Last Dregs of Summer

In case the cooler weather hasn’t reminded you, Autumn’s on the way. So this week I thought I’d arm you with some foodie adventures to help you savour the last dregs of Summer.

Fun With TOYS
Sydney Seafood School are heading into Autumn with some exciting guest chefs. Manager Roberta Muir is particularly excited to be presenting a class with four members of the TOYS (Taste of Young Sydney) collective: “I think TOYS is one of the most refreshing things to hit the Sydney food scene in years.” Get a look at the future of cooking seafood on the 14th May 2011 with Dan Hong (Ms G’s), Darren Robertson (ex-Tetsuya’s), Morgan McGlone (ex-Flinders Inn), and Monty Koludrovic (Bécasse). Other new faces in this program include the talented Colin Fassnidge (Four in Hand) and the engaging Tomislav Martinovic (Tomislav).
www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au

Baba With Bloggers
Food blogger Jennifer Lam (Jenius) believes that these days “everybody talks about Lebanese charcoal chicken and toum (garlic sauce), falafels, tabouli, fattoush”. She might well be right – most people I know have certainly gone beyond the kebab shop. If you’re keen to take your knowledge of Lebanese cuisine to the next level, join Jen and cooking instructor Norma Dakhoul for a guided Granville adventure. Jen finds it amazing that “people can get a true taste of Lebanon only 22km (approx 40mins) away from the CBD.” Priced at $80/head, your tour will include exciting tastes like manakeesh (popular for breakfast), Lebanese cheeses and a sumptuous banquet lunch.
www.iatemywaythrough.com

Cook the Regions
Learn to bake your own Focaccia and whip up a Ligurian Mussel Soup under the capable tutelage of Luca Ciano at a special class celebrating the regions of Italy.  Take along a couple of girlfriends and make a fun night of it at the Casa Barilla Cooking School in Annandale. Your $90/head class includes antipasto and Prosecco on arrival plus dinner and a bag of Barilla goodies to take home.
www.barillaaus.com

Cake with Kids
Having children doesn’t have to mean dining at home! Children (aged 5-12) get their own special Kids High Tea ($32/child) menu at the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay. Adults get a range of menus, and I’m sure champagne can be arranged while your littlies dine on scones with jam and cream, poached chicken sangers, chocolate and coconut crackles, fairy cupcakes and a banana and berry split. You might want to ask for two spoons…
www.stamford.com.au

Design-a-Degustation
Create your own personalised degustation from the cooking of Sydney’s top chefs in the scenic surrounds of Centennial Park. Taste of Sydney 2011 is their third event, so the formula should be nicely honed. New chefs this year include Manu Feildel who brings the cuisine of L’Etoile and Tony Bilson who will be representing both his eponymous Bilson’s and Number One, with dishes like Grilled Merguez with Cous Cous, Ratatouille and Harissa. Favoured Taste of Sydney veteran Jared Ingersoll will be introducing his new restaurant Cotton Duck, as will Spanish darling Miguel Maestre who recently took over the pans at Kings Cross’s Aperitif.
www.tasteofsydney.com.au

Meat and Beat
Finally for the perfect warm-up to Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, follow the throbbing beat to Churras on Oxford Street. The dancers, drums and capoeira of Rhythm Brazil will entertain you as you chow down on a festival of meat, every night from the 28th February until the 3rd March.
www.churras.com.au