Beefalo & Pork

The sun was blazing down on us as we picked our way through the paddock, but we knew we didn't have to suffer for long as we were soon to be distracted. After much hollering and shaking of the food pail, it wasn't long before eight small charcoal grey piglets came bounding out from underneath the cool of the Pandanus, followed closely by mum.

It was our second farm gate visit to the Whitsunday Farm Butchers, and this time we took along visiting family for an outing with a difference. Christina della Valle not only breeds free range Berkshire pigs, she is also a Beefalo breeder. Beefalo is beef cattle bred with bison, and the monthly open gate day includes some tastings of the very meat she breeds. Free from chemicals, hormones and any other unnecessary additives that tend to be put into the animal's feed and in the processing, your taste buds will wonder at the flavour.

Cooked expertly by Peter, you'll be fighting the children off to get a taste of the maple bacon, beefalo spare ribs, pork sausage and combination rissoles. Pay $10 for the privilege, or buy some meat to take home instead. You'll be hooked and never want to visit a supermarket meat aisle again.

Look for Christina's van at the weekly Saturday Airlie Beach Markets, pop into the Crocodile Cafe on Shute Harbour Road, or call ahead and visit the farm to get your vacuum packed Beefalo or Berkshire pig portions.