The White House Cont'd...

I Cant help but be dreaming of the weather in Bali at the momment. I know I should be embracing winter and cooking beautiful braises and relishing the time of year in Sydney while we have it but....I love the heat!

Mind you I did cook a lovely lamb shank and cinnamon braise yesterday that makes me happy it is cold.

So I thought a few more snaps of this pretty house and its surroundings wouldn't go astray. The people who look after the property keep it beautiful although are nice and relaxed about it. They are helpful and very friendly, when you lease the house for a holiday you also get a beautiful lady who will cook breakfast and keep the place in order for the day.

The bathroom shots are also from the shack out the back that sleeps 2 in the double bed. I love the black washed polished concrete and the Mexican style tiles from Java. There are so many talented crafts in Indonesia and it is great to see them all displayed.

See you next year White house!

The White House

I have just returned home from 10 days of swimming, eating, drinking and absolute happiness in Bali. These are some pictures of an amzing house we stayed at whilst in Bali. It is called the White House and you can book it through a company called Masion Bulle. They have a great wesite and plently of ouses to have a look at when your sitting at your desk on a Sydney's winter's day and dream. Many more pictures to come. 

Narooma Oyster Festival

Last weekend we were at the Narooma Oyster festival, we had the most amazing time, we ate oysters from Tuross and Narooma and all the surrounding areas. We were so spoilt for choice and the festival was so popular they actually sold out on the first day. It is an anual festival that includes music, sculpture, rides and a tent that you can stop and have a little break in and listen to some interesting talks about oysters and also watch a live cooking competion, also there was Julie Goodwin on hand to judge and entertain, apparentley she is a local! all I have to say after such a weekend is Thank you Narooma and see you this time next year.

J mcbride studio

I cant help but add some more beautiful photos of Jodies work. I have had the bride say how beautiful they were and with all her experience working with one of New York City's top wedding photographers, Christion Oth, its not hard to belive why.

These were taken at the same stunning wedding of Mrs Jess Ownes on Sydney's Northern Beaches at Avalon surf club where Jess designed the whole place herself, stella effort.

The mexican themed food was of course, Belinda Black Catering.
It is so exciting working with such creative people and also those so passionate about what they do that you almost forget it's a job and have a really great time, even if you are in the kitchen for the night, it definatley is worth it.
Enjoy....

Jessica's Wedding....

Here are a few shots from a beautiful wedding I catered for a couple of weeks ago. It was held at Avalon surf club and it was styled by the beautiful bride herself, Mrs Jessica Owens. It was such a magical night and these photos are of the sweets table, also by a friend of mine, Mav.

Garage Christening

A few weekends ago I found myself in Stanmore of all places and cooking another paella, again I hear them say, I know, although it was for a friend that has a great little catering buisness in Balmain, Hatrich Catering. Hattie was away for the weekend and asked me to fill in, I post these pics beacause we actually help this in a garage because of the heavy rain. It gave the day a different vibe and I loved the old table and chairs, it really made the cosy event seem rustic and relaxed. Also the watercres, fennel and pomegranate salad was so fresh with the rice dish and it went down a treat, I will post something other than Paella next, I promise.
By the way, Australian pomegranate are coming in to season, they are amazing with slow roast lamb, just sprinkled on top, also on top of fruit salad and in salads. To remove seeds simply cut them in half and the hold cut side down, to a bowl and whack the top with a wooden spoon and watch all the seeds fly into the bowl! Store extra seeds in cranberry juice and use later.

Paella at Clareville for Bassike

In December I had the privilege of catering for Bassike chrissy party at Clareville Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. A really beautiful little area that is a well kept secret on the shores of Pittwater. It was a very relaxed afternoon, the guests enjoyed cocktails, ate beautiful paella, went paddle boarding and listened to an amazing sax/ DJ, very spoilt little people indeed!

In the paella I have used a traditional recipe with fresh stock, saffron, calaspara rice and a hint of chili.
We used bamboo cutlery displayed in the classic American Ball jars I love.