Years ago, the hamlet of Newrybar would never have made it onto a map, let alone the lips of Sydney and Melbourne locals. But now the Byron district is renowned for being a hub of food and lifestyle curiosities, following in the footsteps of nearby Bangalow and Byron Bay.

The latest addition to the district comes in the form of one of Australia’s best chefs. Alastair Waddell – formerly of Qaalia and Southern Ocean Lodge – will be taking on the role of head chef at Harvest.

The Scottish native has made Australia home for the past 11 years, drawn to its abundance of produce. It’s this passion that has drawn him to Byron shire, where he will work alongside forager Peter Hardwick, crafting innovative new dishes that integrate native ingredients. Already he’s been experimenting with the likes of fig leaves to make ice-cream and cheese.