EXP. Restaurant Producers, Artisans & Partnerships
Supporting Local Producers and Artisans
The EXP.loration we have set out on could not be achieved without the help from amazing producers and craftsman we collaborate with. They all contribute to help us create a unique EXP.erience.
Crafts People
Alicia Yap | Menu Artist | @aliciaaa_art
Alicia dined with us back in 2023, after which she sent through a watercolour rendition of the menu. We now commission Alicia to paint our menu to use in media and in print.
Kiasmin Burrow | Artist | @kiasmin_art_shop
Hunter Valley local, now contemporary Newcastle based artist. Kiasmin is the visionary behind our large artworks in the Restaurant.
Made of Australia | Crockery | https://madeofaustralia.com | @madeofaustralia
Ceramic artist Anna-Marie Wallace crafts unique plateware using signature Saggar Firing process to harness the elements of Earth, Water, Air, & Fire using naturally occurring oxides & minerals to create colour, pattern & texture.
Katherine Mahoney | Crockery | https://katherinemahoney.id.au | @katherinemahoneyceramics
Drawing inspiration from the Australian landscape, Sydney based artist Katherine creates unique, wheel-thrown ceramics and sculptural forms.
Lyndel Henry | Crockery | https://www.henryandtunks.com.au | @henryandtunks
Lyndel crafts handmade pieces using Australian-sourced clay and materials on small-scale to hold onto authenticity and individuality.
Helen Stronach | Ceramist | Tea & Coffee Vessels | www.stronacharchitects.com.au/art | @helenstronach1
Helen is an architect and potter based in Newcastle who created our tea & coffee vessels back when we started in 2015.
Alessandro Di Sarno | Ceramist | Crockery & Teapots | @alessandrodisarno_cermaics
Alessandro is a Sydney based chef turned potter crafting hand-thrown and press-mould ceramics inspired by traditional Japanese pottery. Our lidded bowls (Chanwanmushi) and teapots have been crafted by his talented hands.
Mark Aylward | Wood & Metal Sculptor | www.solidwoodfurniture.com.au | @mark_aylward
Mark is the mastermind behind our unique dining tables (Mackay Cedar), serving trays and unique metal serviceware.
Craig Maher Knives | Knifemaker | www.maherknives.com | @maherknives
Craig is s North Sydney based knifemaker who specialises in hand-forged Japanese-inspired blades using high-carbon steel. Craig created our Copper Spoons, Copper Plates, Brass Plates and very importantly, Chef’s Knife.
Adamas Forge | Blacksmith & Bladesmith| www.adamasforge.com.au | @adamas_forge
Newcastle based blacksmith & bladesmith, Joel, uses traditional metal artistry methods to craft pieces such as our Hand Forged Spoon & Fork, Steak Knives and of course, Chef’s Knife.
Farmhouse Forge | Blacksmith | www.farmhouseforge.com.au |@farmhouse_forge
Paterson based blacksmith, crafting handmade, hammer marked, carbon steel cookware that suits being used over open flame.
Wood By Brad |Wood Sculptor | bpurcell@optusnet.com.au
Brad is a local wood turner who creates for the joy of it. He put together our large serving trays and turned out the Banksia Pods we use for “Snacks”.
Growers
Provenance Lancer Flour | Baking Flour by Simon and Sandy Doolin | provanceflourandmalt.com
Simon Doolin is a third generation farmer in Northern NSW with an passion for sustainable farming and building connections between growers and the community.
Josh the Truffle Guy | Black Truffles
A family owned 50 acre farm located in Gloucester only two hours from Pokolbin. A small parcel of this space is dedicated to planted out Black Truffle. Josh delivers to the restaurant during the season and our Chef’s select from the harvest.
Naway Yila Buradja | Native Produce | www.nativefoodsonline.com.au |@narwayyilaburadja
Naway Yila Buradja grows native ingredients in Mudgee with the core focus to not just grow produce but to use native foods in the regeneration and rehabilitation of the land.
Newcastle Greens I Heirloom Produce I www.newcastlegreens.com | @newcastlegreens
Dylan Abdoo established Newcastle Greens back in 2012 wanting to work in collaboration with chefs to grow rare varietals of vegetables, flowers and leaves. What grows is not only driven by season, but intrigue as well.
Shanes Seafood I Seafood I www.shanesseafood.com.au | @shanesseafood
Located in Lake Macquarie, Shane’s Seafood sources the best of the Australian coast and Aquaculture to our chefs with over 35 years experience in the game.
Sprocket Roasters I Coffee I www.sprocketroasters.com.au | @sprocketroasters
Established in 2009 with a focus on carbon conscious roasting , Sprocket recycle spent coffee to roast our signature brew.
Daintree Estates I Australian Chocolate I www.daintreeestates.com |@daintreeestates
From the beautiful Daintree Rainforest in far North Queensland, Daintree Estates are the pioneers of Australian grown chocolate.
Hunter Belle Dairy Co. | Milk| www.hunterbellecheese.com.au
For over 100 years, the Chesworth family has been milking cows along the Hunter River in New South Wales, focussing on the protein rich milk of Swiss Brown cows that is ideal for cheesemaking.
Little Hill Farm | Chicken| @little_hill_farm
Slow grown, pasture raised, ethically farmed chickens & eggs using regenerative farming principles.
Red Gate Farm | Duck | http://www.redgatefarm.com.au
Family operated in Seaham, Red Gate Farm is dedicated to the heritage of speciality breeds with a deep respect for tradition and seeing the pastoral landscape through generations.
Binnie Beef | Wagyu Beef | https://www.binniebeef.com.au | @binniebeef
Family farming since 1835 and in 2004, shifting a sole focus on Stud Australian Wagyu. Slow growth techniques and paddock based grazing on natives give Binnie a unique profile we love to work with.
Adina Estate | Olives and Olive Oil | https://www.adinavineyard.com.au
Adina Estate on Lovedale Road in only 10 minutes from the Restaurant, producing Hunter Valley grown Olive Oil from their grove since 2014.
Mother Fungus Mushrooms | Mushrooms | https://www.motherfungus.com.au | @motherfungusmushrooms
Stu and Adele grow gourmet mushrooms in Old Bar, NSW, with sustainability and eco-friendly practices at the heart of everything they do.
Yarra Valley Caviar | Caviar | https://www.yarravalleycaviar.com.au | @yarravalleycaviar
Nebo Farm | Vegetables & Produce | @nebofarmmorpeth
Nebo Farm is a family-run farm located in the picturesque, quaint town of Morpeth.
The Humble Hive Collective | Honey | https://www.thehumblehivecollective.com.au/ | @humblehivecollective
Literally from humble beginnings, wanting better growth in the home garden, Humble Hive has grown to a range of hives dotted across the Hunter Valley with a keen focus on education about the importance of bees in our ecosystem.
Partnerships
Bio Bowser Technologies | Compost System| https://biobowserrenewabletechnologies.com.au | @biobowser
Billi Water | Filtered Water System | https://www.billi.com.au | @Billi
Hunter Culinary Association | https://www.hunterculinary.com.au | @huntercullinary
UNOX | Ovens | unox.com
J&H Commercial | Servicing & Equipment| jhcommercial.com
Winterhalter |Dishwasher & Glasswasher | winterhalter.com
Photography
Dominique Cherry | Photographer| @domcherry
Tom Robertson | Photographer| @tmr_photography_and_design