Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
With the amount of access to delicious fresh produce and other ingredients around Tamborine Mountain, eating in has the potential to be just as delicious as dining out at one of the mountain’s many restaurants and eateries. But some people need a little help getting the most out of their cooking, and that’s a call Chef Dylan Gittoes is hungry to answer. Chef Dylan’s Gourmet Food Co. produces a tightly-curated range of mouthwatering seasonings and additives that can be ordered through his site or at select locations around the mountain, along with a few other surprise appearances all in the name of getting Tamborine’s budding chefs back in the kitchen with confidence. Today, we’re lucky enough to sit down with Dylan and get a little taste of his flavour crusade with some food-for-thought questions.
by Kyle Hitchmough
How long have you been in business?
We started in 2019. I love eating food and I love cooking food. One of my passions is helping other people enjoy food. Commercially, there’s not a lot of seasonings or sauces available that are made with fresh quality ingredients the old-fashioned way. I wanted to give people that option so I came up with these flavours that were inspired by my 15 years spent travelling the world. I want to help people eat delicious food without fuss and give them access to a premium quality spice and seasoning blend with no colours or additives. Mother Nature is the best supplier of ingredients, so I use hers!
For those unfamiliar with your products, can you explain what it is you make?
We specialise in three global seasonings. Our first flavour, Spartan, is Greek-inspired with lemon, cracked pepper and roasted garlic. We have an Argentinian-inspired seasoning called Gaucho which is lots of fresh herbs and smoky paprika. And we also have a Louisiana Creole-inspired seasoning for people who like it a bit spicier, really good for Tex-Mex stuff. We also offer three small-batch sauces: Shaka Zulu Peri Peri, Captain Kidd Spiced Rum Barbecue, and Luck Dragon Asian Sauce, which is garlic, soy and chili.
And everything is handmade by you?
I source the ingredients, expertly blend them, bottle them and ship them. We let Mother Nature do all the creating, we just masterfully balance the flavours.
What’s your most popular flavour?
It depends. The Gaucho, which is the Argentinian, is a winner with people who like non-spicy food. Anyone who likes Mediterranean-inspired dishes with an instant hit of cracked pepper will enjoy the Spartan seasoning, and Creole is perfect for those who like it spicy. Same with the sauces: If you like it smoky, sweet and tangy with no spice, the Captain Kidd is your winner. If you like that caramelized garlic, sesame, soy and Asian flavours, Luck Dragon is the one. And if you like it spicier, obviously you’ll prefer the Shaka Zulu.
What’s the best way to use your seasonings in cooking to get the most out of a dish?
All the hard work has been done. All you need to do is sprinkle it onto your meat, into your dishes when you’re frying your mince, cooking your veggies, even on fried eggs. Anywhere you think “I want to add flavour”.
Where do you source your ingredients from?
For any fresh ingredients, I go out to the farms and get them. I pick the chilis for the peri peri sauce. We use local honey and I make the spiced rum. Everything is done with the freshest you can get it. I use local producers where possible and import high-quality dry ingredients directly.
What goes into the average day here for you?
The average day revolves around production, online orders and dealing with wholesale suppliers. I also do cook-ups at butcher shops to teach people how to get the best out of their meat, and how to add delicious flavour easily. I find the two cuts of meat that most people overcook are pork and chicken. Don’t overcook your pork or your chicken! It’s very simple and you’ll enjoy it way more.
Do you supply your products to any local stores as well, or can they only be purchased through your website?
Yes, we supply plenty of butchers and delis, and you can also buy our products at Joseph the Greengrocer’s and Angela’s Pantry.
Have you noticed any particular trends in your clientele?
The types of people who order our seasonings are the people who value health and love making delicious food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. They just want a nice quick meal that can be ready in under 30 minutes. You can still cook the normal meals you would, but they just add tons of flavour and elevate the meals to the next level.
Are you a local? What’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
Yes, I am. For me, it feels like an island in the sky. We have a lovely community up here, I get lots of local support. Whenever I do the markets, lots of friendly people come up to have a chat and give me feedback about the recipes they’ve tried. They enjoy the recipes I put in the local paper a lot. I’ve noticed a lot of young families are moving to the area and it’s creating a nice energy.
Can you tell us more about your content in the local paper?
I’ve been writing for the paper for the last three years. I have a column, Food For Thought. The ethos is using quality ingredients in recipes that you can make in under half an hour, just some tips and tricks and a little bit of history on certain recipes.
What’s your favourite thing to do on the mountain?
I love doing the bushwalks, I love all the rainforest walks that are available up here. I love having a quiet pint at Bailey’s in the afternoon, and I love getting some hot chips from the local shop and just watching the sunset at the lookout. It’s just instant peace.
What do you think your business really provides to the area?
There’s not a lot of manufacturing up on the mountain, so having a company that wants to be the best in the world at what we do creates a vibe. We’re known for our tourism up here, and I want to help us become known for our quality produce too.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love hearing people’s feedback when they tell me that they’ve started enjoying cooking again, especially people that meal prep. Now they’re enjoying food again. I also love seeing kids really start to enjoy mealtime.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your career so far?
People tell me constantly that these seasonings changed their lives. They don’t feel confident cooking for themselves or others, so they eat out all the time. These seasonings give them the confidence to not only cook something delicious for themselves, but others. That awesome feeling of making something for someone and them really enjoying it is such a satisfying feeling.
Chef Dylan’s Gourmet Food Co.
SHOP 5/16/18 MAIN WESTERN RD, TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN QLD 4272
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, send your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.
