Celebrity Chef and television personality.
Celebrity Chef and television personality.
Celebrity chef Alastair McLeod needs no introduction. He’s been gracing our screens for years on Ready, Steady Cook, Queensland Weekender and his own food show, Off the Eaten Track. His unmistakable Irish brogue regularly lights up our airways on ABC and 4BC radio. With an unbridled enthusiasm for food, Alastair has worked in top restaurants around the world and he now runs a Brisbane catering company, Al’FreshCo. Alastair came to the Gold Coast this week to host a lunch at the latest RSL Art Union Prize Home, so we took the opportunity to get to know him a little better.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Despite my accent, I am very Australian. My grandfather was born in the Torres Strait Islands, and my mother was born in Cairns. I’ve lived in Australia for 26 years, always in Queensland and I love it.
Before coming here, I did the usual culinary odyssey, working in France and Italy. It helped form the cook that I am today. When I arrived in Australia, I had to re-tool myself and learn how to work with native ingredients and produce like barramundi and coral trout. I wanted to inform and educate myself about the produce from where I was living, so people would be able to look at a menu and know where they are and what season it is. I just want the food to taste amazing. Food is a conduit to give as much joy, chatter, and animation so the people you invited go away and share that.
What’s been your journey to becoming a chef?
After learning in the kitchens across France and Italy, I started at a restaurant called Baguette, and was one of the head chefs. The owners were really in the business of hospitality, which extended from the front door right through to the back. It was a very established restaurant, and I cut my teeth there. I then worked at Bretts Wharf for about 12 years, and opened another restaurant, Tank Restaurant and Bar where we were awarded a chefs hat. I set up my catering business, Al’Fresh Co, 10 years ago. It started with a market stall and we were cooking dishes that were the quintessence of a seasonal market. Our food was a love letter to that market.
Why did you choose to move to Queensland?
I moved to Queensland for family, as this was where my mother was from. It was important to me to have a sense of family and home. What kept me in Queensland was seeing the opportunity to ply my trade, the climate, the proximity to other major cities. There’s a lovely connectivity to the rest of Australia.
What are your thoughts on Queensland produce?
Queensland produce is without equal. The Lockyer Valley is a powerhouse of produce. Dutch cream potatoes from the region form the most magnificent mash – just apply enough butter and cream to pull it together. There are some gorgeous young people that are farming for passion rather than dollar signs, and produce the most beautiful heritage vegetables: heirloom carrots in orange, purple, white; beetroot that are all different shapes and sizes. A lot of the produce that supplies our kitchen is just pulled from the earth. Out of Mooloolaba you have access to Moreton Bay bugs and prawns, and spanner crab from Fraser Island comes from one of the only sustainable fisheries. If you go up north, you’ll get reef fish like red emperor and coral perch – the fish that defines the finest restaurants of the land. The tropical fruits from Far North Queensland are wonderful.
You are catering a special lunch at the latest RSL Art Union Prize home, how did you get involved with the RSL Art Union?
I have a family connection to the Australian Defence Force. My uncle, my mother’s brother, was in the armed services. He served in Vietnam, Sinai, the Middle East. He’s long gone, but it was important to him to share that sense of duty and responsibility. Partnering with RSL Art Union was a way that I could honour that memory.
What are your thoughts on the Gold Coast’s dining scene?
You could be on the beach and catching a wave, then slipping on a white linen shirt and snacking on Moreton Bay bugs at Rick Shores, one of the hardest restaurants to get in to. There’s a lovely contrast, from getting fresh prawns off the spit to some incredible dining experiences like Restaurant Labart, but you’ll take in the exact same multimillion dollar view.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: Commune or Paddock Bakery
Restaurant: If you can’t get into Restaurant Labart, you can go to Paloma Wine Bar around the corner – if you have the steak frites, it’s as good as eating at Labart.
Bar or place for a drink: Corella
Beach: My wife would say Burleigh Beach, she likes the waves. Mine is Tallebudgera Creek. There’s a kiosk there, Neptune Kiosk, that was started by the same team as Bam Bam Bakehouse.
How do you choose to spend your days off?
My wife and I have a five-year-old and hundreds of animals. We spend a lot of time with our animals in our semi-rural area northwest of Brisbane. It’s where we source some of our produce from. It feels like home and we live in a lovely community, enjoy spending time here connecting with locals.
The current RSL Art Union prize is a $6.6 million stunning five-level apartment complex by the beach in Tugun. Grab your tickets here.
All right be honest, when was the last time you made it south of the legendary Talle Creek? We Gold Coasters are creatures of habit and we’re kindaaaa guilty of not venturing too far from the familiarity of our own suburbs so you know that means two things… 1. There’s a whole city of gems waiting for you to explore and 2. The locals know what’s up which is why we’ve done some snooping around Tugun to find out their favourite hang outs so you can just go and lap up the good times.
Nestled at the southern end of the Gold Coast, Tugun (or Tuges, as the locals say) as a beachside village is sleepy no more, meshing laid-back vibes with a vibrant community spirit and we are here for it. It’s a slice of paradise that locals love for its stunning shoreline, thriving foodie scene, and unique mix of boutique shopping and wellness hotspots. Here’s why Tugun holds a special place in the hearts of Gold Coasters.
Something to sip and snack
The foodie culture down here is something else, to get the day going Niche & Co has long reigned the Southern GC as THE place to your caffeine and brekky fix to nourish the bod before you start your day – if a quick bite is more your speed then The Fox’s Pantry has pastries aplenty as well as other bits and bobs like gifts and groceries to keep you going. Okay so this one might not be your usual kind of coffee haunt but Made Barber & Barista have brought us the combo we didn’t even know we needed – pop down to grab your morning brew and leave with a sharp new cut, two birds one coffee!
When seaside it’s mandatory to treat yourself to a spot of lunch and beach walk – well in our book, anyway. Sticky Rice is the home of some of the GC’s best Thai dishes – if you haven’t tried their Street BBQ Chicken, do it immediately. If little bites are what you’re looking for Lucia Tapas’ coastal cool and Spanish style tapas are a must-try, bonus points if you can get there for tapas and drinks happy hour Wednesday through Sunday because cozzie lives guys, we’re here for value for money honey.
Who said daytime has to have all the fun? When the suns away the margs will play or something like that and as luck would have it, Backbone Bar have them well covered. Crack open a tinnie or watch your fresh draught pour from the tap and kick back with their signature Asian-fusion eats. Perfect for catching up with mates or kickstarting your night out.
Shop (local) ‘til you drop
Tugun might be small but their retail offering is absolutely mighty, Tugun Fruit & Flowers is a family owned gem that is known not just for the freshest produce in town, but for their killer acai bowls – a summer staple if you ask us – grab your groceries, a smoothie (go on, you’ve earned it) and treat yourself to their selection of seasonal blooms for the ultimate act of *self care*.
For those bigger shops, Tugun Market Co has a bit of everything so you can stock up the pantry with all of your favourite things – they’ve even got a dedicated fromagerie and since cheese is the way to our hearts you know we’re all about it – if you’re lacking in the cooking inspo department then worry not because these local legends have an epic selection of recipes from Lemon Asparagus Risotto to Veggie Soups to get the creative juices flowing.
So Cornerstone Stores is more than just a shopping destination, they’re basically a hub of all things boutique shopping, artisan cafes and wellness with curated must-haves and even its own Pilates studio! Its ultra-aesthetic vibe is what first caught our attention but the collection of goodies you won’t find at any old store kept us coming back – think of it as a modern-day village within a village.
Keep it clean
The locals down here have a rep for embracing sustainable living so you best believe we trusted them when we heard Consciously Clean is THE place to grab all the eco-friendly staples and low-tox products so we can all live cleaner lives, grab your bottles and fill up with refillable household items and bespoke gifts to treat yourself or someone you love.
Community and culture
Chances are you’ve already been to something mega fun at the faithful Tom Atkin Hall, the cultural heartbeat of Tugun, it’s been around since the 1960’s and locals are a big fan. They host everything from crafty workshops to theatre and line dancing, so hosting everything from art workshops to yoga classes. It’s the go-to spot for locals who love connecting, creating and sharing in the Arts. There’s always a load of fun things on the schedule so check it out and try something different for the first time in a long time!
Tugun Bowls Club is where community spirit meets laid-back fun. Tucked away in the backstreets, this clubhouse offers more than just bowls, but Barefoot Sundays are a local fave. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon on the greens with friends and family, soaking up the coastal vibes.
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski
Karla Munoz Labart is one half of the superstar couple (the other half being chef extraordinaire Alex Labart) behind Burleigh’s beloved Labart and Australia’s Wine Bar of the Year, Paloma Wine Bar. We sat down with Karla to chat about the hospitality scene on the Gold Coast, get the insider tips on what to order at Paloma and she dropped a hint about their upcoming plans.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up on the Gold Coast and moved to Sydney for uni when I finished high school. I studied Media + Communications at UTS and worked in Public Relations in the entertainment industry before moving into PR for restaurants and bars. I met my husband Alex in Sydney when he was Head Chef at a restaurant I was managing the PR for. I didn’t think I’d ever move back to the Gold Coast but Alex was keen for a quieter lifestyle somewhere close to the beach, so the Gold Coast made sense. We moved to Burleigh in 2018 and opened Restaurant Labart. In late 2021 we opened Paloma Wine Bar just down the road on James Street.
What do you love about the Gold Coast?
The laidback lifestyle and community feel of Burleigh makes it a pretty special part of the world. We have a one year old daughter and it really is the greatest place to watch her learn and explore. We’re lucky to live so close to the beach and to have restaurants, bars and cafes all within walking distance from our house.
Your wine bar, Paloma, recently won Australia’s ‘Wine Bar of the Year’ Award. Congratulations! Tell us a little bit about Paloma.
Paloma is a relaxed neighbourhood wine bar in the heart of Burleigh Heads. We wanted to create a place that locals and visitors could pop into for a quick snack and drink. Nothing too serious, just somewhere to kick back and have a good time. We don’t have a beach view like some of our friends down the road so the atmosphere comes from what’s happening inside.
Why did you think the Gold Coast needed a wine bar like Paloma?
There aren’t many wine bars on the Gold Coast. We wanted to open the kind of place that we like to eat and drink at on our days off, so when this site came up in the heart of James Street we knew we had to take it.
What would you recommend we order at Paloma?
I recommend working your way through the wines by the glass so that you can try different varietals that you might not have had before. The menu is mainly made up of snacks and small plates so you can graze as you go. Although Paloma is first and foremost a wine bar, the cocktails are some of the best on the Coast so it’s definitely worth starting with a house cocktail before you move on to wine.
What do you think about the hospitality scene on the Gold Coast
The GC hospitality scene has come so far in the past five years. Great operators moving to the area have raised the bar. There are a lot more venues opening in the coming months so I’m excited to see what else is in store for Burleigh and the greater GC.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 12 months?
Alex and I are looking at a couple of sites for our next project which should hopefully kick off in 2023 so watch this space.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/Coffee spot: Seadog on James St for the best coffee in Burleigh
Restaurant: The Tropic for lunch with a view and Piatto for a cozy dinner
Bar or place for a drink: Cantina in Mermaid Beach
Beach: Talle Creek (when it’s not school holidays)
How do you choose to spend your weekends?
Weekends are the busiest time for us at Labart and Paloma so you can normally find Alex and me popping into both the venues to see our teams and say hi to regulars. On our days off you can find us at the beach with our daughter and catching up with friends and family over a BBQ at home.
There are many exceptional restaurants on the Gold Coast right now, our city has become quite the little foodie hub. It’s primarily due to the chefs at said exceptional restaurants who spend countless hours tweaking and perfecting dishes so we get to devour incredible dishes. And we’re pretty happy about it.
In honour of these chefs and International Chef Day on 20th October 2020, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best on the Coast so you know who to visit next time you’re in the mood for something special.
Uday Huja
Renowned Gold Coast Executive Chef Uday Huja made the move here only a few short years ago after a career that spanned high end Las Vegas hotels, Michelin starred restaurant The Inn at Little Washington and now, Nineteen at The Star (lucky us). He brings an absolute wealth of knowledge to the stunning venue and if you’ve not yet been in to experience his Oyster Journey, you’re missing out. It’s an honour to have him here.
Alex Munoz Labart
Head Chef and owner at Burleigh’s Restaurant Labart, Alex Munoz Labart is not only one of the Coast’s top chefs, but one of Australia’s. He hails from Sydney where he worked in (and owned) the best of the best restaurants and now he’s making magic for us in the form of modern Australian dishes that blow your mind every time. Alex lists Iku Yakitori Bar as one of his favourite restaurants on the Coast.
Adam Dundas-Taylor
Adam Dundas-Taylor has worked with some of the world’s best chefs, including for Jamie Oliver and London’s finest Nobu. He was the owner of beloved Firecue in Nobby’s and now, he’s joined the team at Broadbeachs’ Miss Moneypenny’s as Executive Chef to bring a fresh, new feel (and all of his impressive experience) to the menu. Adam lists Gemelli and Mamasan as two of his favourite Gold Coast venues.
Guillaume Zika
With two Chefs Hats under his belt, Guillaume Zika is quite the chef for the Gold Coast to have claimed. He fronts the culinary team at Burleigh Pavilion (including The Tropic). Between the two venues Guillaume creates both casual, perfect-post-beach eats and a sit-down menu using only the highest quality produce. He says Restaurant Labart is one of his favourite restaurants on the Coast.
Kelvin Andrews
While Brisbane has now claimed this superstar, we still call Kelvin Andrews our own. He lists some of the Coast’s most revered restaurants, including Nineteen at The Star, The Fish House and Hellenika as his starting points in the culinary world and now is the Head Chef at Brisbane’s five-star SK Steak & Oyster. And he’s barely getting started. Kelvin says Alfred’s Diner is his favourite spot for breaky.
Daniel Ridgeway
Daniel Ridgeway is the local restauranteur who has made Gold Coasters dining dreams come true for over a decade with venues like Little Truffle, Gotham Grill & Rooftop Bar (recently sold) and four BiN restaurants all his creations. He’s worked overseas for much of his career and he’s absolutely earned every single accolade he’s received. These days you can find him at Little Truffle and Daniel lists Itoshin as one of his favourite local spots.
