On their first day in Melbourne, Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle stopped by social enterprise Mission Australia’s Charcoal Lane to taste Australia’s native cuisine.
Executive Chef and Horticulturalist Greg Hampton designed the contemporary menu, specifically for The Duke and Duchess.
It consisted of an entrée of mushroom and quinoa nest and chargrilled kangaroo, and main course of wild boar, saffron risotto and barramundi.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to meet Their Royal Highnesses,” Mission Australia CEO James Toomey says.
“At Charcoal Lane, we are passionate about celebrating Aboriginal history and providing students with a culturally safe space to express their individual identities and overcome any challenges they may face on their journey to employment. Our program not only provides training and real work for young locals, but also fosters a sense of cultural and community pride which we are proud to have shared with Their Royal Highnesses”
Their Royal Highnesses participated in a guided tour of the restaurant to learn more about the Mission Australia program.
Following a Welcome to Country delivered by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter, the newlyweds participated in a hands-on, sensory cooking experience using native ingredients, with young students sharing their knowledge of native food used at Charcoal Lane.
While at the restaurant, Their Royal Highnesses also viewed Gunnai and Waradgerie man Robert Young’s street art installation, with the artist discussing how his Celebration Dreaming artwork references Aboriginal identity, connections and culture in inner Melbourne Fitzroy.
Charcoal Lane specialises in seasonally driven native flavours while providing a comprehensive, accredited training program for young people who have experienced challenges on their journey to employment. Charcoal Lane supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through pathways in hospitality, while connecting to culture through food.
Image credit: Penny Bradfield/Auspic/DPS