Hidden gems in the Blue Mountains – discovering what small businesses have to offer
- Silvana Franze
- May 21
- 5 min read
When it comes to running Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat – my small business as a one woman solo* who didn't do business studies, life can get pretty interesting. I usually start by looking at the wall planner, slotting in classes and events, often dictated by the moon phases – more on that later! This year, I've achieved a long held dream of mine which has been to collaborate with other local small businesses. To think, this came about from taking time out of my schedule, and spending much needed time with family, is rather amazing. It just goes to show that often we need to stop and smell the roses, or in this particular case, try the gin.
Back in October last year, we planned a "sisters long weekend" at Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat. We had never done this before despite me having the house since 1993. Family trips to the Hunter Valley have been the usual routine. But my love for the Blue Mountains has seeped into every day conversations to the point that my three sisters (no pun intended) were as excited as I was to spend a few days in this beautiful part of NSW.
Sometimes we take for granted what is on our doorstep, looking further afield when there isn't the need to. Our annual family holiday in the Hunter included long drives, wine tasting at the wineries, a pampering package, a stroll through the flea markets and a few dinners out at top quality restaurants. The kids would also go horse riding, then we'd settle in for indoor games, watching movies and taking turns at cooking. All things that are offered in the Blue Mountains. And a shorter drive :)
So, back to the October long weekend. We drove through the picturesque Megalong Valley to Dryridge Estate (God gave us a gloriously sunny day) where we ordered the Ploughman's Platter with our wine tasting. The beautifully elegant Emma came to say hello and was delighted to meet my sisters. We made sure we strolled down the hills of the vineyard, taking in the spectacular views before heading home. Side note: Dryridge Estate has been stocking my gourmet products since 2021, for which I am very grateful. Dinner that night was booked in at Bowery – what a stunning backdrop they have at the bar! And in between these two events, we stopped back at home to freshen up.
Around the corner from my house, my sister spotted a little sign outside a gate, with a few stools undercover. This intrigued her so we stopped in before going to dinner. Here we discovered a new gem in North Katoomba – The Factory Bar, owned by Blue Mountains Gin Company. There was a music event taking place, with a violinist and a guitarist entertaining a group of people. The barman was serving up some pretty special cocktails as well as a tray of gin tasters which looked sensational! And there were a few people enjoying drinks outside. We also sat outside and ordered coffee (due to the wine tasting earlier that day ...) and it was here that my sister suggested I talk to the owners about including my gourmet products at their bar, as accompaniments to their drinks.
I found the owners Harry and Jann to be very approachable and open to the idea and before I knew it, we had made a time to meet to discuss details. The outcome was to hold an "Italian Night at the Factory Bar" about once a month, offering a range of my traditional home cooked Italian meals to patrons enjoying the bar's cocktails or wine. Fantastic!
We tried it the week before Christmas and were pleasantly surprised to see how swiftly people responded, the event being fully booked out within two days of going live. The same has happened each time, demonstrating that the locals are looking for good food in an intimate location for a reasonable price. We have tweaked the menu and will continue to do so in order to give patrons the best experience possible. The focus is on fresh ingredients, home grown or sourced locally to deliver delicious food. It's slow food at its best, just like Nonna makes!
From my perspective, this has been a wonderful opportunity to work in collaboration with another local business, helping to bring more people through their doors mid week. At the same time, I have gotten to meet local people who love Italian food and get to know who I am, and what my own small business has to offer the area. It's been especially rewarding to see some of my previous class participants book into these nights, or for others to book into a second or third night at the bar. We must be doing something right.
So I never did business studies. I thought I was going to teach English and History to high school students. I changed course and did graphic design instead. Somehow I've ended up teaching after all, in our Italian cooking classes. And people tell me I'm a pretty good teacher. They love the informal and casual approach. How everyone is treated on the same level. That everyone gets to take part. And we all sit down together to share what we've made in class. The most often comment made by participants, is that they feel like they are part of the family. This is what hospitality is about for me. Looking at every event as special. Treating everyone like family. Allowing people to feel relaxed and simply enjoy good food and memorable moments together. Isn't that what we all want when we go out to eat?
Now, what was that about the moon phases? Growing up, I heard my parents always talking about whether the moon was full, half, three quarters ... as this would dictate what they would plant in their veggie patch, and when. I didn't pay much attention at the time but have come to realise how we are so connected to nature and the elements. The feedback from our recent mushroom forage in the forest is testimony to this. We know that a sun ripened tomato from our garden has no comparison in taste. And we think twice before going for a surf when the swell is high (I do not surf, so forgive me if the terminology is way off). It stands to reason that our food, when planted at the right time, in the right conditions, will be of the most nutritious. In my endeavour to reduce garden maintenance and the endless pointless mowing of lawns, I look forward to the day when all of my produce comes from my own back yard. Just as we see on TV with the chefs who run a restaurant in some remote spot, with a kitchen garden teeming with fresh produce. Hmm, is this achievable or just another of my dreams?
*Disclaimer: I have been extremely fortunate over the years to have the ongoing support of my family. My mother and my sister are always ready to step in and help clean the house for guests, or be my assistants in the cooking classes and special events. My daughter has also been there for me during school holidays which is such a bonus. My husband has kept the fortress going on the domestic scene, improving his cooking skills as a result (double bonus). And one of my goals was to outsource my house keeping. Does it count if it's him?
Upcoming events:
Ravioli Making Class – Saturday 31st May
Italian Night at the Factory Bar – Thursday 5th June
Gnocchi Making Class – Saturday 28th June
Bread Making Class – Sunday 29th June
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