Food. Wine. Melbourne.
I was an ugly duckling. I’m not exactly a beautiful swan now but as awkward teenage years go, mine were pretty awks. With freckles, braces, an unflattering bob-cut, a penchant for PB (peanut butter) and an aversion to PE (Physical Education), it’s safe to say I wasn’t in the running for homecoming queen (or whatever […] Read more…
In December I attended a launch party for the Australian garlic season (in my capacity as ‘expert wine pourer’). It was also the launch of a new book, “Garlic” by Penny Woodward. As the speeches were made I became aware of just how ignorant about garlic I was. Growing up in a small country town […] Read more…
“Oh Nicole I had the most amazing dessert on Christmas day!” I braced myself. This had been exclaimed by the friend who returned from the culinary fiesta that is Spain extolling the virtues of cola mixed with red wine and beans cooked with bacon. “Prostitute brownies!” Hang on a minute… “Well, really they are called […] Read more…
“MANGO, get your MANGO! Only teeennnnnn dollar. MANGO,” came the siren song drifting through the markets. Before I knew it I was the proud owner of an enormous tray of very ripe mangoes. My metaphorical shipwreck moment came when I realised I had to get them home on the tram. I managed to offload a couple […] Read more…
They were negotiating over chips. I tried to return my attention to the medical notes on the desk in front of me but it was too late, my thoughts had drifted to crunchy golden crisps and I had to find out more. The ward I worked in was staffed by a number of UK nurses; […] Read more…