There was a time in my life when I did not cook. I was not interested in the whole pantomime of food, cooking or eating, in fact, my first recollection of really attempting to “cook dinner” for someone was for my first boyfriend in the early 70’s. Trying to impress and of course, nothing went quite right. Nothing looked like the picture (does it ever?). Perhaps the disastrous meal was an omen of what a disastrous relationship it would proceed to be and I should have taken more notice of the signs. I tried to cook chicken schnitzel, chips and make a salad. It was bloody awful!
During that particular era, that same boyfriend had “best friends”, who I again was trying to impress and attempted to make lasagne. Living in an old shared house, we had one of those old fashioned gas cookers from the 50’s.
During that particular era, that same boyfriend had “best friends”, who I again was trying to impress and attempted to make lasagne. Living in an old shared house, we had one of those old fashioned gas cookers from the 50’s.
It looked a bit like this – ‘cept it was green enamel
Because the oven was so small, I had to prepare two small dishes of the said lasagne. When it came to serving up – some of the servings were a bit messy … so of course, the housemates got the servings of “poor presentation” and the guests to impress received the very well presented servings. At the end of the meal they told me it would have been delicious, if it was hot!! It would appear the tray on the bottom of the oven – perfectly served – had not heated at all! Of course this became one of the many criticisms from “the boyfriend” - Obviously, I could not cook!!!!
In the late 70’s & early 80’s I moved to Deniliquin. Deni, now famous these days for its ute muster, was an interesting place for a girl from Melbourne …now there are a lot of stories there, but not now. I never drank beer until I lived in Deni. I went to my first “B & S” ball in Deni. Also wrecked a few taffeta frocks at a Peppin or D & R ball!!!
In the late 70’s & early 80’s I moved to Deniliquin. Deni, now famous these days for its ute muster, was an interesting place for a girl from Melbourne …now there are a lot of stories there, but not now. I never drank beer until I lived in Deni. I went to my first “B & S” ball in Deni. Also wrecked a few taffeta frocks at a Peppin or D & R ball!!!
A lot of pink and peach taffeta and a lot of hair in those days!!!
So, back to where I am heading (so easy for me to be side-tracked) – just before I moved to Deni, I met my beloved Andrew. My best mate. He has had a major role in most stories in my life, including sharing many a food event and being my witness when I married my life partner, Tez.
My best mate & buddy – Andrew
One of the fabulous things that happened in Deni was that I met Meggsi at Yabba Gabba Kitchen. Well, this is where my true interest and love for food began to develop. Meggsi as a self-taught cook and caterer taught me plenty about food. So many stories and memories were created over the next couple of decades, not only about food but Life!! Oh, the 4 hour drives to do catering for weddings in paddocks!!
Meggsi and Bea - early days in Deni and a magnificent "Foodie" mentor
Around this time I also met Belinda. (Bella to me – but don’t call her that without my permission!)
My wonderful, quirky and very talented friend Bella
So began the era of the 80’s and decadent dinner parties that often included Andrew, Meggsi and Bella, amongst many others who came and went, in the mix! Some stayed and they still enjoy the art of conviviality with us; others are no longer around but are featured in many of our dinner table tales.
Anyway, back to where I am heading …. What this blog is actually about is two things that have significantly influenced my interest in cooking and food.
Back in those early days of developing an interest in cooking, Vogue Entertaining was a major glossy food mag that I aspired to be able to cook from, (being the hoarder I am, I still have many of those early editions). I also started going to cooking classes and one of the very first was The French Kitchen in Armadale with Diane Holuigue, and one of the first guest presenters I learnt from was a Maggie Beer class. I still have those original recipes I received in that class and still use some of them, to this day.
However, being the type “A” personality I am, of course I always set such a high bar for myself. If someone served two courses, I always felt that I needed to serve five! I was always so critical of my own food/cooking, but others seemed to enjoy those “classy” dinner parties. The list of names that have attended is quite extensive and many of those people are still friends to this day, (Ruth & Russell, Jo & Rodger, Deidre, Jane, Ingrid, Myles, Mark and the list goes on!!......).
During this era began my collecting of cookbooks – which today, is quite a few …one memorable book ; in fact, THE No. 1 influencer of my cooking attitude was a book called “The Slutz Cookbook”. Now I have no idea who wrote it and sadly, my copy is no longer around. (Boy, how I would love to get a copy of it again!!)
HOWEVER, the most valuable lesson I learnt from this book was that if the cooking was not going to plan, give the guests plenty to drink (in fact, get them drunk was advocated), dim the lights/light candles – add plenty of curry powder and they will never know the difference!!!! Now, I am not suggesting that we don’t abide by responsible service of alcohol guidelines, but I think the underlying message was that all situations can be salvaged if you can relax about it, not be so harsh on yourself and see the humour in the situation !!!
Toward the end of the 80’s and into the 90’s I moved very much into my “nurturing of life” phase. My time as a practicing midwife and being involved with so many wonderful people becoming mums and dads and the beautiful babies they had, was definitely the most rewarding aspect of my career from an emotional and spiritual level. But, not only did it introduce me to a new era of addresses in my Filo Fax – (Shazza, Leonie, Jackie, Janine…to name a few, so many more should be mentioned) it also made me enjoy cooking as a more wholesome and down to earth activity. I definitely moved into an era of being more comfortable and comforted by food, rather than needing to impress with it.
In the 90’s I met a woman who ran a health clinic in Russia – I cannot remember her name but I can see her face, hear her laugh and remember her zest for life. I recall her telling me a story one day how she loves to have her grandchildren come and stay over and she always liked to stir up her kids by saying to the grandchildren, “come stay with Granma and we will get naked and dance in the kitchen, while we cook dinner”. I am assured she did not literally get naked, but what she did do was put on comfy clothes, relax with the grandkids and include them in the activity in the kitchen so that the preparation, serving and eating of food was all about sharing her love for them, with them.
It always struck me that a good way to show and share love is to bring everyone together to participate in the ritual of preparing food and then sharing the meal. After all, in many cultures it is such a binding and ritualistic process that keeps communities strong. How else can family stories, folklore and history be handed down, if we don’t all come together?
In our house Tez loves the “Sunday roast” more than any other meal. Not because he is an Aussie bloke, for him, it is all about bringing people together for the art of conviviality. The actual “excellence” of the food is secondary to the shared love, shared stories and shared table.
So, if you do start dancing naked in the kitchen, I do suggest an apron when you throw the curry powder into the fry-pan.
DC xx
Anyway, back to where I am heading …. What this blog is actually about is two things that have significantly influenced my interest in cooking and food.
Back in those early days of developing an interest in cooking, Vogue Entertaining was a major glossy food mag that I aspired to be able to cook from, (being the hoarder I am, I still have many of those early editions). I also started going to cooking classes and one of the very first was The French Kitchen in Armadale with Diane Holuigue, and one of the first guest presenters I learnt from was a Maggie Beer class. I still have those original recipes I received in that class and still use some of them, to this day.
However, being the type “A” personality I am, of course I always set such a high bar for myself. If someone served two courses, I always felt that I needed to serve five! I was always so critical of my own food/cooking, but others seemed to enjoy those “classy” dinner parties. The list of names that have attended is quite extensive and many of those people are still friends to this day, (Ruth & Russell, Jo & Rodger, Deidre, Jane, Ingrid, Myles, Mark and the list goes on!!......).
During this era began my collecting of cookbooks – which today, is quite a few …one memorable book ; in fact, THE No. 1 influencer of my cooking attitude was a book called “The Slutz Cookbook”. Now I have no idea who wrote it and sadly, my copy is no longer around. (Boy, how I would love to get a copy of it again!!)
HOWEVER, the most valuable lesson I learnt from this book was that if the cooking was not going to plan, give the guests plenty to drink (in fact, get them drunk was advocated), dim the lights/light candles – add plenty of curry powder and they will never know the difference!!!! Now, I am not suggesting that we don’t abide by responsible service of alcohol guidelines, but I think the underlying message was that all situations can be salvaged if you can relax about it, not be so harsh on yourself and see the humour in the situation !!!
Toward the end of the 80’s and into the 90’s I moved very much into my “nurturing of life” phase. My time as a practicing midwife and being involved with so many wonderful people becoming mums and dads and the beautiful babies they had, was definitely the most rewarding aspect of my career from an emotional and spiritual level. But, not only did it introduce me to a new era of addresses in my Filo Fax – (Shazza, Leonie, Jackie, Janine…to name a few, so many more should be mentioned) it also made me enjoy cooking as a more wholesome and down to earth activity. I definitely moved into an era of being more comfortable and comforted by food, rather than needing to impress with it.
In the 90’s I met a woman who ran a health clinic in Russia – I cannot remember her name but I can see her face, hear her laugh and remember her zest for life. I recall her telling me a story one day how she loves to have her grandchildren come and stay over and she always liked to stir up her kids by saying to the grandchildren, “come stay with Granma and we will get naked and dance in the kitchen, while we cook dinner”. I am assured she did not literally get naked, but what she did do was put on comfy clothes, relax with the grandkids and include them in the activity in the kitchen so that the preparation, serving and eating of food was all about sharing her love for them, with them.
It always struck me that a good way to show and share love is to bring everyone together to participate in the ritual of preparing food and then sharing the meal. After all, in many cultures it is such a binding and ritualistic process that keeps communities strong. How else can family stories, folklore and history be handed down, if we don’t all come together?
In our house Tez loves the “Sunday roast” more than any other meal. Not because he is an Aussie bloke, for him, it is all about bringing people together for the art of conviviality. The actual “excellence” of the food is secondary to the shared love, shared stories and shared table.
So, if you do start dancing naked in the kitchen, I do suggest an apron when you throw the curry powder into the fry-pan.
DC xx
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