Maddalena Easterbrook of Future Swirl, Emily Brindley of Sweet Bones, Rina Miyata of Muku Ramen Bar and Teresa McTaggart of Dessert Quartets. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
An exciting collaboration between four Canberra businesses is planned for a unique Japanese high tea at Muku, the newly opened ramen bar at Scullin shops.
Muku owner Rina Miyata is no stranger to collaboration. She ran several Muku pop-ups before launching the restaurant in early November. Two of these pop-ups were run in collaboration with Sweet Bones (where she used to work), and Sweet Bones owner Emily Brindley even came along and helped out while Rina was looking for staff.
“We’ve had so much support from Sweet Bones,” Rina told Region.
“We’re serial collaborators!”
Rina Miyata ran several Muku pop-ups before launching the restaurant at Scullin shops in early November. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
These two Scullin businesses will also join forces with Teresa McTaggart of Dessert Quartets and Maddalena Easterbrook of Future Swirl. The four women run plant-based businesses, focussing on vegan food that anyone can enjoy.
Their event is a Japanese High Tea. Teresa explained that she wanted to focus on the flavours of Japan and apply them to classic high tea dishes. She’ll be working with Rina on dishes like sakura (cherry blossom) panna cotta and seasonal macarons.
“I’ll also be making a yuzu and pistachio opera cake and choux buns filled with cherry cream,” Teresa said.
“It’s just giving a little twist to your classic high tea. It will be something that people have never seen before in Canberra.”
The plant-based desserts at Muku Ramen Bar are delicious. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The multi-tiered menu will include an affogato combining Sweet Bones coffee and Future Swirl ice cream. It’s also the first time Future Swirl will serve their oat milk ice cream from tubs rather than soft serve.
“I just feel so privileged to be a part of this event with these incredibly talented plant-based chefs,” Maddalena said.
“We’re so lucky in Canberra with the talent we have here. I think Canberra can really become a leader in plant-based foods.”
Rina will also make savoury Japanese items for the high tea, including curry-filled doughnuts, a vegan katsu sandwich and a tofu version of chicken karaage. There will also be a mocktail for each guest and bottomless tea.
Dessert Quartets makes plant-based pastries. Photo: Dessert Quartets.
Despite all operating plant-based businesses, each owner was focused on building community, creating opportunities for others and showcasing the best of each business.
“In a niche market, you’re often told to view others as competition. But we all do something a little bit different,” Teresa said.
“Absolutely, we just want to be supportive of each other and collaborate,” Emily agreed.
Maddalena Easterbrook is the founder of Future Swirl. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
They hope that this Japanese High Tea is just the first of many opportunities for the businesses to work together and run events. The event has already sold half the tickets for the 11 am seating, so they may even run an afternoon session as well.
Their success just goes to show that great things happen when people work together.
The Japanese High Tea will be held on Sunday, 17 December, at Muku Ramen Bar, Scullin Place, Scullin. Bookings are essential. Head to the Muku website to book in.
Follow Muku Ramen Bar on Facebook or Instagram.
Sweet Bones is also located at Scullin Place, Scullin. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Follow Future Swirls on Facebook or Instagram to find their next locations.
You can find Dessert Quartets at the upcoming Handmade Markets, online, or on Facebook and Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.
Loading ...
