 Tracy Nickl with a load of freshly baked pies at the Gumnut Patisserie in Mittagong One of my favourite local destinations is the New South Wales Southern Highlands, an area renowned for its lush landscapes, picturesque villages, fascinating history, and burgeoning food and wine scene.
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 Just over a year ago, I set up a writing desk in the sun-drenched library of my home; and scattered the top of it with piles of old letters, family photographs, lined note pads, a pile of lead pencils and a fountain pen. So began my journey of writing a book.  There are some absolute treasures to be discovered amidst the noise of Canberra's burgeoning restaurant scene. Boffins Restaurant at University House in 'old' Acton is one such establishment.  The folks behind Feather and Bone: Laura Dalrymple with her life and business partner, Grant Hilliard Canberrans will have a rare opportunity to spend time in the company of the folk from Feather and Bone, in a MasterClass and five-course Feast of the Beast banquet to be held at Pialligo Estate this weekend.  It's snowing in some parts of Australia right now and I can also report that there's a thick layer of ice covering everything outdoors in Canberra this morning, too. It's winter in my home town and, as I mentioned recently, despite the bone-chilling cold, there is much to celebrate.  One of the highlights of the 2016 Truffle Festival Canberra Region is a Food & Words event, featuring a stellar lineup of speakers - including chef Rodney Dunn from The Agrarian Kitchen; food writer Barbara Sweeney; and academic and baker Dr Roger Haden - accompanied by a truffle-inspired lunch prepared by Canberra's own Sean McConnell, executive chef of Monster Kitchen & Bar at Hotel Hotel.  Once upon a long, long, long time ago, Canberra, my home town, became a meeting place. I'm a vintage Canberran, but that event was well before my time. And I suspect it was way before yours too. Think back 20,000 years, maybe more, to when the first Australians, the Aboriginal people, gathered here for corroborees. Special meetings at which they mingled, danced and feasted on bogong moths. 
Celebrated Master of The Quaich and Whisky Chef, Martine Nouet, was in Canberra recently to host Dinner with Whisky at the award-winning Konoba restaurant at Hotel Realm. The event was one of a series of whisky dinners held in capital cities across Australia in the lead up to the spectacular 'Whisky Live' shows.  MasterChef's Alvin Quah will be in town for a Fishing Fair MasterChef finalist, Alvin Quah, will be on deck to cook up some of his favourite seafood recipes at a Fishing Fair to be held on Sunday, 17 May at Googong's Beltana Park. 
Wow Canberra, you are completely taking my breath away! I was born in this beautiful city in 1958, have lived here all my life and now feel as though my baby has come of age – certainly in terms of food, wine and spectacular events! |
Photo Jay Cranon, The Canberra Times
Hello. I'm Liz, a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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