A pop up restaurant is coming to Earth Walker & Co at Coledale for two nights later this month with a young man approaching his love of cooking food a little differently.
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Dylan Carter, 19, is in the first year of a commerce degree at the University of Wollongong.
His dream is to run his own cafe during the day with restaurant style dinners at night.
While many might do an apprenticeship in commercial cookery first Mr Carter has his own way of doing things.
And degustation dinners while he completes his degree is all part of the plan.
After first being inspired to cook as a young child by his grand-mother he has been cooking regularly since he was 12 and appeared on Junior Master Chef.
Mr Carter has already held degustation dinners in Wollongong.
The last one was on March 19 at Diggies where the reaction was so good he plans to hold more pop-up dinners there in the future.
“I am keen to do more pop-ups in Wollongong and Sydney. We are doing a dinner at Eat at Sandy’s in Bulli with two other chefs soon.”
But on July 27 and 28 Mr Carter is doing two pop-ups for up to 40 people each night at Earth Walker & Co in Coledale.
“This is a beautiful space,” he said.
I am using ingredients from Popes Produce in Woonona and also a farm in Dapto called Avondale Organics
- Dylan Carter
“The dinner is again supporting local producers and suppliers. I have Ulladulla Blue Mackerel on the menu. I am using ingredients from Popes Produce in Woonona. And also a farm in Dapto called Avondale Organics.”
Mr Carter charged $100 a head for the first dinner at Diggies but has decided to bring it back to a five course degustation for $65, not including drinks.
His motivation is his passion for cooking and showcasing his food made from local produce.
Mr Carter has put up his hand for experience with many leading chefs around the country. And presently works for catering business in Sydney called Studio Neon.
“I have worked in 14 restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne. I started doing pop-ups at 14. I did a couple and then stopped for my HSC at Bulli High in 2016. But I am getting back into it now.”
Mr Carter said he wanted to add to the Wollongong dining scene with his own style. His specialty is vegetable based menus but tries to offer something for everyone.
Both nights start at 6 for 6.30pm and tickets can be booked online at dylancarter.com.au.