Perth Voice Interactive

PAINSTAKINGLY arranged in neat, colourful rows like some boutique food army.

The exotic jars, tins and boxes on the shelves at the Boatshed Market were perfectly dressed and would have pleased even the sadistic drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket.

Having worked as a shelf filler during my uni years, I appreciated the attention to detail and the military precision that went into making the gourmet market in Cottesloe look so clean, tidy and pleasing on the eye.

With a butcher, fishmonger, cheese counter, deli, caterer, florist, bakery, daily hot food and “wine loft”, the Boatshed is a sprawling deli-cum-gourmet market.

Imagine an IGA owned by the Sultan of Brunei and you’re getting close.

The place also has a fascinating history and the Australia II was built there when it was still a working boatshed (it went on to win the 1983 America’s Cup, ending a record 132-year winning streak held by the New York Yacht Club). 

It would take several visits to review the whole Boatshed shebang, so the Voice focused on feeding a family of four on a modest budget.

There was a nice range of store-made oven-ready pies including butter chicken, wagyu beef and Guiness, seasonal vegetable, beef Bourguignon, and chicken and porcini, but I couldn’t go past the Thai Green Curry pie ($28.95).

On a cold, wet winter’s day it ticked two comforting boxes – curry and pie. Mmm, Homer Simpson would be proud.

After putting it in the oven for 45 minutes at 170C degrees, my family was salivating at the fragrant aroma wafting through the house.

The pie didn’t disappoint with a delicious short-cut pastry that was golden and held together nicely when sliced.

The filling had a lovely creamy mix of carrot, potato, peas and coconut milk, with just the right amount of curry paste (not too spicy for the kids).

It was a high-quality affair with fresh veg and a moreish sauce, while the pastry added a nice buttery texture. 

Accompanied by some peas on the side, it was the perfect serve for a family of four. A few nights later we followed up with the Family Shepherd’s Pie ($32.95). Another pie, Homer. Mmm… This was nicely presented with a wavy swirl through the mash and a little sprig of rosemary on top.

My favourite winter comfort food is probably shepherd’s pie, so I had high expectations.

Thankfully it tasted as good as it looked with a delicious mix of minced beef, fresh veg and a creamy indulgent mash.

Coming in at just under a kilo, it was a hearty serve. It was so delicious I was back for more and we polished it off.

My wife “Special K” said it was up there with her mum’s shepherd’s pie, which is the ultimate compliment.

“It tastes homemade with a rich, thick gravy and a lovely creamy mash,” she noted.

“It’s a good one when you’re time-poor during the week – just bung it in the oven.

“One of the best pies I’ve had from the shops.”

The Boatshed also had a large Japanese counter with lots of sushi and warm dishes to take-away.

I got the kids a tray of tuna mayo rolls ($9.95) as an after-school treat. It was some of the freshest well-prepared sushi I’ve seen outside a Japanese eatery, and Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles wolfed down the five large wheels no problem.

Opened in 1988, The Boatshed Market is still going strong (they added the wine loft in 2017) and I can see why – it’s a high-quality store with a mind-boggling array of gourmet produce.

You get what you pay for and some of the prices are up there, but if you shop smart there’s lots of affordable goods. Or it could be your once-a-week upmarket treat (they do some lovely dry-aged beef in the butchers).

Boatshed Market
40 Jarrad St, Cottesloe
boatshedmarket.com.au

by STEPHEN POLLOCK