Food Trails – August

Busy month!

I began establishing Edible Press in January this year. I spread the word with a few friends, and set myself the goal of getting things moving by September 2013. They shared the love.

Truffle love: A birthday gift.

Around the same time, I applied to the University of Adelaide, to complete my Masters’ Degree in food studies.  August/September seemed a long way off back then.  Little did I know that I would be accepted, and that both would suddenly get busy right at the same time.

So August has had me chasing my tail a little bit. I have a small handful of regular clients that I love working with, and have been doing fun things with them like menu writing, establishing their food related written materials and advertising through to writing their newsletters and website content. It’s great getting involved in backstage and kitchen work as well as meeting new people and learning as I go along.

Getting my head around writing from a scholarly perspective again has been a challenge. I have discovered – well, rather, I have remembered – that I am far better at creative writing over the drier, academic requirement, and find referencing research and following thesis style protocol a pain in the bum.

I’d forgotten that part. It’s been a few years since I studied Post-Grad!

(By the way – if anyone wants a part-time job as my personal research librarian, contact me. I pay well, and offer food ;) )

So, between starting Uni in Semester 2 and getting my head around studying again, I managed to fit in a few new EP clients,  a few new connections, a few wonderful visits to some great places and of course, a few lovely meals with like-minded colleagues and cohorts.

As Rhubarb Whine, I’ve shared wonderful meals with friends.

Like the wonderful dinner at Tartufo, Brisbane.

Chicken liver pâté with a rabbit terrine, served with cornichons, a micro salad and crusty bread.

And the stunning breakfast at Gerard’s Bistro, in James St Brisbane

Black pudding, fried quail eggs over manchego custard, with flamed currant and smoked almonds.

And a little bit of a surprise birthday celebration, beautifully catered by Dalton Hospitality.

Amazingly fresh sashimi range, and so pretty.

And visiting the EKKA (The Royal QLD Show) to be part of the Gourmet Trail tour, which visited many of the medal winning producers from the Royal Food and Wine Show.

Royal Food and Wine Show Silver Medal Winner – Stockyard Wagyu Beef Rib Fillet 300g 400+ day Grain fed, marble score 8+

 

 

As Edible Press, I got to play in other arenas. Yes, this is work.

Like the  wonderful visit with Maleny Dairies, in the beautiful Sunshine coast hinterland – the largest independent working dairy in QLD.

I know, it’s not a cow. But how can you resist something so cute? He played hide-and-seek with my camera. I kid you not.

And the day at Maleny Cheese, learning about their cheese production.

Turning the vats of fresh cheese in the production room.

And some fabulous, fabulous food and tastings.

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I really, really miss teaching. I really miss the imparting of knowledge, the relationships with the children and the strong bond I had each year with ‘my kids’. I do not miss the stress, the politics, the intense pressure I was under and the endless, endless, endless administration and paperwork that had nothing to do with the classroom or the children.

I know I am doing the right thing, for me, for now, for long-term. But in the future – who knows? Educating our future generations in the importance of fresh produce, sustainability and nutritional practice is close to my heart.  Right now I am content to follow the road to where it may take me.

Photos and updates always at my FB page: http://www.facebook.com/EdiblePress