Former University of Wollongong student Stefan Posthuma-Grbic took over the helm of his mother’s publishing business just before she succumbed to ovarian cancer several years ago, running it from Canberra. However having a love for surfing, fishing and diving meant he wasn’t getting enough time to indulge his loves away from food.

“It all happened at the right time. I’d moved back to Wollongong and started getting insight into food culture in the region and then decided we needed a publication,” Mr Posthuma-Grbic said.

The company launched The Illawarra Cookbook on Monday at Diggies, a book which celebrates some of the region’s top restaurants, cafes, bars and producers from Darkes Forest down to Gerroa.

“With so many great bars and cafés opening in the past few years, Wollongong has really come into its own and the locals are becoming more and more passionate and knowledgeable about their food,” said Tom Chiumento, chef and owner of Wollongong’s Caveau restaurant.

“There’s a big potential to lure more diners from Sydney and further afield down to the Illawarra and South Coast.”

The Illawarra Cookbook can be found at Destination Wollongong plus various eateries and bookstores throughout the region or via www.quicksandfood.com