May 10 2016
On Saturday night I attended the Origins Dinner; the finale of special occasions for Tasting Australia. Thirty chefs supplied food in waves for 500 people; it was a night of delights from every quarter! The pristine oysters to start, with a glass of Deviation Road Sparkling, were just in the most magnificent condition, and I kept helping myself to them quite greedily. Tasting Australia is now all finished for the year, and I must send my huge thanks to Simon Bryant and Paul Henry, and the team behind them, for another incredibly successful festival!- Maggie. Read the rest...
May 09 2016
Last Friday I took 24 visitors around the Barossa for Tasting Australia, showing them my favourite things in the Valley. We started at the Farm Shop with a light lunch and a walk around the dam, then off to Seppeltsfield and a visit to the Jam Factory, but it was taking them to the amazing restoration of what was the Adelaide Town Hall organ that now graces the Barossa Regional Gallery in its former glory, that truly made me proud of what the Barossa community can achieve together. Steve Kaesler gave us the history of the organ and played for us; the sheer drama of it just touched everybody. And then to Rockford Wines on Krondorf Road to a really terrific tour of the winery and a very special tasting in their private cellar. We then had a quick visit to Mengler Hill to watch over the patchwork of the Valley from the sculpture park before finishing at Artisans with some great plates of food from the Harvest Kitchen. I think a good day was had by all, and I most particularly enjoyed showing my guests that the valley has so many layers.- Maggie. Read the rest...
May 08 2016
Did you know, when Maggie and Colin were still running the Pheasant Farm Restaurant and their girls were only little, Mother’s Day meant a hand-picked flower presented to each table by either Saskia or Elli? Is that not the sweetest thing? It started a tradition that still holds strong in the Beer family to this day, and now includes Saskia and Elli’s children too. Of course that’s not the only tradition surrounding celebrating Mother’s Day for Maggie - you know good food will be involved. Every time. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums!- Maggie. Read the rest...
May 05 2016
Yesterday was the most extraordinary day at Tasting Australia for the Maggie Beer Foundation ‘aged care day’; first a panel of those in the aged care industry, from academia to practical to nutritionists (and myself!) discussing aged care from every point of view. Then what a performance from Charmaine Jones & the Jones Commentary Choir; from the beautiful 5 year olds to and old girl like me singing on the stage. The joy that the singing brought to everyone and the subliminal message about being an intergenerational mix to bring the young with the aged and all the benefits that it brings to both. Next was the craziest but most wonderful challenge of two PISA Italian Meals and Services “Nonna’s” against one (me!) and the Nonna’s from Pisa were victorious! It was just such a delight; I couldn't stop laughing! I was cooking with an Italian influence but cooking against tradition to try and rev them up! Read the rest...
May 02 2016
Two Friday’s ago now, we had a fantastic lunch at Oakridge Wines with Matt Stone and his partner Jo and team. It was just fabulous food, a wonderful garden, great ethos and a truly great experience in whole. Read the rest...
