I have been blessed over the past few weeks to have had some of the best foodie experiences of my life; the birthday’s in my family all seem to fall within a small time period and hence we have lots of celebrating to do! From an eight course degustation at Ten Minutes By Tractor in Red Hill, to a banquet at Golden Fields in St Kilda, as well as a Sunday afternoon Greek Roast Lamb with all the trimmings. I have literally been in heaven. Some highlights include:

  • Flinders Island Wallaby w/ du puy lentils, confit parsnip, prune purée onion shells, pepperberry jus – Ten Minutes by Tractor
  • Chocolate mousse w/ Michel Cluizel chocolate, chocolate sponge, hazelnuts, spiced figs, fig ice-cream – Ten Minutes by Tractor
  • Gluwein w/ cinnamon sugar, star anise, lemon, blood orange, navel orange, and cinnamon quills heated by syphon. As an aside, we had this drink here a few years ago. I asked if it was still on the menu and told that if heading up this way again, to give them 48hrs notice and they could prepare it for me. As the meal progressed, out comes Clayton with a specially made Gluhwein; he had been practising for the previous hour to make sure he remembered how to get it spot on. I was blown away by this gesture – Ten Minutes by Tractor
Ten Minutes By Tractor

Ten Minutes By Tractor

  • New England Lobster Roll, hott buttered bun, cold poached crayfish, watercress & Kewpie – Golden Fields
  • Szechuan braised eggplant, minced pork, rice noodles – Golden Fields
  • Pork and Veal Meatball, Tomato, Basil, Pecorino and Balsamic Glaze Pizza – Pizza Religion
  • Peanut butter parfait, salted caramel & soft chocolate – – Golden Fields
Golden Fields

Golden Fields

  • Greek roast lamb (made especially for the occasion by Yani at South Melbourne Market) with super sweet corn with Myrtleford butter, pepper and salt, asparagus, beetroot, garlic, parsnip, roast potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, gravy, and mint sauce – Home

 

A special Sunday Roast

A special Sunday Roast

Add into the mix breakfasts and brunches with friends over great coffee, an evening at Fonda, as well as a trip to Ganache Chocolatier for a Winter Spice Hot Chocolate (couldn’t finish that one), it is a wonder I can still fit through a door frame. If anyone knows any good tailors to take out some pants, please feel free to give them a shout out.

Admittedly, the food/coffee/tea/wine/chocolate (yes, chocolate deserves it’s own category), have been exceptional and still bring a smile to my dial through simple reminiscence. However, these experiences were special because of the people I shared them with. Have you noticed how as a society, we are spending less time to prepare our food together, and do not take the time to then sit down to savour our creations. The act of gathering around a family dinner table, such as the tradition of a Sunday roast, is extremely powerful through strengthening our relationships and bringing people together.

The act of sharing a meal with another person can aid in our levels of happiness and deepen our bonds with friends and family. Some of the best conversations I have had with my family have been over a weekly dinner. My brother and I have learnt about our parents childhoods, and as we have grown older, the conversation sometimes takes an interesting turn. Apparently I wasn’t an immaculate conception.

Sitting down with my grandparents over an afternoon cup of tea and podding peas has provided the opportunity to hear about their lives as missionaries in Bangladesh and absorb life-lessons from the ‘rabbit and hare’ fables told by grandma.  Note to self: Never trust a farmer with the surname of Brown and eat more carrots to help see in the dark.

A few of some of the amazing men in my family

A few of some of the amazing men in my family – enjoying some freshly baked gluten-free, choc raspberry brownie made by yours truly

Saturday mornings used to see coffee at Georgio’s in Malvern with Pete (no grandpa terminology allowed). For his 21st, Pete rang his parents from the HMAS Ararat, currently stationed in Hobart, and asked them politely if they could meet him at the South Australia Hotel in three days time. While a dinner jacket had been on the agenda, given the family business of Sans and Macdougall was in paper, the art department produced a card depicting Pete in aforementioned dinner jacket, which would be forthcoming upon his return to Melbourne.

Making new friends - Kenneth and I at Little Chloe

Making new friends – Kenneth and I at Little Chloe

Through the power of social media, I have been able to forge new friendships and be welcomed into different hospitality hotspots around Melbourne. Social media also allows one to easily express gratitude for exceptional service and a genuine warm welcome (an unashamed shout-out to Little Chloe, Spilt Milk, Mart 130, Café Magic, Omar and the Marvelous Coffee Bird, My Other Brother, and Let Me Be Frank).

A true tea experience at Little Chloe

A true tea experience at Little Chloe

Life is full of different experiences, and thank-fully, you can have some wonderful experiences over a meal and share it with loved ones, family, and friends. I encourage you to make the time to sit-down, turn the TV off, place the phone away from the table, and be fully present for these shared foodie experiences. It is these little moments in life that make it special.

 

Until next time,

Ride safe, ride with a smile, ride in the moment,

Han