In Chinese culture, particular foods are considered ‘fortunate’ and if you’re planning on celebrating by whipping up a fabulous Asian-inspired menu this weekend, my new blog has some of my favourite recipes that fit the bill. There are also some interesting tidbits about the history and traditions of the day itself which you might find interesting. You can learn more in my Chinese New Year blog. There are recipes there too, but I have put my Chinese-style Roast Chicken in here because it was so popular when I first made and posted it. Of course, seafood is especially important and Sydney Seafood School has shared Chinese Seafood Dishes for the Lunar New Year.

Whatever you do Kung Hei Fat Choy or Gong Xi Fa Cai  (Happy New Year) and may it be wonderful for you.

Australia Day 26 January
I know there are increasingly mixed feelings about Australia Day, but I like to view it in the broadest possible sense: as an opportunity to celebrate and also question our nation, and the people who make it up, while acknowledging past wrongs and showing respect and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders survival, resilience and 65,000 years’ enduring culture. We freely elect our Government and it has the ability to change the date, or not. For me, changing the date will not change history, we need to change how we observe the day and discuss what happened. On Australia Day, we reflect on our past, accept the truth of our history and respect that we all have a contribution to make to the Story of Australia. We celebrate being part of a diverse and multicultural nation

As a sixth-generation Australian, I am incredibly honoured to be an Australia Day Ambassador for the 21st consecutive year. I always request regional Australia and this year I am off to Colleambally (from 8 am) and Darlington Point (from midday) where, as well as giving my Australia Day address and assisting with Awards presentations, I look forward to learning more about their stories. You can read more of my thoughts here in an interview I gave.  Wherever YOU are, I hope we can gather together in respect peace and appreciation for the wonderful land in which we live. You can learn more on the Australia Day website and each state has their own celebrations. And what pleases me greatly is that so many of them are free, making them accessible to all.

Orange F.O.O.D Week 24 March to 2 April 2023
Orange F.O.O.D Week is Australia’s longest-running regional food festival, with ten days to experience the whole region’s best. The offerings are numerous and diverse, all a collaboration between local chefs and producers to highlight the unique positioning of the region as both a dining destination and an agricultural food basket.
More information and tickets here.

As I write this I am having my balcony renovated after 17 years, to bring it up to the standard inside my apartment. I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner, nor that it is looking so much better so quickly. I am lucky to have space but I am fascinated by vertical gardens which have become increasingly popular, the more so because of Covid isolations. Eativity writes Vertical gardening: the only way is up with lots of information on growing veggies and herbs in this way.

Have you noticed an increase in restaurants offering some menu items prepared tableside? Back in the day, it was all Steak Diane and Crepes Suzette but I have seen more modern offerings too. Fine Dining Lovers published a piece on The Restaurants Bringing Something Extra to the Table. The examples are all in the USA and it makes interesting points about the increased opportunity for communication between the staff and guests to learn about the produce, as well as enjoying the show.

Conversely, what do you think about this piece in Bon Appetit Fine Dining is Going Out of Fashion. As an Ex-Chef, I’m Relieved?

2022 Longview Macclesfield Grüner Veltliner $30

Grüner Veltliner (green wine of Veltlin in German) wine is made from the grape variety of the same name, most famously putting wine on the map in Austria (comprising 32.5% of total vineyard plantings), but it is also traditionally produced in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia and increasingly in Northern Italy, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. Grüner Veltliner is usually all about bright citrus fruit of lemon and lime, though with ripeness, can move to grapefruit and apricot, minerality, acidity and even some herbs and white peppercorn spice.

It can offer great value for money and this 2022 Longview Grüner Veltliner  won a Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2022. Its flavours are all apples, juniper and dill, slightly spicy but with great texture, finishing dry. I drank it with a lightly spiced, aromatic pork stir fry while a classic match in its homeland could be Wiener Schnitzel.