18 June 2013
Dishing up Australia with Al Brown Episode 3 – Northern Territory: Darwin & Katherine
June 22, 2013
Kiwi Chef and Personality Al Brown continues his epic culinary tour this week, heading up to “the Territory” at the top
end of Australia, Darwin and Katherine.
This is the “full blown tropics” according to Al, and after acclimatising to the northern heat he grabs a pot of laksa
curry from the iconic Mindil Beach markets and heads off to the nearby beach to watch the stunning sunset.
After seeking out local character “Nick the Greek”, a champion oyster shucker who’s been doing it for a year or two, Al
gets out onto the water to try his luck in reeling in one of the Barramundi that the region is renowned for.
Time and tide were not on his side but luckily local fishmonger Mr.Barra was more obliging. Offering a great selection
of the 'pre caught' variety, Al selects his Barra and heads forth into the incredible, vast and ancient landscapes that
make up this region.
After a quick trip to a “spa for Crocs” and a narrow escape hand feeding the resident grand daddy “Eric”, Al leaves with
all his limbs in tact.
He’s off to meet renowned indigenous chef, Mark Olive who’s waiting for him in Katherine. Armed with the holy grail of
indigenous cooking – a Crocodile Tail, it’s a two handed job carrying the prize fillet which is considerably heavier and
more cumbersome than your average chefs fillet!
With his Barra and Croc tail on board, Al heads into Katherine where Mark is waiting at the world renowned Cicada Lodge
– an authentic indigenous experience set in one of Australia's most spectacular landscapes.
Al's traditional hosts are the Jawoyn people who share their very special place and offer up an incredible location for
Al's finale feast in this region.
In this place, Al learns the tradition and art of preparing and cooking the prized croc tail as Mark demonstrates it
being wrapped in paperbark and then baked in the ground. “That is one hot croc”, says Al of his once in a lifetime
experience.
The Barra provides an excellent accompaniment and there is still time to take in the sights of Katherine Gorge, complete
with its ancient rock drawings and rock structures that demonstrate the might and longevity of nature versus man.
No time is ever enough in this ancient and vast land, but the modern time does come to head back to Darwin where Al has
a final encounter with this frontier river-city and enjoys a very vibrant culinary scene.
“Aussie just turns up trumps again with another stunning place for a cook up.
This really has been an amazing trip, the Northern Territory is so unique, constantly surprising me - unreal” says Al.
Dishing up Australia with Al brown screens this Saturday on TV One at 8pm.
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