User Profile

Susan Luscombe

I am a food nerd. I think about food all the time. This is my evidence: * I read recipe books for fun; * I borrow recipe books from the library; * I collect recipes in a directory on my laptop from my favourite online sources; * I have recipes, handwritten and clipped from magazines and newspapers dating back years; * My favourite room of the house is the kitchen. I also think about food while doing my other favourite activity, yoga. It doesn’t help that yoga is best done on an empty stomach. I will be sharing my knowledge and experience of food with Flame readers, focussing on the people behind the food, the local growers, makers, cooks and chefs.

Food & Travel

Cooking Thai noodles with Natalie

For local cooking classes you can’t go past WEA Illawarra. Operating continuously since 1913, WEA is an independent community based not-for-profit offering adult education and leisure courses at affordable prices. Natchanok (Natalie) Siriteerajads...

Susan Luscombe

October 2024

Clubs & Community

Tender in name and nature

In 2009, a group from Port Kembla Community Centre developed their desire for deeper participation in death and dying through the idea of community-led funerals. Tender Funerals Illawarra, a not-for-profit registered charity, officially opened in 2016.

Susan Luscombe

July 2024

Food & Travel

Christmas sorted – 4 Indigenous businesses to support

Chocolate on Purpose Wiradyuri woman Fiona Harrison has used her own experience and assistance from the University of Wollongong’s business incubator, iAccelerate. to develop her business as a chocolatier. Having suffered from PTSD, Fiona drew on...

Susan Luscombe

November 2023

Clubs & Community

Ursula and Quinnie are a great team at PAWS Pet Therapy

PAWS Pet Therapy, based in Orangeville near Camden, began in 2012 when founder Sharon Stewart recognised a need in her community. Sharon has a love of animals and with her background as a registered nurse and experience working with people with...

Susan Luscombe

November 2023

Arts & culture

From Memphis to Merrigong: It’s been a big year for local blues muso Frank Sultana

The whole Memphis experience was pretty surreal. I was over there just looking to play as much as I could and soak up the atmosphere, meet people, that sort of thing. Competing is a really strange feeling for a musician, well for me it is, so I just treated each night as if it were a show, and just enjoyed myself.

Susan Luscombe

November 2023

Food & Travel

Where to find authentic dumplings in the Illawarra

Many cultures have dumplings, the bite sized savoury snack food that consists of a filling wrapped in a dough, usually steamed or fried. We are most familiar with Asian style dumplings – Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean - with fillings...

Susan Luscombe

November 2023

Food & Travel

Honest to Dodgy Don’s: Penny Stockley pours her energy into Thirroul cafe-bar

Penny Stockley, owner-operator of Honest Don’s cafe and Dodgy Don’s bar, is proof positive that hard work, determination and ample support from your family and community can help you overcome adversity and ultimately succeed.

Susan Luscombe

October 2023

Food & Travel

Inspiring speakers at Connecting Over Fair Food night in Shellharbour

The annual Connecting Over Fair Food event was held on Wednesday 18 October at Shellharbour. Curated by Food Fairness Illawarra with the theme know, share, grow, our host was Maree from Hidden Harvest. The evening consisted of displays from local...

Susan Luscombe

October 2023

Food & Travel

Well done to local winners of SMH Good Food Guide 2024 awards

Australian restaurants strive for hats rather than Michelin stars as is the case across Europe, Asia and America. Australia’s Good Food Guide (AGFG) is our annual restaurant ratings system and is based, according to AGFG, on food alone. They are...

Susan Luscombe

October 2023

Photo Feature

Who went to Culture Mix: photos show festival fun

With thousands of people turning out to enjoy free performances, workshops and markets in the CBD, Wollongong City Council is celebrating the success of its first Culture Mix festival. The contemporary multicultural event was held yesterday...

Susan Luscombe

October 2023

Food & Travel

Short Bites: new cafes, a prize winner and bottomless weekends

Greenacres Disability Services has opened its latest cafe, Brewing Up a Storm, in the foyer of the Wollongong City Council building in Burelli St. It’s the third BUAS for Greenacres, the other two being in the SES building at the Wollongong railway station end of Burelli St and at Warrigal Shell Cove.

Susan Luscombe

September 2023

Explore

It’s rhododendron season at the gardens in Mt Pleasant

The gardens are open Tuesdays, weekends and public holidays. The is a small entry fee which helps with ongoing maintenance. Bring your picnic and throw your rug on the lawns or use the picnic shelter and barbecues. The gardens welcome new members...

Susan Luscombe

September 2023

Food & Travel

Enjoy a taste of Nepal at Culture Mix in October

The upcoming Culture Mix festival on 21 October is a celebration of the cultural diversity in the Illawarra curated by Wollongong City Council. Central to the festival is the Global Kitchen cooking demonstrations and Food Fair stalls from a range of...

Susan Luscombe

September 2023

Food & Travel

‘A haven in a hostile world’: Historic Austinmer site to open for Illawarra Edible Garden Trail

One of the open gardens in the upcoming Illawarra Edible Garden Trail surrounds the historic home of Rathane in Austinmer. Former Sydneysiders Sarah and James Renwick bought Rathane about four years ago and are gradually transforming the half-acre...

Susan Luscombe

September 2023