Temora culinary duo Shan and Dilini Jayawardene in front of their well known Sugar and Spice vintage food van. Photos: Supplied.
Who are Shan and Dilini Jayawardene? We are the proud owners of Sugar and Spice – a vintage food caravan. We operate at Lake Centenary (Temora) and are open to being hired for nearby events. We used to own Diners Choice [restaurant] in Temora.
Best recent dining experience:
Dilini – It has been a while since we last went out but the last time we went to the Grounds of Alexandria [Sydney] and had brunch with our kids.
Shan – Burnt Orange in Mosman.
Favourite cuisine:
Dilini – I can’t go past Sri Lankan.
Shan – I’m the same as Dilini; I like my spicy food.
Most embarrassing pantry item:
Dilini – All I can think of is the fresh homemade lime pickle I made. It’s sour and salty and you only have a pinch of it with rice and curry. I’m the only one who eats it.
Dilini’s Baklava Cupcakes.
What ingredient can I not live without?
Dilini – I cannot live without eggs, sugar and salt. I can’t make many of my things without eggs.
Shan – Chilli, garlic and ginger.
Best coffee spot in Temora:
Dilini – I wouldn’t go past Sugar and Spice.
Shan – Coffee Bar On Hoskins.
Shan still serves some of his favourite dishes from his restaurants.
Next big thing in the Temora food scene: We have been teased about The Railway Hotel and they have been renovating it for a long time. It sounds like a big project with lots of dining experiences.
A must-try on our menu: Shan’s favourite creamy garlic prawns and Nasi Goreng. We still incorporate many menu items from Diners Choice but do it on a smaller scale. Shan knows the favourite dishes that people like to eat.
Sugar and Spice vintage food van.
My biggest culinary influence:
Dilini – My mum. I love sweets and picked that up from her.
Shan – My dad used to work at the Sri Lankan tourist board. I used to visit hotels all the time and I fell in love with cooking.
Favourite cookbook:
Dilini – PS Desserts by Philippa Sibley. She has a beautiful dessert book and I look at her recipes and apply them as they suit my cooking style.
Shan – I don’t have a favourite cookbook, but I do like reading books from chefs with different cuisines.
Dilini credits her mother for her love of sweets.
Who I admire in the Temora food and wine scene:
Dilini – To be honest, I would say Shan. I’m in awe of all the things he has done for so long. Sometimes he has been sick and he has carried on. I get teary thinking about it.
Shan – Dilini of course. She has always backed me up with her beautiful desserts.
What are this week’s specials at Sugar & Spice Temora? Homemade chicken stroganoff pie, chicken and prawn nasi goreng and lamb shanks.
Dilini’s chocolate raspberry fudge cake.
Death row meal:
Dilini – Hoppers (coconut-laced rice flour pancakes) with chilli sambal. It’s a favourite of our grandchildren too.
Shan – I would like to have some nice chilli crab.
My least favourite food:
Dilini – I don’t like fish.
Shan – Pig trotters.
My COVID-19 response: That was an experience. Even though the restaurant was closed, people supported us [through the food van]. We used to have really fast service and we were busy.
My top three cooking tips:
Dilini – Cook with love and from the heart no matter how long it takes. Make it flavoursome and have a good presentation.
Shan – Have flavour in the dish, don’t burn the bottom of the pan and presentation.
Sugar and Spice is open every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm (weather permitting). It is located at Lake Centenary, 420 Goldfields Way, Temora.
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