Events
February
Cooking Classes
If you have been inspired by all the cooking shows recently showing on Tv then jump up and get into our kitchen. There are so many opportunities for you and your friends to join a fabulous group of people and cook your hearts out. The best part of going to a cooking class is there is no washing up, no clean up, no shopping or thinking about what to cook. You choose the class, turn up, enjoy and then eat. I have several classes at various cooking schools in Brisbane that are open for bookings. Check out my calendar to find out dates and prices. If you are interested in having your own private class for a special occasion, corporate group or for a dinner party with a difference, let me know and I can work with you to create a night or day of fun, laughter, culinary delights and best of all…I do all the cleaning up for you.
March
“A Taste of Harmony”
Celebrating diversity in the work place is the theme for “A Taste of Harmony” which runs from the 15th – 21st March. Myself and a number of notable chefs are ambassadors for this event and will be heading out to registered workplaces across Australia in aid of supporting and celebrating our wonderful multi-cultural kitchen that we call home. “ A Taste of Harmony” is about celebrating with a feast of lunch or dinner in the work place enabling different cultures to come together through food to integrate, understand and accept our differences and most of all to embrace the richness that diversity has brought to our lives and the progression of our country. For further information, articles, interviews and to register your work place click on www.tasteofharmony.org.au
Lindemans Early Harvest and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
If sipping delicious wines, tasting sumptuous foods and wandering around some of the most beautiful gardens in Australia is sounding like your thing then head down to Carlton Gardens in Melbourne for the International flower show from 24th – 28th of March. Meet with celebrity gardener Meridith Kirton and see her amazing combinations of herb, floral and vegetable gardens themed around French, Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern flavours. Sample some of the fresh fare and indulge on dishes that compliment the Kindemans Early Harvest wine collection. I am delighted to be the guest chef for the 5 days doing cooking demonstrations showcasing some of Meridiths’ produce and talking about how to include some of the more unusual herbs, vegetables and greens into your kitchen menus. For all details and information click on www.lindemansearlyharvest.com.au
Fine Food Queensland
For anyone in the restaurant, hotel, retail or hospitality industry and also food lovers, cooks and gourmets alike this is a local event that is always great to have a bit of a look at. Held at the Brisbane convention centre from the 21st – 23rd of March its a great opportunity for industry people to find out about the latest food service and hospitality equipment. It’s also a great event to sample the latest in food and drink products both locally and internationally produced. As I love a good food fair, I will be supporting the Gourmet Garden gang with several product demonstrations. To add to their success in their latest Fresh Blends range Gourmet Garden have recently won best new product in the sauces and marinades category in “Product of The year”. Gourmet Garden was a winner amongst an array of mostly large, international, blue-chip companies. This makes it a tremendous achievement for a local rather young Queensland company. Check out the link to see the other innovative winners and an array of new products that will hopefully be coming onto the market soon. www.productoftheyear.com.au/productoftheyear_2010winners.aspx
Ready Steady Cook
Wow 5 years and still going strong! Calling all chefs!!! Once again your favourite chefs will join forces for the new season of Ready Steady Cook which is about to start filming for series 6 in March. Thank you to all of you and your support the show is still earning great ratings and now with more twists, turns and culinary challenges its even more enticing to stay tuned. So many of you ask me how you can get on the show…well its very simple. Click onto the Ready Steady Cook web site and put in your details. They are always looking for fun, interesting people to join the team for a day, so give it a go and have a ball. Ps you always get to have the first tastings and you get to eat all the meals after the show.
April
Pinnaroo Spud Festival
If you have ever wanted to see me wrestle in mash potato…. now is your chance. Heading into the welcoming town of Pinnaroo, I am reservedly excited about the thought of being auctioned off to do some mash potato wrestling all in aid of supporting the Annual Pinnaroo Spud Festival and “Ready Steady Mash Competition”. The kick off to the event starts on Wednesday 7th of April with a regional cooking competition open to all levels of amateurs, cooks, apprentices and chefs with fantastic prizes for first second and third winners. The Friday night dinner proudly graced with talents such as Mathew Golinski from The Rolling Dolmades in Noosa, and myself and with the support of the ladies of Pinnaroo is always a sold out event. The menu is a showcase of produce from the local area and I am always delighted to be part of such a warm, inviting and giving community. The gala dinner is a wonderful night when the guys and gals get out in their black tie best and paint the town red. The Friday nigh auction came up trumps last year and was a huge success raising much needed funds to keep the Festival going.. Getting bigger and better each year it is an event not to be missed, and this year posses to be extra special with the celebrity guest being none other than Peter Everett, the Ready Steady Cook man him self. Matthew and I will be waving our talents in a friendly cook off and perhaps I can convince him to join me in the mash ring. What do say Matt?
May
Ingham Italian Festival
I had such an amazing year this year with some fantastic opportunities to be involved with many different events and next year is shaping up even better. Highlights for me was the “At My Table” brought to us by the State Library of Queensland which consisted of a series of food extravaganzas, dinners, forums, tours and the coming together of communities that encapsulated the real essence of Australia’s food culture. I was fortunate enough to attend the Ingham event which was a trip down memory lane as it was featured around the Italian community. Freshly made Italian sausages, pasta, cannoli, a trip to the cane farms, and a real family Italian Barbeque were among the highlights. The Ingham Italian Festival is on again this year from Friday 14th of May to Sunday 16th of May with of course plenty of traditional Italian fair, cooking demonstrations, fashion parades, entertainment and a great opportunity to check out the town. I can guarantee that you will find some gourmet delights that you may have never expected. For more information visit www.australianitalianfestival.com.au
June/July/October/November
Good Food and Wine Show
Time flies when you are having fun and the time is almost upon us when celebrity cooking stardom is in town. The Good Food and Wine Shows featured in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are a foodie’s heaven with over 100 stands showcasing some of Australia’s top food and wine products. Tastings, cooking demonstrations, cooking classes, cheese appreciation classes, wine tasting and wine and food matching and not to mention the shopping. So grab those trollies and look out for the booking times to book your tickets. In continuing the huge success of the Gourmet Garden cooking classes at the Good Food and Wine shows you can catch me again this year leading the troops in the hands on classes. This year we are going to focus on kids cooking, World flavours and inspirational quick tips for creating luscious mid week meals. Last year tickets sold within the first month and there were many of you that missed out on the classes so get in early and book your spot. The classes are suitable for all ages and all levels of culinary expertise. Check out the Good Food and Wine Web site in your city for dates and booking arrangements.
July
Vital Health Expo
If you are like me then you tend to be that little extra conscious of what you are eating and putting into your body. If you would like to be a little more conscious then the Vital Health Expo may assist. Running from the 23rd -25th of July, it is full of great health advice, products, demonstrations and may just be the kick start you need to getting your body and health back on track. I will demonstrating some fantastic whole food recipes that wont leave you hungry and giving you some great tips on fast fat friendly snacks and treats, click on the vital health expo webpage for further details.
