Arriving at the show prior to it opening, we were lucky enough to be in part of a line that got to be head of the line at another door. From when we entered, we only had about 15 mins before we had to line up to the first thing we were booked into. This meant we had just a quick look around and scored some free marinades from Masterfoods and then went and lined up.
The extra show I had booked us into, was Miguel Maestre. It was a cooking demo with 3 course meal with matching wines and a goodie bag, chock full of lovely stuff to take home. He showed us how to make duck liver pate (which I had never tried before, but didn't mind this one), beetroot cured salmon and olive oil shortbread that was to die for. I decided that I am not going to buy shortbread this xmas but make this recipe. Fingers crossed it turns out, because it was one of the best I have ever tried.
Miguel was funny and informative and so glad we got into his show.
I guess not too many people get to drink wine at 10.30 in the morning with a 3 course meal lol. But Gaanz, you would be proud of me. I tried the red and didn't mind it lol. The wines in order of service with meal were - Peter Lehmann 2010 Art Series Shiraz Grenache, Peter Lehmann 2012 Art Series Rose and Peter Lehmann 2012 Art Series Moscato (this one we ordered later on in the day for home delivery).
After this we started to work out way up and down the isles. We came across the Cuisinart display. They had the icecream/sorbet/frozen yoghurt maker that I have been looking at buying for around $50 less than I have seen it. So I shouted myself a pretty pink one. We got them to hold it for later pickup and oh, it came with a free knife as well.
We went to Maggie Beer's stall and got her show bag, which included a free icecream. Veronica got the burnt fig, honeycomb and caramel one, I wasn't too fussed on it. I got the passionfruit, which was so yummy. Her show bag included Verjuice, barossa tomato sauce and apricot paste.
The day was spent trying different foods - some we liked and others we didn't. Trying liqueur's and liking Feeney's Creme Brulee liqueur. If you have never tried it, white chocolate rocky road. I bought some of this to bring home. At the kikkoman stand, they had samples of things they had made up using soy sauce. This sounds really weird, but boy it was good. As a filling in little tart shells or chocolate cases - melted white chocolate, thickened cream and a touch of soy sauce.
We tried yoghurts and cheeses, salami's and noodles. There was one stall that was very much a 'why would you' type of product. Super sprout. Now looking at this stall, I was thinking they had maybe found a new 'super' product. Something along the lines of olive leaf extract etc. They had all these jars of thinks like carrot extract, beetroot extract and other extracts such as apple, broccolli sprout, ginger etc. Now what this product is, is the food dehydrated into a powder form and you can then add them to yoghurt, liquids etc. Yes I know you are asking what I did.... why? Well it is because people might not eat these foods and the woman gave the example of her brother that had lapband and could only eat liquids - totally wrong of lapband proceedure, but I let her tell her story. This powder can give you all the vitamins and fibre of the real food, but without you having to eat a whole apple etc.
I asked how much you would take for daily intake and the answer was - whatever you would like, your body will just get rid of the excess. Hmmm not really something I think I would use, but I did get some samples to try. I am thinking of serving Peter up a steak with a teaspoon of each on a plate. Do you think he will like that???? haha
In the afternoon we went and saw Ainsley Harriott. What a funny, funny man. His style of cooking is very much the same as Jamie Oliver, in the 'throw everything together' type of method. He made crispy chicken thighs with savoury puy lentils ragout and a blueberry cheesecake and a goats cheese salad.
Ainsley came out, got changed on stage into a more comfy shirt and went onto entertain us. He has a very girly giggle that sent the crowd into fits of laughter. He danced while whisking and cooking and he was someone you could sit and watch all day. It was just a shame that it couldn't have been longer.
So after this it was more browsing and buying. By the time we left, my car boot was chocker block full. With so many free things that we got, I have oils, marinades, so many samples to try, cookbooks that were being handed out and so much more. I can't wait to try out some of the things I learnt today.
Out of 50, I have 19 that I haven't done yet on my list. Over November and December, I know that I will be doing at least 6 of them. So with only 13 not done, I think that will be great :)
1. 3.
5. Go down another 20kgs Need to have another fill, so this one is moved to next year as well
7.
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
1
15. Go to a zoo
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
1
20. Go to Q1 lookout - have my ticket and going in November
21. Get my bonsai started
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
28. be part of a flash mob - now where does someone find these people
29. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring.
31. Go on a retreat
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear
39. feed the homeless - (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class
42. queen mary falls walk
46. Have a games night with friends
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
