Sunday mornings with Nilla

Founder and executive chef of VanillaFood, Nilla Tomkins, has lived in Noosa for 15 years. She loves the area, both the hinterland and the coast. She shares with us what a Sunday looks like for her.

“as both cafes are closed on Sundays, it’s really my only day off where I don’t have to think about VF.” 

Nilla is a morning person and is often up and about by 5am. She walks the Noosa National Park, favouring the coastal track- spotting dolphins and turtles (and from June- October the migrating Humpback Whales put on a show). 

tip: find a park on Hastings Street and start your walk from there. First Point (image via @brookelilly) and Little Cove are also beautiful early and perfect for a quick swim on the way back. Stop in for a coffee (take away) at one of the many cafes along Hastings Street before jumping back in the car (Cafe Le Monde makes the best coffee on the strip, in Nilla’s opinion) (Cafe Le Monde is currently closed, call ahead to find out if your favourite coffee spot is open). 

Nilla then does a big shop at the Noosa Farmers Market. She picks out organic produce, delicious bread and fresh muffins from WeBake and a flat white from FlyingWest Roasters. She loves chatting to all the friendly stall holders and locals as she walks through the market (during this time some stalls may have reduced product or be absent, practice social distancing whilst out and greet others with just a quick hello or wave). 

Nilla’s favourite vegetable is asparagus, she says “it’s incredibly versatile”, she loves them blanched with homemade pesto and a squeeze of lemon juice, in salads and to dip in hummus or any of the delicious dips she creates. “asparagus season is the best season” she laughs. 

It’s then home time for a stovetop coffee made in her Bialetti Moka Express. She re discovered this method of coffee making on a trip to Italy a few years back. She says, 

“coffee made on the stove tastes so much better than plunged and instant coffee- but is just as easy.”

(The Bialetti Moka Express can be purchased online at Clandestino Coffee in various sizes).

An easy breaky is then made for whoever is home followed by a swim and lounge by the pool. 

VanillaFood within Belmondos Organic Market is currently trading on Sundays from 8am till 2pm (phone ahead to ensure your favourites are available + this may change with little notice).

Keep an eye out on Instagram @vanillafood and Facebook as the Noosa Heads cafe is open some Sundays during the summer months. 

(this post has been edited to suit the current covid-19 crisis)