THE MONDAY ISSUE

Saturday, June 2, 2012

'How to Treat Your Bird' masterclass at Chophouse

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being invited to a masterclass at Chophouse. Although, as its name suggests, the four year old restaurant specialises in quality steaks and chops of meat inspired by the steak houses of New York (F1 Wagyu Striploin MB4+ anyone?), its menu also includes some impressive poultry dishes. In a masterclass humorously entitled 'how to treat your bird,' Head Chef Eric and his two Sous Chefs Elliot and Matt very generously demonstrated the cooking processes from delivery to dish.

An enormous thank you to Eric, Matt, Elliot and Sarah for your generosity and such a fun time!

Delivery time: chickens and quails from Urban Food Market - free range, of course

Head Chef Eric deboning the chicken

Sous chef Elliot deboning the quail

From the cold room: steaks awaiting to be cut

TOKEN CHEESE SHOT! Prior being added to the salad

Dipping the quails into the master stock

Candied pecans anyone?

Fiona and I volunteered to choose ingredients from the cold room to be used to create a dish

Ingredients we chose (including haloumi, of course!)

Some of the ingredients in a stock

Head Chef Eric Tan

Capsicum and haloumi chilling with their good friends olive oil and basil

Duck breasts being pan fried

Making friends with salad

Grilled haloumi

Busy kitchen!

Final dish no.1: Poached Chicken with Grilled Capsicum & Haloumi

Final dish no.2: Roasted Half Chicken with Sourdough Stuffing

Final dish no.3: Crispy Master Stock Quail

Final dish no.4: Confit Duck & Pan fried Duck Breast Salad with blue cheese & candied pecans

CHOPHOUSE
25 Bligh st, Sydney
1300 246 748
12pm-late Monday - Friday; 6pm onwards on Saturday

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Diet Mountain Dew

Photography Vanessa Low

Styling & Photo editing Sofie Bartter

Model Holly Bartter

- See Sofie's portfolio for the full shoot here -

Friday, May 11, 2012

It's essay time!

That time of year that is synonymous with late nights, desk lamp light, and paper everywhere.
I'd better get writing!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia 2012.4

At the Jenny Kee show - an absolute joy to shoot!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2012.3

Backstage at the Mens Show

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia 2012.2

On the way to Magdalena Veleska at the Australian Maritime Museum

Monday, April 30, 2012

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia 2012.1

Backstage at Gary Bigeni

Today I took over a thousand photos, but this one is my favourite. Thought I'd share it with you.

Goodnight fashion world, see you tomorrow!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Kingsleys Colonial Beef Steak Club

A couple weeks ago I was generously invited to join the Colonial Beef Steak Club at Kingsleys - a night of food and wine inspired by the tradition of Beef Steak Clubs which were prevalent in London during the 18th century and often known for their exclusivity. The night was filled with some very delicious times, however more of note was the wine, for which my appreciation heightened after each glass. I began the night with "oh, I like all the little bubbles of this one" to "this wine has quite a high viscosity." I'm certainly no expert, but I now appreciate the art of pairing the right foods with the rights drinks - the careful crafting of tastes and sensations, for a heightened experience of food not just for survival but for pure delight.

Thank you to Michael and Sarah for your hospitality!