to head out for dinner. I’m pretty keen to check out Aubergine or Pilot, I also really love South East Asian food so XO for me looks really good.
What you need to know
Matt Blackwell at Monster Kitchen and Bar
Date: Thursday 5 March 2020
Time: 7:00pm – 10:30pm
Venue: Monster Kitchen and Bar, 25 Edinburgh Avenue. Canberra ACT, 2601
Tickets: https://www.goodfoodmonth.com/events/matt-blackwell-at-monster-kitchen-and-bar/
