Blackwater

Blackwater is around 10-11 hours from Brisbane and approximately 2 hours west of Rockhampton. With a population of around 4800 it a small town mostly inhabited by Mining Families. There are a few pubs, a very small shopping centre with Woolworths, McDonalds, Red Rooster, Pizza Hut, and only a few other Restaurants/Cafes. The Mining Centre has a museum and is great for good quality tea and coffee at a rather cheap price. My tea only cost $3.80. The locals are friendly and helpful and Emerald, which has all the main shops etc is a mere 40 minute drive West.
All though this town is remote the shopping and food is quite reasonably priced compared to other remote areas.
I have now worked at the Blackwater Hotel several times and visited a lot of the areas attractions. Below are some photos I collected  from each stay. Including dishes I created, functions and food that was off the menu.

My Room Mate at Blackwater

 Above an old Coal train engine sits in the park near the Coal Miners Museum and the new style coal trains that run through here frequently.

 The dirt round here is full of coal... very interesting to see.

 The Coal Miners Museum is not only interesting for a small fee of $5 but also has a beautiful Japenese gardens attached. Also a great place to stop for a Merlo Coffee or a great cuppa.

 

I have stopped here several time for morning tea.

 250g Rump with a Pepperonatta Sauce. One of the special I put on at the Blackwater Hotel.

 This is the Thai Beef Salad available on the menu.

 Fettucini Carbonara off the menu... you can also add chicken or bacon.

 The Pork Belly off the menu also comes with an Apple Gravy.

 The Crispy skin Salmon off the menu, sits on a bed of Sweet Potato Mash and is cooked to perfection.

 I created the Mothers Day styling for 2018.
This is the share Cheese Board.

 Mothers Day Vegetarian Breakfast. Pan-fried Halloumi, Avocado, Saute of Mushroom, Grilled Tomato and Spinach with Toasted Turkish Bread.

 A vegetarian special of Penne Pasta, Tomato, White Wine, Mushroom. Onion and Parmesan. Simple but tasty.

 My homemade Tomato and Onion Relish for the Mothers Day Steak Sandwich.

 Vegetarian Special: Stuffed Capsicums.

 Breakfast Functions are available at the Blackwater Hotel also.... this is the Bacon, Egg, Cheese and BBQ Sauce on Toasted Turkish Bread.

 Hamburger Day: I created a Mexican Burger filled with Mexican Salsa, Lettuce, Wagyu Beef Patty, Bacon, Double Cheese, Tomato Avocado and Sour Cream on a fresh baked bun.

 The Blackwater Hotel has an "All You Can Eat" Seafood Buffet. Held on the first Friday of every month....These pics are from Junes Buffet.

                 Fresh Seafood, Salads, Hot Dishes and Desserts with Condiments.

Top: Stuffed Greek style Calamari, Hasselback Potatoes.
Bottom: Steamed Vegetables, Seafood topped Parmys.

 Top: Steamed Rice, Chicken Stir Fry with Hoikken Noodles.
Bottom: Mild Beef Curry, Seafood Lasagna.

 My Greek Style Calamari up close

 You can also see the Barrumundi on this picture, far right, which has a lemon butter sauced or beurre blanc as it is known to chefs and foodies.

 This is a Prawn Cocktail which was put on for dinner.

Before and After: Prawn and Chicken Pizza for Fight Night.

 You can book your functions at Blackwater Hotel. With a number of choices. Shown are the hot and cold platter pictures from a few I enjoyed creating.

 

 Top and to the right are the making of the Seafood Lasagna for the Buffet.

My Banana Coconut and Oat Bar Cakes with Caramel, Banana and Walnut Drizzle for the Seafood Buffet

 Homemade Apple Pies for the Buffet.

Seafood Buffet August

 Barramundi with Garlic Lemon Sauce, Rice and Malaysian Style Chicken Curry

 Below:Seafood Lasagna, Creamy Potato Au Gratin, Steamed Vegetables and Homemade Rissoles with Dijon Mustard and Red Wine Sauce

  

 Garlic Bugs and Yummy Crumbed Whiting with Chips.

 

 

 Another Vegetarian Creation: Penne Pasta with White Wine, Pesto, Asparagus, Pumpkin and Spanish Onion topped with Fried Pumpkin.

 Bruchetta for a function.

 A 350g Rump topped with Onion Rigs, Prawns and Scallops served on Mash and Vege with a Creamy Garlic Sauce.

 Lime Curd and Meringue Parfait.

 Bacon and Egg Foccaccia for a Breakfast Meeting.

 Coral Trout with a Lemon Beurre Blanc.

 Apple and Hazelnut Pies.

Just outside of Blackwater and heading towards Emerald if you look hard enough you will find these little Mignons waiting to say hello...

These are my favourite: Mini Arrancini Balls with Two Dipping Sauces