Looking for an escape from the city craziness, most folk generally head to the relaxing Noosa region but may have in the past overlooked its quieter neighbour Sunshine Beach, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Now there is a new kid on the block who may just give you reason to bypass Noosa and discover what delights Sunshine Beach has on offer. In this quintessential beach town, you’ll find the perfect mix of surfie locals and tourists reminiscent of days gone by, with the area yet to be spoilt by overcrowding and high-rise towers.
Tucked not a stones throw from the gorgeous white sand surf beach, Jade Tareha and Chef Stacey Conner have chosen this little beach-side nook to live out their cuisine dream, opening Humble on Duke in December 2020.
After travelling back to Australia following some time in Dubai the girls settled on Sunshine Beach and set out to become part of their local community. Serving modern Australian food with a Middle Eastern flair, Jade and Stacey love pairing their honest food with delicious wines from Australia and New Zealand. ‘We choose wines that are close to our heart. We like to support female wine makers and use wine that has a story behind it’, said Jade. ‘We use wine that we ourselves like drinking and love to get compliments on introducing guests to maybe a wine that they wouldn’t normally choose themselves’.
To get fully immersed in the local culture of Sunshine Beach, Stacey’s vibrant menu derives its produce from fresh and sustainable sources, using locally farmed produce wherever possible. Other than serving impeccable food their focus has been on providing personalised service and attentive hospitality like no other. ‘We’re doing things a little differently here, really bringing it back to genuine hospitality and getting to know everyone who walks through our doors,’ says Jade. ‘Stacey bakes fresh bread each day, and we want it to feel like our guests are dining in our home.’
With an intimate setting of just fourteen seats, Stacey and Jade are really able to give their Humble on Duke guests a personalised intimate dining experience, to enjoy good food, but without the pretentiousness that normally surrounds the more private dining settings. ‘When you come to Humble on Duke it’s a unique dining experience we aim to deliver. Great food, teamed with amazing wine and our genuine hospitality creates a feel-good experience which has some of our local guests returning time and time again. We keep it simple and I’m passionate about service. When I can make someone feel good from the second they walk in our door, then I know my job is done and it will be a memorable experience for the diner’, said Jade. ‘We have a small team here and that personal service is as high a priority as the food is’.
At Humble on Duke there is a set menu served for $65 per person, or $85 if you’re pairing with wine. Having previously worked in larger restaurants up to 200 seats, Chef Stacey prefers to deliver the guest an intimate dining experience with a taste journey that has been well thought out. ‘The Persian pomegranate soup has a light sweet and sour taste which gets the juices flowing. It refreshes the pallet, gearing it up for the meal ahead. We really try to introduce our guests to some flavours they may not have before tasted, but in a non-pretentious way. We want dining with us to be a memorable experience where our guest has maybe learnt something new, or tried a new flavour’, she said.
Chef Stacey has worked across New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Dubai and Australia. With some of her most memorable travel cuisine moments coming from her experiences in the Middle Eastern region it is here where she finds inspiration from this fascinating culture for the vivacious seasonal menu she offers at Humble on Duke. Currently Chef Stacey’s favourite dish is the wagu rump with oyster mushrooms, pickles and burnt onion mayo. She enjoys the beautiful light spices in middle eastern cooking and utilises preserves in her menu to hone in on that middle eastern vibe. ‘I love the middle-eastern fresh vibe on flavours, they’re unpretentious and real.’
With Jade’s passion for old fashioned hospitality and Stacey’s culinary talent, the dining experience at Humble on Duke is one even the most avid foodie will never forget. Sip a cocktail on the deck and soak up some of the beach breeze. Unwind and let Chef Stacey take you on a food experience like no other.
Reservations can be made on line at www.humbleonduke.com.au
