All things truffle will be on the menu during July at The George Bar and Dining in Bungendore. Photo: Supplied.
The George Bar and Dining in Bungendore is aiming high this truffle season with its third annual truffle month set to shake up diner expectations.
Diners will have the opportunity to order from a special selection of truffle dishes throughout July, with the peak event of the season being the truffle and wine dinner that showcases two local producers, Turalla Truffles and Lark Hill Wines.
Taking place on Friday 11 July, the eight-course degustation menu with accompanying wine pairings will be the third truffle event headed up by executive chef Bigyan Bohara, who is well known for his steaks that won the 2024 Australian Hotel Association Best Steak in NSW award.
This year, chef Bohara is keen to mix things up to make the event different to previous years and to give Canberrans a reason to travel to Bungendore to taste the difference.
“Being my third year, I want to do things a little differently to keep it interesting for people, so this year I’ve put a few Asian touches in there. I’m balancing the umami flavours with a salty kick and using a lot of pepper this time and more Asian ingredients that come from my background,” he said.
Those Asian influences can be seen across a range of the degustation dishes, including the truffle butter-poached Moreton Bay bugs, which are served with cauliflower puree, spring onion, nori dust and salmon caviar, and the crispy pork belly which is served with a burnt onion puree, daikon and black truffle miso.
Truffle butter-poached Moreton Bay Bugs will feature on this year’s truffle degustation menu. Photo: Supplied.
With truffle menus becoming a winter staple across the Canberra region, general manager Lazarus Dillon is excited to showcase what Bungendore’s producers can do.
“I think provenance is essential; it’s crucial to showcase what it is that Bungendore can produce,” he said.
“Having lived and worked in Europe for 10 years, I personally feel that Bungendore is comparable or better for local vineyards and truffles.”
In seeking out the best of Bungendore’s producers, Lazarus didn’t have to go far.
Their chosen truffle supplier, Turalla Truffles is less than one kilometre from the restaurant and Lark Hill Winery, which was established in 1978 and is well-known for its bio-dynamic approach to winemaking, is just up the hill.
“I think Damian Robinson of Turalla Truffles is one of the best in the world, he teaches the science behind the truffles,” Lazarus said.
“He spends time with chef Bohara at the start of every season, they go through the menu he is planning and Damian gives suggestions on how to best showcase the truffles.”
Turalla Truffles use Jack Russells to hunt for truffles. Photo: Damian Robinson.
With Damian being a regular visitor to the restaurant throughout July each year, Laz laughs that he likes to announce to chef Bohara that his dealer has arrived when Damian shows up with his esky, scales and fresh truffles, a process that always ensures The George Bar and Dining receives the freshest truffles each week.
Working on the creation of the dishes, chef Bohara, with guidance from Damian, focuses on infusing the truffle into the ingredients of the dishes to ensure the truffle is tasted with each bite, but Lazarus explains they also like to bring a touch of drama to the night.
“We shave the truffles on top for the theatre; it’s what people expect at a truffle dinner but the magic happens with the infusions in the kitchen,” he said.
Bungendore offers the perfect climate with very cold winters, which makes it an ideal location for truffle farming.
Lazarus sees Bungendore having the potential to build a national reputation for truffle tourism.
“Truffles are so seasonal and unique; more and more trufferies are popping up, including our directors, who have planted one on their property, Gidleigh, so in the future we will be able to showcase our own. With the right attention and focus, Bungendore will make itself known for truffles.”
Visit The George Bar and Dining website for more information on the truffle dinner and wine showcase.
