A taste of the bush in town

WHEN the landlords of the former Saltbush Kitchen shop in Buninyong sold the space, business owner Brigid Corcoran had to relocate, but she chose to see the change as an opportunity.

“We could look at moving into Ballarat,” she said.

“In Buninyong we curated a really nice experience for people, and I was confident in being able to move it somewhere else.”

An historic shopfront, formerly an antique shop, came up for rent at 110 Urquhart Street in the centre of city, and recently became the new home of the bushfoods brand.

“We’re continuing that sensory Australian experience here where we try and hit all the senses; the smell of the bush, the sounds of the birds, tasting native flavours,” Ms Corcoran said.

“We have a tea on every day to taste, and all our condiments, jams, oils, and vinegars are available for tasting.

“Then we have things like lemon myrtle brownies, and yoyos on the weekends, which people can try, buy the ingredients, and get the recipe to make at home.

“It’s about tailoring the experience so people can feel comfortable and excited to go home and cook with Australian native flavours and bushfoods.”

Ms Corcoran said her business is more accessible to more people now, being closer to the CBD, and open five days a week for the first time.

Her own artworks inspired by local country scenes and wildlife are displayed around the space, bringing colour to the walls. The Ballarat shop also has a larger range of art and books for sale.

“The art completes the story,” she said. “Saltbush is an Australian story told through food and art… and the shop is where you taste the flavours, but the art shows where it comes from.”

Saltbush Kitchen also has a partnership with Lilly’s at Eureka to make and sell bushfood chocolates.