Giddy up

WITH CAM O’KEEFE

Geelong Cup, Melbourne Cup and everything race-wise in between always seems to bring out the glitzy, giddy and relaxed side in many us, particularly as the sun starts to greet us all again after what feels like the longest of hiatuses.

Although being among the trackside vicinity can bring its own thrill, if you’re like me (with the fashion and racing component really not being your thing) there’s a couple of other options available to still enjoy the carnival atmosphere.

For Geelong Cup this year (Wednesday, October 23), 1915 are offering what is probably as good as a trackside experience would be on the day, with entertainment, race sweeps, fashion comps and big screens. What I like is the sound of the local supplier market stalls that you can enjoy: think Anther Spirits, Otway Pork, Paddock Bakery etc. Plus there won’t be a portaloo in sight. Win. Another safe bet for pre, post or during the race would be the Sporting Globe (Geelong CBD) who – besides having their own pavilion at the actual racecourse on the day – will be a hive of punting-centric folk getting full use of the venue’s viewing, betting and entertainment facilities. Free buses to and from the race too if you happen to be attending their trackside pop-up. Failing either of the above, chances are your local pub will have a much busier atmosphere than usual, given many local businesses still take this as the public holiday instead of Melb Cup in November.

A large, notable mention this week needs to go to Torquay hotspot Samesyn, who only a couple of weeks back received one of the greatest of all hospitality accolades in the restaurant world, being awarded two covenanted ‘Chefs Hats’ by The Age’s Good Food Guide. For those not aware of what the restaurant stands for, here’s their brief in a nutshell:

Sustainably focused: tick. A big part of what restaurant champions is minimising waste, whether that be through taking on over supplied (yet perfectly good) produce that was destined for landfill, or utilising disregarded food product that could still be pickled, fermented or blended into another (delicious) form. Would you believe me when I say the place actually does not use one single trash bin?

Community minded: tick. A restaurant you can physically see giving back to its local residents (for real). They partnered with not-for-profit organistaion Feed Me when they reopened. This initiative, born in Ocean Grove during 2019, was created by a desire to tackle serious food waste, all while providing vulnerable families in our community with nourishing, fresh meals. Samesyn is already into the tens of thousands of cash they’ve donated from profits to Feed Me, which has helped fund their programs and activities. This is a big tick indeed, and

Tasty and quality food: tick tick tick. Like many modern day dining rooms, a meal here is really choose your own journey depending on how hungry, or curious you are, with the menu broken down to the size of the dishes (rather than entrée-main) which are of course all designed to share. Staff on hand are more than happy to talk about their repurposing/waste philosophy, but their message is delivered in such an unfussy, unpretentious way – they are genuinely passionate about the way they do what they do. Probably little more needs to be said from here, except GO.

Finally, keep an eye on Manna Bakery socials, who have made a couple of single-day delivery runs to Geelong over the previous few months. They are a niche Korean bakery based in Oakleigh, who have received an almost cult following thanks to their huge social media presence. Passionately known for their sweet-treated items, buns and cakes, they’ve been driving down the highway roughly once every 6 weeks and using the Manifold Heights Baptist Church as pop-up drop off spot. They’re almost due our way again soon, so keep your eyes peeled on their socials to not miss the boat (NB: they give hungry bun-lovers only notice of a few days when they’re coming). Ordering is made easy and there is lots (and I mean lots) to get excited about.

After more than 20 years in Geelong’s late night hospitality scene, last week was the final hurrah for Home House nightclub. I was going to write more about this, but then realised no (too incrimenting for many). Instead, with the weather warming up, I thought it more important to starting noting places along our Surf Coast/Bellarine that readers may want to pencil in for some holiday daytrips come summer. I’ll touch on Lorne next week, given there’s been some serious movement in the hospitality scene there in recent weeks with closings, openings and events galore.

Until then, saddle up: it appears to be an inviting, warm spring of good times are in order.