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Du Fermier

This coveted country French-style farmhouse restaurant is low on pomp, high on pleasure.

Paris brest. Picture: Eugene Hyland
Paris brest. Picture: Eugene Hyland

42 High St, Trentham

(03) 5424 1634

dufermier.com.au

This coveted country French-style farmhouse restaurant is low on pomp, high on pleasure.

It’s just the spot to settle in, get cosy and let someone else do the cooking – that someone being Annie Smithers, the indefatigable chef, owner, baker and farmer behind Du Fermier.

There are no menus but know you’re in for three or four generous – and great value – courses that stick to the paddock-to-plate ethos with meats and poultry from the Trentham region and vegetables plucked fresh from Smithers’ garden.

Du Fermier. Picture: Eugene Hyland
Du Fermier. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Served as a shareable feast, mains will be something like Western Plains pork –succulent meat and generous of crackling – with a blueberry gastrique adding a slightly acidic sweetness for cut-through, and plenty of roasted parsnip, potato, carrots and brussels sprouts.

It might be bookended by a gruyere and leek souffle and French cheese or a toffee-apple flaugnarde.

Pop out the back and you’ll get a wide smile from Smithers toiling in the kitchen, in her element, or venturing out to serve a course or two under the eye of front-of-house pro Bronwyn Kabboord (ex Merricote).

Country charm never tasted and felt so good.

Book well ahead.

Must-eat dish: Gruyere and leek souffle

Cuisine: French

Chef: Annie Smithers

Price: $$

Open: Lunch Fri-Mon

Bookings: Yes

Instagram: @du_fermier

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/delicious-100/du-fermier/news-story/e14f48345facd083fa1ca06321deccba