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
