🍂Something new, something old, something very Hills

Good morning, Hills lovers. I started Adelaide Hills Pantry with a simple idea—a love letter to the Hills. This week, that thread continues with three stories full of heart: a chocolatier that has been crafting its own love letter in truffle form for over a decade, a look back at the roots of Stirling, one of the Hills’ most iconic towns, and, at last, we’re thrilled to reveal the artist behind our very first jigsaw puzzle.

Let’s get into it.

STIRLING THEN & NOW
From firewood depot to leafy heart of the Hills.

Tucked among tall trees and winding gullies, before it became known for its cool-climate gardens, booksellers and Sunday markets, Stirling was a timber town with a train station and a bold ambition. Long before that, the hills around Stirling were walked and cherished by the Peramangk and Kaurna peoples.

Established in the 1850s and originally known as Stirling East, the town was named after Edward Stirling, a South Australian politician and landowner. It grew quickly thanks to its position on the new railway line from Adelaide to Nairne, completed in 1883. The arrival of the train brought prosperity, people, and regular deliveries of Adelaideans seeking relief from the summer heat.

What they found was a green, misty town surrounded by blackwood, stringybark, and gums. Stirling’s climate, cooler and wetter than Adelaide’s, made it a magnet for city dwellers who built summer homes with sweeping verandas and imported northern hemisphere trees. That’s why you’ll find maples, oaks, chestnuts and elms lining the streets. 

But Stirling wasn’t just a retreat. It was practical too. Timber mills powered the local economy, alongside apple and cherry orchards. By the early 1900s, the township had a post office, hotel, churches, bank branches and a vibrant local press. The grand stone buildings still standing today, like the Stirling Hotel and Council Chambers, speak to a place with strong civic pride.

Today, Stirling balances old-world charm with modern community life. It’s a town that has always welcomed newcomers, from train travellers in wool coats to weekenders with market baskets. Stirling changes with the seasons, but its beauty remains the same.

RED CACAO ORIGINS
The Story Behind the Chocolate

You likely already know Red Cacao. You’ve probably dipped a chocolate spoon (yes, chocolate spoon!) into velvety hot milk on a crisp Hills morning, wandered into their Stirling shop for a delicate handmade truffle, or tucked a bar of their, dark goodness into a weekend hamper.

But behind the silky ganache and world-class chocolate is something more: a story of grit, wild travel, community appreciation, and an unshakable love for the Hills.

Red Cacao’s journey began long before the shop opened. Marcus Booth-Remmers left school at 14 and started in pastry. He worked in fine-dining kitchens, Penfolds Magill Estate among them, where he fell for the rhythm of service and the beauty of the final course. Chocolate became his focus: precise, technical, unforgiving, and full of creative possibility.

In his early twenties, he flew to Europe to learn from the best. Over four and a half years, he worked in pastry and chocolate shops across Belgium, Germany and France, honing his skills in kitchens where quality wasn’t the goal, it was the baseline. At Germany’s three Michelin-starred Traube Tonbach, he absorbed the kind of discipline and attention to detail that still shapes Red Cacao today. He learnt the old way: by watching, trying, repeating. Bonbon by bonbon.

And when it was time to come home, he hitchhiked from Germany to his mum’s doorstep in the Adelaide Hills, arriving just in time for his brother’s wedding.

Back home, he started small. A market coffee stall with his family. A few handmade chocolates on the side. They sold. So he made more. From Mount Pleasant to Macclesfield, he built momentum one customer at a time.

He built something lasting, not just in flavour, but in feeling. A space where everything is done with care. Where people come to pause. And where the details are considered, generous, and deeply connected to the Hills.

Here’s the full Red Cacao chocolate selection if you’re curious. Do you have a favourite? I’ve been known to polish off a bag of chocolate coated popcorn on the drive home! Shhh, don’t tell anyone. 

JIGSAW PUZZLE UPDATE
Artist Collaboration Announcement

I’m thrilled to share that we’re collaborating with local Adelaide Hills artist Tess Bartholomew to bring this vibrant project to life. What makes this feel especially meaningful is that Tess is creating the artwork from scratch, guided by her own memories and deep connection to the Hills. It’s not just about what the Hills look like—it’s about capturing what it feels like to be here.

Tess is an abstract landscape painter and muralist based here in the Hills. Her work is full of bold, joyful colour – dreamlike, vibrant, and deeply rooted in the natural beauty of this region. From the moment we started chatting, I knew we were on the same page. This isn’t just a puzzle. It’s a piece of art. A story. A feeling.

Together, we’re creating a limited-edition, high-quality jigsaw puzzle that captures the essence of the Adelaide Hills – in a way that feels familiar, comforting, and full of heart.

It’s going to be beautiful, exclusive, and made to be treasured.

I’ll be sharing sneak peeks soon, and I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been working on. In the meantime, you can explore Tess Bartholomew’s body of work here.

Got a community update or special shoutout to share? Reach out and say hi!

Hills Youth Theatre brings The Secret Garden to life at the Stirling Community Theatre. Based on the beloved novel, this magical production follows young Mary Lennox as she uncovers a hidden garden and begins a journey of healing, hope and friendship. With a cast of 80 young performers and a story full of heart, it’s a perfect night out for the whole family. Performances run from Friday, 20 June to Sunday, 29 June. Tickets here.

Mylor Bonfireworks returns on Saturday, 28 June at Mylor Oval. Get ready for one of the Hills’ most beloved winter nights. Gather around a roaring bonfire, enjoy live music, mulled wine, food stalls, a free bouncy castle and face painting for the kids, and a spectacular fireworks display at 8:30 pm. It’s a true community celebration, with all funds raised going towards local projects like a new sports and recreation centre. Gates open at 5:30 pm. You won’t want to miss this! Tickets on sale now.

Adelaide Hills Pantry Café Ride is held on the last Sunday of each month. It’s a relaxed, social ride through the Hills with a coffee stop halfway and a bike-friendly café start and finish. Expect around 50km, a bit of gravel, and some good climbs — it is the Hills, after all. E-bikes are welcome, no one gets left behind, and if you’d rather just meet us for coffee, that’s great too. Check out the June ride route here, which starts and ends at Woodside Providore. Brendan will be your ride leader. Register your interest here.

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BREMER VALLEY GALLERY TRAIL
Come along to the Bremer Valley Gallery Trail & Pop-Up Gallery Market + Tea Room on Saturday 14 June from 11 am to 4 pm at the Callington Memorial Hall and surrounding galleries. Wander through three inspiring galleries, meet local artists in residence, and explore handcrafted treasures in the pop-up market. When you’re ready to take a break, step into the cosy Tea Room and enjoy a traditional Devonshire tea. It’s the perfect day out to support local, discover original, and create connections. INFO

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

🧶 Worldwide Knit in Public Day
| COMMUNITY | Stirling
📅 Saturday, 14 June | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Join fellow yarn lovers for a relaxed afternoon of knitting, crochet, and conversation. All skill levels welcome, plus tea, treats, and a lucky door prize! INFO

🌿 Jurlique Farm Tour on Global Wellness Day
| WELLNESS | Biggs Flat
📅 Saturday, June 14 | 10:00 AM
Celebrate Global Wellness Day with a free 90-minute tour of Jurlique’s biodynamic farm, followed by herbal tea and a nature-inspired retail experience. INFO

🎉 Hills Lantern Festival
| FAMILY | Echunga
📅 Saturday, June 14 | 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Celebrate community spirit with live music, delicious food stalls, and fun kids' activities in a festive atmosphere. Don’t miss the enchanting dusk lantern parade and fiery finale lighting up the night sky. INFO

🎨 Colour Mixing Demystified
| WORKSHOP | Norton Summit
📅 Saturday, 14 June | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Learn a simple, cost-effective system for mixing almost any colour using just six paints and white with artist Caroline Johnson. INFO

🎨 Introducing Sgraffito Workshop
| WORKSHOP | Norton Summit
📅 Saturday, 14 June | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Learn the art of sgraffito with ceramicist Simone Linder-Patton and decorate your own set of pottery plates using this striking carving technique. INFO

🪴 Make a Terracotta Olla for Your Garden
| WORKSHOP | Gumeracha
📅 Saturday, 14 June | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Learn to make your own terracotta olla, an ancient and eco-friendly watering vessel, perfect for conserving water in your garden. INFO

🧵 Pakistani Chunri Textile Dyeing
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Saturday, 14 June | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Learn the traditional art of Chunri resist dyeing with Rehana Usman and create your own vibrant scarf using age-old Pakistani techniques. INFO

🍽️ Karra Watta Café Community Lunch
| COMMUNITY | Norton Summit
📅 Wednesday, 18 June | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch prepared by volunteers and local students, all for a gold coin donation supporting Fred’s Van and the Cancer Council. INFO

✍️ Writing Haiku: The Rules and When They Matter
| WORKSHOP | The Summit Community Centre
📅 Thursday, 19 June | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Explore the evolving rules of haiku with poet Julia Wakefield and learn how to craft effective poems using timeless techniques. INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🎭 The Secret Garden by Hills Youth Theatre
| THEATRE | Stirling
📅 📅 Friday, 20 & 27 JUNE | 7:00 PM
Saturday, 21 & 28 JUNE | 6:00 PM
Sunday, 22 & 29 JUNE | 2:00 PM
Step into the enchanting world of The Secret Garden, a heart warming tale of friendship, healing, and hidden wonders brought to life by Hills Youth Theatre. Join Mary Lennox and her friends as they uncover the magic locked behind the garden walls. INFO

📓 Create Your Own Leather Journal at Fabrik
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Saturday, 21 June | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Craft your own A5 leather travel journal and notebooks with guidance from Rustic Wren's Jess. All materials provided. INFO

🧵 Textile Conservation Advice with Mary Jose 
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Saturday, 21 June | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Get expert advice on conserving and displaying your treasured textiles in a relaxed show-and-tell session with conservator Mary Jose. INFO

🎶 Harp2Harp
| MUSIC | Bridgewater
📅 Sunday, 22 June | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Experience a captivating harp duet performance showcasing classical and contemporary sounds in an intimate setting. INFO

MARKETS

🛍️ Uraidla Market
📅 Sunday, 15 June | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Browse fresh produce, handmade crafts, art, plants and more at this vibrant community market held twice monthly.

🧺 Mount Barker Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, 14 June | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Shop fresh produce, local goods, and gourmet delights while supporting Adelaide Hills farmers and makers.

_{Thanks for reading Adelaide Hills Pantry. I hope it added a moment of enjoyment to your day.}