A While back Stewart White from the The Food Media Club, which is renaming itself Australian Association of Food Professionals, called me to talk about launching an award for food blogs as an addition to the Food Media Club Awards. And finally he’s made it happen with the sponsorship of Australian Pork, and I attended the last a few weeks back to a packed house of mostly Sydney bloggers. Initially, I was skeptical. For as long as anyone can remember […]
Author: Ed
Demystifying Beef
Do you know the difference between grain- and grass-fed beef? Is organic beef better? And what about how the animal is killed? Read on to find out what it all means. The range of meat supermarkets today is bewildering. At an upmarket Coles in Melbourne it is difficult to know what steak to buy let alone mince, with six different types costing from $9.50/kg for three star up to $12/kg for five star and premium veal mince and $15/kg for […]
How to make yoghurt the simple way
Making yoghurt at home is really simple and doesn’t take much science. Here we make two different styles of yoghurt using both cows’ and goats’ milk.
Survival guide to eating alfresco
Outdoor dining has its perils but picnicking can be a great social leveller, writes Ed Charles. VICTORIANS love to gamble. And when the horses are out to pasture and cricket at the MCG is a distant memory, there’s nothing better than a side bet on a picnic. On the face of it, picnics are a one-sided bet vulnerable to Victoria’s erratic weather – not to mention attacks from ants, flies and European wasps. Plus some goof like me will splash […]
Thai master David Thompson in conversation
One of the most exciting chefs to be in town for the Sydney International Food Festival was the witty and erudite David Thompson. If you aren’t familiar with Thompson, the caffeine-fuelled chef is the father of Thai food in Australia and one of the main reasons that Sydneysiders have a taste for good spicy Thai food rather than creamy bland green curries. He is consultant to the one Michelin star Namh in london and is about to move to Thailand […]
Word to the wise on vinous sins
With a little imagination, a less than wonderful bottle can be given an impressive makeover, writes Ed Charles. NOW the party season is over, it’s time to count the leftovers as well as the empties. If you have so-called friends like mine you’ll be wondering what to do with all those crappy bottles of wine left behind – the same ones you left at their places the previous summer. With interest rates on the rise and economists yet to decide […]
Menu for Hope extended until 31st December
Thought you missed out on your chance of winning the Menu of Hope. You still have a chance to buy into the Menu for Hope draw as Pim has extended the deadline for buying tickets until 31st December (US time). Here I’ve listed the Asia Pacific prizes with the odds of winning from the best chance of winning (top) to the least chance bottom). Check out my previous post for more details on each prize. And go to the automated […]
Menu for Hope VI Asia Pacific prize list
UPDATE: Select your prizes below and enter using the easy donation widget here. Phew! Finally here is the first iteration of the local prizes forMenu for Hope VI. Pictures and updates coming soon. Here’s the instructions for the bloggers. 1. Write a post about Menu for Hope and the raffle bid item they are offering. Please clearly state the bid item code if there’s any restrictions in shipping etc. 2. Link to the main Menu for Hope post. There will […]
How you can help Menu for Hope and the UN World Food Programme
I’ve been asked again by Pim to help run Menu for Hope for Australia and NZ. It’s a great opportunity for blogs old and new to gain some profile while doing some great work for charity. What is Menu for Hope? Menu for Hope is an annual fundraising campaign hosted by Pim of Chez Pim and a revolving group of food bloggers around the world. Five years ago, the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia inspired Pim to find a way […]