Inside Taylor’s of Berry
—Neale Whitaker and his partner David Novak-Piper invite us into the rural retreat they’ve created behind their home in the village of Berry, where you too can soak up a taste of the South Coast NSW lifestyle the pair cherish so much.
Some things are too good not to share. For interiors maestro Neale Whitaker and David Novak-Piper – a born entertainer – that was Bundewallah Road in Berry, a sinuous lane with panoramic views of a particularly scenic corner of NSW.“David and I fell in love with the Shoalhaven many years ago,” Whitaker says. “I think it’s the combination of coast and country that makes it so special.” After years of returning time and again to the same rental on Bundewallah, the couple made the treechange permanent and invested in two-and-a-half acres – small by local standards, Whitaker admits, but for two former city-dwellers, it had room to spare.
And so Taylor’s of Berry guest house was born – a chic vacation rental for two designed by local architect Victoria Hampshire, completed in Whitaker’s impeccable style and named for Novak-Piper’s beloved mum, Ruth Taylor Piper.
“It’s a very simple, very private couple’s retreat,” Whitaker says. “Given our passion for interior design and all things aesthetic, we wanted it to reflect our values and our passions. And really, it’s an extension of our home.”
To help create his Taylor’s-inspired menu for, Whitaker called in chef Simon Evans from one of the couple’s favourite locals – Bangalay Dining in nearby Shoalhaven Heads. “I like the way that Simon’s attitude to food is so seasonal, and so focused on local Shoalhaven produce – he puts a nice spin on local produce,” Whitaker says. The result has the same South Coast flavour and sophistication that Whitaker and Novak-Piper have brought to their rural escape. To prepare the duck, cut off legs and wings and set aside. Cut away breast fillets and set aside. Reserve carcass to make a stock if you wish (see notes).
