At Farmer’s Daughters, the menu begins long before anything reaches the pass; it starts in the paddocks of Gippsland. One of Victoria's most abundant and storied agricultural regions. Located within the 80 Collins precinct, the restaurant has built its identity on a simple philosophy; cook with what the land provides.
Each morning begins before the doors open, with the arrival of farmers and producers delivering some of the highest quality seasonal produce. This exchange defines the identity of the restaurant and the character of everything that follows.
A Menu from the Land
Farmers Daughters is the vision of executive chef Alejandro Saravia. The menu is built on a deep relationship with farmers and producers across the Gippsland region, and a genuine commitment to letting the land lead. Many of these producers work collaboratively to reduce food transport and consolidate deliveries - a subtle gesture of care that reflects what the restaurant truly stands for.
Alejandro explains. "They know what's good in season. They know what the farms and the soil are producing at their best. It's our job as chefs to welcome those ingredients into our kitchen and implement the cooking techniques that elevate their natural characteristics and flavours."
The menu, as a result, is constantly evolving. As the seasons shift, harvests vary, and the kitchen needs to respond accordingly.
Experience Gippsland
The goal behind Farmer's Daughters is to extend beyond the meal itself. Every plate acts as a first encounter with a region that many people have yet to fully discover.
Alejandro explains, ‘Our aim is to open that gateway, to plant that little seed of Gippsland in our guests' minds, so that for their next road trip or holiday, they consider visiting the region as part of their journey.”
It is hospitality with a different motive, not simply feeding people, but connecting them to a place. Within the 80 Collins precinct, Farmer's Daughters has found a fitting home and a space where the community in the city and the heart of the land meet at the table.
Autumn and Winter at the Table
As Melbourne moves into the cooler months, Farmer's Daughters turns to the root vegetables and hearty produce that define Gippsland's autumn and winter harvest. Pumpkins, a rotating selection of potato varieties, each providing a different texture, quality and character. The result is deeply satisfying food that feels, as Alejandro puts it, like "a gentle, warm hug."
It is cooking determined by the belief that the best ingredients are always the ones that are ready right now and in season.
