It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times…

The year in pictures… well most of it!

 Sound the trumpets people, because the noughties are officially over soon! Can you believe that it was just a mere 10 years ago that Prince was partying like it was 1999 (and so were we!) and we all thought the world was going to explode with Y2K (haha remember that?!). Flashforward a decade and I’m going to get all sentimental on your ass because I may have had one too many glasses of dessert wine.

The amazing first course of the gala dinner

Perhaps it was the fact that the dinner was preceded by an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Merivale’s kitchens (and meeting one Peter Doyle) or the fact that I was lucky to enjoy this amazing 6-course degustation dinner courtesy of Merivale. Or maybe it was that first course of tuna by Dan Hong of Lotus. And that amazing dessert by Lauren Murdoch of Ash Street Cellar.

There we were, a small group of us, sitting at a cafe with a large box of 50+ macarons. For someone who actually doesn’t eat a lot of sugar, it was quite a silly undertaking to inject this much sweetness into this battered body. But after nearly 1.5 hours, we got through a myriad of wacky and gorgeous flavours. I mean if Adriano Zumbo can do crazy. Then so can I.

1. Not so much a sugar binge technically… but it was close once we took one of these miracle pills that turned sour into sweet. The day was fun. The subsequent stomach pains from ingesting citric acid and vinegar certainly weren’t.

 Foods that induced toe-curling orgasms

1. Scones from Enzo in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley: the best scones. Ever.

2. The duck from Tatler Cafe from Pokolbin Hunter Valley: I’m still dreaming of that sauce!

3. Brownies and Confiture de Lait – need I say more?

 Memorable Baking Moments

1. Aria Chocolate Tart: If there ever was a dessert that broke me and had me babbling like a lustful harlot, this would have to be it.

2. Macarons: these are like little badges of honour for any amateur baker and never had us Daring Bakers poured so much blood, sweat and tears into a simple baking challenge. That was until…

3. …last month’s challenge of Gingerbread House! I’ve never made them before so naturally I wanted to go nuts at it. And I’m so glad I did!

I know I already said it last week when the jolly fat man rolled into town but again, big candy kisses to you all for everything. For reading the blog, trying the recipes, commenting, emailing, complementing, questioning and joining me on eating spectacles. Have a fabulous New Year and as always, be safe, eat well and drink responsibly…*

*… just don’t make it Brown Brothers Orange, Muscat and Flora!