Mindy cooks up seafood delights for NAIDOC Week

Acclaimed Bundjalung chef, restaurateur and author Mindy Woods and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council  have partnered to launch Celebrating Sea Country, a free recipe booklet showcasing Indigenous ingredients and responsibly farmed Australian seafood during NAIDOC Week. 

Available to download throughout July via the ASC website, the recipe collection features dishes created by Woods using native ingredients alongside ASC labelled barramundi, salmon and prawns available in Australian supermarkets.

Visitors can also continue their Celebrating Sea Country journey at the Australian National Maritime Museum, where complimentary printed copies of the booklet will be available throughout July until they run out. During NAIDOC Week, guests can experience a selection of recipes firsthand at HarbourWatch Café, with the Prawn Sando and Barramundi Fish and Chips with Moray available as limited time menu specials.

Woods said food provides a powerful platform for sharing culture and connecting people to the stories behind the ingredients they enjoy.

“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to honour First Nations culture, knowledge and connection to Country,” she said.

“Through this collaboration, we want Australians to explore the native foods on their doorsteps and think about the impact of the choices they make every day.”

“Sustainable seafood isn’t just about preserving our oceans; it’s about honouring the deep connection between land, sea, and culture. I strive to champion responsible aquaculture that respects both the environment and the communities it supports.”

Ellie Dixon, ASC Australia’s Market Development Manager, said the partnership highlights how cultural knowledge and responsible seafood production can come together to inspire more informed food choices.

“Choosing change is a collective responsibility. When producers, chefs, retailers, food service providers and seafood lovers work together, we can help drive meaningful and lasting impact for people and the planet,”  Ms Dixon said.

“The ASC label provides assurance to consumers that their seafood comes from farms that have met the ASC’s robust social and environmental standards.”

Ellie Dixon, ASC Australia’s Market Development Manager.

Free print copies are available at the Australian National Maritime Museum, with selected dishes featured at HarbourWatch Café during NAIDOC Week.

Daryl Karp, Director and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum, said the initiative aligns with the museum’s commitment to ocean health and sustainability.

“As a maritime museum, we seek to champion the importance of healthy oceans not only through our exhibitions and programs, but through the choices we make every day,” he said.

“This collaboration brings together culture, food and sustainability in a way that is engaging, accessible and meaningful for visitors.”

HarbourWatch Café recently achieved ASC Chain of Custody certification, ensuring ASC labelled seafood served at the venue can be traced through every stage of the supply chain back to responsibly certified farms and fisheries.

For home cooks, there are now more than 100 ASC labelled seafood products available in Australian supermarkets across chilled, frozen and ambient categories.

Celebrating Sea Country can be downloaded throughout July via the ASC website, while complimentary printed copies will be available at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Download here: https://au.asc-aqua.org/mindy-woods-cookbook/