Amazing Alsahwa
Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer discovers the must-see, taste and explore estate in the heart of the Sunshine Coast that’s all about Mind. Body. Planet…
The secret’s out – Alsahwa Estate has moved from Verrierdale to a lush, leafy location in Palmwoods that has to be seen to be believed, and their stunning new on-site restaurant, ēthos, is now open!
With relaxed, modern Mediterranean vibes, the entire dining experience is as special as the surroundings – think locally sourced produce, some of it from the Alsahwa Estate gardens; nose-to-tail dishes that celebrate the whole animal; and sustainable fare where local, spray-free ingredients are the star of the show.
Head Chef Sophie Phipps (ex-Spice Bar Mooloolaba) has a lifelong passion for authentic food made from sustainable and ethical ingredients, and says she’s thrilled to be leading the restaurant, which showcases the brand’s philosophy of Mind. Body. Planet.
“Our core values include treading lightly on the earth to sustain ourselves, supporting local producers and our community, and nourishing our guests with hyper-seasonal, nutrient-dense food grown in healthy soil,” Sophie said. “Our restaurant has been thoughtfully and purposefully named to reflect this approach and communicate to diners that we stand by our values.”
The light-filled ēthos restaurant is inspired by its natural surroundings, with organic textures, earthy tones, huge windows overlooking verdant landscapes and dams, umbrella-covered alfresco tables, and a relaxed ambience paired with homestyle food and service.
“Come and celebrate a special occasion, experience our surprise Banquet Menu featuring favourite and new dishes, or even just enjoy a bottle of wine and a charcuterie plate at our outdoor tables,” Sophie said. “Whether you’re seeking elevated or casual dining, we offer it all. We invite you to come and make the Alsahwa experience your own.”
Highlights of the produce-led menu include beef and vegetables from the nearby biodynamic Bray Farms; grass-fed beef from Yajambee Farms at Mount Mee; handmade charcuterie from Salumi Australia in Byron Bay; and local cheeses – alongside other small-scale sustainable producers.
And of course, Alsahwa Estate’s own honey, macadamias, turmeric, ginger and herbs are creatively showcased – imagine local veggies slow-roasted with Alsahwa Estate honey and sprinkled with macadamia dust. Perfection!
“We love having complete traceability with honey and macadamias from our Verrierdale farm, plus other biodynamic herbs and vegetables grown here in the Estate’s edible gardens,” Sophie said.
“Our food is incredibly nutrient-rich because of the healthy soil it’s grown in or raised on. Our aim is that every element on the plate is local and completely made from scratch – it’s a menu of love, from our hearts to yours.”
Sophie and her team will present two exciting events as part of The Curated Plate in July-August, taking guests on a flavour-filled journey.
Feast: Seed to Plate provides the chance to gather in the fragrant, edible gardens for immersive conversations before enjoying a shared long-table feast.
“I’ll be hand-picking the best produce from the Estate and local suppliers to craft a menu of seasonal abundance,” Sophie said.
“Being able to use my imagination and dream big for this event is really fun and an absolute privilege.”
Bees & Brunch is guaranteed to be a sweet and memorable morning as guests don beesuits and enter the fascinating world of these vital creatures before enjoying a farm-to-table brunch.
With towering trees, serene water features, abundant wildlife, wandering paths and swaying palms, Alsahwa Estate is an idyllic place providing a sense of peace, calm and gratitude for this very special slice of nature.
The location might have changed from its original home at Verrierdale, but Alsahwa’s passionate founder Jo Walker says the core ethos remains the same.
“We are continuing to follow our Mind. Body. Planet. philosophy, and look forward to sharing our Wellness in Nature and Estate Exchange events, as well as Conscious Community movie nights over the coming months,” Jo said.
“We’re excited for the Sunshine Coast to discover Alsahwa Estate at Palmwoods and see it bloom in this beautiful location.”
ESTATE EXPERIENCES
Explore ēthos restaurant at Alsahwa Estate and prepare to make it your new favourite dining destination! Plus don’t miss their The Curated Plate events:
Feast: Seed to Plate, Sun 27 July
A shared feasting experience of local, seasonal abundance with a welcome botanical cocktail.
Bees & Brunch, Sat 2 August
A bee-autiful morning learning about bees followed by a farm-to-table brunch.
Visit www.alsahwa.com to book, plus sign up to their enewsletter for exclusive updates!
