Posts from 2011

Posted on Fri, 01/07/2011

It is impossible  to watch a video like this and not be totally impressed and inspired. Del Posto is in New York, it is one of the restaurants owned by Mario Battali, and is, I believe, intended as a very formal expression...>>>

Posted on Sat, 02/07/2011

The Kitchenaid is currently whipping up a buttercream, ( I love the way the Kitchenaid whips butter - it gets it so light and white). I've made orange cupcakes for Courteneys birthday cake, and will ice them shortly and smoother...>>>

Posted on Tue, 05/07/2011

I've been turning to my husband a fair amount over the last few days and using the same line, ' this time 25 years ago, we were...' and we'd both pause and consider what exactly it was that we were doing over those early...>>>

Posted on Tue, 05/07/2011

I wondered what Hannah was watching this morning on her computor and joined her in time to catch the spectacular approach to Whiritoa beach that had been our introduction to her ARC race this year. This link is to the video...>>>

Posted on Fri, 08/07/2011

I'd just come back over to the house after our first cookschool in this series - a small class as the first one in each series tends to be, but with regular attendees who's company Rick and I thoroughly enjoyed - and am heading...>>>

Posted on Wed, 13/07/2011

I really do need to get out into the restaurant garden and do some weeding, but its blustery and miserable outside, and I'm watching big black clouds loom up on the horizon yet again, so my desire to do so, is distinctly...>>>

Posted on Wed, 13/07/2011

...>>>

Posted on Tue, 19/07/2011

Doug has just sent me thru this photo of the final scoreboard for Wine Options - tallies that were much poured over last nite as the evening progressed. All in the spirit of lighthearted competition mind you! We ended up...>>>

Posted on Wed, 20/07/2011

Such passion and enthusiasm, and amazing hard work. Its impossible not to be warmed by their keeness to bring something special and unique into peoples lives.  I've just checked their website and they've been going for...>>>

Posted on Wed, 20/07/2011

With Wine Options each year, we serve a simple dinner at the end of the Options - all the teams join up the tables into one long line, cutlery and napkins are placed around, people help themselves to glasses from the bar,...>>>

Posted on Thu, 21/07/2011

I am feeling grumpy becos the restaurant is quiet tonite, and it has thrown me of kilter in what has otherwise been a steadily busy week. Knowing that there is nothing I can do to alter the fact, I've been instead focusing...>>>

Posted on Fri, 22/07/2011

We aim to please, but tonite even we, went above and beyond the call.  An occasional customer was in, and she has unusual dietary restraints, that unfortunetely weren't translated to the kitchen clearly when the booking...>>>

Posted on Tue, 26/07/2011

I had got on the spinner to do a quick 45 mins before we headed out to friends for dinner on Sunday nite. The cookschool we'd done during the day had gone later into the afternoon as people sat around the table chatting....>>>

Posted on Wed, 27/07/2011

El bulli is closing, and Anthony Bourdain filmed there during the last month. Watch these 2 video clips to get some of the culture of the extraordinary restaurant, but especially the second one which shows Anthony, Jose Andres...>>>

Posted on Wed, 27/07/2011

Chris, who is the source of so much information for me, some of it wanted, and some of it, umm... unsolicited shall we say! - sent me thru this link which I thought was curious. I am currently in ongoing denial about the...>>>

Posted on Wed, 27/07/2011

I really need to go and get on the spinner! The fact I'm still sitting at the computor cleaning out my inbox means that I am procrastinating, and I'm going to have to stop shortly and get on the bike. But before I do I just...>>>

Posted on Fri, 29/07/2011

Have just got back over to my desk after a cookschool and sorting thru the various emails included a couple from Chris, and this one I just had to share becos it made me smile.. And now I will head out for a walk to recover...>>>

Posted on Sat, 30/07/2011

The conflcting emotions that I feel about this very famous restaurant are well caught in this piece by a Guardian writer. I've alluded to el bulli many times in blogs becos it fascinates me on a whole host of levels. A restaurant...>>>

Posted on Sun, 31/07/2011

I'm just about to head over to the supermarket to get the Sunday papers becos I'm home alone, with Courteney and Rick out on a big bike ride. The sun is shining and I have the prospect of a lovely, long uneventful day stretching...>>>