From Sydney’s famous Tetsuya’s, to the iconic Three Blue Ducks in Bronte, and now to The Farm in Byron Bay, we introduce you to our third Homecamp Dad – chef and new dad, Darren Robertson.

What led you to pack up and make the sea change from Bronte to Byron Bay?

We were given the opportunity to open a restaurant on a farm in Byron. It was a fairly easy decision despite being a fairly mammoth task. I have no regrets with the move, I absolutely love it here.

When you were cooking at the Bronte restaurant you had a small kitchen garden out the back, now you have an entire farm of fresh produce at your fingertips – what is it about fresh, local and seasonal produce that inspires your cooking?

Loads of things. It tastes better for one … But more importantly you develop a great awareness of what it takes to grow food a take case of the land. You also gain an understanding of all the work that goes into food, long before it reaches the kitchen.

The food we get from the farm is incredible. If that doesn’t inspire someone to cook better then not much will!

Why do you think it’s so important for people to eat locally, or even grow their own produce? Do you think there’s been a shift towards more people doing this, or do we still have a long way to go?

It’s not always possible for people to eat locally or grow their food, but there’s certainly a growing interest in it, which is great. There are many benefits; food that has travelled less is usually fresher, more nutritious and has more flavour, not only that but you have more chance of actually supporting the farmers that grow the food thus supporting the local economy.

We do have a long way to go but it’s moving in the right direction.

What’s your favourite ingredient in season right now?

I’m enjoying cooking with broccoli leaves right now.

So you’ve recently joined the ‘Dad club’ with the arrival of your baby boy, Archie – have you started creating any new baby-friendly recipes in the kitchen?

Yep, I love cooking for Archie, although my partner Mags does most of it.

I try and cook him something new every time. He loves to eat, porridge, apples, banana, avocados, sweet potatoes, it just has to be soft!

Favourite spot in the Northern Rivers for a family day in the outdoors

Anywhere on a beach.

Lastly, what’s in store for Father’s Day this year?

Hopefully Mags has got a day planned, but it’d be the usual weekend routine. Try to make Archie smile when he wakes up until he gets bored of me. Breakfast then hanging out in a local cafe with the family, coffee and a crossword, a surf, then think about lunch…That’s a good start!

You can fill up on Darren’s food creations at the Three Blue Ducks restaurants in Byron Bay, Bronte and Rosebery. Follow @darrenthreeblueducks on Instagram for the visual feast.