May 112016
 

On 27th June 1964, an unusual event happened: Can’t Buy Me Love, by the Beatles, returned to the Number 1 position in the Australian Pop Charts after having been temporarily usurped by Mary Wells’ My Guy. On 4th May 2016 (i.e. last week’s newsletter), something similar happened: our market dog gallery returned to being the most popular link in the newsletter! Aaargh! Well, this is meant to be a food website, not a dog website, so in time-honoured tradition I am now manipulating the rankings (by not including the actual link to the dog gallery on the home page any more). To get you back onto food, here are two of my favourite food-related videos of all time.

Mary Clear, from Incredible Edible Todmorden

Pie Face

The Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival

By the time you read this, the week-long Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival will be in full swing. One event that I have not previously given sufficient prominence to is the Meet the Makers showcase event on Saturday, 14th May, 1-4pm. Homemade wine tasting and an opportunity to meet your local homemade wine makers, cooking demonstrations, information stalls, coffee, music and more. Here is the agenda:

  • 1-2.30pm – paella, with Maria Echevarria-Lang from Chato, Thornbury: Chato has established itself as every local’s favourite Spanish tapas bar. Its chef and co-owner, Maria, will demonstrate her method of cooking authentic paella.
  • 1.15-1.45pm – sambal, with Yuni from Yuni’s Kitchen, Northcote: Use it as a base for fried rice and soups, or served as a condiment alongside chicken and fish, sambal is Indonesia’s versatile answer to Thailand’s sriracha hot sauce and Yuni will show you how you can make your own. Includes free samples and jars available for purchase.
  • 2.30-3pm – panakopita, with Mani from Melissa Cakes, Heidelberg: Melissa Cakes have been serving their Greek cakes, pastries and biscuits to Melbourne neighbourhoods for 45 years. Join their head pâtissier for a demonstration on how to stretch your own filo pastry and to talk you through their signature savoury recipe for spanakopita.
  • 3-3.30pm – raw snacks on the go, with Christine Amad: Christine is a certified raw chef and yoga instructor who is passionate about eating clean for optimal health and nutrition. She will show you how easy it is to prepare healthy raw vegan low glycemic snacks to eat on the go.
  • 3.30pm – the awards ceremony itself for best local homemade wine, beer, passata, ajvar and olives.

How to set up a successful food swap

Have a look at the guide to setting up a food swap produced by Melbourne-based Cultivating Community.

chocolateDesign your own chocolate bar

Chocolab is website which allows you to design your own customised bars of chocolate. For cost reasons alone, this is probably not the sort of thing one would do often. But, as a treat for yourself or someone else, it has great novelty value. I had a dark chocolate bar with mini marshmallows, crunchie sprinkles, popping candy rocks, jaffas and blueberries! Yum, yum.

New events

Making food fun – ideas for healthy lunchboxes

What: Around a third of children’s daily food intake occurs at school or kinder. Join healthAbility’s Accredited Practising Dietician, Brodie Preston, as she unlocks the secrets to packing a lunchbox that ensures kids get all the energy and nutrients they need. Michelle Hegarty, from Home Grown Catering, will also be on hand to showcase simple and healthy lunchbox treats to prepare and taste with your kids. Bookings required (by phone or email).
When: Thursday, 19th May, 4-5pm.
Where: Greensborough.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Dione Fisher by phone (9434 3809) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Winter gardening

What: Prepare for your winter garden and garden well through the winter months with a talk from Bulleen Art and Garden Nursery.
When: Thursday, 26th May, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Bulleen.
Cost: free.
Bookings: Whitehorse Manningham Libraries website.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Habitat gardens – how to attract birds and reptiles

What: Learn about the best plants and the best techniques to attract birds and reptiles to your suburban garden from the experts at La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary. Followed by an optional walking tour of the Sanctuary.
When: Saturday, 28th May, 10.30-1pm.
Where: Bundoora.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Charlie Davie by phone (8470 8405) or email.
Bookings: Eventbrite or phone (8470 8405).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Vegetarian basics cooking class

What: A hands-on workshop for those who want to introduce more meat free meals into their diet or gain some ideas on how to cater for the vegetarians in their life. It will cover: what vegetarians need for a balanced diet; how to create balanced and delicious vegetarian meals; tips on cooking beans, pulses and seeds; and being prepared for quick and easy vegetarian meals.
When: Saturday, 18th June, 9.30am-1.30pm.
Where: Montmorency.
Cost: $85.
Enquiries: Julie French by phone (0438 115853) or email.
Bookings: online.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.

Summary of upcoming events

Over the next week
Over the next month

Click here for the complete calendar of upcoming events.

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