NORTH Stradbroke Island trawlermen, mullet fishermen and bee keepers have made it to the pages of a cookbook called Eat, Drink and Be Straddie.
It focuses on the island, its food, people and some smashing photography and was launched at the Point Lookout Markets at the Community Hall.
The 200-page book will hit the shelves next month, with 100 beautifully photographed recipes, all featuring island ingredients.
These are complimented by stunning landscape shots and features on the island’s producers, a timeline of key historical events, a forward by sporting icon Matthew Hayden and a welcome by Quandamooka elder Dr Aunty Joan Hendriks.
Ms Simms said the end result was an adventure and a recipe book all rolled into one.
Ms Simms said her favourite recipes were squid ceviche and pipi chowder, although correct preparation of the shellfish was essential.
“Following bee keepers around was really cool but it took about three weeks to get over the shoot because of all the bee stings,’’ she said.
The book had recipes aimed at different eating times, like picnics, meals for two, breakfasts, BBQs, camping and feeding large numbers.
It also had a chapter devoted to recipes from some good local cooks, like a trawler fishermen’s wife.
“I first discovered Straddie more than 10 years ago. I ... came over to the island to visit my sister,’’ Ms Simms said.
“At that point, I intended to stay only one night but sitting on the headland, drinking a glass of wine as whales breached in the waters offshore, I knew I’d found somewhere more special than that.”
Straddie had cast its spell, prompting the couple to marry and set up Stradbroke Island Photography.
“We’re always on the lookout for a great photo opportunity, and having heard about the island’s famous mullet run, we headed to the beach early one morning to see what it involved,” Mr Quinn said.
“As we watched the fishermen in action, we were struck again by the island’s relationship with food. There’s such a wonderful respect for what the land and sea provide.”
It was from this, the idea for Eat, Drink and Be Straddie was born.
The couple also were able to draw expertise from Mr Quinn’s earlier work as a baker.
The book costs $50 and you can see a sample at https://issuu.com/eatdrinkandbestraddie. For more of Ang and Stu’s photography go to https://www.instagram.com/eatdrinkandbestraddie/.
