First look – an ex-Agnes Bakery alumnus and ARC chef to ‘bake over’ Jocelyn’s Provisions
Anyone that endured the lengthy line snaking out Agnes’ lauded carb-loaded pop-up bakery last year can attest that one bite of its smoked potato sourdough bread was enough to make the whole wait worth it. Well, what would you say if we told you that one of the bakers behind that sell-out product is teaming up with some other local culinary elite for a series of foodie events, starting with a take over of Albion’s Jocelyn’s Provisions on Sunday May 30? Yes, it’s really happening, and you can expect killer kouign amanns, bang-on bee stings, revelatory Roman-style pizzas, pies wrapped in buttery puff pastry and, of course, plenty of loaves of smoked potato sourdough.
During his stint at Agnes Bakery, Mal Meiers contributed to the creation and distribution of countless carb-loaded goodies, but few were so rapturously received as Agnes’ smoked potato sourdough. The chef, who cut his teeth at Melbourne venues Coda and Tonka Restaurant, has recently been plying his trade at Gerard’s Bar, but now is limbering up once more for some kneading ahead of the Bake Over, the first of a series of bakery pop-ups at Jocelyn’s Provisions. On Sunday May 30, Mal will be taking over the ovens at Jocelyn’s at Albion Fine Trades headquarters, pooling his talents with Jocelyn’s Provisions baker Caroline Toh and chef Tabitha Thomson (whose resume includes stints at Gerard’s Bistro, Alanna Sapwell’s lauded riverside restaurant ARC Dining and touring pop-up Esmay) to create a range of goodies only available between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. In addition to the heralded smoked potato sourdough, Mal will also be crafting turmeric-and-pumpkin loaves, while Caroline will be whipping up trays of kouign amanns and Tabitha will be contributing bee stings made with Bee One Third’s local honey. Other collaborative items include kamut-and-potato Roman-style pizzas, pulled-pork pies, and and butter-chicken sausage rolls (inspired by Mal’s time at Tonka). A percentage of the Bake Over’s proceeds will be donated to Lifeline.
The Bake Over is kick starting Any Given Sunday – a series of food events running throughout winter across Brisbane. The brainchild of Mal, Tabitha and sommelier Kate Christensen (who first joined forces with Mal to create the Food + Wine Pop Up in 2015, which has since operated pop-up culinary events nationally and internationally), the Any Given Sunday program will include a host of Long Sunday Lunches – fortnightly gatherings taking place at Botero House in The City. Mal, Tabitha and Kate will be creating a set-menu experience that will encompass innovative snacks, savoury dishes and sweets courses – all paired with a curated offering of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from small producers. The first Long Sunday Lunch will take place on Sunday June 6, with bookings available via the Botero House website.
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