07/09/2025
On Friday 5 September, I was privileged to attend the official reopening of James Avent’s Gourmet Kitchen in Hastings, after months of community effort helping James recover from a serious fire a few months back. What an inspirational evening it was!
James shared some of his story, and thanked all those who had helped him rebuild his amazing community-focused cafe and garden.
The evening featured moving music by indigenous woman, Carissa Ann (Nyalu). Check out her music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/72YfjQemGt1aDSnQH3WiA5?si=CIwKTx7jSjiQSMsrjmcPjQ
The keynote speaker was Samuel McLennan, who has spent two years salvaging for his ocean-going vessel and has slowly made his way to Victoria, from Tasmania. Samuel featured in this recent article in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/07/crossing-bass-strait-boat-made-tasmanian-fish-farm-debris-trash-transport
After berthing in Hastings, Samuel was urged to meet local 'culinary identity', James Avent. They seem to have been inseparable for the last couple of weeks! Samuel had a powerful story to share with us all. Posted separately are some photos from the night, attended by a wide cross-section of the community, including local representative, Paul Mercurio MP.
I highly recommend Avent’s Gourmet Kitchen! Takeaway meals for home consumption are also available. Check it out ... James will make you feel welcome. As he says, "Come as a guest, leave as a friend!"
James was one of the original members of our Frankston Men with Spirit group.
Samuel McLennan spent two years salvaging for his ocean-going vessel and has slowly made his way to Victoria. Otis Filley jumps aboard for part of the journey
