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 […]
Recent posts
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 […]
Tea gets a quality infusion and becomes a fashionable trend
IF you believe the trend hunters, tea has been on the cusp of being the hot, fashionable beverage for years. But in most cafes and restaurants tea remains the indifferent teabag infused in water heated to a random temperature. In short, you are better dunking a bag in a cup of boiling water at home. But now specialty teas from single-origin farmers are receiving an unexpected boost from baristas who care about coffee and its origins. Nathan Wakeford, managing director […]
Relative merits of family businesses
THERE are many big issues facing family businesses. For a start, the family members are not only the shareholders and the board of directors, but the management of the company too. But of everything they face, the most thorny issue is how to deal with the kids when they either want to join the business or cash out. According to Terry Rowney, chairman of Family Business Australia, one of the worst things a family business can do is expect the […]
Burger dynamics 101 and the Angry Anus
Hungry Jack’s Angry Angus that arrived with “ANUS” written on it. The gourmet burger is now mainstream. Even Hungry Jacks has its own salt and fat packed version dragging down the reputation of Angus beef. It’s the latest trend in food, knowing the provenance of your ingredients – with Maccas being the first mainstream brand to name Angus beef as a selling point back in August. The recently launched Hungry Jacks version, the Angry Angus, is masked with controversy particularly […]