Home Beautiful and Harvey Norman have announced a partnership for the Cooks Co-op – a new content series and real-life renovation project to transform a quintessential Aussie shed into a field-to-fork restaurant while showcasing culinary local heroes.
Wendy Moore, general manager Homes and Food at Pacific, said:
“Over the next 12 weeks, the Cooks Co-op content series will cater to our audience’s love of renovation projects and passion for food whilst transforming a humble shed into an impressive farm-to-table restaurant. It’s a privilege to work with Gerry Harvey and renowned chef Martin Boetz on this once-in-a-lifetime project and we look forward to showcasing the incredible farmers, food producers and local hospitality on offer, only a short drive from Sydney’s CBD on the Hawkesbury River.”
In 2012, Martin Boetz – the chef behind the cult following of Longrain during his 13-year stint – escaped the bustle of the big smoke to take on a new adventure and snapped up a rundown property in the Hawkesbury Valley in NSW, with breathtaking river views. For the last six years, he has built up a unique providore business supplying the city’s chefs with culinary delights, such as sustainable seafood, free-range pork, goat’s curd and sourdough, straight from the Hawkesbury valley.
Wendy Moore
In 2018, Home Beautiful and Harvey Norman are now joining Martin’s journey with a three-month content series including twice-weekly webisodes, print features in Home Beautiful and Better Homes and Gardens showcasing behind-the-scenes portfolios and Martin’s step-by-step recipes, a dedicated website vertical and social and digital amplification across the broader Pacific group.
Gerry Harvey, entrepreneur, founder and executive chairman of Harvey Norman, is also a passionate farmer.
He says of the Cooks Co-op project: “This is the story about an urban chef, Martin Boetz, that came to the country and got involved in cooking, the community, the environment, fresh food, local produce and his whole life has a different meaning.”
Gerry Harvey will star alongside Wendy Moore, Martin Boetz, guest celebrity chefs (including Christine Manfield, Alex Herbert, Giovanni Pilu and Alessandro Pivoni), winemaker Lisa McGuigan and a range of amazing local producers for the series. The new restaurant is planned to be open in 2019 and will include regular guest-chef menu collaborations, special foodie and private events.
Martin Boetz says: “The Cooks Co-op is quite simply like no other project I know of.
“What began as a hypothetical idea with Wendy Moore over dinner and a glass of wine last September has become a dream come true. We’ll shine a light on some of the country’s best food producers, meet the locals who make this region so special, share delicious recipes and transform an old, humble tin shed into an impressive space, all against the backdrop of Sydney’s beautiful Hawkesbury that I have come to love.”
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Top photo: Gerry Harvey and Martin Boetz