Emilie Rohan, co-owner of The Truffle Farm, has helped build the business into one of Canberra’s major tourist attractions. Photo: Supplied.
When Jayson Mesman of The Truffle Farm on Majura Road decided to host a summer BBQ called Smokeshow in his barn, it wasn’t the meat or the numbers he was worried about, it was the sunflowers.
“We’ve planted a whole heap of sunflowers which we were super nervous about; the drought snuck up on us, and we weren’t sure we’d have blooms, but I’m looking at them right now, and they’re starting to open up,” Jayson tells Region.
The event, billed as Canberra’s largest smoker event, is scheduled for 21 February. It’s the third iteration of the meat-forward day, and the sunflowers are an integral part of Jayson’s vision.
“People can bring their rug, listen to live music, get some sunflowers, eat some good BBQ and have a bottle of wine or a beer.”
The pre-purchased BBQ platters are the best way to enjoy the Smokeshow meats. Photo: Supplied.
The ongoing series, which has been gaining popularity, is part of the truffle farm’s broader vision to maintain a year-round presence beyond the winter season when its truffle-focused activities take place.
Jayson explains that it also gives the chefs, led by Chef Issac, the chance to have a little fun outside of their normal duties.
“It’s an opportunity for the chefs at the farm, who are classically trained, to do something a little different. We’ve been experimenting with Australian BBQ with a Texas-style in mind.”
For those attending the BBQ, pre-purchased meat platters for $175 will include a broad selection of dishes, including brisket, beef short ribs, pork ribs, and salads. Jayson says the chefs have prepared the platters for two to three hungry people, but they would comfortably feed four normal people.
There will also be items available for purchase on the day, including tomahawk steaks and a lemon meringue pie that Jayson says was very popular at the last event. He’s also excited to bring back the cheeseburger sliders, which received an endorsement from a celebrity chef.
“Matt Moran posted about how good the sliders were, so they’re a little famous now.”
Keen to find ways to support local musicians, Canberra duo the Pettirinas are booked to play, and Jayson says the barn will be open for guests to enjoy the day’s family-friendly entertainment.
The first sunflower is preparing for Smokeshow. Photo: Supplied.
The event also aligns with the farm’s 10th anniversary, a milestone that Jayson and his partner, Emilie Rohan, are proud to have hit.
“We started as a sheep paddock, and we’ve turned it into one of Canberra’s major tourist destinations through winter.”
The business’s growth has been gradual, with Jayson noting that they’ve listened to what Canberrans and people across the region have said they want.
That direction led them down the wedding venue path, so they’ve added a cabin to the property.
They also experimented with tulips last year to align with the spring themes Canberra is well known for. Pleased with the success of the tulips, the sunflowers are an extension of that, and while Jayson is quietly confident that they’ll be a winner, he isn’t staking money on it just yet.
“We don’t want to spruik the success of that too early, but it looks like we’ll have a nice display on the day.”
For more information on Smokeshow, including the purchase of BBQ platters, head to the Facebook event.
