News from Australia and New Zealand

Season 2 of Matt Moran’s Kitchen Tales has just launched, and this week Matt catches up with Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes and wife Jane, who are releasing their own cookbook later this year. Broadcast on YouTube and IGTV, the series shows Matt cooking for friends and inspirational guests in his home kitchen. He makes each meal extra special by uncovering dishes with special significance to his guests. As so often happens when friends gather in the kitchen, the stories flow and the chef includes some handy cooking tips along the way. Future guests include OzHarvest founder Ronni Khan and restaurateur (and mother of Dan Hong) Angie Hong. Details on Matt’s YouTube channel.

If you’re in New Zealand it’s time to book your tickets for the Wellington Food Show which is at Sky Stadium at the end of this month (28-30 May). You can check out the wares of over 120 exhibitors and watch Annabelle White, Ruth Pretty, Josh Emett, Michael Van de Elzen and Emma Galloway cook up a storm in the free NEFF Cooking Theatre. There’s a chance to brush up on your wine and cheese knowledge with masterclasses; get healthy at the Healthy Hub; or just grab a snack from Street Food Alley and hang out in the fun zone with giant chess sets and more. Details and tickets here.

Love yum cha? Then you’ll definitely want to grab a friend and head to Sydney’s Spice Temple this month for their delicious. Month Out yum cha lunch. For just $49 per person you can share 5 delicious dishes from the yum cha menu with a beer or Chinese Zodiac cocktail each. I think the lamb and cumin pancakes are a must, as are the prawn wontons with aged black vinegar dressing, so that leaves just 3 more to choose from the menu of dumplings, spring rolls and steamed buns. Good luck!

There’s a great line up of other events in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney this month as part of delicious magazine’s Month Out. The Three Blue Ducks are offering a special two-course dinner for 2 in their Brisbane restaurant; Chin Chin Melbourne’s tenth birthday celebrations spread over 4 special dinners; and in Sydney Giovanni Pilu’s Trip Through Sardinia 5-course tasting menu is available for weekday lunch or dinner. Check out the full range of events and offers here.

It seems the past year, with many people rediscovering the simple joys of the kitchen, has triggered a wave of nostalgia for the recipes of our grandmothers. In a similar vein to the recently released Victorian CWA (Country Women’s Association) Cookbook comes the 5th edition of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union) Cookbook, first published in 1904.It includes great information for novice cooks including a glossary, yields and measurement conversions, substitution suggestions and general tips on buying, storing and cooking. While most recipes in this new edition reflect Australia’s modern multicultural diversity, there are also classics flagged as being from the original 1904 edition, such as colonial goose (boned and stuffed mutton leg), queen pudding (a baked custard, jam and meringue dessert) and a range of confectionary recipes.

Roberta’s blog Food Wine Travel with Roberta is indexed on EYB. You can also follow her on Instagram.