Share Plates: Perth’s Latest in Food and Drink News – March 22, 2023

Peoples Cafeteria reintroduces dinner service
“Hipster Sizzler” was one of the more memorable terms I’ve heard used to describe the homely offering at Peoples Cafeteria. Following news that the combined deli-cafeteria-restaurant is now open for dinner (the shop will open until 8pm Monday to Friday), eaters now have more opportunities to relive their favourite – as well as make new – salad bar memories. In addition to its popular help-yourself buffet, the shop will have takeaway roast chooks ready to go and will also serve coffee and Big Loaf baked goods.

Live jazz at Tom’s Providore
Speaking of venues that pull double duty, Tom’s Providore has endeared itself to city folks with its mix of comforting European-inspired cooking, great drinks and well-stocked shelves. If you’re still to visit, consider timing your foray for Thursday night and enjoy some live music while you snack and sip. The music policy leans jazzy with musicians like swing jazz band Sassafras and trios led by Peter Jeavons (the double bassist, not the other one).

A chef’s tour of Italy
If there’s one thing Valerio Fantinelli likes more than cooking Italian food, it’s talking about Italian food. Born in Pescara – the capital of the Abruzzo region in southern Italy – Fantinelli began cooking professionally as a teenager and has brought his cooking and culture to events across Western Australia. In short, he’s an ideal candidate to lead eating and cultural tours of Italy. From May, our man and Italy-based tour guide Luca Rocconi will offer a series of food, art and cultural tours under their Italy Tour Co banner. Itineraries range from a one-day deep-dive into Rome – including a meal in an apartment once owned by Marlon Brando – to Adriatic yacht cruises.

Taste Great Southern returns to WA’s deep south
This year’s Taste Great Southern (May 4 to 14) features a calendar of more than 40 events held throughout Western Australia’s deep south. The program covers a range of events, from appearances by former Masterchef judge Gary Mehigan at the region’s brilliant Albany Farmers Market, to intimate dinners such as Oranje Tractor’s celebration of aged riesling and seafood. Tickets and additional event information are available online.

Inviting hospitality to take stock of its mental health
Launched this week, The Hospo Check In (March 20 to 26) invites those in the hospitality industry to make time to reflect on their mental health. At the heart of the initiative is a mental health check-in tool from professional services organisation Jacobs that allows users to gauge where they’re at and, if needed, offer resources that might be of use. The confidential tool is free, and users can choose from a two-minute set of questions or a more in-depth 75-question check-in. Considering it’s never too late to start (or continue) working on ourselves, reflecting on one’s state of mind is an exercise worth doing, hospitality worker or otherwise, during Hospo Check In week – or at any time of year.