Cooks

I no longer plan seasonal cooking classes  from my home. After 20 years of hosting and demonstrating a huge number of recipes, my life is  directed more towards my international tours to France, Italy, Scotland and Turkey.

I have met a huge range of individuals and groups, and I miss the monthly contact of many people who attended classes for all of those 20 years.

It was an enormous amount of fun and I like to think I have challenged people to create nutritious and flavoursome  meals, along with finger foods, shared platters and desserts for everyday cooking, useful for any occasion or celebration.My recipes were always based on seasonal fruit and vegetables. plus incorporated recipes from many cultures, with an emphasis on simplicity and  sharing.

Life for me has always revolved around the kitchen and its rather a hard place to avoid if you are feeding children, a family or even just yourself. The translation from the kitchen to the dining table makes our food a vital and integral component to becoming not only something to feed our appetite but, the accelerator to social interaction, discussions and the perfect partner to many good New Zealand wines.

We are surrounded today with food messages – Good and Bad. Never before has there been a subject so ‘Out There’ whether its TV and the Food Chanel, Radio, Cook Books , the rise of Food Celebrities, Internet , Blogs, Markets and many new food stores.  Along with restaurants which are creating delicious exciting new methods of cooking and preparation . We now have many community ‘ locals ‘ where it’s social , fun and inexpensive.

There are no two ways about it. Travel has broadened my outlook and its important to embrace the food and culture wherever you are travelling. (that includes New Zealand) Eat the local cuisine and experience the festivals and traditions.  Food is integral to life and climate, seasons, culture and customs makes each country unique and exciting.

We have a new life in Tarras creating a new garden in Central Otago. However, Winters are for travel and places like Turkey, France, Scotland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand feature in the 2-3 tours we do a year.

I regularly write blogs on tour and endeavour to post ‘something from Tarras.

I am certainly still available to take private group classes, help with Fund Raising events or co-ordinate groups for conferences or celebrations.