That Good Ol’ La Dolce Vita
Long lazy lunches basking in the sun, sipping rosé in luxe tropical surrounds – sounds like a scene from romance novel but this is real life la dolce vita in the heart of iconic Eumundi town. Carlie Wacker settles in for a very long lunch at Bask.
The sweet life – that is precisely what comes to mind when I settle in for a long lunch at one of the Sunshine Coast’s newest and most intimate venues dedicated to style and sophisticated yet casual dining. This my friends, is a venue and collaborative space that is brimming with beauty and love and that’s where the story starts.
Like all good tales of love, our lead characters Jack Madden and Jess Coolican met unexpectedly while working in the much-loved Bistro C on Hastings St 14 years ago. Jack has been a chef for 17 years and has worked both throughout Australia and the UK, most notably at Edinburgh Castle.
Over the past 10 years, Jack has further honed his craft in Melbourne, working as Sous and Head Chef in some of Melbourne’s best Asian and Seafood restaurants before returning to Noosa about two years ago and working in the kitchen at Sails restaurant, Noosa.
Meanwhile Jess worked in hospitality for several years in Australia and the UK before choosing to study Interior Architecture & Design in Melbourne.
As a graduate, she was lucky enough to have the mentoring and support of one Australia’s leading residential Architects where she designed and ran a number of international award-winning residences.
Over the course of her career, Jess’s projects have featured in Vogue Living, Belle and Architectural Digest – to name a few.
Following the birth of their two daughters, Jess decided to opened her own design studio, Coolican & Co. This successful venture boasts projects across Australia, New Zealand and Bali.
Then one day while sitting in the hair salon at Eumundi Jess spotted the most delightful cottage-esque space that triggered her entrepreneurial mind.
“The front terrace wasn’t being used and had become quite run down while the upper covered terrace and inner shop were all dark and closed off,” Jess said. “With a head covered in foils, I knocked on the front awning and asked the tenant if they would mind showing me around.
“As soon as I walked inside, I could see the potential of the space: the gardens were lush and well established and the bones of the Old Bakery Building are truly beautiful. The space captured the clash of old vs. contemporary which I am so passionate about in design.
“It also seamlessly blends with the surrounding garden and landscape – another characteristic I always seek out when designing.”
So, with foils shining bright and a glimmer in her eye Jess began the process of bringing to life a family dream – Jack and Jess would bond their brilliant minds and create a space that honours and celebrates their talents and brings joy to others.
“Coming across this space, it was really clear to us both what kind of experience we wanted it to offer,” Jess says. “It was also a really lovely opportunity for us to combine our different skills and create a place and offering which felt like an extension of our home.
“Our dinner table has always been a place around which extended friends and family gather to eat, drink, laugh and dance the night away. This space immediately felt like a place we could make our ‘home’ – and others could to.
The culmination of BASK and Coolican and Co combines their love of family, design, and food. BASK as a stunning long lunch venue and Coolican and Co as the design space for Jess’ interior design.
Jess and Jack love the village vibe in Eumundi.
“The community have been so supportive and welcoming to us and our family,” she said. “Our hope is that BASK can provide the same sense of nurturing and good vibes that we’re so lucky to experience here daily. We hope to share our combined passion for food and design; to create something that seamlessly entwines the two.”
Lunches are held every Saturday from 12.30pm with a set seasonal menu (most dietary needs can be catered for). Bookings are essential and filling quickly.
Before we end this lovely little tale of long lunches and sophisticated style let me offer a guarantee – you will absolutely feel like you are in a scene from an international film while indulging in the most exquisite seasonal set menu for a long lunch.
BASK in it! You’ll bloody love it!
DON’T MISS!
BASK EUMUNDI WINE LUNCH WITH GILBERT FAMILY WINES
NEW DATE!!!! Friday 1 April 2022, 12 noon start
BASK EUMUNDI, 4/101 Memorial Drive, Eumundi
$120 per head
Tempt / Taste / Savour / Linger
4 courses with 3 matching wines by Gilbert Family Wines and coffee to finish.
