The chef duo hosting an intimate dinner at Summertown Studio
Pictures: Jack Fenby
Words: Helen Karakulak
Summertown Studio’s next instalment of their dinner series, Small Town Table, returns in May and will feature Willunga chefs serving Taiwanese-inspired dishes.
Mug Chen and Chia Wu are the chefs and owners of Muni in Willunga, a minimalist fine-dining restaurant with a focus on local produce and community.
They’ll be taking over Summertown Studio in Somerton Park to bring their signature style to a gathering of just 40 people in the plant-filled pergola.
The duo have an impressive resume between them, having worked at the Salopian Inn and d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant in McLaren Vale, as well as doing time in Melbourne, Paris and Bangkok kitchens.
They’re known for artfully presented bites that honour their ingredients sourced from local suppliers or the nearby Willunga Farmers Market.
The Small Town Table series is passionate about prioritising local, and this is their second iteration after featuring Salopian Inn chef Jimmy Toone and his partner Jo Leal from Secret Pasta Club in November last year.
Mug and Chia say they’re very excited to offer a range of “Taiwanese-inspired dishes, showcasing local farmers’ produce” in the second Small Town Table event.
Jimmy and Jo’s event sold out, and half the tickets to Mug and Chia’s are already gone, says Sharni Honor from Summertown Studio.
Vinyl on deck by Cazeaux O.S.L.O at the first Small Town Table event last year.
What’s set to hit the menu is a range of snacks including SA King prawn, southern bluefin tuna, fish floss savoury chiffon and more.
Each diner will get two snacks, an appetiser, a shared main with sides and dessert. The entrees are sizzling three-cup southern calamari and oyster mushroom, then mains and sides range from brown sugar smoked chicken, kumquat jam, seaweed and bonito broth and more.
The menu is “all crafted with a focus on Taiwanese culinary techniques to highlight the best of local ingredients”.
Wines from Hither & Yon will be on pour for the night, with Adelaide’s Nantale setting the mood spinning vinyl.
Sharni and Sarah Bradford own Summertown Studio and designed Small Town Table to use their quirky suburban warehouse to fill a gap in unique dining experiences in the Somerton area and surrounding suburbs.
They aim to run a Small Town Table each season to champion local chefs and bring quality food to their community by the beach, alongside crafted bevvies and great music.
Small Town Table with Mug & Chia is at Summertown Studio on Thursday, May 2 at 7pm. Tickets are available now.
Summertown Studio is located at 13 Paringa Avenue, Somerton Park, 5044. Connect with Summertown Studio on Instagram.
