May 26th, 2008
More to savour
As promised, more on this foodlover’s extravagansa. Actually not just food but wine. One of the sessions was a tasting of 8 Pinot Noir from around the world. Represented were France, Oregon and New Zealand.I have already had a couple of Pinots from Oregon and love them so was pleased to see another here. It’s rare to find them in this part of the world.
Anthony Dias-Blue andMartin Tillard entertained and educated us with a blind tasting which was fascinating. Lining up several same-variety wines is always so enlightening. My favourite was Domaine Serene (sorry Kiwis)from Oregon.
Back to the food sessions I went, very mellow, as some of those wines were too nice to spit and I was catching the ferry home!
Jason Dell from the stunning Blanket Bay Lodge impressed with his Regal Salmon dishes and I loved the silky texture of the Olive oil mousse. He used the Olivenz “Barnea” variety which actually smelt of bananas and we all know how well banana and chocolate go together!
Johnny Schwass from Christchurch was an irreverent “mile a minute” talker who has a passion for sourcing the freshest produce available and actually has a gardener who grows for him. His comment about gardening which impressed with its simplicity was “you put a seed in the ground, water it, shit happens and up comes a plant”.You see what I mean by irreverent and please excuse the language.
My next post will be on the region of North-East Victoria where I am headed to do a gourmet article for the House of Travel’s Inspire magazine.If I can hook up my computer I will send a post from Rutherglen, providing I don’t have too many of the famous Liqueur Muscats that is.
Posted by Sue Story // Filed in Events
May 11th, 2008
Savour NZ 2008
Anyone who knows me well, would understand what fun I would have at a weekend immersed in food and wine classes.
This year Savour NZ was held in Auckland and I went along on the Sunday for a day of food and wine classes.I had been to the previous one in Christchurch and had a great time but thought I was going to be away at the time of the 2008 version.However the fates conspired and I got a chance to indulge for one day at least.
The classes I selected were Govind Armstrong, Johnny Schwass, The Pinot Noir session and Jason Dell.No matter what you select there is always one more you wish you could fit in but I was pleased with my selection.
Govind is an LA based chef who also consults for Air NZ and who popped up on Oprah last week so he will be really famous now! Dreadlocked and personable he cooked three dishes, two of which we got to taste. The dish that impressed me the most was the caulifower which, as my family knows, I don’t even like, and rarely cook, so when I tasted this Cauliflower “Couscous” and loved it I decided I’d better plant some in the garden pretty damn quick!
Govind served this with Sauteed John Dory, grapefruit and chilli oil but I am going to try it as a salad with chicken as well. I also picked up a nice idea of a Potato terrine (Year of the Potato and all that!) with asparagus through the middle. I will have to try that in Chicago next month as asparagus is out of season in NZ.
The Churros (a Spanish sweet piped doughnut ) with Dulce de Leche ice cream and Mexican Chocolate sauce will most certainly get an outing in the winter though I think the recipe which is supposed to serve 4 would almost serve 40! Some testing coming up and will post the recipe then.
More on Savour in the next blog.
Posted by Sue Story // Filed in Events