By Amy Campion
When Sharon Brindley opened Cooee Café and Catering, she brought something new to the Mornington Peninsula. As a proud Yamatji and Noongar woman, she created a place where First Nations food, family, hospitality and culture could sit at the centre of the table.
That same spirit now carries through Jala Jala, her premium chocolate and fine food brand celebrating native Australian ingredients, First Nations enterprise and the stories held in food.
Jala Jala means “very good” in Wajarri language, and it is a fitting name for chocolate that holds its own beside any fine chocolate range. These are not novelty products or mass-produced gifts dressed up with a native flavour; they are beautifully made chocolates, bonbons, teas and gift offerings that combine quality with ingredients such as wattleseed, Davidson’s plum, finger lime and lemon myrtle.
The result is chocolate that feels familiar and surprising at once: rich, refined and elegant, but with a distinctly Australian character.
For Sharon, however, the work has never been only about flavour. Jala Jala is part of a larger mission to protect the authenticity of First Nations food culture and to make sure native ingredients are represented with respect. Many consumers do not realise that some native Australian ingredients used in products here are grown overseas, including in countries such as China. Sharon’s work challenges that disconnect by supporting First Nations growers and suppliers wherever possible and keeping culture, provenance and integrity at the heart of the brand.
It matters who grows the ingredients. It matters who tells the story. It matters who benefits. That commitment is part of what makes Jala Jala special. Sharon is not simply placing native flavours into chocolate; she is building a First Nations-led food business that creates pathways for others, celebrates culture with care, and gives customers a way to buy something beautiful while supporting a deeper purpose.
Her work also reaches beyond chocolate. Sharon is chair of Yannabil First Peoples Tourism Council, a First Peoples-led tourism body on the Peninsula that brings together First Peoples businesses and organisations across Bunurong Country, including Baluk Arts, Jala Jala, Living Culture, Nairm Marr Djambana and Our Songlines. Together, they are helping shape more culturally safe, authentic tourism experiences for locals and visitors, grounded in living culture and connection to Country.
Jala Jala is looking to grow its local presence and Sharon would love to hear from Peninsula businesses interested in stocking the range. The chocolates are well suited to boutiques, cellar doors, accommodation providers, galleries, hampers, tourism businesses and venues wanting to offer something meaningful, local and beautifully made. Jala Jala can also create tailored orders for corporates, events, weddings and special occasions.
In every piece of chocolate, there is craft, and there is culture. There is the work of a woman who has spent years opening doors for First Nations food, tourism and enterprise on the Peninsula. And the chocolates taste great.
Find out more at jalajala.com.au
