OCHRE RESTAURANT – WINNER OF THE TASTE PARADISE SIGNATURE DISH 2010 COMPETITION.
Craig Squire won the award for his Tempura bugs, papaya salad, with sweet chilli lemon myrtle dipping sauce.
This dish was chosen for its innovative use of local ingredients that is the essence of Tropical North Queensland
The Public Vote Winner was Tropical Pan seared Tuna salad laced with a Mango vinaigrette’ by Chriso the Personal Chef with 464 votes
Finalists included
1 Tier of mud crab, mango and avocado from Kewarra Beach Resort
2 Julaymba Journey by Julaymba Restaurant at Daintree Eco Lodge
Three innovative finalist dishes were cooked off in front of the public and a panel of judges at the Pier at the Marina this morning (Saturday 13th November) to declare the winning dish that was considered the essence of Tropical North Queensland, on the presentation and how innovatively the chef has used local regional produce so that every mouthful says ‘Taste Paradise’.
See below for recipes
PUBLIC VOTERS PRIZE – A dinner at Ochre Restaurant to the value of $200.00 was won by Nikki Firmin.
Wok tossed local mud crab with spicy salt and pepper
Mango Prawns on sweet Potato
Tropical pan seared tuna salad laced with a mango vinaigrette
WINNER of the PUBLIC VOTERS CHOICE
“Fruits” of the sea
Boonjie Redclaw yabbie & sweet potato gnocchi
Great Barrier Reef coral trout with orange salad with macadamia aioli
Australian Barramundi, rosti potato, , scallop, bug, prawn,
Ochre Restaurant…..Tempura Bugs – Green Papaya Salad – Sweet Chilli Lemon Myrtle Dipping Sauce.. this dish sounds amazing completely unique & very “Tropical Queensland”. I love the choice of Lemon Myrtle to add that Native flavor my mouth is watering just imagining the tastes & textures. All the dishes look fabulous but this is the one that stood out for me.
OLIVERS
Le meilleur restaurant de Cairns , si du point de vue culinaire que dans la salle .
Le misture de goût et de produits du terroir, des plats délicieux .
Féliciations au leader et à son équipe .
The best restaurant of Cairns, so from the point of view culinary as in room .
The misture of taste and local products, are delight.
Féliciations to the leader and to her team.
A top resteraunt in a sparcley populated area that is popular with locals and visitors. allways their for your taste buds to be exited using local products as much as posssible. top class at the top,a must stop on your way up the cape.
I have voted for CHRISO’s amazing and beautifully presented dish, made with fresh local products that he has obviously discovered where to find over time. His creation that he has invented here looks the so mouth-watering and I personally think it is the most delicious dish you can imagine…Good on you Chris!
Cedar Park is the best… Wonderful friendly people, fantastic food makes you want to come back time and time again and a relaxing atmosphere to dine in.
What more could you want.
OLIVERS
They are The BEST and they also have the most ORIGINAL dishes…
Another good point is that they always try to support the community by using local products.
Bravo.
Chriso the Personal Chef’s dish is wonderful, it is great to see him using such fresh local product and then the presentation – just fabulous. Good luck to him!
A “taste of Paradise” applies to CHRISO absolutely perfectly and beautifully, with fresh local products that he made me discover and love, he just creates, designs, invents the most amazing, silky, mouth-watering,perfumed and delicious dishes you can imagine…This specific dish has a long lasting flavour and a souvenir that makes you want more… I had the great chance of tasting several of his unique dishes and each time has been delightful, leaving you with an exquisite pleasure of real satisfaction. I would recommande CHRISO for any occasion, for an everyday celebration or for a very special event… You would NEVER-EVER be disapointed…
Chriso’s dish is the best !!!!!! I have had it before and it’s fantastic. This dish is tropical and all the products are bought locally. Chriso cooks so well and with such passion, he has inspired me to cook.
You can do it Chriso !!!!
Chrisso is the only chef one should have prepare for you on any occasion.His food creations are to die for. He has style and creativity,an easy going manner , all the while presenting innovating and delicious outstanding and flavorsome surprises. He is simply the best
I voted for Chrisso the personal chef and think his food is amazing I have expereinced it at various functions and could never fault it! I wish him all the luck in this competition and think he has the skills to go very far in this world!
I am an Intenational Travel Operator bringing Oseas clients to Australia for past 16 years…
MY favourite is by far CEDAR PARK — I have taken people from USA White House there, New York Business people and on and on — and the feedback is better than any other restaurant in Australia…
The clear favourite is Cedar Park. We travel worldwide and have visited numerous restaurants of international fame but the cuisine in this place is unbelievable. The fish and seafood are a real treat for your palate – flavours develop you never realised exist. Absoluely awesome! A big hurrah for the chefs.
love love LOVE Restaurant 1770… in Cooktown… Such a tranquil and unique setting overlooking the delightful Endeavour River and the Paradise Mignon truly is THE TASTE OF PARADISE… Always a special meal experience made with love and attention from the AMAZING staff… Thanks 1770
Restaurant 1770s paradise mignon is amazing beyond belief. 1770s staff are an amazing team and cause every experience there a great one, You can always depend on there food to be of good quality and out standing flavours. As my favourite restaurant they definitely get my vote
Jason at Eden House continues to surprise us using fresh local produce – Boonjie Redclaw and Sweet Potato Gnocci would be delicious. well done to all these wonderful chefs.
It all looks mouth-watering! The newly refurbished Kewarra Beach Resort gets my vote though, Chef Pedro & his staff do an amazing job & i highly recommend trying his scallops too!
Eden House presents the most innovative dish of all the options. Stands out as totally different to the rest – not just a piece of protein on a bed of something delicious. It’s creative – and appealing!
I love eating at all that are listed. How ever an added bonus if a view of the ocean along with eating mouth watering tropical sensations with a combination of fruit and seafood to enrich my palate…
FAR HORIZONS,PALM COVE,HEAVEN ON EARTH
outstanding food,outstanding location and wonderful staff
.Have been a regular for almost 20 years and we chose to celebrate birthdays ,anniversaries,Christmas and new year( last year outstanding) delacate tastes.
Definately the best at TASTE OF PALM COVE
Far Horizons is the top spot, not only for food but forlocation, ambience and the friendliness of staff. Look out to the water with an ubostructed view of the ocean, enjoying great cuisine, with soft lights,and entertainment on weekends. not to be missed.
Far Horizons Restaurant at Angsana has to be the best restaurant in Palm Cove. I have dined there twice recently and the food not only looks like a work of art, it tastes like it too! Plus, who can go past sitting right next to that beautiful beach listening to the waves gently caress the shore?
The coral trout and fennel and orange salad reflected the dynamic colours of the tropics. presentation stimulated the senses of vibrant flavours a plate of wonderful foods that north queensland offers us.
Chriso has a fantastic work ethic, and every detail is catered for when he works his magic in the kitchen. Not only does he make the most beautiful dishes, but he does it with a great big smile on his face the whole time he is cooking- good luck chris, katie.
Hello, I’ve voted for Chriso The personal Chef for one basic reason. I currently live overseas and last year my mother got married, being the eldest of her children I was naturally worried about every detail from the veil to the food. But On the Day/Night of the wedding i had absaloutely nothing to worry about – IN FACT, even the pickest eaters were all in praise of his delicous meals and professional and friendly manner. I highly recommmend that you choose Chriso as the winner as he always delivers above and beyond expectations. Sincerly Celestemonique.
It’s always a joy to eat at Cedar Park Rainforest Resort – consistently delicious. Mango prawns on sweet potato – divine, while dining al fresco surrounded by nature.
What could be more appropriate for NQ then a red claw gnocchi? Simply stunning and the sweet potato only adds to the gorgeous flavour! Go Eden House you definitely deserve to win!
As a member of a large group dining at Cedar Park, several times, I was delighted with the marvelous choice of wines, most delicious beef I’ve ever tasted, lovely presentation of all other foods I’ve eaten in an indescribably enchanting atmosphere. The warmth and spirit of Christof and Gustav certainly make their beautiful rain forest Hiding Place a memorable experience!! Most sincerely,
Chriso, The Personal Chef, will have you eating with relish in the comfort of your own home. Chriso understands the delicate balance of flavour marriage. He captures this marriage through fresh paradise tastes which delight the senses. In Chriso’s culinary care, local tropical flavours will tantalise your taste buds and leave you with more than just food for thought.
We spent our 20th wedding Anniversary at Eden House. Glorious days that bring back memories of Jason and his food, that is unquestionably the best on the Tableland.
I agree that Cedar House does a grand job but on this occasion Jason at Eden House has excelled and produced my favourite. Unfortunately I’m now back in Perth and won’t be able to experience his wonderful food for a little while. Cheers to all contestants
I spent a weekend in cairns and went no further than salthouse for food and entertainment. The food was world class and loved the fusion of flavours used by a very talented chef. The staff were friendly and attentive with our needs met at every turn. THANKYOU SALTHOUSE
Chriso the Personal Chef – Chris is not only the most wonderful person, his food is just simply amazing!! The whole experience of having a “Personal Chef” come into your home and cook for you is incredible. Our family and friends have so much fun. And I have to add “Chris does all the washing up”, how impressive is that!
We are so spoiled to have such amazing restaurants in far north Queensland! Being a PD local I have to be biased and say my favourite restaurant up there would be Salsa… but I voted for the Sheraton Mirage’s barra, it just looks divine!! I would love to eat at more Cairns restaurants, in fact I’m there tonight so it’s game on!
I have eaten all over the world and have found Ochre to be a most magnificent Australiana experience in delighting the palate with intriguing flavours and exquisite cuisine experience…Always a memorable and lingering experience to eat the the Ochre….
Just love the warmth of Eden House Yungaburra and cant wait to get back there again. Wonderful cooking, great chef humour and an Australian family of outstanding quality. The best that the world should come and see, representing the delightful lifestyle of Far North Queensland.
Thanks for all the words of support and encouragement guys! Great to see so many people supporting our local food industry, right across the region. There are some wonderful expressions of our tropical bounty amongst the recipes, and very tough competition! Whichever dish wins the prize, the real winner is NQ Food.
Jason @ Eden House
For dining in style, old world elegance, professional service and consistently good food that features all that the tropics produce in a lush well maintained tropical environment, you have to visit Eden House in the historic village of Yungaburra.
We have many fine restaurants in Yungaburra and The Atherton Tablelands, which seem to be overlooked by Cairns Tourist Advisors
Full marks to Eden House for submitting this unique dish
Our vote goes to Eden House, Yungaburra. For elegance and tropical ambience it is unsurpassed. As for the menu, it is always exciting, ever-changing and very carefully considered.
Ochre Chef and owner Craig Squire has been an amazing supporter and advocate of tropical north queensland produce for over 15 years – indigenous bush tucker, fabulous seafood and tropical fruits all make up this sensational dish which tastes light and fresh in the balmy humidity of the tropics!!
As a Kuranda local and Tour-Guide, Cedar Park Resort has always presented consistent excellent food and service, all situated in one of the Far North’s most unique locations and buildings.
To combine eco principles with animal conservation, a warm welcome from Rosy and my recommended Macadamia Crusted Barramundi from their internationally famous Chef Marcus is always a delight and an experience I would highly recommend!
What more can I say, except that I frequent Cedar Park Resort all the time and never tire of the fantastic food, great service and wonderful relaxing atmosphere. Every occasion is an experience to remember!
Ceder Park.
Fab … and enjoyable from the start with the signage on the drive along a typical Australian country road to the exciting view as you come upon a Tuder style Resort.The welcome from Rosy is like the greeting of a long lost family member and as you are seated you view the animals and birds rambling freely in the inviting garden calling you to just wander.Food is to die for .. what more can I say excep t” Thanks Rosy,Chrisoph and Marcus!”
Chriso the Personel Chef, Chriso realy is the real deal, with food that is absolutely amazing and the presentation of every dish is incredable ! a young man who is realy going places !
Coolums at the Beach is one of the most romantic dining spots in the world – set right on Holloways Beach in Tropical North Queensland – that combined with fresh local seafood, exotic local tropical fruits and crisp wine is a combination for a perfect evening!
I love not only the ambiance of Cedar Park and its surrounds and the ‘conversational’ signposts driving in through the bush, but the fact that Rosy, Marcus and Chrisoph care as much about their guests palates and comfort, as they do their environment and the animals who share their little corner of the world. A complete package.
A rare combination, flavour,ambience & a warm welcome all found at Cedar Park. Get your taste buds singing & make friends with chefs Markus, Christof & your hostess Rosie. An experience you will be bound to repeat.
Having tasted, and also worked with Chris in the past, I feel I have good reason to comment on his amazing cooking skills and also how passionate Chris is about giving great quility and superb service whenever he works, he really is a great chef and someone who deserves to win this competition. Chris always tries to use top quility local produce and goes out of his way to search for perfection.
Chriso gets my vote! Always uses fresh local ingredients and his dishes are always amazing. Great to have such a talented young local. Tasty, fresh and vibrant just like Tropical North QLD!!
Ochre Restaurant….by far the best locally sourced food in FNQ,The whole ethos is unique to Queensland,from the best selling Taste of Oz,,show casing not only ,kangaroo,emu and crocodile but the use of native bush foods,which are incorporated into most dishes on the menu.Local fish,ie coral trout,wild barramundi,red claw,from the tablelands are often included on daily specials.Using seasonal produce from the local Rustys market every week…..All this is prepared by chefs who love and respect the selection of produce on our doorstep…Ochre definitely gets my vote..fresh ,creative and above all beautiful food produced with love.
A magical place for special occasions, Cedar Park is my favourite. It combines the peace of the rainforest with warm, informal hospitality, quirky Gothic design and great food.
I have taken all my friends and relatives to Cedar Park, because of the explosion of flavours from entree to desserts. The two chefs Marcus and Christof are sensational chefs and a credit to Kuranda to have a restaurant so close to visit.
Same. I take my friends and family there too – which of course means I get to indulge myself as well. As well as the great chefs… then there’s Rosy.. funny, accommodating, very personable and looks after the guests with a flair.
The jouney begins with the descision to visit Cedar Park Resort for another fantastic evening or lunch. The anticipation grows as you drive down that narrow winding road and your thinking that you need to get there to begin the experience. The feeling comes over you as you get out of the car – relaxation kicks in and your senses go into overdrive. The warm welcome from Rosy, Markus and Christof – like family you haven’t seen in a while. As if that wasn’t enough they introduce you to a combination of superb local dishes as you have never tasted before, served in a bush location that you need to see to understand. If you so desire you can stay in one of their motel rooms, which mirror their personalities, to contiue the experience. And then…….. the journey ends and you are left driving home making plans when to visit again.
Thanks Christof, Markus and Rosy.
Gloria and I were surprised with great joy to discover your signature dishes. I have travel to more than 60 countries and have dined in the finest restaurants in the world but none exceeded the culinary skills and taste found at Cedar Park. From the before dinner glass of wine to the dessert everything was exceptional. We are looking forward to our return visit with you in May or June 2011 and thanks for such an enjoyable experience.
Clif and Gloria Crews
Watkinsville, GA USA
Craig Squire won the award for his Tempura bugs, papaya salad, with sweet chilli lemon myrtle dipping sauce. 
Themocracy
Ochre Restaurant…..Tempura Bugs – Green Papaya Salad – Sweet Chilli Lemon Myrtle Dipping Sauce.. this dish sounds amazing completely unique & very “Tropical Queensland”. I love the choice of Lemon Myrtle to add that Native flavor my mouth is watering just imagining the tastes & textures. All the dishes look fabulous but this is the one that stood out for me.
Could you please let me know who’s won the competion please
scott
WELL DONE ON SUCH AN AMAZING DISH CHRIS! CONGRATULATIONS MATE – WE LOVE YOU LOADS!
OLIVERS
Le meilleur restaurant de Cairns , si du point de vue culinaire que dans la salle .
Le misture de goût et de produits du terroir, des plats délicieux .
Féliciations au leader et à son équipe .
The best restaurant of Cairns, so from the point of view culinary as in room .
The misture of taste and local products, are delight.
Féliciations to the leader and to her team.
A top resteraunt in a sparcley populated area that is popular with locals and visitors. allways their for your taste buds to be exited using local products as much as posssible. top class at the top,a must stop on your way up the cape.
I have voted for CHRISO’s amazing and beautifully presented dish, made with fresh local products that he has obviously discovered where to find over time. His creation that he has invented here looks the so mouth-watering and I personally think it is the most delicious dish you can imagine…Good on you Chris!
The Sheraton Mirage dish: the description says it all!!!
Cedar Park is the best… Wonderful friendly people, fantastic food makes you want to come back time and time again and a relaxing atmosphere to dine in.
What more could you want.
OLIVERS
They are The BEST and they also have the most ORIGINAL dishes…
Another good point is that they always try to support the community by using local products.
Bravo.
Chriso the Personal Chef’s dish is wonderful, it is great to see him using such fresh local product and then the presentation – just fabulous. Good luck to him!
I am in awe of Chriso the Personal Chef’s dish, it is beautifully presented and love to try it one day.
Delicious meal in magnificent waterfront setting overlooking Cooktowns beautiful harbour and the western sunset..
We love eating at Olivers for something always special
A “taste of Paradise” applies to CHRISO absolutely perfectly and beautifully, with fresh local products that he made me discover and love, he just creates, designs, invents the most amazing, silky, mouth-watering,perfumed and delicious dishes you can imagine…This specific dish has a long lasting flavour and a souvenir that makes you want more… I had the great chance of tasting several of his unique dishes and each time has been delightful, leaving you with an exquisite pleasure of real satisfaction. I would recommande CHRISO for any occasion, for an everyday celebration or for a very special event… You would NEVER-EVER be disapointed…
Chriso’s dish is the best !!!!!! I have had it before and it’s fantastic. This dish is tropical and all the products are bought locally. Chriso cooks so well and with such passion, he has inspired me to cook.
You can do it Chriso !!!!
Chrisso is the only chef one should have prepare for you on any occasion.His food creations are to die for. He has style and creativity,an easy going manner , all the while presenting innovating and delicious outstanding and flavorsome surprises. He is simply the best
Overall Cairns has a great selection of beautifully prepared, mouth watering dishes. They all deserve recognition.
I voted for Chrisso the personal chef and think his food is amazing I have expereinced it at various functions and could never fault it! I wish him all the luck in this competition and think he has the skills to go very far in this world!
For a special meal l love Nu Nu’s….but in saying that l love Nu Nu’s anytime.
very good.
Le restaurant olivers est trés bien.
Cadre agréable. Service impecable. Menus de qualité. Prix raisonnables.
Great Food and really great service. I would travel from one end of Australia to another to eat there.
1770 quality food to dine for
I am an Intenational Travel Operator bringing Oseas clients to Australia for past 16 years…
MY favourite is by far CEDAR PARK — I have taken people from USA White House there, New York Business people and on and on — and the feedback is better than any other restaurant in Australia…
Beach Almond is a great spot to idle away a lazy sunday afternoon – great food, great views, attentive staff – what more you you ask for?
The beautiful soft textures with the combination of local produce leaves me wanting more. Fantastic Kewarra Beach Resort!
As a life long Tropical North Queenslander i feel that Kewarra has captured the True Local tastes of the tropics.. awesome work
Crab, fresh mud crab that is what NQ is all about.
The clear favourite is Cedar Park. We travel worldwide and have visited numerous restaurants of international fame but the cuisine in this place is unbelievable. The fish and seafood are a real treat for your palate – flavours develop you never realised exist. Absoluely awesome! A big hurrah for the chefs.
love love LOVE Restaurant 1770… in Cooktown… Such a tranquil and unique setting overlooking the delightful Endeavour River and the Paradise Mignon truly is THE TASTE OF PARADISE… Always a special meal experience made with love and attention from the AMAZING staff… Thanks 1770
Wow such a yummy way to put these three local delicacies together!
You are soooo gooooood and I will be back soon to Cedar Park Rainforest Resort.
Restaurant 1770s paradise mignon is amazing beyond belief. 1770s staff are an amazing team and cause every experience there a great one, You can always depend on there food to be of good quality and out standing flavours. As my favourite restaurant they definitely get my vote
I have tasted this dish and have tried it at home. It is very tropical and very fresh
Kewarra Beach. What can I say YUMMY food and a YUMMY Chef! You get my vote
Jason at Eden House continues to surprise us using fresh local produce – Boonjie Redclaw and Sweet Potato Gnocci would be delicious. well done to all these wonderful chefs.
It all looks mouth-watering! The newly refurbished Kewarra Beach Resort gets my vote though, Chef Pedro & his staff do an amazing job & i highly recommend trying his scallops too!
Eden House presents the most innovative dish of all the options. Stands out as totally different to the rest – not just a piece of protein on a bed of something delicious. It’s creative – and appealing!
Yummm! All so good, but Far Horizons still gets my vote.
I love eating at all that are listed. How ever an added bonus if a view of the ocean along with eating mouth watering tropical sensations with a combination of fruit and seafood to enrich my palate…
FAR HORIZONS,PALM COVE,HEAVEN ON EARTH
outstanding food,outstanding location and wonderful staff
.Have been a regular for almost 20 years and we chose to celebrate birthdays ,anniversaries,Christmas and new year( last year outstanding) delacate tastes.
Definately the best at TASTE OF PALM COVE
Best food, Best ambiance, why eat anywhere else!
Far Horizons is the top spot, not only for food but forlocation, ambience and the friendliness of staff. Look out to the water with an ubostructed view of the ocean, enjoying great cuisine, with soft lights,and entertainment on weekends. not to be missed.
Everything served at far horizons is outstanding in my family’s opinion
Far Horizons Restaurant at Angsana has to be the best restaurant in Palm Cove. I have dined there twice recently and the food not only looks like a work of art, it tastes like it too! Plus, who can go past sitting right next to that beautiful beach listening to the waves gently caress the shore?
the coral trout fennel and orange salad reflected the dynamic colours of the tropics, beautifully presented.
The coral trout and fennel and orange salad reflected the dynamic colours of the tropics. presentation stimulated the senses of vibrant flavours a plate of wonderful foods that north queensland offers us.
Chriso has a fantastic work ethic, and every detail is catered for when he works his magic in the kitchen. Not only does he make the most beautiful dishes, but he does it with a great big smile on his face the whole time he is cooking- good luck chris, katie.
Hello, I’ve voted for Chriso The personal Chef for one basic reason. I currently live overseas and last year my mother got married, being the eldest of her children I was naturally worried about every detail from the veil to the food. But On the Day/Night of the wedding i had absaloutely nothing to worry about – IN FACT, even the pickest eaters were all in praise of his delicous meals and professional and friendly manner. I highly recommmend that you choose Chriso as the winner as he always delivers above and beyond expectations. Sincerly Celestemonique.
Absolutely Amazing creation, couldnt beat such a tastey dish !!! Eden House you are my favorite
It’s always a joy to eat at Cedar Park Rainforest Resort – consistently delicious. Mango prawns on sweet potato – divine, while dining al fresco surrounded by nature.
What could be more appropriate for NQ then a red claw gnocchi? Simply stunning and the sweet potato only adds to the gorgeous flavour! Go Eden House you definitely deserve to win!
1770, Great food, classic service!
Restaurant 1770 in Cooktown is my very favourite best restaurant, on the water, great sunsets and the chef is always consistently excellent!
As a member of a large group dining at Cedar Park, several times, I was delighted with the marvelous choice of wines, most delicious beef I’ve ever tasted, lovely presentation of all other foods I’ve eaten in an indescribably enchanting atmosphere. The warmth and spirit of Christof and Gustav certainly make their beautiful rain forest Hiding Place a memorable experience!! Most sincerely,
Philo D’Errico
Chriso, The Personal Chef, will have you eating with relish in the comfort of your own home. Chriso understands the delicate balance of flavour marriage. He captures this marriage through fresh paradise tastes which delight the senses. In Chriso’s culinary care, local tropical flavours will tantalise your taste buds and leave you with more than just food for thought.
fresh, local foods cooked to perfection. What could be better?
Chriso did a friends wedding and it was fantastic – great supporter of all our local food – he brings all these flavours to your very own doorstep!!
We spent our 20th wedding Anniversary at Eden House. Glorious days that bring back memories of Jason and his food, that is unquestionably the best on the Tableland.
I agree that Cedar House does a grand job but on this occasion Jason at Eden House has excelled and produced my favourite. Unfortunately I’m now back in Perth and won’t be able to experience his wonderful food for a little while. Cheers to all contestants
I spent a weekend in cairns and went no further than salthouse for food and entertainment. The food was world class and loved the fusion of flavours used by a very talented chef. The staff were friendly and attentive with our needs met at every turn. THANKYOU SALTHOUSE
Chriso the Personal Chef – Chris is not only the most wonderful person, his food is just simply amazing!! The whole experience of having a “Personal Chef” come into your home and cook for you is incredible. Our family and friends have so much fun. And I have to add “Chris does all the washing up”, how impressive is that!
Eden house is beautiful and the food is excellent and so is the spa
We are so spoiled to have such amazing restaurants in far north Queensland! Being a PD local I have to be biased and say my favourite restaurant up there would be Salsa… but I voted for the Sheraton Mirage’s barra, it just looks divine!! I would love to eat at more Cairns restaurants, in fact I’m there tonight so it’s game on!
Love Eden House – got engaged there and have wonderful memories of the accommodation and the fantastic food. Good luck Jason!!
The food at Eden House rocks my world or should I say taste buds. I have never eaten better any where in the world.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have eaten all over the world and have found Ochre to be a most magnificent Australiana experience in delighting the palate with intriguing flavours and exquisite cuisine experience…Always a memorable and lingering experience to eat the the Ochre….
A great venue and village to relax and enjoy life
Just love the warmth of Eden House Yungaburra and cant wait to get back there again. Wonderful cooking, great chef humour and an Australian family of outstanding quality. The best that the world should come and see, representing the delightful lifestyle of Far North Queensland.
Thanks for all the words of support and encouragement guys! Great to see so many people supporting our local food industry, right across the region. There are some wonderful expressions of our tropical bounty amongst the recipes, and very tough competition! Whichever dish wins the prize, the real winner is NQ Food.
Jason @ Eden House
For dining in style, old world elegance, professional service and consistently good food that features all that the tropics produce in a lush well maintained tropical environment, you have to visit Eden House in the historic village of Yungaburra.
We have many fine restaurants in Yungaburra and The Atherton Tablelands, which seem to be overlooked by Cairns Tourist Advisors
Full marks to Eden House for submitting this unique dish
Innovative food served with flair and care! Delicious!!!
Treasure of FNQ!!….well, it is a LONG way from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria!
Chriso is pure magic as a Chef, and a person. he creates wonders and dishes of sheer delight.
Our vote goes to Eden House, Yungaburra. For elegance and tropical ambience it is unsurpassed. As for the menu, it is always exciting, ever-changing and very carefully considered.
Ochre Chef and owner Craig Squire has been an amazing supporter and advocate of tropical north queensland produce for over 15 years – indigenous bush tucker, fabulous seafood and tropical fruits all make up this sensational dish which tastes light and fresh in the balmy humidity of the tropics!!
As a Kuranda local and Tour-Guide, Cedar Park Resort has always presented consistent excellent food and service, all situated in one of the Far North’s most unique locations and buildings.
To combine eco principles with animal conservation, a warm welcome from Rosy and my recommended Macadamia Crusted Barramundi from their internationally famous Chef Marcus is always a delight and an experience I would highly recommend!
Eden House…red claw is a favourite and here it reaches new and nippier heights
What more can I say, except that I frequent Cedar Park Resort all the time and never tire of the fantastic food, great service and wonderful relaxing atmosphere. Every occasion is an experience to remember!
Wow i am off to cedar park this weekend by the looks of the comments. And to think I have never heard of it before.
Well done Taste Paradise
You simply can’t beat Cedar Park for food, presentation, setting, friendly staff
Ceder Park.
Fab … and enjoyable from the start with the signage on the drive along a typical Australian country road to the exciting view as you come upon a Tuder style Resort.The welcome from Rosy is like the greeting of a long lost family member and as you are seated you view the animals and birds rambling freely in the inviting garden calling you to just wander.Food is to die for .. what more can I say excep t” Thanks Rosy,Chrisoph and Marcus!”
Cedar Park is my pick of the bunch. Great place, great food, great people and great hideaway with lots of beautiful wildlife
Chriso the Personel Chef, Chriso realy is the real deal, with food that is absolutely amazing and the presentation of every dish is incredable ! a young man who is realy going places !
The food was exceptionally good as was the entire experience at Cedar Park.
Once in a life time memory we will never forget!
We will definately return someday!
The food was exceptionally good and was the entire experience at Cedar Park.
Once in a life time memory we will never forget!
We will definately return someday!
Coolums at the Beach is one of the most romantic dining spots in the world – set right on Holloways Beach in Tropical North Queensland – that combined with fresh local seafood, exotic local tropical fruits and crisp wine is a combination for a perfect evening!
I love not only the ambiance of Cedar Park and its surrounds and the ‘conversational’ signposts driving in through the bush, but the fact that Rosy, Marcus and Chrisoph care as much about their guests palates and comfort, as they do their environment and the animals who share their little corner of the world. A complete package.
fantastic is too small a word to describe cedar park resort. sticky date pudding is to die for….
Excellence always found at Cedar Park
Excellent & tasty food is always found at Cedar Park along with a warm welcome
A rare combination, flavour,ambience & a warm welcome all found at Cedar Park. Get your taste buds singing & make friends with chefs Markus, Christof & your hostess Rosie. An experience you will be bound to repeat.
Flavour, ambience & welcome a rare combination but all found at Cedar Park Resort. Taste buds rejoice.
The battle of seafood. Cannot wait.
Having tasted, and also worked with Chris in the past, I feel I have good reason to comment on his amazing cooking skills and also how passionate Chris is about giving great quility and superb service whenever he works, he really is a great chef and someone who deserves to win this competition. Chris always tries to use top quility local produce and goes out of his way to search for perfection.
Great atmosphere and terrific food. Also a great place to stay to enjoy the all that the Atherton Tablelands has to offer.
Chriso gets my vote! Always uses fresh local ingredients and his dishes are always amazing. Great to have such a talented young local. Tasty, fresh and vibrant just like Tropical North QLD!!
Ochre Restaurant….by far the best locally sourced food in FNQ,The whole ethos is unique to Queensland,from the best selling Taste of Oz,,show casing not only ,kangaroo,emu and crocodile but the use of native bush foods,which are incorporated into most dishes on the menu.Local fish,ie coral trout,wild barramundi,red claw,from the tablelands are often included on daily specials.Using seasonal produce from the local Rustys market every week…..All this is prepared by chefs who love and respect the selection of produce on our doorstep…Ochre definitely gets my vote..fresh ,creative and above all beautiful food produced with love.
A magical place for special occasions, Cedar Park is my favourite. It combines the peace of the rainforest with warm, informal hospitality, quirky Gothic design and great food.
Enjoy the best cuisine on the Tablelands, Cedar Park, has a wonderful menu of different food to taste , meticulously prepared by Markus and Christof.
I have taken all my friends and relatives to Cedar Park, because of the explosion of flavours from entree to desserts. The two chefs Marcus and Christof are sensational chefs and a credit to Kuranda to have a restaurant so close to visit.
Same. I take my friends and family there too – which of course means I get to indulge myself as well. As well as the great chefs… then there’s Rosy.. funny, accommodating, very personable and looks after the guests with a flair.
The jouney begins with the descision to visit Cedar Park Resort for another fantastic evening or lunch. The anticipation grows as you drive down that narrow winding road and your thinking that you need to get there to begin the experience. The feeling comes over you as you get out of the car – relaxation kicks in and your senses go into overdrive. The warm welcome from Rosy, Markus and Christof – like family you haven’t seen in a while. As if that wasn’t enough they introduce you to a combination of superb local dishes as you have never tasted before, served in a bush location that you need to see to understand. If you so desire you can stay in one of their motel rooms, which mirror their personalities, to contiue the experience. And then…….. the journey ends and you are left driving home making plans when to visit again.
Thanks Christof, Markus and Rosy.
cedar park
place to see
place to relax
place to have a nice diner
you have to try it
I agree. Friendly folks, awesome location, laidback atmosphere, good fun and great conversation, delicious food AND they lok after injured wildlife.
Gloria and I were surprised with great joy to discover your signature dishes. I have travel to more than 60 countries and have dined in the finest restaurants in the world but none exceeded the culinary skills and taste found at Cedar Park. From the before dinner glass of wine to the dessert everything was exceptional. We are looking forward to our return visit with you in May or June 2011 and thanks for such an enjoyable experience.
Clif and Gloria Crews
Watkinsville, GA USA
Love the food, Full of Flavour and gets the tastebuds dancing.
Great Service as well, Ochre is a great relaxing dining experience.