Leeharne Hawley is a local grower, producer, baker, and the creative force behind Orara Valley Produce. Based in the Orara Valley, Leeharne and her partner Paul Bradshaw started Orara Valley Produce six years ago. They began their business selling pasture-raised free range eggs, and produce grown on their farm. As time went on Leeharne’s passion for artisan baking grew, and in 2020 their business evolved to become Orara Valley Artisan Foods. Paul manages their home-grown produce, chickens, and free range eggs, and Leeharne concentrates on the baking and catering side of their business. Leeharne’s baked goods are created with love and an eye for perfection – her iced cookies are a visual delight. She also has an ongoing fascination for experimenting with different flavour combinations. One example is her range of ‘boozy’ fruit jams. Leeharne explains, “What I create must be artistic, appetising, and flavoursome food. And made with local, spray free produce where possible”.
Home-grown and locally sourced ingredients
Leeharne grows a range of culinary herbs, and uses her own free range eggs to enrich and enhance her baked foods. Edible flowers are used to accent cakes, and sweet tarts, and her shortbread cookies feature flavours like lavender and rose petals. What they don’t grow themselves, Leeharne and Paul source from local growers who share their philosophy of growing spray free produce.
From kitchen pantry to picnic table
Orara Valley Artisan Foods offers an expansive range of condiments. Their homemade jams, flavoured hummus, chutneys and relishes will give your cheese board or picnic platter a flavour upgrade. And a heads up for chilli lovers – try their small batch Jalapeño Chilli Jam, or Hot Habanero Chilli Jam to add a little spice to … everything!
Scratch cooking
Take one bite and you’ll taste food cooked with care, and quality ingredients. From homemade savoury quiches and sweet tarts, to no-bake or baked styles of cheesecake, or sausage rolls and pies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Leeharne also creates boxes of petit fours, festive Christmas cakes, and celebration cakes. Sharing is caring, and you can order a selection of her finger food, share platters, lunch boxes, and hampers in advance to cater for private or corporate events.
Feeling hungry?
You can sample some of these taste sensations by visiting the Orara Valley Artisan Food stall at Coffs Coast markets and farm gate open days. Local market days can vary with the seasons so it’s best to check their social media for dates and locations. Regular monthly markets include the Woolgoolga Beach Market on the second Saturday of the month; and at Nesting Needles in Coramba on the last Saturday of the month. You’ll also find Orara Valley Artisan Foods at the Tallowood Hill Farm Gate at Glenreagh, on the first Saturday of the month.
Orara Valley Artisan Foods:
Email oraravalleyproduce@gmail.com
Instagram @oraravalleyproduce
Facebook @oraravalleyproduce
Phone 0488 736 347
Story by Awia Markey
Photo credit of Leeharne: Gavin Moroney
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