The Good Food and Wine Show 2014 was massive… so much so that I intend to go for 2 days next year, so I can spread all the things out that I want to do. This was my schedule
9:30am – 12:00pm – Macaron Masterclass with Adriano Zumbo
1:00pm – 2:00pm – with Matt Moran in the Celebrity Theatre
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Cheese and Wine Tasting Class
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Chef’s Table dinner with Mat Golinski and Alastair McLeod
So In between those times was all that I had to see some amazing produce!
The Macaron Masterclass with Adriano Zumbo was fantastic and it has its own blog so if you would like to check it out CLICK HERE! 🙂
I have been watching Matt Moran since before he got famous, but recently I have been enjoying his show on Foxtel call Paddock to Plate. This was the second series he has completed and it is generally Organic ,wonderfully sourced local ingredients. He drives around and actually meets the producers (some very funny Australian characters) and then cooks their produce write on the property. Obviously his dishes are often spectacular and chefy, but because it is beautiful and fresh, he often tries not to do too much to the already amazing produce. So this is the reason that we decide to pick Matt to see in the Celebrity Theatre this year! He is a very down to earth guy and genuinely cares about produces and good quality organic food! He was lots of fun to watch and I am always inspired by how chefs make everything look so easy!.
Next was the Cheese and Wine tasting Masterclass Called (Not Another Bloody Cheese and Wine Tasting) This class was chosen and taught to us by Nick Haddow, who is the cheese obsessed owner of the Bruny Island Cheese Company. The great thing was that he matched the wonderful cheeses with not just wines, there was a cider and a black beer as well, and it just so happened that the cheeses that went with those where my favourite! It was always interesting to get a professional perspective on what matches, but as Nick says, if you like it together… go for it, you are paying for it eat and drink what you like! 🙂
We then had a few minutes to race around and grab all the yummy things we had decided to buy when we wandered around earlier in the day… (best to get the cold things in the afternoon) Cheese ally and the Myrtleford Butter factory was the first stop, then the Bruny Island Cheese Shop… Then we tried some amazing Sheep’s milk cheese, which I must say has a much lighter but richer flavour than Cow’s milk cheese… I like it and I am going to try to source some sheep’s milk to make my own fresh cheeses!
In my opinion Olympus Halloumi is one of the best on the market… if not the best! If you can source it please do! The thing that also appeals to me is that it is made in Brisbane, so low food miles as well! WIN! WIN!
So far I have use one container of creme fraiche, I made scones with jam and instead of cream I used the creme fraiche and it was to die for! Honestly I use any excuse to eat it and add it to our afternoon cheese platters! I also had some fresh homemade pasta last night and sautéed some onions, garlic and the truffle butter, with a beautiful green salad I didn’t need anything else because I just wanted to savour the taste of the magnificent butter. Any suggestions as to what I should make with the confit garlic or smoked salt butters?
Then, at the very end of the day we got to sit down and enjoy an amazing meal prepared by Alastair McLeod and Matt Golinski. I remember these two characters from the Ready Steady Cook days! It use to be my favourite show! Then many of us know about the tragedy that struck Matt on Boxing Day 2011 when he lost his wife and three daughters in a house fire and he was fighting for his life. Well I met him and he is a true inspiration! Alastair and Matt are life long friends and it shows, they both are ambassadors for the Lockyer Valley and Gympie areas respectively. There food was delicious. The steak that was served melted in my mouth and would have to equal the best steak have eaten!
All the chef’s that I saw and spoke to are trying to get people to buy good quality, local, fresh and where you can, organic produce. Why don’t you take the family out to a local food market once a week, spend some time together outside and buy some amazing seasonal fresh produce off the people who grow it… it tastes better, lasts longer and is better for you! (well that is my opinion and I’m sticking to it) 🙂
Matt, was happy to pose for photos and was so lovely to talk to!
I’m not exactly sure what we were laughing about, but it has something to do with how tall I was compared to Alastair!
Anyway, That was my day! Lots of Celebrity Chef’s, Wine, Food, Fun, so next year 2 days of the same please! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed a little look into my day in Brisbane. Maybe we could do a blogging catch up with me next year, if you happen to be in Brisbane!
Just though I would pop in this photo of Alastair and my mum… She is my biggest fan and we often do wonderful foodie things together… I had a fantastic day all because of her! Thanks mum… I love you!
Enjoy Irresponsibly!
Liz xx
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Liz xx
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Aww you look so happy there with your fairy floss and the chefs!!
LOL Yes Lorraine, I was 🙂 Liz xx
Wow – great photos and sounds like you had lots of fun too. I like the idea of a blogging meetup next year … if only it was closer!
Thanks Shaz, I’m sure they do one in Perth 🙂 but you know you could always come for a visit, would it be a tax write off if you met with a client? Liz x
AWESOME! You got to meet all the greats. 🙂 And a cheese and wine masterclass. BOOM! Love Halloumi – So much! I missed the big Food & Wine Show this year, glad you got to go tho. So fun!
Yep, sure did, even had a chat with Maggie, but no photo, she remembered me from last year 🙂 well you need to get your hands on Olympus Halloumi, it is the best and also cooks so well! Liz xx