Harvest Queensland Winter Showcase

Did you know that spanner crabs are one of a few crabs in the world that walk backwards and forwards, rather than side to side? Or that most Australian custard apples are hand-pollinated? Or that re-immersing mud crabs in water after they’re caught reduces crab mortality?

I didn’t - until I attended the Harvest Queensland Winter Showcase yesterday at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Ten Queensland growers and producers visited Sydney to show off their produce and products at the event, which was hosted by Queensland Food Fellow Alison Alexander and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The producers showcased products ranging from grain-fed beef to passionfruit to bottarga and were all keen to share their knowledge.

Wayne Hulme of Joto Fresh Fish is an enthusiastic ambassador for Australia’s largest spanner crab producer, Ceas Spanner Crab. He described the sustainable fishing methods the company uses that ensure no by-catch and the chilled water spray on the boats that minimises stress during transport. Ceas has been recognised as a sustainable fishery by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Dan MacKellar from Ceas Spanner Crab (left) and Wayne Hulme from Joto Fresh Fish.

John Mayze, Principal Seafood Technician with the DAFF, outlined research that has led to improvements in crab mortality post-catch. Simply re-immersing crabs in water has reduced crab mortalities by 10%. Overall, recent research into other methods has reduced crab mortality rates by more than 50% and increased the value of the industry by more than $500,000.

John Mayze with a crustacean friend.

Philippe Reboul, Director of The Truffle Man, is passionate about Queensland bottarga - dried, salted wild grey Mullet roe. The roe is simply salted and sun-dried before being vacuum-packed for retail and export sale. A smoked variety is also available. It has proved popular in Japan, where Tokyo connoisseurs recently rated Queensland bottarga as the best on the market against local products, Reboul said.

Other producers at the event included Nolan’s Meats, Barambah Organics, Pro Quality Seafoods, Tinaberries and LiraH Vinegar.

Queensland Food Fellow Alison Alexander has long been an advocate for produce from the sunshine state. “This special event will draw attention to some of our most quality-conscious food producers, whose products could star on any menu,” Alexander said. Speaking at the Harvest Queensland event, she said, “We’d love to see Queensland produce on menus this winter.”

Queensland Food Fellow Alison Alexander speaks at the event.

Queensland’s food value chain contributed $18.7 billion to the Queensland economy in 2008-2009 and supports about 267,000 jobs. During winter, most of our vegetables come from Queensland.

Restaurant II chef David Pugh designed the menu for the Winter Showcase featuring Queensland produce, which was shipped down for the event.

By Alice Richard