Spud passion

IN BEACONSFIELD Upper, around 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne is the Glendower Kartoffelhouse and Restaurant offering all things “potato”.
When opening the restaurant almost 10 years ago, owners Ulli Reichard and Peter Hutten were excited by the friendly, relaxed nature of the land down under and saw an opportunity to share their passion for the kartoffel (German for potato) with Australian consumers.
Executive chef Peter Hutten has created a menu to suit all tastes, but with one constant feature — the potato.
“All of our dishes start with potatoes, whether they be mashed, friend, baked … then we build from there,” says Peter.
Peter uses the Nicola in most dishes because of its rich yellow flesh and “all-rounder” qualities.
“I love the versatility of the Nicola, and enjoy working with the Desiree, Royal Blue and sometimes Kipfler.”
All produce is sourced locally, with the majority of the potatoes coming from the Gembrook and Thorpdale growing regions.
Overall the cuisine is modern Australian with European, Mediterranean and even Asian influences.
Peter and sous chef Megan White are always experimenting with new dishes.
“It is fun to work with another chef who shares the same passion for potatoes,” Peter said.
Some traditional German dishes are on the menu, such as the potato dumplings with pot roast and sauerkraut, and also potato desserts, including the potato chocolate mudcake.
A favourite with customers is Glendower’s homemade potato bread.
It comes in four varieties, each with a very different flavour, and is also available to take home.
Growing up in Germany, Ulli says you couldn’t help but love potatoes; they were a very important part of the German diet.
“There are a number of kartoffelhouses in Germany, but you don’t find many over here,” Ulli said. “Competition from rice and pasta in Australia means there is not as much of an appreciation for the potato over here.
“Back when the restaurant opened, it was challenging to market a ‘potatohouse’.
“But by showing our customers the versatility of the potato they return time and time again. Nowadays 97 per cent of diners at our restaurant are Australian.”
The restaurant also caters for large or small private functions — from intimate dinners to weddings hosting up to 120 guests.
Ulli and Peter have been in business together for more than 20 years, establishing two kartoffelhouses in old homesteads in Germany, then coming to Australia and opening the Glendower Kartoffelhouse.
It can be found at 2 McBride Road, Beaconsfield Upper and is open Wednesday to Friday from 6pm till late, and Saturday and Sunday 11am till late.
Phone 5944 4710 to book or visit www.glendower.com.au