freestyle

2011-06-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

So much on the go! Lots of great things coming up at Freestyle Escape it's hard to know where to begin! This also coincides with our once a year accommodation special of stay 3, pay for 2!

Listed below are our upcoming experiences. Cooking Experiences include: an unforgettable life experience, apron, cowboy hat, lunch, vino, hands on cooking class.
For bookings and enquiries, please call (07) 3262 3077.

Coming soon...

Come and Play with Clay......Di Cannon

Unwind and relax as Sculptress Di Cannon, our resident Artist, guides you in creating your masterpiece!

Sunday, 19th June 2011 or or Saturday, 9th July 2011

Cost: $180 per person

A French Affair with Matthew Kemp

Join Matthew Kemp from Sydney's Restaurant Balzac and TV show Ready, Steady, Cook for an English-French food affair.

Monday 20th June 2011 - $250 per person

Old Fashioned Jams, Relishes and Chutneys
Learn to make the old classics with local jam guru Jamie Milverton and take home your goodies at the end of the day.

Sunday 10th July 2011 - $180 per person

Draw, Paint, Eat with Terry Bouton

Start the day with Yoga and a healthy breakfast then join artist Terry Bouton and try your hand at drawing or painting. Includes materials and a gourmet lunch with tasty morsels from Black Pearl.

Sunday 17th July 2011 - $220 per person

Richard Cotton

Come and get excited by Artisan Breadmaker Richard Cotton! Learn about sourdough starters and the history of bread. "It doesn't get any better than this hot bread straight from the oven with a slab of organic butter and a yummy gourmet toppings and a vino or two!

Sunday, 13th August 2011 - $200 per person

Adam D'Sylva

It’s no accident that Adam D’Sylva has become one of the most talked about chefs in town. As part owner and head chef of Melbourne’s hottest bar and restaurant, Coda, Adam has built himself an enviable culinary reputation. More info.

Saturday 13th August 2011 - $250 per person

Prelude to a Portait with Kate French (TBA) phone 32623077

$180 per person

A scuptural study of facial features (eye, mouth, ear). Includes a gourmet lunch.

Private Bookings

We do also offer Private Tailor-made experiences. So if you have a group of friends and have your own agenda in mind, let us know and we'll work in to create an expereince you'll not forget!

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT FREESTYLE.

2011-05-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

Book Club at Freestyle Tout West End: Freestyle has a fun and informal book club where we indulge in a dinner with recipes from the book (however, on this occasion Palvinder one of our chefs at West End, is going to cook up some of his family favourites) and a glass of vino. For more info check out http://www.freestyletout.com.au/

June's book is 'The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga - an Indian novel where Microsoft call centre workers tread the same pavement as beggars.

The next Book Club is on 1st June, 2011 Wednesday from 6.30pm @ $30pp.

Bookings and pre-payment contact 3262 3077

View the artistic works of Mark Robinson, exhibiting at Emporium till June.

Freestyle Tout & West End Traders Trading For Charity!!

2011-05-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

Trading for Charity!!! This is exactly what Freestyle Tout (West End) along with our trading neighbours ( Viet Hoa, Tsuru Sushi, Thai Aroy, Orexi Cafe, Sawadee Ka, Bombay Dhaba and Suburban Cafe) will be doing on 26th May, 2011. We will be supporting the annual Cancel Council's 'Australia's Biggest Morning Tea' campaign.

Hosting our very own 'Biggest and Longest Morning Tea', each venue will be serving up tastes of cultures from around the world. Experience the flavours of Thai, Korean, Spanish, Indian, Chines, Greek and Mod Oz! Our trading support is coming out in force to support this much loved charity xox.

Having a cup of tea has never felt so good!!! :)

Contact 3262 3077 to book your morning tea experience with us
Long Table costs $25.00 per person
Some stores will also be open serving their traditional morning tea including beverages; cost from $8.95

Freestyle Tout will also be offering our 'Wicked Desserts' - $25.00 ( glass of bubbles, dessert & coffee).

Freestyle Escape

2011-05-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

As most of you would already know, we don't just specialise in satisfying your dessert cravings. We also dabble in enhancing culinary and lifestyle experiences! Through Freestyle Escape, we offer a destination to relax and unwind, and also an opportunity to put on your 'chef's' hat.

This month at Freestyle Escape we have some wonderful cooking and lifestyle experiences on offer for all to enjoy! We suggest that you reserve your spot quick... because these classes are ever so popular!

May 21st - Kate French
A sculptural study on facial features ( eye, mouth , ear ) and enjoy a gourmet lunch.
$180 per person
Contact: 3262 3077 for bookings to this class
www.freestyleescape.com.au

May 22nd - Eat, Play Clay Class
$180 per person
Start the day with Yoga and a healthy breakfast, then explore clay with sculptor Kate French. Includes a gourmet lunch, with tasty morsels from Black Pearl
Contact Zohra: 3257 2144 for bookings to this class
www.blackpearl.com.au

Freestyle Tout Team

2011-05-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a busy month for the Team at Freestyle Tout. Not only have we bounced back from the floods, but we have also been busy dishing up our deluxe desserts for our loyal and new patrons xo.

Easter saw us hopping about like mad bunnies! That's how excited we were!, we were ready for the eagerness of our lovely patrons to experience the Freestyle Tout treatment over the Easter holidays; desserts, desserts and more desserts.

With Mother's Day fast approaching, we thought what better way to celebrate this day by creating a 'decadent, devilish dessert breakfast!

Mother's Day 8th May, 2011
Pain de'epice with maple butter, banana and candied walnuts
French Toast with berries compote and lemon creme fraiche
Waffles with grand marnier chocolate sauce and vanilla bean ice cream
Bircher Muesli parfait layered with fruit and yoghurt
Including Glass of bubbles or juice, Breakfast and coffee
$26.00 per person
Bookings are essential - from 8am Mother's Day
Freestyle Tout Emporium 3252 0214
Freestyle West End 3255 3288

We hope all Mother's have a lovely Mother's Day this weekend! and we look forward to seeing you at Freestyle Tout :)

P.S. Keep checking for information on our Biggest Morning Tea event!!!! supporting the cancer council.

West End Freestyle

2011-04-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Freestyle in West end

Freestyle is very much back up and trading
special thanks Val- Head Chef,Echo-Pastry Chef,Palvinder-Dessert Chef and Andrew,Graham and Kenny on the Floor and the rest of our amazing Team
Now Dear Reader we just need you to spread the word ...
please like us on Facebook and tell all your friends, we look forward to seeing you soon!

Val our Head Chef

Graham many thanks for getting us back up and running before going to Melbourne
we shall all miss you !

Palvinder whipping up desserts

Hot Fudge walnut brownie

Tart Tartin

Tart Tartin

Inside Freestyle West End

Pizza

Melon Salad

Little bit if Queensland

Kate French Sculpture

Calamari Salad

Bananoffee Pie

many thanks to John for taking pics
John Reyment (M.Photog)
Managing Director
Reyment Photographics Pty Ltd
"A Day in the Life" Images
2010 Epson AIPP Queensland Documentary Photographer of the Year

Phone: 07 3397 6552
Fax: 07 3397 6557
Website: www.reymentphoto.com.au
Blog: www.reymentphoto.com.au/blog
Email: john@reymentphoto.com.au
Website: www.adayinthelifeimages.com
Email: service@adayinthelifeimages.com

Freestyle Happenings for April and May 2011.

2011-03-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Book Club at Freestyle Tout West End
Freestyle tout has a Fun informal bookclub where we indulge in a dinner with recipes from the book and a glass of vino... or two. For more info check out www.freestyletout.com.au

April's book is Tarte Tatin by Susan Loomis, an adventure into creating a cookery school in rural France. May's book is Music, Food and Love by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow, a memoir of the Chinese cultural revolution.
April: Wednesday 6th, from 6.30pm at Freestyle Tout West End.
May: Wednesday 4th from 6.30pm at Freestyle Tout West End. Bookings and pre-payment on 32623077

Freestyle Artists
Harriet Valckx-Jakins
Exhibiting at West End in April
Kirsty Newman (below)
Exhibiting at Emporium in April

School Groups at Freestyle Tout
Freestyle Tout is available for educationals for groups of students. Students will get a tour of the kitchen and restaurant, have a Q & A with staff and sample one of our desserts with a softdrink for $15pp.

Having your birthday soon?
Why not have your birthday party at Freestyle Tout after school. Or for the big kids try our Wicked Dessert experience, from 10 - 12pm or 3 - 5pm daily. Call 3262 3077 for a function kit.

Freestyle Escape Cooking Classes
Come and experience the Good Life where local and interstate chefs whip up wonderful culinary experiences… For more information check out www.freestyleescape.com.au or call 3262 3077.

Upcoming guest chefs include Matthew Kemp, Jamie Milverton, Adam D’Sylva and Will and Claire Wood.

Follow Martin on twitter @dessertboy!

Checking out the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

2011-03-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

On this occasion we stayed at one of Melbourne's most recent additions for accommodation Citadines apartments at 131 Bourke Street.
It was fabbo staying somewhere new and so close to all the great food outlets and shops we wanted to case out.
The bonus was a tram stop just out front, perfect to get to Southbank or St Kilda
and the vigorous traditional Thai massage (heaven) at 159 Bourke St (almost next to apartment)

my favourites...

Bar Lourinha www.barlourinha.com.au
Great for tapas and drinks with friends.

Cumulus Inc www.cumulusinc.com.au
45 Flinders Lane
We always frequent this wonderful establishment when we are in Melbourne as its perfect for brekki, lunch, arvo drinks with snacks and dinner
May i suggest for brekki try the Pain d'epice with maple butter and candied walnuts mmmmmmm yummo
Or later in the day soft shell crab or Foie Gras parfait with a nice glass of Crawford River Rose....delish!

Longrain www.longrain.com.au
44 Little Bourke Street
Must-trys are: Gin Sin, Red Dragon or Ping Pong cocktail
Prawn and/or Trout Betel Leaf, Eggnet Salad or Red Peanut Curry with beef. Whenever we are in Melbourne or Sydney, Longrain is always a must-do.

Zak Pelaccio with Longrain executive chef Martin Boetz
For Zak's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival dinner check out the QLD FBI blog

Il Bacaro Cucina e Bar www.ilbacaro.com.au
168-170 Little Collins Street
This small restaurant is well worth the visit if you love simple, beautiful Italian food. Wait staff are so knowledgable, efficient and service was awesome on this occasion.

Cutler & Co www.cutlerandco.com.au
55-57 Gertrude Street Fitroy
I have always wanted to try this restaurant as it's chef Andrew McConnell's latest venture. He also owns my fav Cumulus Inc and this time around we were lucky enough to get a table. I was blown away first with customer service from telephone reservation through to staff on the floor. Our waitress was extremely knowledgable, efficient and friendly.
Now cutting to the chase, lets talk about the food... WOW, we tried 3 varieties of Oysters - Petit Clair, Clair de Lune and Label Rouge, so fresh, so good!! Beef Tartare and Cured Kingfish were sublime as was the Heirloom Tomato Salad.
My dining companions had the 1.1 kg dry aged Rib-eye to share, (perfectly cooked) Lamb Saddle with eggplant,purlane and spiced carrots and Suckling Pig with boudin noir, plum and kohlrabi also were eaten with gusto and smiles all round.
Desserts were tricky with amazing presentation, seeing is believing, I cannot talk them up enough - Lychee Sorbet with raspberry,rose and pistachio, Violet Icecream with chocolate ganache, sourcherry and clove meringue and Sesame Sponge with apricot sorbet, yoghurt and thyme butter cream were sampled.
I loved the feel of this restaurant, Melbourne is blessed with funky old buildings. Fit out, food and ambience was great.

Pizza Anyone?
We googled best pizza and i Carusi II came up so one of our evenings we jumped on the tram out front Citadines apartment and went to St Kilda. Getting off at the final stop we hung a right on foot and the restaurant was on the next block. The venue was packed and we were shown to cute little bar upstairs with Italian wines and cocktails. Mine was a mint based liquer with lemoncello etc - nice, unusual, unique. must say they have awesome staff... all Italian and gorgeous girls. We had antipasti and then came downstairs when our table was ready. The room ambiance was quirky with tall ceiling, wooden stairs and floor, white table cloths and tables were crammed in making me think about complaint I received about Freestyle at Rosalie a long time ago where customer was most unhappy sitting at long wooden table and said she wasn't that intimate with her own family let alone strangers so with a glass of wine I had a smirk thinking of days gone by (incidently Miss Kenmore, that table is at Freestyle Escape, most happy with all and sundry sitting at her)
Was it the best Pizza??? Mmm with Vespa and Beccofino here in brisbane, I am probably little bias as to who has the best pizza :)
But, dear reader, the ambiance and experience was worth it.....
231 Barkly Street St Kilda
www.icarusiii.com.au

Oriental Tea House www.orientalteahouse.com.au
one of 3 venues
455 Chapel Street South Yarra

Beautiful baking, bread and sweet treats.

While I'm sure you'll discover Haigh's, Koko Black, Lindt and Ganache under your own steam, may I suggest the Chocolate Walking Tours www.chocoholictours.com.au

Phillippa's www.phillipas.com.au
We happened to be in Armidale so took a peek at Phillipa's.

Europa Cake Shop www.europacakeshop.com
81 Acland Street St Kilda

To find out where other foodies hot favourites are, check out the travel pages on QLD FBI.

Can't wait now for the Noosa Food and Wine Festival! www.noosafoodandwine.com.au

Freestyle at West End Central reopens

2011-02-24T16:12:00.000-08:00

Freestyle Tout West End Central Reopening!
After 7 long weeks out of action, Freestyle Tout West End Central will reopen with a bang TONIGHT (Friday Feb 25) at 6pm!

We wish to extend a BIG thank-you to everyone who has shown their support during this time. We are lucky enough to be a part of a great community. Check out the West End Central facebook page for information and upcoming events.

www.freestyletout.com.au

Freestyle Artists
Harriet Valckx-Jakins will be exhibiting at Freestyle Tout Emporium in March while Jane Burton (below) exhibits at Freestyle Tout West End Central.

Book Club
Book club on Wednesday March 2nd will be back to its home at Freestyle Tout West End Central. To book and prepay, please call 3262 3077.
This month's book is Girl by Sea by Penelope Green, a tale of love, life and food on an Italian island with delicious recipes to match.

Freestyle Escape
Brewbakers' artisan breadmaker Richard Cotton is hosting a History of Bread class at Freestyle Escape on Monday March 14. Learn the basics of bread baking and how to make starters and sourdough. A great class for all skill levels. The class runs from 9.30am-4.30pm and includes an unforgettable life experience, an apron, cowboy hat and lunch for $180 per person.

For bookings and enquiries please call 3262 3077 or for other classes check out our website.

West End Central Week 7 Saga continues..

2011-02-22T18:14:00.000-08:00

West End Central update
yes we got power on on fri afternoon,only to be told we cant trade till firebrigade clears and signs us off,
5 restaurant go hell for leather to get all prep done and stock delivered in readiness for possible tues opening
but alas that was not to be
On Monday night as you are all aware we had a doozy of a storm,and unfortunately for us our car park had sewerage enter again and our newly fixed switch board got wet
so dear reader we are back to square one!
we the traders are frustrated,devasted and gutted and so so worried.
how long are we going to have to wait this time...

West End Central - can you help us??

2011-02-17T06:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Reader,
On this occassion it is hard for me to write this blog:
I am one of a great bunch of incredibly proud restaurateurs of West End Central
at 220 Melbourne Street in West End consisting of Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Greek, Spanish, Modern Australian, Dessert and soon Sushi.

As most of you are aware six weeks ago most of our tenancies went under water in the flood. What you might not realise is we have still not regained power and still remain closed and with that comes the stress of bank loans, mortgages, hardship of starting up all over again with no cashflow, along with the immense worry for our incredibly lovely, loyal staff who we are unable to supply work or an income (this is probably most upsetting as our staff are like family).

Unfortunately we do not have very sympathetic landlords or active Body Corporate/building managers and Government assistance for most small businesses affected by the floods have amounted to nothing.
Most of us still havent heard back from our insurance companies and grant applications and fear for the worse.

Unfortunately for most small businesses cashflow is paramount and in our case 6 weeks with no trade has crippled our businesses and we now have no cash reserves (and banks won't extend overdrafts).

So we seek your help...

Can you assist with:
- cleaning (heavy duty) our carpark; six weeks on it still stinks and looks like it did when the flood waters first receeded.
- helping repair roof leaks and repair consequent ceiling plaster damage.
- supplying paint or help with painting; as our building looks the worse for wear.
- re-gasing airconditioners and refrigerators.
- donating planter boxes and/or plants that will make us pretty again.
- legal advice for our insurance claims and our tenancy agreements and body corporate issues.

- are you a publication and can you help supply editorial or advertising.
- are you a Graphic Designer or Printer that can help supply promotional material.
- are you in PR and willing to adopt us and give us an identity.
- can you become our facebook friend and facebook us to all your friends as we individually re-open. Click here for West End Central facebook page.
-can your club adopt us for functions/events.
-are you a Uni student or Tafe student that can adopt us to become your special meeting place.

If our situation wasn't so dire we would not ask and we all thank you for your support.

If you can assist us please email us info@freestyletout.com.au or phone Martin on 07 3262 3077

Many thanks Dan Nancarrow from Brisbane Times re this article http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/six-weeks-in-the-dark-20110218-1azf3.html

Jams, Relishes and Chutneys Class with Jamie Milverton

2011-02-13T17:03:00.000-08:00

The Jams, Relishes and Chutneys class with Jamie Milverton was a hit. Guests made Gourmet Tomato Relish, Caramelised Red Onion Jam, Pineapple, Lime and Ginger Marmalade, Davidson Plum and Pear Chutney, Rhubarb and Fig Jam and Strawberry and Lillipilli Jam. Not only was this fun but it was an informative session with Jamie sharing lots of ideas and tricks of the trade.

Jamie Milverton, jam guru

Preparing the tomatoes for the Tomato Relish

Tomato Relish time

Ploughman's lunch with our fresh tomato relish

Strawberry and Lillipilli Jam

Pouring into the jars

Jamie explaining how to make the Rhubarb and Fig Jam

Preparation for the Rhubarb and Fig Jam

Jamie and Martin with the jams, relishes and chutneys

I cant wait for our next class which is bread making with Richard Cotton from Brewbakers...Yummo! www.freestyleescape.com.au/experience

Pizza, Adriano Zumbo and Sake

2010-12-21T23:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a month ...
Many of our wonderful regulars have been in for our wicked desserts bringing along some Christmas cheer.

Freestyle Tout Book Club
This year we have read a book every month and eaten some fantastic food using recipes from the books. Many thanks to Val, Ecco and Palvinder, our talented chefs at West End. Looking forward to the next one in February, its a little naughty ;)
Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses by Isabel Allende...

Freestyle Escape news

Last week we held the launch of the Real Food Festival at Freestyle Escape.
Many thanks to David Shakespear from Vespa Pizza for assistance on the Day

Mark in your diary 29th-31st July 2011 for what is set to be a fantastic weekend discovering the flavours of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Myrtle our wood-fired oven

Sunshine Coast foodies

Cameron from Spicers Clovelly Estate oversees Karen from Sunshine Coast Destination and Faith from Hinterland Times making pizza

My wonderful kitchen, ready for an excellent line-up of guest chefs in 2011 including...

Patissier Adriano Zumbo

Matthew Kemp from Restaurant Balzac

Lots of rain means lots of growth so Freestyle Escape had a helping hand from the Mooloolaba Backpackers. Many thanks to:
Stuart from Glasgow, Scotland
Darryl from Calgary, Canada
James from Brighton, England
Neil from the Isle of Iona, Scotland
Kelly from Alexandria, New Zealand

Highlights of 2010

My 2 personal highlights this year were having Bruno Loubet and Martin Boetz cooking at Freestyle Escape, simply sublime

New Restaurants

Sake - My new favourite. Check it out.

Guzman Y Gomez - New Mexican restaurant in the old Depot site at Emporium. Check it out.

Christmas Trading

Just a reminder that Freestyle Tout is open over the Christmas break, click here for trading hours.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Warm Regards, Martin

Wood-fired Pizza Class at Freestyle Escape

2010-11-29T00:14:00.000-08:00

The Wood-fire Pizza and Cheese Making class at Freestyle Escape was a hit! Making great use of the Freestyle Escape's newest edition, our wood-fired oven fondly referred to as Myrtle, Michael from Fino Food and Wine showed the way to make the perfect pizza and Buffalo cheese - the old-fashioned way.

Bron lighting Myrtle (the wood-fired oven)

Myrtle up and running

Michael with the girls

Michael kneading the dough

Emilia picking herbs for the pizzas and salad

The A-Team

Michael rolling out the dough

The test pizza

Taste testing the first pizza before going into production for lunch

Lunch in the oven

Mmmmm...

all from the Garden...

...Lunch

We've inherited some ducks! Elton and George Michael. Custodians of the dam.

Friend us on Facebook! and check out the website www.freestyleescape.com.au

Build Your Own Pizza Oven Class at Freestyle Escape

2010-11-22T19:07:00.000-08:00

Ever wanted a pizza oven in your backyard? Well our guests did. Joining us for a fun weekend Cameron from The Clay Shed and Richard Cartledge from Gravity Pools were there to guide and assist. Cameron supplied all the materials required while Richard taught us the techniques including how to create faux rocks.

Cameron from the Clay Shed

Tom and Elizabeth placing the heat pavers on top of the calcium silicate board

Richard from Gravity Pools placing the sandbags to create the dome

Cameron placing fire bricks for oven rim

Richard adding brickie loam to create dome

Elizabeth perfecting the dome before the plastic sheet goes on (preventing the cement from sticking to the sand)

Julia and Elizabeth covering the plastic sheet with the first layer of heat resistant cement

Julia and Richard adding more cement

Mixing the second batch of heat resistant cement

Richard and Matt putting in the flue

Julia placing the insulation blanket over the top layer of heat resistant cement

Cameron finishing the insulation blanket

Tom and Richard placing on the next layer...

...and then the next (Richard, Martin and Tom)

Time for a yummy lunch (while concrete is setting)

Richard creating the detail

Elisabeth and Matt finishing the final layer

Richard with oxides to create colour (and below)

Matt throwing on sand

Afternoon tea time with Martin's yummy scones,homemade raspberry jam & cream,mmmm...
while the colour and cement cures

The finished product! Fondly nicknamed Myrtle...as in Myrtle the Turtle

With the latest addition to the outdoor kitchen www.freestyleescape.com.au
www.facebook.com

South Bank Artists

2010-11-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Southbank Insitute of Technology held their annual student showcase last Thursday with a very impressive lineup of visual arts, graphic design, photography, animation, performance and creative cuisine. Below are some of my favourites.

Gus Eagleton

Gus Eagleton

Great exhibition space

Susie Hawkins

Quinton Purdie

Gus Eagleton

Sang-gul Nam

For more information, please contact:
Carly-Beth Paulden
Planning and Information Officer
Design, Arts and Hospitality
Southbank Institute of Technology
Level 3, Block E
66 Ernest Street
South Brisbane
P: (07) 3244 6465
F: (07) 3244 5161
carly-beth.paulden@southbank.edu.au
www.Southbank.edu.au

Rustic Italian Cooking Class with Martin Boetz

2010-11-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

Martin Boetz from Sydney and Melbourne's Longrain restaurants hosted a Rustic Italian cooking class at Freestyle Escape. Although famed for his Thai food, Italian is his other passion and Martin excelled on this occasion.

Menu:
Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
White Bean Parsley, Chilli and Olive Oil Bruschetta
Duck Liver and Pancetta Bruschetta
Kingfish Carpaccio with Caper Mayonnaise
Pork Cooked in Milk
Potato Gnocchi with Butter Butter Prawns Verjuice and Parsley
Heirloom Carrots with White Sauce
Fennel Salad
Beans with Pancetta
Rum Baba with Macerated Pineapple

Bree Boskov reports...

One of the most memorable weekends you will ever spend is a cooking class long lunch at Freestyle Escape. Martin Duncan is so much more than the host with the most.
Saturday 13 November was spent being taught to cook (and indulge in) an Italian long lunch by the uber talented super chef Martin (Marty) Boetz (of Longrain fame) with delicious Italian wines from David Bone of The Wine Tradition & Cuttings Wine Co.

Arriving around 9am Saturday morning the day began with a deliciously warm home-cooked Raspberry muffin, a fabulous welcome from Martin Duncan. When all guests for the day had arrived Martin gave a tour of the property with a tour through the orchard and herb garden where we picked mint, basil, sage and finger limes for the day’s recipes. Martin and friends planted the orchard and herb garden in April 2007 and three years on the plants provide ample provisions for the impending feast. The herb garden and orchard are also a unique luxury for guests staying at the gorgeous Arthouse which sits among the gardens and is the perfect place to find inspiration for a weekend or as long as you are able to indulge. After scoping out the Arthouse’s attributes ie. the huge day bed, gorgeous open kitchen and the crowning glory a massive outdoor bath tub set amongst the native lilypillys, we returned to the outdoor kitchen to begin our Italian cooking lesson.

Finger lime

Marty split the 16 of us into groups. Group 1 prepared the canapés of Tomato and Basil Bruschetta, White Bean Parsley, Chili and Olive Oil Bruschetta, the phenomenal Duck Liver and Pancetta Bruschetta and sublime Kingfish Carpaccio with Caper Mayonnaise, the latter a truly life changing experience especially when imbibed with the divine lemony Italian Prosecco from Ruggeri.

Canapes

In the warmth of the late morning on the Sunshine Coast the Prosecco’s freshness was just what was needed. As we devoured the last pieces of bruschetta, a crisp central Italian 2009 Ponte Pinot Grigio IGT was poured. Its heady aromas of green apple and citrus were perfect to finish off with the White Bean Parsley, Chili and Olive Oil Bruschetta.

I was placed in Group 2 and given the task of preparing the first course, a divine Potato Gnocchi with Burnt Butter Prawns Verjuice & Parsley. Very exciting as I absolutely love gnocchi and only have the chance to enjoy it when I go to a great restaurant. Now I am no longer scared to prepare gnocchi for a dinner party or a lazy Sunday lunch. It is a long process but extremely cathartic. Be warned though, you will need hands of steel to peel the hot potatoes before you put them through the ricer but you know what they say: it’s a fine line between pleasure and pain. We were also given the creative task of preparing sides for the main course. Marty had brought heirloom carrots with him from the markets which we served simply with a white sauce. These carrots are a deep earthy purple colour, taste sweet and earthy and are apparently what original carrots looked like. Green beans were pan-fried with smoky-speck and anchovies and served with a crisp, fresh baby fennel salad tossed with Marty’s cured artichokes. Martin had set the long rustic wooden bench table and poured an Italian white from northern Italy, 2008 Michele Chiarlo Gavi de Marne DOCG. This wine has a deliciously rich mid-palate with flavours of white nectarine, blossoms and minerals, a perfect match to richness of the gnocchi and prawns.

Preparing the gnocchi

Potato Gnocchi with Burnt Butter Prawns Verjuice and Parsley

Heirloom Carrots

Fennel salad

Group 3 prepared a traditional Italian dish of Pork Cooked in Milk. The pork neck simmered for hours in stock of full cream milk, garlic, sage and lemon rinds and the aromas that waft around the open kitchen from the pot during the day certainly worked our appetites into a fury. This dish was served simply with the sides prepared by Group 2 and paired with a rustic but fruity 2007 Col d’Orcia ‘Gineprone’ Chianti DOCG from one of Italy’s oldest wine producers. The violet, cherry and spice flavours from the wine melded beautifully with the rich pork.

Pork Cooked in Milk (divine!!!)

Sitting in our outside dining room with views to Marcoola beach, the table was full of laughter and tales, of things learnt with new friends and also tales of travel from our colourful pasts. The fresh ocean breezes seemed to have lifted and blew a cool salty air across our relaxed afternoon table.

All were satiated when we remembered there was still dessert to come: Rum Baba, a type of vanilla bunt cake that has a deliciously decadent aged rum and vanilla bean sugar syrup spooned over and served with a pineapple and mint salad. With a glass of DeBortoli Noble One this was a heavenly way to end a glorious long lunch.

Bree Boskov is a regular wine blogger.

Want to know more about the wines? click here.

For more photos from the class, check out the Freestyle Escape Facebook page.

What's happening at Freestyle these holidays

2010-11-09T23:02:00.000-08:00

Good news: Freestyle Tout West End is now open on Monday nights!
Now you can get your Freestyle fix any day of the week. Perfect for after-work drinks, try the Ladybird cocktail jug (below). Check out the website for opening times.

Christmas Trading Hours
Fri Dec 24: Open 11.30am-10.30pm Catch up with the in-laws or special friends on Christmas Eve
Sat Dec 25: Closed Christmas Day
Sun Dec 26: Open Boxing Day 6pm-11pm
Mon Dec 27-Tues Dec 28: Closed
Wed Dec 29-Fri Dec 31: Open 6pm-11pm Yes, we are open New Years Eve! Meet up with your friends before heading out.
Sat Jan 1: Closed
Sun Jan 2: Open 11.30am-late
Mon Jan 3: Closed
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Freestyle Crew

Stuck for Christmas Ideas?
Gift Vouchers are available for both Freestyle Tout and Freestyle Escape. A great gift for the person that has everything, vouchers are available for dining at Freestyle Tout or Gourmet and Art Experiences and accommodation at Freestyle Escape. Available in store or call the office on 3262 3077 and have a voucher posted to you or the recipient. Simple!

Book Club at Freestyle Tout West End
Freestyle Tout has a fun and informal bookclub where we indulge in a dinner with recipes from the book and a glass of vino… or two. For more info check out www.freestyletout.com.au

A great read for the holidays, February’s book Aphrodite by Isabel Allende is sure to get tongues wagging. A personal ode to the pleasures of food and sex, Aphrodite celebrates the sensual life with joy and imagination. Allende's exuberance, storytelling powers, and naughty sense of fun make this memoir an irresistible treat for the senses.

Freestyle Artists
Jane Burton
Exhibiting at West End in December and January

Patty Van Sprang
Exhibiting at Emporium in December and January

Freestyle Escape Gourmet Cooking Classes
Come and experience the Good Life where local and interstate chefs whip up wonderful culinary experiences… For more information check out the website or call 3262 3077.

Upcoming classes:

Make Your Own Wood-fired Pizza Oven
When: Saturday Nov 20 + Sunday Nov 21
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm both days
Cost: $155 for both days
Come learn to make your own pizza oven as Cameron from the Clay Shed and Richard from Gravity Pools show us how. Richard will even show off some unusual finishes to make your oven unique.

Wood-fired Pizza and Buffalo Cheese Making class
When: Saturday Nov 27
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Cost $165
Learn the secret to perfect pizza crust and make your own Buffalo cheese the old-fashioned way in this class with Michael from Fino Food and Wine.

Limited places still available.

New Additions to the Orchard

2010-11-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

With all the rain and sunshine, Freestyle Escape's orchard is blooming. My special Facebook friends have been up helping mulch the herb garden and adding to our already extensive orchard.

Tom planting a Davidson Plum

James planting a Yellow Mangosteen

Lyndon breaking the ground for his Blood Plum

David hard at work at the office

Davidson Plum, in flower with fruit forming

Loganberry

Tropic Beauty Peach

Mint in the herb garden

View from the herb garden

Finger Limes

Pummello

Gourmet Experiences at Freestyle Escape

2010-11-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

Our latest venture at Freestyle Escape is any foodie’s dream: gourmet cooking experiences with celebrity chefs.

On sprawling 25 acres of rainforest, the Freestyle Escape outdoor kitchen is nestled on a mountainside in the Sunshine Coast hinterland where culinary junkies and beginner cooks alike are taught the techniques of local and interstate chefs.

Each class has an emphasis on locally grown produce and include ingredients picked straight from Freestyle Escape’s own herb garden and orchard which include local and exotic fruits, salad leaves and herbs.

Upcoming gourmet cooking classes include hosts Martin Boetz from Longrain, a wood-fire oven making class with Cameron Hess from the Clay Shed and Richard Cartledge from Gravity Pools, a buffalo cheese and pizza making class and an old-fashioned jams, relishes and chutneys class with local jam guru Jamie Milverton. The new year will showcase the talents of patissier Adriano Zumbo and welcome back artisan breadmaker Richard Cotton.

Classes are run over a full day and include a long lunch with wine, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

As well as hosting the gourmet cooking classes on the property, Freestyle Escape also runs art workshops with local tutors.

Take the time out to breathe, re-energise, create and play.

For more information and bookings, contact Freestyle Escape.
Bookings are essential.
Gourmet and art experience classes start from $145 per person.
Ph: (07) 3262 3077
Web: www.freestyleescape.com.au

Longrain's Martin Boetz will be hosting the Rustic Italian class

Mmmmmmm... wood-fired pizza

October Happenings at Freestyle

2010-10-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

Tango and Latin dance nights at Freestyle Tout

Tango and Latin dance nights are held on the second Tuesday of the month with a 1-hour lesson followed by social dancing.
RSVP essential on 3255 3288.
Next class: Tuesday October 12
Where: Freestyle Tout West End
Time: Lesson 6-7pm, social dancing 7-8.30pm
Cost: $12 includes a glass of wine
www.riorhythmics.com.au

Bookclub at Freestyle Tout West End
Join our bookclub to meet others who are passionate about food and books.
November
November's book is Climbing the Mango Trees by Madhur Jaffrey, a wonderful evocation of an extraordinary childhood in India by the world authority on Indian food.

When: Wednesday November 3
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: West End
Book in for a 2 course dinner and glass of wine with recipes from the book for $30. Bookings and prepayment essential on 3262 3077.

December
December's book is Risotto with Nettles by Anna Del Conte, a tale of life through World War 2 and migration to England. Story and recipes set to delight; buon appetito!

When: Wednesday December 1
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: West End
Book in for a 2 course dinner and glass of wine with recipes from the book for $30. Bookings and prepayment essential on 3262 3077.

Introducing Freestyle Escape Cooking Classes
Come and experience the Good Life where local and interstate chefs whip up wonderful culinary experiences… For more information check out www.freestyleescape.com.au or call 3262 3077.

Next classes:
History of Bread Artisan breakmaker Richard Cotton (from Albion’s Brewbakers) will be exploring the world of bread on Monday October 25. Learn the basics of bread making and how to bake the perfect sourdough.

Build Your Own Wood-fired Oven Ever wanted your own pizza oven in the backyard? Then this course is for you, come build one with us. Running over two days on Saturday October 30 and 31 you will learn all the skills to be able to make your own.

Rustic Italian Longrain chef Martin Boetz’s other passion is Italian. Join him to create an Italian feast and sit down to a long lunch filled with travel stories on Saturday November 13. Buon appetito!

Wow, what a busy month

2010-10-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Freestyle Escape Cooking Classes

Two of our amazing local Sunshine Coast chefs, Cameron and Matt, hosted superb cooking classes in September in our unique setting. Much fun and merriment was had by all. Can't wait for their classes next year...

Cameron Matthews

Matt Golinski

Richard Cotton, master baker, will be exploring the world of bread in the next class at Freestyle Escape on Monday October 25. Learn the basics of bread making and how to bake a perfect sourdough. For more information click here.

Richard Cotton

Freestyle Tango

Freestyle Tout West End has started Tango and Latin Dance Nights. Check out our website for the next class.

New summer menus at Freestyle Tout

Our head chefs from Emporium (Danilo) and West End (Val) are currently working on a new summer menu.

Danilo

Val

My little holiday in South Australia
My foodie finds in Adelaide and surrounds...

The Long Apron at Spicers Clovelly

2010-08-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

On the weekend, I dined with house guests staying at Spicers Clovelly Estate.
Dear Reader I wish I had a camera with me and could show you this amazing feast as it was sublime and following is the menu for the dinner! I suggest you take your beloved up there for a naughty weekend and experience Cameron's cuisine and don't forget his cooking class at Freestyle Escape on Monday 27 September.

"The Long Apron"
TOMATO
Heirloom tomatoes, Buratta
CRABSpanner crab, crab and tofu boudin, avocado, sweet corn, basil
PROSCUITTOFratelli Gallaloni, pea mousse
SCALLOPSeared local scallop, braised duck, mango, toasted almond
BOUILLABAISSEFive minute bouillabaisse, fresh peas, garlic chives, saffron
OCEAN TROUT
Risotto of cos, glasshouse snails, Tasmanian wasabi
GIN & TONIC
RHUBARB
Goats milk, fennel jam, green tea
RASPBERRYCoconut, hazelnut, banana, cocoa

Freestyle China???

2010-08-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Last week I was flown to ZhengZhou in Henan province, China
as a reccy trip to see if Freestyle Tout in China could be a possibility.
The city of ZhengZhou (with a population of 8 million and surrounded by many many millions more)is a hive of activity with numerous new buildings popping up everywhere.
My hosts Mr Song and Ms Chen were very hospitable and fantastic at showing off their city to the fullest.
ZhengZhou is not like Shanghai or Beijing, there is still a lot of opportunity to be had here. So far Dairy Queen, KFC, Pizza Hut and Haagen Dazs have jumped into this hotspot.
For more info on ZhengZhou http://www.chinatravelguide.com/ctgwiki/Zhengzhou

Crowne Plaza ZhengZhou
http://www.crowneplaza.com/zhengzhou-cp

View of city from room in Crowne Plaza ZhengZhou

Crowne Plaza room 525 Bathroom

Crowne Plaza ZhengZhou room

Staff getting a pep talk before service outside a restaurant...

I was somewhat surprised with the food in ZhengZhou. Let me tell you all was delish/tasty in every outlet we tried. Lots of heat with chilli, something you do not see with Chinese food here in Australia.

Hot Pot Restaurant
This was fun! A hot pot was in front of you on the table, inside was stock and bean curd and then you add food you like and pull out when cooked...

Minced prawn being placed in hot pot

and then some noodles please...

okay thinner thanks...

Spicy fish dish

Exotic mushrooms, spicy noodles, eggplant & 1000 year old eggs and green tea

and desserts...

yes this is dessert.. corn bound and sprinkled with sugar

Cibo Coffee, fudge Brownie with melon icecream

Haagen Dazs brownie

All the restaurants I went to had most of the floorspace taken up by private rooms where one can catch up with family, friends or do business in privacy.

Cibo private dining room

Cibo private dining room

Dio Coffee exterior

Dio Coffee interior

Yum Cha
We in Australia have taken on the name Yum Cha but in truth Yum Cha means drink tea
Dim sum or in Cantonese Dian Xin are divine both in China and Hong Kong eaten as breakfast or lunch
Two of my Favs
Har Gau - fresh prawn dumpling or Steamed Char sui buns - soft, fluffy, yummy. Pork or sweet bean paste.

Dim sum or Cantonese Dian Xin

And what's at the supermarket...

Mangosteens

Sugar and mung beans

Chinese Coke

Eggs

Frozen prawns

Frozen seafood

Hong Kong

View from Golden Bull Vietnamese Restaurant

Young Coconut Juice

Crab & Avo salad

Spicy Pork & Rice Noodle

Chinatown Fortitude Valley
The Chinese Moon Lantern Festival
known as an important festival in the Asian Communities other than Lunar Chinese New Year, it usually falls on 15th of the 8th Chinese Lunar Calendar. During these times, people celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival to worship the moon as the moon become fullest and brightest. It attracts not only Chinese communities, but also the Vietnamese, Thai, Laotians, Cambodians, Koreans, Japanese, Indonesians, Malaysians and Singaporeans. It provides a real cultural experience and understanding of Asian tradition and belief through connection with Asian communities.
Location: Valley Chinatown Mall - Dixon Street, Fortitude Valley
Date: 18th September 2010, Saturday 12:00PM ~ 7:00PM

Fuchsia Dunlop's Book Sharks Fin & Sichuan Pepper is very inciteful and showcases Chinese Food, history and Chinese ways...

On 6th October Freestyle Book Club will be having a Chinese Feast with recipes from Fuchsia's book http://www.freestyletout.com.au/bookclub

Bruno Loubet Cooking Class at Freestyle Escape

2010-07-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

Former Australian restaurateur and French Chef Bruno Loubet who now lives and works in London as Chef of Bistro Bruno http://www.bistrobrunoloubet.com/ scheduled a brief culinary pit stop at Freestyle Escape on the Sunshine Coast during his trip back to Oz.
http://www.freestyleescape.com.au/experience
The French cooking class and long lunch showcased some of Loubet’s favourite dishes. Beetroot ravioli, Fish cassoulet with Seafood sausage and Strawberry creme fraiche brioche tart.

This unique experience was an all day affair with hands-on cooking class, wine and sumptious long lunch.

Bruno giving class.

Foodies at work.

Bree extracting juice out of beetroot.

Piping beetroot out.

Stephen making Ravioli

The ravioli.

Cutting the ravioli.

Beetroot Ravioli

Rocket, nasturuim and borage flowers fresh from Freestyle Escape herb garden.

My latest favourite red... De Bortoli Yarra Valley Syrah.

Seafood sausage mix, prawns, crab, scallops, salmon.

Bruno showing us how to make seafood sausage.

fun seafood sausage making

Seafood Sausages

Cassoulet before Salmon and Seafood Sausage added...

Fresh local strawberries.

Francis and Bree preparing strawberries.

filling Brioche Tart

Adding strawberries to brioche tart.

Brioche tart fresh from the oven.

Brioche tart with a glass of De Bortoli Noble One...yummo

Bruno with Angelo (another brisbane foodie who left us for Melbourne)

the Sumptious long lunch

Bruno has only recently returned to London after enjoying eight years based in Australia as a Chef/Restaurateur. During his time in Australia he owned Bruno’s Tables (Brisbane) and was at the helm of Berardo’s (Noosa)http://www.berardos.com.au/ and most recently, Baguette Bistrot (Brisbane) http://www.baguette.com.au/customPages/home-2?subSiteId=1

Chef Loubet has two published cookbooks to his name, Cuisine Courante and Bistrot Bruno, and also has television appearances including his own 13-part series Chez Bruno, and stints on BBC’s Hot Chefs, Junior Masterchef and Australia’s The Great South East. Bruno was also a regular food columnist for Brisbane News as their resident chef.

Hilton Brisbane Masterclass Weekend

2010-07-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

The Hilton Brisbane Masterclass Weekend is a much-anticipated event for foodies and industry professionals alike. Held on 24th and 25th of July, the program featured a fantastic lineup of guest chefs and wine professionals. All tastes were catered for in the programming with sessions such as Queensland Catch, Asian Affairs, The Master Baker, Spice and All Things Nice and Passionate Patissier.

Asian Affairs saw Longrain executive chef Martin Boetz working alongside Red Lantern owner Luke Nguyen to create an Asian feast with wines matched by wine consultant Peter Scudamore-Smith.

Martin Boetz and Luke Nguyen

Asian Affairs

Acclaimed international restaurateur and chef Susur Lee lead the session Flavours without Borders with Mezzanine Wine's on-premise manager Peter Marchant matching the wines.

Susur Lee

Lamb Thailandaise with pineapple salsa and mint chutney

Tong Yuen with creme anglaise

Melbourne-based French chef and restaurateur Jacques Reymond ran the session Reymond Rules with Best's Great Western historic vineyards winemaker Adam Wadewitz matching the wines.

Jacques Reymond

Lindt's Master Chocolatier Thomas Schnetzler ran the Chocolate on my Mind session creating to die for chocolates such as the Absinthe "Green Fairy" Truffle, Almond Gianduja Parfait Pops with Chocolate "Dukkah", Fleur de Sel Chocolate Mille Feuille, White Chocolate and Lime Curd Tartlet with Basil-infused Tapioca Pearls and Framboise Pate de Fruit with a Touch of Chocolate.

Thomas Schnetzler

Chocolate delights

A French Chef, Cowboy Hats & secluded outdoor kitchen = a very long lunch.

2010-07-14T01:10:00.000-07:00

A French Chef, Cowboy Hats & secluded outdoor kitchen = a very long lunch.

Former Australian restaurateur and French Chef Bruno Loubet who currently calls London home, has scheduled a brief culinary pit stop on the Sunshine Coast during his upcoming trip back to OZ. Freestyle Escape on the Sunshine Coast will host a French cooking class and long lunch showcasing some of Loubet’s favourite dishes. The unique experience is an all day affair on Wednesday July 28 starting at 9.30am and includes a Freestyle Escape apron, cowboy hat (to get into the spirit), hands-on cooking class, wine and lunch for $295 per person.

Bruno has only recently returned to London after enjoying eight years based in Australia as a Chef/Restaurateur. During his time in Australia he owned Bruno’s Tables (Brisbane) and was at the helm of Berardo’s (Noosa) and most recently, Baguette Bistrot (Brisbane).

Chef Loubet has two published cookbooks to his name; Cuisine Courante and Bistrot Bruno, and also has television appearances including his own 13-part series Chez Bruno, and stints on BBC’s Hot Chefs, Junior Masterchef and Australia’s The Great South East. Bruno was also a regular food columnist for Brisbane News as their resident chef.

Freestyle Escape on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the location of the French long lunch & cooking class is owned by fellow Chef/Restaurateur Martin Duncan. The unique ‘Outdoor Kitchen’ where guests will learn, prepare and dine includes a rustic wooden table setting alongside an organic orchard and herb garden with views to the coastline and Moreton Bay.

For more information and bookings for the French Cooking Class and Long Lunch,
www.freestyleescape.com.au contact Freestyle Escape. Bookings are essential. Tickets are $295 per person. Ph: (07) 3262 3077
Email: info@freestyleescape.com.au

In Readiness for Cooking Classes at Freestyle Escape...

2010-07-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Gourmet Escape... a culinary experience

Come and experience the Good Life where local & interstate chefs whip up wonderful culinary experiences using Martin's gorgeous outdoor kitchen... indulge in a vino or two whilst taking in the spectacular views, and listening to birdsong.

The Orchard... a wonderful melange of fruit from native & exotic trees. Imagine lychees, longans, kumquats pomegranates and grapes, savour the fragrance of cloves, cinnamon, bay and kaffir lime leaves; ever wondered what tea, coffee and carob plants look like? Take a stroll through our orchard!

The Herb and Vegetable Garden... terraced on the slope with ocean and rainforest views, one can sit amongst a veritable feast of salad ingredients, edible flowers and herbs - smell, taste and harvest for lunch.

Upcoming Classes

Our Classes are held 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Classes include: an unforgettable life experience, apron, cowboy hat, lunch, vino, cooking class from $295.00 per person

French Feast ( Wed 28th July)... french Chef Bruno Loubet showcases his favourite dishes... book now!

Desserts to Die For (August) Martin whips up some of the Freestyle classics with you!

Build Your Own Wood Fired Oven...(August) ever wanted a pizza oven in your backyard ? This course is for you, come and build one with us...

Woodfired Pizza, Roasts and Desserts...(September) master the perfect pizza crust, roast your favourite meats and bake some yummo desserts

Old Fashioned Jams, Relishes and Chutneys... here you will pick the fruit and bring back to kitchen and make old classics with love...

Rustic Italian... cook up an Italian feast, sit down and enjoy... Buon appetito!

The Italian Larder... learn what to have on hand in your pantry for producing pasta... so you can be both creative and spontaneous!

The Whole Beast... nose to tail - what do we do with it?

Paddock to Plate... this is a foodie trail of some of our Sunshine Coast's best producers, bring it back and cook up a feast...

Tarts and More... Martin's favourite pastry chef shows us what she is made of...

www.freestyleescape.com.au

This week we had a league of nations at the farm. Marina from Paris, Orris from London, Chris from Brazil, Nick from Lyon, Julie from Quebec and Chris from Canada. Everyone was fantastic and pitched in to get the farm in shape for our upcoming cooking classes. The herb garden was tidied up and new herbs were planted.

Chris gives our rustic shed some love

This season's bounty

Julie in the nasturtiums

The A-Team at lunch

Tangelos

The view from the orchard

The herb garden looking lush

Nick planting parsley

Orris planting dill

Action shot

Marina with her favourite herb Borage

Orris with the brushcutter

Freestyle at West End 1 year old

2010-06-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

Freestyle Tout at West End Turned One Year Old this Week! WOO HOO!

Approximately 60 of our fantastic West End Business Owners attended Freestyle's first birthday on Thurs along with re launch of the WEST ENDER now in a Magazine format.
our great little local publication with all the latest goss,and even a hot tradie of the month .....Not to be missed Girls!.....

this young lass holding West Ender Magazine is on front cover of this months Mag....

Below are some of the Business Owners who helped celebrate!

Every second thurs of the month West End Traders will now meet up at
Freestyle 220 Melbourne St for Brekkie 8.30am to 9.30am
to network and promote a sense of community
with Yummy Muffins,fruit & great coffee!

Freestyle Happenings

2010-06-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

Think Pink July 2010
Grab your friends and join us to help raise money for this worthy cause.
Think Pink Cocktail Party Tuesday July 20 6-8 pm at Freestyle Tout Emporium. $30.00 includes canapés and cocktails.
Think Pink Twitter Morning Tea Thursday July 22 10am at Freestyle Tout West End. $20.00 includes tea, coffee and wicked sinful treats

Book Club at Freestyle Tout West End
Join our book club to meet others who are passionate about food and books.
When: Wednesday July 7
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: West End
This month’s book is Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, a sumptuous feast of a novel. Book in for a 2 course dinner and glass of wine with recipes from the book for $30. May we suggest Coaldrakes bookstore at Emporium or Avid Reader at West End. Book and prepay on 3262 3077.

This Month’s Exhibiting Artists
Kate Diggles (top) and Anna Gonzalez (centre) are exhibiting this month at Freestyle Tout Emporium whilst Jade Milne (bottom) is exhibiting at Freestyle Tout West End.

Young and the Restless Nights...
Pop in after work on a Monday night at Emporium or Tuesday night at West End with a girlfriend or 3 to share a pizza and salad over a glass of bubbles for $18 each. This is your night to catch up on the weekends goss...or your latest fictional heartthrob!May we suggest: You or Someone Like You by Chandler Burr, The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin or The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer.

Cocktail Jugs
Try one of Freestyle Tout’s jugs! Choose from Mulled Wine, Sangria, the Ladybird (top), Pimms No 1 (centre) or Twilight Saga (bottom).

Martin's Holiday Snaps

2010-06-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Want to know about the food? Check it out here.

Auckland

Auckland Museum Cultural Display

The batch where we stayed, Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island

The view from Te Whau Vineyard, Waiheke Island

Russell, Bay of Islands

Haruru Falls, Haruru, Bay of Islands

Oldest building in New Zealand, Keri Keri, Bay of Islands

Paihia, Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands

Freestyle Happenings

2010-05-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Book Club at Freestyle Tout West End

Join our bookclub to meet others who are passionate about food and books.
When: Wednesday June 2
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: West End
This month’s book is Food of Love by Anthony Capella, a romantic tale set in the Eternal City combining food, love and adventure. Book in for a 2-course dinner and glass of wine with recipes from the book for $30. May we suggest Coaldrakes bookstore at Emporium or Avid Reader at West End. RSVP 3255 3288

This Month’s Exhibiting Artists
Jade Milne (top) is exhibiting this month at Freestyle Tout Emporium whilst Anna Gonzalez (bottom) is exhibiting at Freestyle Tout West End.

Freestyle Happenings

2010-04-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

Wine 101 at Freestyle Tout Emporium
Explore Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. Wednesday April 21, 6.30pm for a 7pm start. $30 per person includes wine and canapés.
Phone 3262 3077, Bookings essential.

Book Club at Freestyle Tout West End

Join our bookclub to meet others who are passionate about food and books.
When: Wednesday May 5
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: West End
This month’s book is Rosewater and Soda Bread by Marsha Mehran, filled with mouthwatering recipes and enchanting details of life in Ireland. Book in for a 2-course dinner with recipes from the book and glass of wine for $30.
Bookings and prepayment essential 3255 3288
May we suggest Coaldrakes bookstore at Emporium or Avid Reader at West End.

Young and the Restless Nights
Pop in after work on a Monday night at Emporium or Tuesday night at West End with a girlfriend or 3 to share a pizza and salad over a glass of bubbles for $18 each. This is your night to catch up on the weekends goss.

This Month’s Exhibiting Artists
Photographers Henri van Noordenburg (top), Karen Milder (centre) and Anna Marcella (bottom) are exhibiting this month at Freestyle Tout West End as part of the Queensland Festival of Photography.

Simonne Solomon (below) is exhibiting at Freestyle Tout Emporium.

Meet photographer Henri van Noordenburg
Join Henri van Noordenburg on April 17 at 5pm for an artist talk at Freestyle Tout West End. RSVP 3255 3288.

Salad and Stiletto Lunch
Design your own salad and stilettos on Wednesday April 28 at West End. Salad lunch, glass of wine and petite desserts for $35.
Bookings and prepayment essential 3262 3077
www.princesschic.com.au

Kate French sculptures on show!
www.katefrench.com.au

Freestyle Escape

2010-04-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Autumn at Freestyle Escape!
With all the rain we have had in recent weeks, Freestyle Escape is looking very lush and green. David our wonderful caretaker and I are frantically trying to reclaim the herb garden and orchard from the wilderness. It is great to see many of our fruit trees fruiting - cumquats, kaffir limes, lemons, oranges and pomelos, young berries are now in flower, passionfruit, and I am quite excited about the coffee trees! Let me tell you the tamarillo jam I made from the fruit from my last visit is devine! (Very popular with my girlfriends!) I am looking forward to using some of my own local fruit in my upcoming cooking classes! More news on that later!

Young Berries in flower

Passionfruit

The Orchard

Monsteria Delicious (Fruitsalad plant)

Monsteria Fruit

Magnolia in Flower

Magnolia

Longans

Coffee

Noosa Farmers Market

It is my mission to get everyone to buy local produce and be supporters of their local farmer markets. Why not go along to my favourite markets and sample some of the produce available?

Noosa Farmers Market at the Noosa Australian Football Club, 155 Weyba Road, Noosaville, every Sunday 7am to 12noon.
Jan Powers City Markets, Brisbane Square river end of the mall, every Wednesday at 9am to 6
Jan Powers Farmers Market, at the Powerhouse, 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month

Enjoy.......

Just Add Spice

2010-04-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to the launch of Lyndey Milan and Ian Hemphill's (Herbie) latest cook book at Trio's in Noosaville www.trios-on-the-river.com . This book has a lot of great information on spices, some fantastic recipes and loads of informative tips on wine and wine matching. Its always great to see Lyndey as she is known for her fun, fast and fabulous approach www.lyndeymilan.com Ian Hemphill is one of Australia's foremost culinary spice experts www.herbies.com.au

The lunch consisted of yummy recipes from book. Loads of insight and fun was had by all. Trio's chef Geoff Cohen cooked the below from the book. Let me tell you all was devine.
Salt & Pepper Calamari
Baharat Spiced Salmon (book uses ocean jacket)
African Berbere Chicken Thighs
Lamb Neck with North African flavours
Couscous with cumin-spiced pumpkin & vegies
Sticky Fig & Dates in espresso syrup
Chilli cardamon chocolate truffles

Lyndey Milan, chef Geoff Cohen and Ian Hemphill

African Berbere Chicken Thighs

Salt and Pepper Calamari

Hilton Brisbane Masterclass Weekend - July 24 + 25, 2010

2010-03-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

This years Hilton Brisbane Masterclass Weekend looks to be one well worth attending with a hive of activity and exciting presentations on subjects such as Queensland seafood, cocktails, chocolate and pastry and blending of spices. This year's event will be held on July 24 and 25.

The presenters are Chef Alastair McLeod (Bretts Wharf), Chef David Pugh, Wine Consultant Ben Edwards and respected food and wine commentator and author Peter Howard.

Queensland Catch - see and taste what 2 Queensland chefs, Nick Holloway and Russell Armstrong, cook up with an abundance of fresh Queensland seafood.

Martin Boetz (originally from Brisbane) from the famed Longrain will be flying in to present Asian Affairs with Luke Nguyen. This is set to be a great class with Thai vs. Vietnamese. I'm sure all will enjoy the dishes they will devise matched with the aromatic Granite Belt wines that so suit this style of food, presented by leading consultant and master of wine, Peter Scudamore-Smith.

Sunshine Coast based chef Matt Golinski from Noosa catering company The Rolling Dolmade, which produces a mezze range based on locally sourced ingredients,and is a regular on TV show Ready Steady Cook tackles the challenge of what bites pair with big rich wines in the Greatness of the Graveyard, Vintage Room session.

Being into desserts as I am, two things set to blow my head back are:
Chocolate On My Mind . A sensory and sensual journey through the wonderful world of chocolate from bean to bar, under the guidance of Lindt Master Chocolatier Thomas Schnetzler.
The other one would be the Passionate Patissier with Adriano Zumbo from Balmain. Indulge in his famous French macaroons or his luscious cakes and pastries lauded as unique in concept and execution.

Put it in your diary now...

Check out www.qldmasterclass.com for more information.

Freestyle Escape

2010-03-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Freestyle Escape is looking a picture with all this rain. Rainforest trees are in flower and both our dams are full. The wildlife is unbelievable: whip birds, kookaburras, ducks and many other birds in singsong. The fruit trees in the orchard are looking very happy indeed. The kaffir limes, tahitian limes, lemonade trees and kumquats are all fruiting. I picked the last of a bumper crop of tamarillos. Mmmm let me see..maybe panna cotta with tamarillo compote or tamarillo jam mmm yum.

Sally from Taste Trekkers cooked up a storm for our guests at the Escape house on Saturday night and then joined us at the Arthouse. For dinner, I did a yummy simple pasta with bacon and vine-ripened tomatoes and an awesome salad (using fresh herbs and nasturtium flowers from our herb garden) with a dressing of maple syrup, side of vinegar, olive oil and seeded mustard (delish). This and a few vinos..magic. Waking up to a beautiful morning I just had to make french toast with bacon and maple syrup for breakfast. Before you go getting jealous, we had to work it off weeding the herb garden which had become quite feral. The thought of which made Sally hightail it out of there straight after breakfast!

Cocktail Jugs at Freestyle!

2010-03-18T23:04:00.001-07:00

Introducing Freestyle Tout's new Cocktail Jugs!

Choose (if you can) from 3 delicious flavours:

The Ladybird with Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir, Lemoncello, Chambord Liquer and lemonade topped with raspberries and strawberries

Pimms No 1 Classic Pimms served with ginger ale, lemonade and brimming with a garden of fruit

Twilight Saga with white wine, Creme de Peche, apple juice, a dash of soda, passionfruit, citrus and fresh lime.

YUMMMMMOOO. My favourite is the Ladybird.

Also on offer are yummy things to have with drinks after work...

The Cheese
Served with Lavosh & muscatels
Heritage Red Square (Tas)
Shadows of Blue (Vic)
Top Paddock Cheddar (Vic)
Willow Grove Brie (Tas)
Witches Chase Goats Cheese (QLD)

With drinks ...
Warm marinated olives
Salted Roasted Nuts N
Hot Buttered Popcorn
Trio of Dips with lavosh and toasted bread V
Chips with lime aioli & homemade tomato sauce V GF

See you soon...

Kim Walters Choice program Sponsors Morning Tea

2010-03-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

Last week Freestyle Tout West End hosted a morning tea for the major sponsors of one of our favourite charities, the Kim Walters Choices program.

This is a great charity as it supports women diagnosed with breast cancer. The Choices program was started in 1998 as a legacy to Kim Walters to ensure her vision of a support network for women with breast cancer was achieved. The program provides support, counselling, information and therapies to both women and men with breast cancer and also their families free of charge. Unfortunately, the Choices program receives no ongoing government funding so relies solely on the generosity of the community.

This year's key events include:
Think Pink Week 19th-24th July
97.3FM Outside Broadcast 19th July
Bras by Stars 19th July
Think Pink Ball 24th July
Trivia Night TBC
Fashion Parade 22nd October
Race Day TBC
Melbourne Cup 2nd November

We encourage you to take part in the various sponsorship opportunities that are available for each of these events or host an event at your office or venue. Contact Linda Grieve for more information (details below)

Linda J Grieve
Funding Development Coordinator
Kim Walters Choices Program
PO BOX 499 Toowong QLD 4066
P: 3232 6228
F: 3232 6227
M: 0417 732 583
E: linda.grieve@uchealth.com.au
W: www.uchealth.com.au/thinkpink

i have just been reading Salvation Creek by Susan Duncan
her husband and brother both die of Cancer and then the Author herself gets Breast Cancer not only is it a fantastic read its also relevant to many....

regards
Martin

Freestyle Happenings

2010-03-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

Wine 101 at Freestyle Tout Emporium
Join us for an evening of bubbles from around the world on Wednesday March 17, 6.30pm for a 7pm start. $30 per person includes wine and canapes.
RSVP essential: 3252 0214. Spaces limited so book now.
Next month: Explore the differences between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. Enquire now: 3262 3077.

Book Club
Join the Freestyle Tout bookclub and meet others who are passionate about good books and great food.

The next book club is on Wednesday April 7, 6.30pm at Freestyle Tout West End. Also on the night, we'll be serving a 2-course dinner of recipes from the book with a glass of wine for $30. Bookings essential: 3255 3288
This month's book is Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran, an enchanting tale of family, friends and renewal with a taste of something truly magical.

Last month's book club was fabulous, everyone enjoyed the book Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard and the dinner of recipes from the book was sensational and consisted of Savoury Cake with bacon, chervil and figs, Wild Salmon with dill and cucumber salad, Duck Breast with blackberries and Potato and Green Bean Salad with pastis vinaigrette. Then a little treat of raspberry sorbet drizzled with Cointreau and onto dessert which was tastes of Mini Almond Cakes, Yogurt Cake and Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes. So good that everyone has already rebooked. We're all looking forward to a Persian feast with recipes taken from Pomegranate Soup!

Young and the Restless Nights
Pop in after work on a Monday at Emporium or Tuesday at West End with a girlfriend or 3 to share a pizza and salad over a glass of bubbles for $18 each. This is your night to catch up on the weekends goss or your latest fictional hearthrob. May we suggest You or Someone Like You by Chandler Burr, The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin or The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer.

Exhibiting Artists
Steph Stewardson (top) and Joannah Underhill (bottom) are exhibiting at Freestyle Tout Emporium throughout March...

...AND Amanda Krantz (top) and Cate Collopy (bottom) are exhibiting at Freestyle Tout West End.

Kate French sculptures on show!
www.katefrench.com.au

When you next venture to Melbourne, try out these

2010-03-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

The new Movida in Bourke Street, Melbourne is worth checking out (as is the original Movida and Movida next door). This new one is on a rooftop and a great space, have a casual drink outside in the bar or venture into the restaurant for fantastic Spanish tastes. Staff are very knowledgeable on both food and wine.
www.movida.com.au

Breakfast or lunch at Richmond Hill Cafe is always a must when you're in Melbourne. Check out their website for food and wine events ie. cheese and beer matching, Bastille evening, discover Spain evening or Stephanie Alexander's garden companion dinner.
www.rhcl.com.au

Another new venue on the dining scene is Cumulus Inc. Both food and service are fantastic. Great space. Breakfast, lunch or dinner is well worth a look and is definitely a place to try.
www.cumulusinc.com.au

Bar Lourinha is also a must if you are in Melbourne. Matt and Jo are fantastic hosts and the ambience and food are sensational.
www.barlourinha.com.au

Pop into Koko Black. Amazing array of chocolates. Venture upstairs and try out one of their sinful Belgian hot chocolates blending full cream milk with cream and 60% dark Belgian chocolate. Also available in chili, chocolate mocha and cinnamon.
www.kokoblack.com

Another one to check out if you are a chocolate fiend is Ganache Chocolate.
www.ganache.com.au

Also of note if you are a chocolate fiend, there is Chocoholic Tours.
www.chocoholictours.com.au

New kid on the block Coda Bar and Restaurant is definitely worth checking out. This basement restaurant has a great feel both with decor and ambience. Another restaurant specialising in small tastes, this time with mostly Asian twist. The spanner crab, galangal, roasted chili and lime betel leaf and the roasted spring bay scallop rocked my boat.. yummo.
www.codarestaurant.com.au

The Cupcake Bakery..I'm forever amazed with the popularity of the cupcake since Sex and the City. On this occasion I tried the Red Velvet which is a red chocolate mixture topped with a wicked cream cheese icing..mmm nice, unusual, different...
www.thecupcakebakery.com.au

Longrain is one of my favourites in both Sydney and Melbourne, the best of the best Thai food. I love the communal tables and sharing great food.
www.longrain.com

One of my favourite bars in Melbourne is Madame Brussels, run by Miss Pearls - animal trainer. Located on top of an old building with a deck and views of Church spires, trees and inner city buildings. Great cocktails and punches by the jug with naughty names or Pimms. Staff all sassy and camp it all up in little tennis outfits or similar so you feel like you really are at a garden party. Park benches and old English garden furniture, fake grass in the bar and the parlour make for a unique experience.
www.madamebrussels.com

Other bars to check out include Gin Palace, The Red Hummingbird, The Emerald Peacock, Supper Club, The Rooftop Bar and Alumbra.

Enjoy...

QLD FBI at the Boat Shed

2010-02-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

A great group of foodies met at the Boat Shed at Cotton Tree, what a stunning location. Great to see representatives from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, DEEDI and restaurateurs.
www.qldfbi.com.au

Scott from Noosa Lime Co with his wares

Sally from Beneenie, Greg from Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Petra from Local Harvest

The crew from Pomodoras on Coral restaurant

The Oz Cook crew

The Saltt girls

Enjoying wine and canapes

The Boat Shed view

Bel and Gail from Ma Mensa

Latest Freestyle Happenings

2010-02-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Meet the Artists...
Pop in for a chat and a drink with this month's exhibiting artists at Freestyle.

Cate Collopy

When: Saturday February 13, 5pm
Where: Freestyle Tout Emporium

Joannah Underhill

When: Saturday February 13, 5pm
Where: Freestyle Tout West End

Trivia Nights Tuesday nights at West End from 6-8pm. Pop in and test your knowledge. Heaps of great prizes to be won each week.

Book Club This month's book is Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard. Part love story, part wine-splattered cookbook, Lunch in Paris is a deliciously tart, forthright and funny story about falling in love with a Frenchman and moving to the world's most romantic city - not the Hoolywood version but the real paris, a heady mix of blood sausage and irregular herbs.
When: Wednesday March 10, 6pm
Where: Freestyle Tout West End
RSVP: 3255 3288
Tastings from the recipes in the book will be shared on the night!

Wine 101 Freestyle Tout Emporium is hosting a wine evening with tastings of bubbles from around the world. Wine gurus Peter Marchant and David Bone will share their knowledge over wine and canapes.
When: Wednesday March 17, 6.30pm for 7pm start
Cost: $30 per person
RSVP essential: 3252 0214

Introduction to Numerology For anyone who is curious about numbers and their meanings, Gilbert will give you amazing insights into the mysterious world of numbers and how they apply to you. Gilbert is available instore for one-on-one readings. Enquire now on 3255 3288.

Psychic Readings Freestyle Tout resident psychic Annie will be doing readings at the West End venue. Make a booking now and see what your future holds! Call 3255 3288.

Freestyle Tout Emporium head chef Danilo has just launched a new all day menu. Check it out here or pop in and try it out.

What's new at Freestyle Tout West End

2010-01-18T22:28:00.000-08:00

Fabienne and Lillian come to visit and keep an eye on things at Freestyle Tout West End

Artist/sculpturess Kate French's creations Fabienne and Lillian are on show with some more coming soon...

Kate French finds the inspiration for her sculptural work from the people around her. The diversity in human emotions, quirks and physical characteristics is what Kate loves to capture in her sculptures. Kate also specialises in painting landscapes and skyscapes.
www.katefrench.com.au

Head chef Glenn Batchelor has just created a new all day savoury menu at Freestyle Tout West End. Check out the menu here. Ladies, what a dish!
Ps. He's single.

Echo our pastry chef is the lady behind our famous woo woos. When you're in next try one of her yummy dessert specials - this week its a Coffee Mousse Cone with boysenberry compote and chocolate ice-cream.. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Latest Freestyle Happenings...

2010-01-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

Trivial Pursuit
Tuesday night at Freestyle Tout West End is trivial pursuit night from 6-8pm. Come along and test your knowledge over a drink.

Book Club
Freestyle Tout is now hosting a monthly bookclub! A great way to meet some new people while discussing good books and enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of vino!.

This month's book is The Gourmet by Muriel Barbery. Grab the book, read at your leisure and come along to the next events: Wednesday Feb 10th at West End rsvp Please ! on 32553288 or Wednesday Feb 17th at Emporium from 6pm. RSVP appreciated:3252 0214.

The Gourmet by Muriel Barbery

Frances greatest food critic is dying. After a lifetime in singleminded pursuit of sensual delights
he lies on his deathbed, tormented by an inability to recall the most delicious food to pass his lips
which he last ate long before becoming a food critic. Desperate to taste it one more time,
he looks back over the years to see if he can pin down the elusive dish ...

Why this book? This book is quite kooky as it reveals the life of a food critic and those of the lives he touched! Great one for discussion...as owner of Freestyle I have a love affair with France and food ... hope to see you there...Cheers Martin !

Grab the book at...

Avid Reader

193 Boundary st West End ph 38463422

Coaldrakes Bookshop

Shop 26 Emporium Fortitude Valley ph 3854 0188

For all the Tweeters!
Freestyle Tout West End is holding a Sweet Tweet Meet for all tweeters to get together on Wednesday Feb 3rd. 10.30am with coffee and sweet treats or 6pm with beer, wine and canapes. Both $10. Hope to see you there! Or catch me on Twitter @dessertboy

Win a MINI for a weekend
Fill out the entry form in store at Fortitude Valley Freestyle to go into the draw to win a MINI for the weekend!

For the art lovers
Meet artist Joannah Underhill for coffee and art talks throughout February at West End.

Or meet Cate Collopy at Emporium.

Register online at www.freestyletout.com.au then art page and sign up for exclusive invitations to art events.

Freestyle Tout Breakfast
West End is doing breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am. A nice way to start the day!

Introducing some of our crew

Craig, Louise and Chris - managers of the A-team at Freestyle Tout Emporium

Sam - day manager of Freestyle Tout West End (makes awesome coffee and cocktails!)

Echo with this week's special at West End, Tiramisu

Echo our pastry chef, Glenn our head chef and Ethan our second chef (West End)

Danilo our head chef, Paolina our dessert chef and Chris our pastry chef (Emporium)

Virtual Online Tour for Granite Belt home of Qld Wines

2010-01-04T10:42:00.000-08:00

Virtual Online Tour for Granite Belt

Marketing the Granite Belt this week moves to a new platform with the launch of a new online virtual tour. The 30 second online commercial provides an introduction to the Queensland wine capital for visitors on the web.

The online tour is the latest initiative of Granite Belt Wine & Tourism Inc (GBWT), the progressive local tourist association which is committed to putting Stanthorpe and surrounds on the map.

GBWT President Phil Moye commented: “The research shows that the majority of consumers do their travel research online and that YouTube is the world’s second biggest online search engine. These are the two reasons why it is important we now have our marketing message in video format online."

The virtual tour can now be reached from the front page of the official tourist information website and also learn more about the Queensland Wine capital at http://www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au/pages/home-page/
http://www.getsmartonline.net/granite_belt_wine_country.html

If you do want to go out that way with a group may I suggest the Abbey of the Roses at Warwick for a fun place to stay ..I have been several times now each time has been a hoot!
http://www.abbeyroses.com.au/

One of my Favourite little Qld wine producers out there and on the Freestyle Tout wine list is Symphony Hill.

Symphony Hill Wines is a family-owned boutique winery located in the cool climate of the Ballandean highlands of Queensland's Granite Belt. Ewen and Elissa Macpherson bought the old table grape and orchard property in 1996 after falling in love with the area and its potential for premium wine production and in partnership with Ewen's parents Bob and Jill Macpherson have developed the vineyard to its present high standard. Symphony Hill Wines is a family focussed venture with, at one stage, four generations of the family living on the property.

Symphony Hill's winemaker and vineyard manager, Mike Hayes,is a third generation viticulturalist in the Granite Belt area. His links with the property go back to his childhood where he had his first kiss on the property's tennis court! Mike's proudest achievement to date is making the 2003 Reserve Shiraz which became Queensland's first ever gold medal winner at the 2005 Sydney Royal Wine Show.

Symphony Hill specialises in high quality wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Verdelho, Chardonnay and Viognier grapes proudly grown on the estate.

http://www.symphonyhill.com.au/

Some of my other favourites are....

Suttons Juice Factory and Cidery
http://www.hivalue.com.au/AboutUs.htm
Robert Channon Wines www.robertchannonwines.com

Ravenscroft Wines
http://www.ravenscroftwines.com.au/

Enjoy.....

Flame Hill Vineyard, cellar door and restaurant at Montville

2009-12-29T12:20:00.001-08:00

Name: Flame Hill Vineyard
Address: 249 Western Avenue, Montville 4560
Contacts: (07) 5478 5920
W: www.flamehill.com.au
Holiday Hours: Open seven days over the December and January Holidays 10.30 -5.30pm

Flame Hill Vineyard, cellar door and restaurant at Montville has raised the bar for the wine industry in Queensland.
Inspired by the standard of cellar door hospitality in places like Margaret River, owners Tony Thompson and Sharon Hogan have created a quality experience for food and wine lovers in Queensland.

Set high on a mountain ridge overlooking the lush Sunshine Coast hinterland with views to Mooloolaba, Flame Hill Vineyard delivers the whole experience of good wine, quality food and professional service.
The couple have stylishly renovated a country house with a series of French doors opening onto wide wrap around verandas and terraces, creating a sharp modern finish in a dramatic red, charcoal and timber palette

The complex, which houses indoor and alfresco dining, tasting rooms and private retreats, is set on their 100 acre vineyard and cattle property at Western Avenue, Montville.
The paddock to plate concept is imperative to Flamehill, with herbs, vegetables, fruit, beef and game birds all raised on the property for use in the kitchen.
French chef Patrick Bender has created menus and wine matches using local produce sourced from the Sunshine Coast and hinterland (well done Patrick!)

Patrick has taken a sea change to the Sunshine Coast after a career in four and five star hotels in St Moritz and Interlaken in Switzerland and Sydney. He has manned the stoves in the Observatory Hotel, Holiday Inn Menzies and Lord Nelson in Sydney.
The menus offer diners a range of food and wine experiences, including an a la carte menu, four course degustation menu, picnic on a plate, tapas tasting platter, cheese platters and even ‘prawns on the lawn’. (yummo!)

All options are accompanied by wine matches with the range of red and white estate grown wines made exclusively for this Queensland wine label. Twenty per cent of Flame Hill wines are made from estate grown grapes from their Montville vineyard by wine maker, Jason Hannay.

Five different tasting experiences are hosted by Sharon and her trained cellar door consultants, catering for groups from six to 25 guests.
These include four wine tastings, private cellar room tastings, food and wine matching, wine education tastings and tastings combined with the various lunch options.

“There are plenty of cellar door tasting operations, but few integrate the tasting experience into all areas of the menu,” said Tony.
“We believe that our concept appeals to guests because it celebrates the true marriage of wine and food, as the Europeans do.”
That marriage can be as simple as the cheese platter or as luxe as the chef’s degustation menu.
The menu features five simple but well crafted dishes using local stars like prawns, avocado, scallops, beef and macadamia, which can be ordered as entrees, mains or platters to share.

“Patrick makes everything from scratch, and the small menu assures diners absolute freshness,” said Tony.
Prawn and avocado salad with passionfruit vinaigrette, scallop raviole with Asian infused crustacean emulsion and entrecote with butter Marchand de Vin, are matched with wines available by the glass or bottle.

‘Prawns on the Lawn’ has proved popular offering a pound of prawns, crusty baguette, butter, house made aioli and a bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc Semillon ($55 for two people).
The ‘Picnic on a Plate’, with ten delicious charcuterie, seafood, chicken and antipasto items is matched with Sauvignon Blanc Semillon or Summer White ($47.50 for two people).

Reds include Barbera, Reserve Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Crimson. Whites in the range are Semillon, Reserve Chardonnay, Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Summer White and Cordon Cut, and Fortifieds include White Liqueur Muscat and Tawny Port.

Tony and Sharon also cater for weddings, functions and corporate events with a number of packages available. In February next year, Flame Hill will host ‘stomp’, an all day harvest festival.

Tony, who hails from the Southern Downs has the agri-business and tasting role, plans to develop more produce on the property to advance his passion for ‘terroir’.
Sharon, who has a background in the creative industry, plans to host art related events and activities and local artwork such as Deborah Eddy’s ‘First Impressions’ which is currently on show at Flame Hill Vineyard.....enjoy....

Freestyle Escape

2009-12-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

David our caretaker and I have been busy getting the orchard under control at Freestyle Escape. Great to see to Loquats and Clove trees in flower. Longan and Kaffir Lime trees have fruit forming and the Tamarillo tree has an insane amount of fruit on it. photo of the fruit both green and ready for picking below.

Tamarillos

The flesh of the tamarillo is tangy and mildly sweet and may be compared to kiwifruit, tomato, or passion fruit. The skin and the flesh near it have an unpleasant bitter taste.

The fruit is eaten by scooping the flesh from a halved fruit similar to a passionfruit.
They give a unique flavor when made into a compote, added to stews, hollandaise, chutneys, curries and salads. My pick for desserts would be to serve it with a pannacotta or bavarois.

My friend Elizabeth worked up a sweat weeding and pruning the herb garden while David was on the brushcutter and I was behind the slasher. Its looking quite a picture! Our art class groups find it a novelty to pick herbs and salad ingredients prior to mealtimes. Life is about the experiences we have. Looking forward to hosting a few foodie events in the outdoor kitchen in 2010.

As you can see one has to be a mountain goat to do anything on the property. We were fortunate enough this week to get a little rain but as you can see by the picture of the dam we are in desperate need of water. Last month we planted the water lillies and other water plants and put in some rainbow fish to eat the mosquito larvae.

My heart goes out to our wonderful farmers in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. They are so reliant on the weather and its so labour intensive to grow and cultivate our food. Next time you eat some yummy fresh regional produce, give thanks and thought to the farmers who get it from the paddock to our plates.

Fashionista Events "Christmas in December" Luncheon

2009-12-10T21:30:00.000-08:00

Fashion-lovers converged at Freestyle Tout West End today for the Fashionista Events "Christmas in December" Luncheon. Guests enjoyed wine and canapes whilst listening to the sounds of Daryl Murphy's Phoenix duo before viewing Project Runway designer Leigh Buchanan's final collection in a salon show followed by a delicious lunch and dessert. Guests were also treated to goodie bags compiled by Fashionista Events and a raffle draw with fabulous prizes.

Check out the Fashionista Events website at www.fashionistaevents.com.au

"School Boy Chic"

The Puff Ball

"Mum's favourite"

The corporate outfit with Egyptian collar

Brocade skinny jeans

"Barb's frock"

The eleventh hour piece

Designer Leigh Buchanan with model Tom

Fashionistas with model Tom

Working it for the camera

Phoenix duo

Fashionistas

QLD FBI re-launches website in Brisbane

2009-11-30T16:52:00.000-08:00

A fantastic group of foodies got together last night for the re-launch of the Queensland Food and Beverage Industry website www.qldfbi.com.au. The whos who in food were in attendance - restaurant owners, chefs, producers, journalists, PR, food photographers and Government departments. The soiree was held outdoors at the Merlo Factory in Bowen Hills. Phoenix duo Daryl Murphy and Toby Loveland gave the 'do a really great vibe www.darylmurphy.com

Presenting their wares were Gareth from Menucoster - a fantastic program that helps chefs cost their menus www.menucoster.com.au

Andrew from Stahmann showcased his beautiful pecan nuts and oils www.stahmannfarms.com.au

Todd from Blue Harvest showcased beautiful Barramundi www.blueharvest.com.au

John from Farm Fresh Fine Foods www.farmfreshfinefoods.com

Richard from Noosa Reds showcased his fabulous tomatoes

Ben from Oztube showed off his online video directory www.oztube.com.au

Jane from Barambah Organics www.barambahorganics.com.au

Judy from Cakes by Judy C www.cakesbyjudyc.com.au

Michael and crew from Fino Foods showcased Spanish products and smallgoods www.finofoodandwine.com.au

Gae Grant, Fosters fabbo wine rep showcased new wine products for the Summer

Martin and Nick from Tomewin Farm and Di and John from X Steam Clean

Tom from FBI and Kylie from Kylie Hood Photography

Sean from Kylie Hood Photography and Martin from FBI

Kathy Heath from High Societea and Lachie from Merlo

Jay Jay from Jay Jay Entertainment and Peta fom City Publicity

Fiona from FLQ Photography and Kylie-Jay from the media

Waddell girls with Pecan nuts

Gary and Marina from Merlo

David and Michael from Gourmet Ice Cream and Wayne from Feduberry Foods

Darryl and Toby from Phoenix...fantastic duo

Merlo girls

Peter Howard & Lyndey Milan Cook Book Launch

2009-11-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

I was Fortunate enough to go to the launch of Peter & Lyndey's Cook books
at Ma'Mensa Restaurant in Noosa
Chef Belinda Tuckwell and her team served a fab lunch with recipes from both books. Peter and Lyndey both spoke and gave some great insight into their lives and friendship, a great day was had by all, with a lot of laughs ,
Peter and lyndey are amazing foodies who have made such a difference to our Australian food culture,for more info check out their websites....
with christmas coming on grab a couple of their books.....
www.peterhoward.com.au
www.lyndeymilan.com
i bought both books for Freestyle Escape house as they have fast, easy and yummy recipes,our guests can enjoy gourmet kitchen and dining with their friends www.freestyleescape.com.au

One cannot think well, love well, and sleep well, if one has not dined well - Virginia Woolf

Lyndey & Peter

Peter Howard Cook book

Lyndey Milan cook book

Belinda Tuckwell Ma Mensa chef

Taste plate-recipes from both books

Dessert Tastes from both books

Sunshine Coast FBI

2009-11-25T18:09:00.000-08:00

A great mix of foodies gathered at the Spirithouse Restaurant and Cooking School,www.spirithouse.com.au for launch of new QLD Food & Beverage Industry website www.qldfbi.com.au
Noosa Lime co, Nutworks, Maleny Dairies, Tommi Eumundi Tomatoes and Tomarata all showcased their products.

Susie and Scott from Noosa Lime co make this amazing lime cordial with ginger & kaffir lime
perfect for vodka lime and soda or a splash in your sparkling mineral water...yummo
www.noosalimeco.com.au

Susie & Scott

Robyn Cook one of the Mums from Chevallum School Garden Kitchen Project gave a little talk(this Project is like my foodie heroine Stephanie Alexanders). Kids learn how to grow things in the Garden and then make all manner of yummy goodies from produce. I would like to see this happen in all schools, its a fantastic project and if you have children please champion this to others... Robyn is looking for suppliers to donate food for a year (eg parmesan cheese)or teatowels or what ever
if you can help out please phone the school

Russell with his great Tomatoes

Kerry from Tomarata and John from Farm Fresh Fine Foods

one of the great staff from The Spirithouse

Lyndon from Entertainment guide, Jason & Alison from Noosa spanner crab, Robyn White from Deedi

yummy Spirithouse salmon sticks

Kate & Gae from Fosters

Nutworks at Yandina Products

Sarah & Leila from Kis Cucina Restaurant in Brisbane

Val & Matilda from Gourmet Afrika

John, Jana and Kerry

latest pics of Freestyle Escape

2009-11-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

www.freestyleescape.com.au

The Herb Garden

The Dam

Waterlily

Stairway to Heaven... and herb Garden

The Orchard

The Arthouse Bath Tub

The Table (Originally at Freestyle Rosalie)

The Outdoor Kitchen

Freestyle Escape Produce

2009-11-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

For those that don't know already, Freestyle Escape has a couple of deluxe houses for holiday rental on the ridge overlooking the entire Sunshine Coast... beautiful www.freestyleescape.com.au

Yesterday David our caretaker and I spent the morning brushcutting and slashing the property so now all is looking pretty fab. A lot of time was spent on the road in and also around the dams near the Arthouse which is the perfect hideout should you need a break away as its nestled in the middle of 25 acres of rainforest. Beside the Arthouse is our orchard and herb garden. David has been keeping everything alive with a little water now and then from one of the dams however everything is in dire need of rain so please put out to the universe for a day or 2 of a nice constant downpour. Pictures below are some I snapped on my phone..

Finger Limes

Chilli Bush

Pineapple

Herb Garden

Tamarillos

Qld Food and Wine Guide Launch

2009-11-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Last night the whos who of Queensland Foodies coverged on the Powerhouse at Newfarm
for the launch of the Courier Mail Good Food Guide (even Anna Bligh was there)
Lizzie Loel and Fiona Donnelly are the girls behind this great guide to Queensland food, pick up a copy as it is a great reference for when you have the desire to eat out. Also it would make a great christmas gift for anyone who has everything....

some of the awards..

3 stars went to
Absynthe www.absynthe.com
Q1 Resort and Spa, corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Hamilton Avenue
Surfers Paradise

Buffalo Club www.thebuffaloclub.com.au
1/234 Wickham St
Fortitude Valley

Restaurant of the year
Buffalo Club

Regional Restaurant of the year
Wasabi www.wasabi.com
2 Quambi Place
Noosa Sound

Best New Restaurant
Aria www.ariarestaurant.com
Eagle St Pier
1 Eagle St

Chef of the Year
Ryan Squires, Buffalo Club

Young Chef of the Year
Josue Lopez, Two Small Rooms

Best Casual Dining
Crosstown Eating House www.thecrosstown.com.au
23 Logan Road
Woolloongabba

Cafe of the year
Pearl
28 Logan Road
Woolloongabba

Pol Roger Wine list of the year
1889 Enoteca www.1889enoteca.com.au
10-14 Logan Road
Woolloongabba

Special Commendation to ...
E'cco www.eccobistro.com
Aria

Outstanding service award
Scott Durietz, Baguette

Both Freestyle Tout at West End and Freestyle at Emporium received nice write ups.
As the owner I am so blessed to have great staff and wonderful customers
who constantly support Freestyle for fun casual catch ups and of course
our naughty willy wonka-ish desserts... www.freestyletout.com.au

New cool venue just opened in Brisbane

2009-10-29T23:26:00.000-07:00

Grasshopper Asian Kitchen - London Woolstores, Shop 6, 36 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe
Phone: 3252 8622 www.grasshopperkitchen.com
Open 6 evenings from 5pm, closed Tuesday

Grasshopper Asian Kitchen is the newest eatery in the Teneriffe bar and restaurant precinct. Head chef Minh Le has had stints at Alchemy, Seasalt at Armstrongs and the Treasury. Choose from fresh and healthy starters such as rice paper rolls and sang choi bao. Mains look to be tasty too - ocean trout rolled in black sesame seeds with ceveche scallops or a slow-braised beef cheek in Vietnamese aromatic stock. And for dessert maybe try the fruit terrine with fresh berries. Grasshopper's wine list is brief yet interesting, designed by Todd Rumble to compliment the flavoursome menu. Keith Cameron runs the floor. With summer coming on, what a fab place to hang out with friends...

Email going around that i just had to share ...too funny!!!

2009-10-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

These were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials .
__________________________________________________

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? ( UK ).

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
__________________________________________________

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? ( USA )

A:Depends how much you've been drinking.
__________________________________________________

Q:I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden)

A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.
__________________________________________________

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia ? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns , Townsville and Hervey Bay ? ( UK)

A: What did your last slave die of?
__________________________________________________

Q:Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia ? ( USA )

A: A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe .
Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not
... Oh forget it.. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
__________________________________________________

Q:Which direction is North in Australia ? (USA )

A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
_________________________________________________

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia ? ( UK )

A:Why? Just use your fingers like we do...
__________________________________________________

Q:Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? ( USA )

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is
Oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
__________________________________________________

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia ? ( UK )

A: You are a British politician, right?
__________________________________________________

Q:Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? ( Germany )

A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers.
Milk is illegal.
__________________________________________________

Q:Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can Dispense rattlesnake serum. ( USA )

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from.
All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
__________________________________________________

Q:I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name.. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. ( USA )

A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them.
You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
__________________________________________________

Q:I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? (USA)

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
__________________________________________________

Q:Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia ? ( France )

A: Only at Christmas.
__________________________________________________

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA )

A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first

Today More Great Qld Produce on offer.....

2009-10-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries invited me as a guest to a private showcase of fresh, fabulous and different summer produce from regional Queensland.

i met some growers and sampled their produce which are now being used by some of Queensland's top chefs including David Pugh, Matt Golinski, Alastair McLeod...

On the menu:

kangaroo meat
rabbit and hare meat
buffalo milk mozzarella, feta, ricotta and yoghurt
QPIF smart science in native food - desert limes, riberries and lemon myrtle,
rainforest fruit
summer seafood - Red Throat Emporer
more.....
Wines by Ballandean Estate and Jimbour

Vannella Cheese Factory
Buffalo Cheeses ......
“Buffalo Milk”. Until now, the buffalo industry has been renowned for producing meat and working animals, especially for the live trade to Asia. But, now, buffalo milk is making its mark in the dairy industry. Buffalo milk is high in energy and calcium, but low in cholesterol, and while the industry is widely recognised overseas, it's still in its early stages here in Australia.
Bufalina-Buffalo Mozzarella and Buffalo Feta were sensational as was the rest of there range......
www.vannellacheesefactory.com

Gooralie Free-Range Pork

Gooralie is a mixed farming property situated near Goondiwindi, on Queensland’s fertile Darling Downs. After a lifetime of producing lamb and beef the natural way, they chose to grow pork free-range.
let me tell you it is divine, the ham the best i have tasted as good as good old bangalow pork over the border.....
check out there website cute.....
www.gooraliefreerangepork.com.au

Rainforest Bounty
Rainforest bounty is a joint venture value added business between 3 native fruit growers on the Atherton Tableland in tropical North Queensland
current products are created from Davidsons plum,lemon aspen and lilly pilly species
www.rainforestbounty.com.au
the Rainforest plum sauce was yummo !!!

Achachachairu- Achacha Fruit

The Achacha is highly prized Fruit, having been cultivated for centuries in domestic orchards in the tropical Amazon Basin of Bolivia and now guess what ??
we have this fruit growing in a farm south of Townsville.
i love our passionate little qld producers they are always full of surprises......

Taste
Delicious, refreshing, exotic, tangy, effervescent . . . no wonder the name translates as "honey kiss"!
It is refreshing to eat, at ambient temperature, when served cold or even frozen. There is a fine balance between its sweetness and its acidity, creating a unique taste sensation. It has exotic appeal similar to the mangosteen, longan, rambutan and lychee. The Achacha is a cousin of the mangosteen which is known as the "queen of tropical fruit" throughout Asia.
also rich in anti oxidants,vitamin c,potassium,riboflavin and folate
www.achacha.com.au

Australian Native Flavours

2009-10-06T02:29:00.001-07:00

Australian Bush Food -

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the Future Food Forum with Australian Native Flavours at the Maroochy Research Station with the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries. Craig Squire gave a great talk re: versality and the wide appeal of Australian native foods. Craig is the chef/owner of Ochre restaurant in Cairns. This was of great interest to me because I have always been a little bit wary and I now look forward to experimenting with some of these products.

click on pic below to enlarge info courtesy of Ochre restaurant

Heather Smyth, a flavour chemist and sensory specialist, works as a research and development scientist. She at present is defining the unique flavour of Australian native foods and how best to describe them which will allow a more consistent and accurate representation of native plant foods.

Anne Osborne from the Australian Produce Company is a specialist in the supply of native Australian produce. Some year round Queensland grown Australian native produce incudes finger limes (green, red and pink), bunya nuts, riberries (lilly pilly fruit), lemon myrtle, anise myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, lemon aspen, davidsons plums and native tamarinds.
www.australianproduce.com.au

Another one of my favourite Queensland food producers would be Martha Shepherd from Galeru. Martha and her husband David grow their two native Australian rainforest fruits they have named rainberry and raincherry. Raincherries are fresh and clean on the palette with flavours reminiscent of tart cherry and plum, great in desserts or yoghurt. Rainberries have the intense natural spicy flavour of ginger and cloves. I think these would marry well with kangaroo, turkey or in a chutney.
www.galeru.com.au

This is me with my lemon myrtle lamingtons which went down a treat...

Finger Limes are one of my favourite native foods. They are awesome for salad dressings or garnish on canapes or with seafood. The tiny caviar-like beads explode in your mouth, they are fast becoming chefs favourite garnish or point of difference around the globe.
www.fingerlime.com or www.limeburst.com

Should you be wanting to grow some Australian native bush foods in your garden, contact Graeme White or Veronica Cougan as they own Witjuti Grub, a bush food nursery and are so knowledgable. They have most varieties from the list in the image above.
www.witjutigrub.com.au

Also in attendance was Celebrity Chef Matt Golinski, having whipped up 2 dishes: kangaroo meat garnished with Rainberries and Scallops with finger lime dressing, yummo. Matt is a regular chef on Ready Steady Cook and co-owns Noosa based catering business The Rolling Dolmade. Besides catering, the business also has a meal delivery service and is a producer of Mezze ,which is made from locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce and is sold at the Noosa Farmers Markets each Sunday. Well worth a trip to Noosa on a Sunday for his products. Or if you should be staying at Freestyle Escape he is one of our chefs available for intimate dinner parties at the house. www.freestyleescape.com.au, http://www.therollingdolmade.com.au

The Orchard, Noosa and more....

2009-10-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

Brekkies at Freestyle
haloumi cheese with baked baby vine riped tomatoes seems to be a winner on the weekend at freestyle

Freestyle Escape
check out my pics below of Pomegrenates, Davidson plum in flower and coffee beans woohoo

The Arthouse

oh my lord the outdoor bathtub is awesome i tried it out under a nearly full moon overlooking the lights of the coast, girls would really dig this ..... champers anyone?

Dinner at The Spirithouse
This is one of my favourite restaurants on the coast and its only 15 minutes from Freestyle Escape. The setting here is stunning day or night with large pond and Asian inspired garden. The food is a delight to the senses, amazing combination of sweet, sour and hot (chili), staff are friendly, efficient and unobtrusive letting the setting weave its magic...
Char Grilled Cuttlefish & Pomelo Salad with Red Chili Nam Jim
Crispy Pork Belly with Garlic Chips & Black Vinegar Caramel
Hot Jungle Curry of Pork with Green Pawpaw Pickle
Whole Crispy Reef Fish with Tamarind Chilli Sauce
Wairau River Pinot Gris from Marlborough, NZ..heavenly

day trip to Noosa approx 30 mins from Freestyle Escape
we had brekkie at Organika with girlfriend Leanne who makes jewellery, her business is called young eve with stockists all around Australia. Organika is an amazing organic food store with cafe, menu very small and simple but perfect spot to catch up with glimpses of Noosa river through the trees
www.organika.com.au

then a walk along Hasting street and the beach, beautiful!!
then lunch at Berardo's on the beach
this is one of my favourite little cafes in Noosa, located right on the Beach,
its always a winner for brekkie, lunch or dinner, staff always friendly and food always good. the fish and chippies, deep-fried local snapper with roast garlic and rosemary salted chippies, yummo!! http://www.berardos.com.au/berardos_bistro.html

John Knap - Artist

2009-09-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite artists, John Knap is exhibiting at Freestyle Tout Emporium this month (since opening in Rosalie in 1996, Freestyle has exhibited over 100 artists). Many people still have fond memories of the art shows we had at Freestyle in Rosalie. John had several great exhibitions at Rosalie and I'm now looking forward to seeing it at Emporium and West End.

www.johnknap.com.au

If you'd like to meet John over a glass of bubbles, you're more than welcome to come to Freestyle Tout Emporium at 4.30pm this Saturday the 3rd of October. Cheers!

smart food

2009-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

wow
i spent the day at Smartfood www.smartfood.com.au
smartFOOD is a one-day forum designed for the café and restaurant industry by the café and restaurant industry in Queensland.
i was one of the speakers in the morning though sat in on all the sessions ,i picked up a few great things to apply to my businesses

The 2009 event was held at Gardens Theatre, QUT Gardens Point

smartFOOD showcases a group of Queensland’s top foodies and industry experts, specific to the café industry, presenting insights into the secrets of their successful careers and recommendations on how to succeed and prosper in the café hospitality industry.

The event is aimed specifically at:

established cafes looking to improve;
cafes looking at growing and expanding;
new cafe owners who are just starting out and looking for advice in one central area; and
those interested in supporting Queensland's cafe and restaurant industry.

2009 Speakers :

Martin Duncan of Freestyle Tout and Freestyle Escape

Natascha Mirosch, Food & Nutrition Editor for The Courier Mail

Peta Ellis, Managing Director, City Publicity

David Solnet of University of Queensland and Shift Directions

Ken Law, Industrial Relations Representative for Restaurant & Catering Queensland

Matthew Kuhn, Partner at AM Giles & Co

if you are in hospitality you should attend next year as it was awesome
smartFOOD 2010 please contact info@smartfood.com.au

posi track

2009-09-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

i truly cannot believe what these machines can do....
every time we have one come to the farm normally to fix driveways,but we have had them move water tanks,water cylinders up hill ,carry mulch,move dirt around ,
today however Brian filled trenches with drainage pebbles and made our road and driveways more bearable at Freestyle Escape so much was done within a 4 hour period ,truly unbelievable!!,it would have taken weeks with human labourers
and it is so so much more fun watching rather than actually doing!!!
however orchard got the love with a manual water with hose from dam ,herb garden getting a tickle up and new plants this week !!aarrghhh it doesnt stop!

rain pretty please

2009-09-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

greetings
well Lex did come and check out the orchard,all was not good as all my Pecan trees had some mysterous bug that had ring barked the trees,now this was very interesting to me ..putting it in basic terms there is a little cycle for the life of a tree nutrients come up from ground up inside truck and nutrients from leaves go back to roots via bark,ie outer skin so when tree is ring barked by an animal or insect,nutrients cannot get back down to feed the roots so no hope for my pecans....a little sad to say the least.....
rest of orchard a little stressed ,and in desperate need of rain .......
my show stopper herb garden has been nuked or fried by the heat and unbelievable dust storms we are having ....bummer again.....

Brisbane Home Sweet Home

2009-09-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

greetings all..
wow after many many hours or days in transit i am home!!!
my body clock still not adjusted, but i have hit the ground running with catching up on both Freestyle Restaurants and Freestyle Escape

hot tip for next time you travel!!! http://www.onebag.com check it out next time im taking heed,cobblestones and suitcase wheels......arrghhhhhhhh!!!

Maria Cosgrove our Artist in residence at the farm has done a new body of work
as usual,stunning!!!some of her work will be adorning the walls at Escape House and the Arthouse the rest will be snaffled up im sure......

Freestyle Tout
We have just launched Brekkies on the Weekend from 9am throughout the day
the first weekend was very busy,so all is good ,Glen our Chef At West End was gung hoe to start brekkies at West End and Danilo our chef at Emporium is also determined to do the best brekkies in Bris Vegas
so it looks like Freestyle will be famous for more than its Lunches and Desserts
well done guys.... Salmon Scrambled eggs were yummo !!!mmm next time im having the french toast

Freestyle Escape
Escape house looks great a month ago we planted a herb garden so guests can pluck what they need while staying,as it was a little heavy going walking down to Orchard and Kitchen garden below,going down doesnt seem to be a problem its the journey back up where you could blow a fufu valve ,some crampons or soccer boots would help ,The secret is to stop now and then and say wow far out that a great view.....
Breathe !!!

The Arthouse is getting its massive outdoor stone Bath hooked up on thurs,very excited,its going to be awesome,honeymooners and dirty weekenders can have a bath looking over gardens,rainforest and ocean or the lights at night all over the coast...very pretty
The Gardens and the Orchard looks fantastic ,however a little rain would be great ,pretty pretty please!!
our Kitchen herb garden has been hit hardest with extreme heat and no rain
Lex Mullins our amazing Horticulturist is going to give all the fruit trees some love this weekend hopefully,chicken poo and mulching still needs to be done if anyone bored and looking for some fun please apply .....:)

Stockholm

2009-09-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

We caught train from Uppsala to Stockholm for 3 days of exploring this lovely lakeside city's food seen and a Castle or two....

foodie finds...

Espressino was the clear winner in coffee stakes ,interestingly enough one of the Barista's is a Melbourne boy who has been working there for 3 months...great fitout ,they only sell croissants,these yummy cinnamon twirl thingys that i have become addicted too,and some filled flat rolls that can be toasted
Coffee is prority here,few tea's on offer if you dont need major caffeine fix....

Bistro Sud
after a few hours exploring the city and finding Benny from Abba,s hotel
we retraced steps back to a great little Restaurant that we had spotted earlier ,serving swedish food..reindeer anyone?
i loved the decor here,grey walls ,lovely chandelairs,upholstered banquettes,wooden tables and lovely staff
food was great!!

Drottningholms Castle
we took train and bus to the residence of the King and Queen of Sweden,
after a sroll around adjacent park we stopped at the tea rooms for an open sandwhich ,once recharged then off for a peek inside Castle,we joined the english speaking guide and were shown around the interior of Castle,wow interesting,
The King and Queen live in a wing off main Castle with some of the formal gardens and lake cordoned off,so alass did not spot them
after tour we caught steam boat back to centre Stockholm around 50 mins,very pretty !!!

we went to old part of city numerous times,well worth a look fantastic old buildings cobbled stoned lanes and alleyways, with loads of restaurants,cafes and shops, irish bars seem to be here in numbers,we Dined here a couple of times at different venues
we never did find the ABBA Mueseum !! Abba muesuem and fun park are only open for the summer apparently,
However one stop away from old city centre on underground Near Central station was the Highlight for us
The Ice bar in the Nordic Sea Hotel,was incredible,we had to throw on these cloaks and gloves then venture into a massive freezer where maybe 20-30 others were getting stuck into Absolute Vodka cocktails which were served in an ice glass ie; totally made of ice,great fun,great novelty!!!

Sweden

2009-09-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings
Heathrow to Stockholm a nice easy trip,on arrival we collected our bags and sought a train to Uppsala.
This is a very lovely University town,with a stream running through its centre,and loads of pedestrian malls through town.Bikes and people on Bikes everywhere.i wish we could go helmet less in oz the wind throu your hair is great ....
food on offer is very Good,i checked out loads of Restaurants,menus and their decor on foot,this city seems very sleepy during the week but on Friday arvo it comes alive with thousands of students coming to hang out,in the Restaurants,cafes and Bars
whilst here i came across a nice thai Restaurant called Amazing Thai i would only rate it as a good not amazing ,fancy setting yourself up like that, i dont think anyone in Oz would ....
Italian last night was goodIl Gusto,loved the furishings and fit out .white washed wooden beams and ceiling,large Gas fireplace,loads lamps and great light fittings,and Fab art on display.
Bruschetta,mixed salad and Pizza all great...

Harrods

2009-09-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

when in London i have normally avoided this icon however on this trip i thought i had better suss it out ,the crowds of tourists going thru this place is truly unbelievable...
Food hall definately worth checking out.you name it and its here.... chocolate and pastry section my favourite spot of course .....i purchased a few goodies and quality and taste was sublime

Albion Caff

2009-09-11T02:50:00.000-07:00

Albion Caff is on the ground floor of Conran's Hotel,
a fine food store is located at one end of Cafe and dining and kitchen take up the rest of the space,big doors open onto the sidewalk with very clean simple lines lot of white and timber,had similar feel to Bill's in Sydney
Cafe food is a modern take on very british food,ie cottage pie,chicken and ham pie,blue cheese and leek pie, sides of cauliflower cheese or beef dripping chippies
i loved the busy vibe,the staff were very good and people watching was great.....

Terence Conran

2009-09-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

Albion and Boundary Restaurants
after our Frenzy of walking around and looking at so many great Venues we finally came across the Lunch Venue we were seeking,
walking up to this small but funky hotel designed by Terence Conran ,my favourite all time interior Designer, we almost ran into the Man himself.
Good manners prevailed ,just...we let him get into the lift with his entourage, before taking it up onto rooftop ourselves,even though i found it hard not to jump in with him and talk the pants off him...
Roof top Restaurant and Bar awesome with glass balestrading around entire rooftop,outdoor furniture with Blankets and an outdoor fireplace with views of London were awesome

we had a glass of bubbles near fire while a photographer was shooting away terence in background silently watching all... this venue is just under 3 months old and regulary getting photographed for glamour magazines....
we were slightly Peckish so ventured downstairs...

London

2009-09-10T02:37:00.000-07:00

A short trip on train and a couple of stops later on London's Tube and we were in the thick of it....
we checked out so many fabulous Restaurants and their Menu's,
i am truly in love with this city and what it has to offer..
i loved the Hoxham Hotel, Hoxham Square.Zetta Hotel and Modern Pantry (wish i could nab this spot for Freestyle).and many more to many to Mention ....

Le Manoir

2009-09-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

the Manoir was a joy to behold located just out of Oxford ,close to motorway to and from London,this stunning country house hotel is the Brain child of Raymond Blanc, Englands culinary Master Chef and entrenenpeur.

The Mainhouse and out buildings have been converted into a stunning restaurant,cooking school with deluxe accomodation,grounds are exceptional,my little friend Chloe said wow even the carpark is beautiful.....scupltures are everywhere

thru-out beautiful gardens,a special mention on cooks garden which had almost everything imaginable for the kitchen,herbs galore,mushroom beds and a lot of things i have never seen in our tropical paradise Queensland in Oz

(it was a pleasure to have meet Raymond at Bruno and Catherines )
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE
www.manoir.com

Oxford

2009-09-10T00:11:00.000-07:00

Oxford roughly an hour from London
this beautiful university city with spectacular buildings and History is well worth the drive.. a lot of Harry Potter movies are filmed here.

We had lunch at cafe Locco right opposite Christchurch college,great simple cafe fare with cute take out store right next door.
The trout stuffed with mushrooms and bacon with dill butter sauce with salad of tiny roast potato and green salad...yummo The chocolate cake was also worthy.
The covered market is a must to visit with loads of speciality shops and an abundance of wonderful local products.
The cake shop in there is a cross between Sweetart in Sydney and Cakes by Judy C in Brisbane
creating amazing celebration cakes with sugar pieces. Sweet chocolate is another tiny shop in the same complex that will tempt your taste buds.

Windsor Castle

2009-09-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

after Henley on thames 15-20 mins by car we arrived at Windsor
a very Tourist town with loads of shops selling souvenirs galore....river thames runs below town with loads of swans and boats ,very picturesque and the famous Eton college down river
some great eating houses ,I particulary liked the look of hotel restaurant The tower very smart but not pretentious like a lot of restaurants here in uk
they are very fortunate to have great old Buildings which gives you great bones for a restaurant,character is already there with timber or stone or old bricks,i love this there is such a sense of history and organic warm feel when you enter,something which is hard to achieve in a modern concrete and glass building.....

Henley on Thames

2009-09-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

after our morning walk thru horse meadows and forest surrounding Beaconsfield with the Loubet's Dogs Max golden retriever,Jackson staffy and Leo rhodesian ridgeback
we went for drive around the country side,truly beautiful lush and undulating country side it was fun spotting large stately homes and outbuildings.with my love for tv show Grand Designs mind ticking over time.....
Henley on Thames

this tiny beautiful village located right on the Thames is home to rowing regattas
buildings are incredible and location so picturesque
we had a walk around the town checking out shops all really cute,we had traditional Fish and Chips wth peas at the Angel this quaint pub right on the river,this place would be a licence to print money on weekends and in summer...

stopped for looksy at Maison Blanc a chain of fine pastry/Cafe shops originally started by Raymond Blanc (he still consults to them apparently) we purchased some Chocolate eclairs and a choc tart which we consumed later in Windsor.....

a day to be remembered....

2009-09-08T01:47:00.000-07:00

Bruno and Catherine put on a beautiful French long Sunday lunch for Aussie and Uk Friends,

first up was Parmesan wafers and petite quiche with French Champs on arrival ,followed by salad of organic spotted trout,beetroot and radish sprouts,(yummo)
Bruno's special homemade flowerpot bread (Heaven)
Duck au vin,baby carrots and mushrooms...(magic)
cheese course with the most beautiful cheeses from France,Chablis and Saint Joseph Burgundy wines served through out
Dessert was Tarte au Sucre served with Bruno's divine Raspberry Jam or Blackberry Jam
with a beautiful French Dessert Wine Montbaziliac mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
lunch finished well into the evening,wow great food, great wines, great company, great conversation Life is sweet.......
fortunately for us we had taken their dogs Max,Jackson,and Leo for a long walk in the country side earlier in the day so we were able to eat with out guilt,well sort of....

Heathrow Airport

2009-09-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

after 4 security checks at airport in St Petersburg Airport,we had a nice flight to Heathrow Airport,lovely to be around english speaking people again.....
Catherine and Laeticia Loubet met us at the airport and we were at their place with in 20 mins wow....painless
Bruno Loubet (formerly Head Chef at Baguette and Brisbane News Foodie pages )cooked us a yummy dinner of Fresh Trout ,green beans and baby potatoes,with tomato and orange...
Stay tuned for the French Feast......

good bye Russia Hello uk

2009-09-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

last Day of St Petersburg it rained cats and dogs
interesting all the beautiful buildings dont have overhangs and all down pipes dump onto the side walk ,so when it rains you get absolutely drenched....and have to dodge puddles and rivers of water on side walks.....

St Petersburg

2009-09-05T00:31:00.000-07:00

We chose to catch the train from Moscow to St Petersburg to save on a nights accommodation and for the experience. Leaving Moscow at midnight and getting into the station at 8am. It was interesting sleeping on a train as I am quite tall and found it hard to get comfortable on the bunk but managed to get some sleep, and it was a nice change from hanging around airports.

We were fortunate enough to be able to check into our hotel on arrival and a hot shower fixed all. The day consisted of much sight seeing, the highlight being a boat tour up river and around the canals that course through the city. Well worth it as you get a totally different perspective of this beautiful city. Lunch consisted of bad sushi on Nevsky Prospt, the main drag. Fish was not fresh and took ages to arrive. Majority of wait staff were young russians and not interested. As an owner of a restaurant and a customer I found this very disappointing. Great people watching, however. Dinner on the other hand was a total delight.
Sadko Restaurant
This restaurant was awesome with a bunker-type feel, dark sage walls and ceilings decorated with hand painted garlands and huge red glass chandeliers with flowers throughout. White show plates with matching flower designs. Wow, over the top but loved it. we tried red cavier and blinis; the russian dumplings and paroshki, and shared a main of chicken Kiev. All were superb and wait staff were awesome. They all spoke a little english and were great at their job; was refreshing after our lunch experience.
Fashion spotting in St P is as incredible as Moscow. Today's best was a leopard skin mini and top with humungeous gold bag and 8 inch bling bling heels...sorry dear reader, I couldn't get a photo. Boys with very bad mullets and shinny suits still being sighted.

Hermitage
This building is impressive when approached from across the square. When entered you are overwhelmed by the shear size and grandeur of it all. We only spent the afternoon there, but a day or two would be more appropriate. You do find it mind blowing to say the least. Never have I seen so many masters in one space and so much of their work. Rubens, Renoir, Rembrandt, van Dyke, Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso and many more.

Dinner tonight at a French restaurant:
Kukhnina
Truly lovely french feel, furniture and fit out with easy listening fench music played throughout the night. The food was superb....grilled goats cheese on top of a poached pear with salad of pear and mixed leaves. Followed by crab ravioli with a smidgeon of homemade tomato sauce, atop a pea purree. Ricotta ravioli with spinach followed by rib-eye steak bernaise and fat chips. Then a divine chocolate fondant pudding. All cooked to perfection. It was sad to see such a nice restaurant serving such great food so quiet patron-wise. I wonder if it's because of the location, slightly of the tourist track, or maybe we caught it on a wacky night, which sometimes happens to us poor restaurant folk without rhyme or reason.

Peterhof palace
We took a hydrofoil out to the Peterhof. The parkland is truly beautiful with many fountains in front of the palace. After walking around for a while gobsmacked by the beauty and excess, we had brunch at one of the palace cafes; Salmon dumplings with sour cream, chicken schnitzel and greek salad. Interesting to note that they use cream cheese cubes instead of feta. After lunch we had a looksey through the palace. Truly over the top. Restoration of this palace is amazing as the Nazis totally trashed it during the war.

Dinner Italian:
da Vinci
spagetti Carbonara, veal canneloni and greek salad again...all ok. The highlight of the evening was cocktails at the hotel Astoria. This place has a lot of history and many famous guests, including Rasputin. Public areas are stunning and the nightscape onto the square is very pretty.

last day in Moscow

2009-09-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

today consisted of more sight seeing followed by crap lunch at the Sixties Diner on pedestrian mall
think happy days combined with Macdonalds and bad service....
then onto a Boat cruise,not a lot to see on the 1 hour trip other than Kremlin etc at the end

Dinner
Apartment 44
Bolshoi Nikitskaya Street 22/2
tucked away in an appartment building entry via courtyard driveway
i loved this place although the cigarette smoke was a little overbearing
interesting to see people smoke, drink and eat at the same time ...
we are so lucky now in Australia not to have smoking near diners or in clubs
we ordered a couple of drinks, pasta with parma ham and a salad,and chicken and potatoes. food all right though not outstanding.
the decor and vibe of this place was what made our last evening in Moscow special
a really good Pianist played everything from Moon River to Moscow Nights..brilliant!

More fashion moments
A picture says a thousand words....

Unfortunately it was not possible to catch the shimmer of this white shiny suit.

next stop St Petersburg .....

Moscow continued.....

2009-08-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

more foodie finds

HomeMade Cafe
tucked away in a side street off Main st,was this fab cafe 2 level cafe,smoking section upstairs non smoking lower level,fortunately they have a few english menus,the menu gets changed daily but below seem to stay on as favourites
we tried the Bortsch soup (beetroot)
Pelmeni dumplings-boiled beef dumplings served with a side of sourcream
Beef stroganoff
home made lemonade
all was rather nice,waiteress really tried to converse with us in broken english as she was genuinely enthused when we told her we were from Australia

X and Co (Bread and Co)
a chain of retail bakeries this one all white,with ikea lampshades,benches,table and chairs with synthetic plants in pots the overall look looked fab
everything on display looked fantastic from bread,cakes and chocolates,was a little tricky as everything labeled in russian and staff didnt know any english other than do you want an american coffee?
we tried a little pastry full of beef similar to a pastie (piroshki)and an apple and berry mousse slice, both were delish.....

Mari Vanna
this little Gem was my favourite on trip thus far,with french oak parquetry on floor and overall theme french shabby chic although i believe it was meant to be like having dinner at someones home with dog and cat in tow....staff were great all had a smattering of english and serving great russian food
the menus were cute cheese boards with Brown paper attached (they have only 2 in english)
i find it interesting that all meals i have seen go out in venues around Moscow are accompanied with a bowl of sourcream,the Russians seem to love the stuff,and yet they all seem to be slender but smoke like chimneys....maybe thats the key....
we tried the blinis with sourcream and red caviar,salted herring and potatoes,zuchini fritters with salmon and sour cream ,beetroot salad and Napolean cake which is a Russian favourite, many layers of fine pastry with cream

Gypsy Taxis
Nearly all cars in Moscow seem to be unofficial taxis,(suppliments their income)all you do is stick your hand out as if you were a hitch-hiker but you pay the driver. i found this quite scary i wouldnt reccomend unless you are with someone who speaks russian and they normally negoitate the fare before getting in, we were lucky to have Lisa do this, even so i still found this quite unnerving.........

School is back
Today is the 1st of September and the first day back at school from summer holidays,and it's traditional for every student to get dressed up in their best suit or dress and take flowers to their teacher.

Moscow

2009-08-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

Arriving in Moscow was quite bizarre,Airport somewhat smaller than i thought (found out later that there are 3 seperate airports )all somewhate dated and not that friendly ,fortunately for us Lisa a friend met us and organised a car ....thank God!! as no one speaks english and street signs etc all in russian which is a mix of 36 characters and geometric designs some people call these false friends because some of these look like english letters but pronounced differently ....

The car journey was hair raising to say the least,at one point we looked over his shoulder and we were doing 140km then we were ducking and weaving between cars and changing from one lane to another, we actually lost count of fresh crash debris beside road,multi pile up and cars everywhere,all cars we passed or passing us seem to have huge dings in side...i think i left some of my fingernails in base of seat. Car parking is hilarious, as they seem to park wherever they damn well please, on pedestrian crossings, footpaths etc.

The Kremlin and Red Square

No visit to Moscow is complete without a visit to Red Square and the Kremlin, the Armoury and the Diamond Fund (Tsar's crown jewels, including the coronation crown of Catherine the Great and the Orlov Diamond, a 189.62 carat diamond given to Catherine the Great by her lover Count Orlov). Beautiful carriages, Faberge eggs and stunning presents from foreign diplomats to the tsars.

St Basils

Honey bread at the markets

Foodie finds:

Gastronom in GUM (гум)

GUM, the former state-run department store on Red Square, in previous years stocked very basic fare and no deluxe food items. Now it's a glamorous shopping precinct, stunning inside and out, and has no shortage of designer shops. Don't let the KGB style security in each shop scare you as it did me, and whatever you do DON'T take a photo (like I made Lisa do). Please appreciate this photo of the patisserie display cabinet in Gastronom in GUM. This shop is like Sydney David Jones except Verve and Laurent Perrier cost over 4000 rubles a bottle ($200). Unfortunately I couldn't write the food prices down as security was bearing down on us. And they didn't look like Daniel Craig. Sorry girls.

Tsum (цум)

Not far from GUM is Tsum, another old Soviet department store which had been funkified and is patronised by Moscow's elite. Please see photos below taken in the supermarket whilst security and attendants were looking the other way.

Denis Simachёv
In the middle of a pedestrian street full of designers is Denis Simachёv Shop and Bar. Groovy cocktail bar below and designer fashion shop above. Full of glamorous Russian girls and not so pretty men. We sampled some great cocktails and pizzas. The menu cover was quite groovy as you can see below.

Yeliseyevsky

A 24 hour supermarket, which looks glamorous but the quality is not as good hence prices are slightly more reasonable, except for the raspberries and blueberries which we worked out to be $60 a punnet. Very interesting as we've just purchased two punnets in Berlin for $6. Thank god we gorged ourselves on berries there.

Fashion

What you (or dogs) can wear in Moscow. Interesting to note here is that girls seem to be obsessed with designer labels, but the ensembles sometimes are probably not quite what the designers had in mind. Unlike Berlin where everyone dressed down or didn't wear make up, here in Moscow it seems to be the opposite. My particular favourite is the tracksuit which was heavily embroidered and with fluro racing stripes. Unfortunately this was a movement shot so we didn't quite capture it but you get the general idea.

Special thanks to Lisa for pics and the laughs putting this together.