By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
TONIGHT (Tuesday) Tooradin’s famous fishy restaurant Wings and Fins will take to the screen for the first episode of Channel Nine’s new culinary series, Hotplate.
The seafood restaurant located at the Tooradin airport prides itself on its fresh Flinders Island crayfish.
Now, head chef Lozz and owner/manager Nols have also taken centre stage.
Nols, a bank manager of 25 years turned restaurateur, has been dubbed ‘Australia’s fussiest eater’ but said filming the show was a ‘fantastic experience’.
The exposure is already filling tables and leading to selfies with fans.
“People were under the impression Wings and Fins had closed down, but even with the ads (for the TV show) we have gone from Saturday night bookings of 13 people to being booked out most weekends – but it hasn’t been all about the series, a lot of blood sweat and tears over two and a half years has gone into it,” Nols said.
After managing the Caldermeade Farm Cafe for more than four years, Nols bought the seafood restaurant and set about building its reputation once more.
“When I took over Wings and Fins needed a lot of money spent on it in the kitchen and on the cray tanks and I didn’t have much left to spend on fixing up the front of house – But now (post filming) we’re looking pretty swish,” she said.
Labelled as a fussy, unadventurous eater, Nols stands by that brand and said she really did wish she had an airline sick bag at one meal.
“We haven’t seen any episodes at all, but from the ads ‘Australia’s fussiest eater’ is me and I don’t have a problem with it. So many Aussies are going to relate to me because offal is awful!” she laughed.
But admitted the reality TV show has made her try new delicacies.
“If I don’t like it I’m not going to eat it – I didn’t try the chicken heart but had the tiniest little bit of the brains, because I had my head chef sitting next to me saying I had to try it!”
Premiering tonight (Tueday), Nols is cooking a roast dinner for her family and friends at home before sitting down to watch her very own big blue eyes flutter on the big screen.
“My daughters think it’s great, they’re just sorry they didn’t get my blue eyes when they see them on the TV,” she laughed.
To snag a table at Wings and Finns call: 5998 3600 and be sure to order a Nols simple palate special – she recommends the no frills Flinders Island crayfish and the Nolzy stuffed chicken breast.
