Cotton Duck Surry Hills turns one

September saw the first birthday for Surry Hills restaurant Cotton Duck. While Jared Ingersoll has changed the menu to a more traditional format of starters, mains and sides, the food itself has lost nothing of its originality.

Ingersoll continues his local, seasonal and sustainable theme across all his venues, and at his showcase Surry Hills restaurant Cotton Duck his cooking really shines.

Each dish appears simple enough, but there is a deep intelligence and understand of produce behind every plate. Take note of the provenance: gathered greens, Milandura Farms pork, Blue Mountain Organic’s produce.

The mix on offer across a tight choice of six starters and six mains is enough to please anyone. We had trouble limiting ourselves to a course each, and could have eaten any of the bounty that was offered on the night.

The star attraction on this visit had to be the Truffled Rice and Egg Congee. I’d eaten my fill of congee in Singapore earlier in the month, and must say I was sceptical of a ‘western’ interpretation. This stunning dish was flavoursome and rich and laden with beauty.

I was sceptical too about the calves liver: a dish that is often overcooked or tough. I should not have doubted the hands of Chef; the resulting dish was soft and moist and melt in your mouth tender.

Choosing a star must not underplay the beauty of all the other dishes. Each and every dish was harmonious, with a glorious mix of texture and tastes. Jared Ingersoll’s creativity springs from a deep well. There is a lot of thought behind each dish. Take for example the strawberry cheese dessert Fragomomella, inspired by the story of St Agatha. Chef had me fascinated as he told me how St Agatha is reported to have denied the sexual advances of a high ranking nobleman – the judge who later sentenced her. She is often portrayed carrying a plate with her breasts.

“It’s just the way my head works” Chef Jared Ingersoll told me. There is a similar intelligence behind every dish that Jared Ingersoll creates. Happy 1st Birthday Cotton Duck. May there be many more …

Cotton Duck
50 Holt Street,
Surry Hills NSW 2010
+61 2 8399 0250