Introducing Joseph McGratton: Head Chef at Raugi’s Restaurant, Kooljaman

From canapés on the beach to gourmet restaurant cuisine, the food at Raugi’s is as much as an attraction as its spectacular sunsets. The menu is inspired by local, seasonal ingredients and superbly crafted by the Michelin trained knife of Belfast born, Joe McGratton.

So how does a chef from the land of the four leaf clover find himself on the pindan cliffs of Cape Leveque?

The short answer – a Melbourne woman!

Richard Dinnen of ABC Kimberley recently chatted with Head Chef of Raugi’s at Kooljaman about his working life challenges and personal attraction to this off the beaten track location.

“We just fell in love with the place… the country, the red earth, the crystal clear seas and blue skies every single day”.

“We have travelled to over 50 countries and this is the most beautiful place in the whole world. The fact we get to live and work here is just ridiculous”.

But it can’t be all suntans and champagne?

“So true. With the isolation of beauty comes extreme challenges. Being a huge distance away from supply chains, it is a fine balancing act of maintaining stores and ordering weeks in advance. The pressure is huge but I feel we deliver the best meals in the north-west and are still improving.”

Final question, what is the best thing for you about being where you are right now?

“No one thing, I love my job BUT – swimming every day at the beach with my daughter. There is nothing better!”

Head Chef Joe’s spirit of love of family and Kooljaman is evident in his menu, marrying local flavours with culinary flair. On the menu you will find Trio of Duck featuring caramelised lemon aspen and Kakadu plum, irrigil smoked mackerel featuring pickled gubinge and of course plenty of threadfin salmon and barramundi.

We invite you to come and experience the finest of the Kimberley while overlooking our beautiful coastline. Book here… Ph: (08) 9192 4970  Email link: reservations@kooljaman.com.au

A Yarn with Maureen Angus… Award Winning One Arm Point Elder

What an auspicious occasion – Kooljaman’s first blog – so let’s make it an Award Winning one!

Imagine living your whole life in the pristine wilderness of the Dampier Peninsula…. well this is Maureen Angus’s reality - the award winning Maureen Angus!

Maureen lives in One Arm Point (Ardyaloon) , the indigenous community that's home to about 400 people, in Bardi Jawi country at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula.

Richard Dinnen of ABC Kimberley, recently caught up for a yarn with Maureen to discover what is so special about Bardi Jawi country.

Hearing her stories, her commitment to her people and connection to her land is inspirational.

<Click here to listen to the full interview>

“I love it here, we can go fishing, camping, cook up turtle and chat to travellers. There is nothing to do in town.”

She has seen the community transition from red dirt to sealed roads, housing, shops and a health clinic. In fact One Arm Point’s health clinic and HACC Program is why she is known as “the award winning Maureen Angus”. Maureen was named the 2014 WA Seniors Champion for her advocacy efforts in founding this first ever community care service.

This unassuming elder plays a vital role in keeping the Bardi Jawi culture alive and strong. Maureen is the “social director”, organising community gatherings for the pensioners of One Arm Point, Lombadina Djarindjin and Beagle Bay.

“We talk about what we can do to make the community better, share our stories and local meals of fish, turtle and dugong.”

Maureen is positive about the future and hopes the kids and grandkids will carry on making the community a beautiful place to live.

“My mum and dad taught my kids and now I take out my grandkids and teach them about our law, practices and culture.”

With Maureen at the helm, the Bardi Jawi stories and culture are in safe keeping.

Hear these stories from Maureen herself in the video above