16 May 2010

STARS IN THE MAKING

Just back from the Wellington Food Show, and loved every minute of it. But I have never worked quite so hard.

I did several stints for Electrolux on their stand, demonstrating the fabulous induction cook top. If there's a more precise and speedy way to cook in a domestic kitchen I'm yet to find it. I have been a 'gas' girl forever but I know what I want for Christmas!

Then into the Celebrity Chef Theatre to cook up a storm on stage on both Friday and Saturday, ably assisted by the phenomonally efficient and capable Kathy Paterson. We made a fennel tart with the best puff pastry in the entire country (from Mercato in Christchurch - Ngaire Baker couriered it to me.) Then a main of tasty Freedom Farms pork medallions, roasted chickpeas, spinach, and beetroot with horseradish and creme fraiche. And finally, because I truly believe that food does not need to be complex to be fabulous, a simple dessert with fresh pears two ways: served with limoncello icecream and an extra slosh of Lemon Z limoncello, or with thick Greek Canaan yogurt and Jeremy Friend's fabulous honey. The recipes, with pics, are on my Recipe Page.

But the highlight for me was gettting to know Brett McGregor, Masterchef winner 2010 and the runner up, Kelly Young. I hosted them on stage in their first live demonstration together. They were both a little nervous, but once they got going they were stars! They are both incredibly wonderful, warm people and the real joy was seeing how many young kids wanted to get their photo taken with Brett and Kelly. And the best bit is that these little kids all want to cook. I fervently wish that if the one thing that people take away from the Masterchef show is that anyone can cook, and that it CAN all be done from scratch. Not from cans, and not with prepackaged or frozen foods. Go Brett and Kelly!