My quest was to head down under and discover the national dish of Australia, an interesting feat. The first stop was Melbourne for the Fine Food Australia Show – a massive trade show five times bigger than the SA Good Food & Wine Show. I needed two days to see as much as possible – lectures on upcoming food trends, taste new products, see equipment on offer and meet some great chefs.
As I travel on my food safaris, there is nothing better than catching up with people over a glass and bite– Melbourne guests Craig, De Villiers and Brett did not disappoint!
The first culinary destination was that of Prix Fixe –the creative hub of Philippa Sibley, one of Australia’s leading dessert chefs. Based on a different theme every month, the restaurant concept is inspired by people, the arts and music whilst bringing together fresh seasonal produce, transforming both the interior and menu itself into a whimsical dining experience from 1997 – 2014. Diners book and pay upfront as you would for a theatre performance. The food is both a surprise and delight.
In Sibley’s words – “Chefs become associated with dishes like an artist to a painting or a singer to a song. It is tremendously flattering to be thought to have ‘signature’ dishes.”
These were the signature dishes we dined on.
Truffled Quail, Grilled Fennel, Bois Boudran – from Ondine 2002. 2011 Fairbank Rough, Bendigo, Vic
Freshly Shucked Oysters washed down with a glass of NV Mumm Champagne was a great way to start the evening.
Above, Heirloom Carrot and Chervil Soup, Grilled Scallop, Vin Santo, Amaretti – from Albert St Foot and Wine 2012. Unbelievably delicious – 2013 Mac Forbes RS 45 Riesling, Strathbogie Ranges Victoria.
Confit Salmon, Crayfish, crushed purple potatoes, Japanese flavours – from est est est 1997. 2011 Wanted Man Marsanne Viognier, Heathcote Vic
‘Snickers’ – Circa 2007. There are absolutely no words to describe this incredibly decadent, mouthwatering dessert! Campbells Liquid Gold Runterglen Topaque, Rutherglen Vic.
I was fortunate to have a great tour guide in the form of Craig who the following day showed me around greater Melbourne and had lunch at Chin Chin – a sharing experience where the many different dishes have exotic and varied flavours of Asia. The Massaman Curry was one of my most delicious Melbourne moments!
Spicy Corn and Coriander Fritters with Iceburg Lettuce, Mint and Chilli Jam
My favourite! Massaman Curry of Coconut Braised Beef, Kipfler Potatoes, Peanuts and Crispy Shallots
Wok Fried Salt and Pepper Squid Nuoc Cham and Vietnamese Mint – beautiful.
That evening we dined at Cicciolina in St Kilda – a fabulously packed Italian restaurant, the place to go before a show! Still pretty full from my great lunch, I decided on two small starters. Stuffed Zucchini Flowers followed by a Souffle of Blue swimmer crab meat, shallot and lemon thyme served on a champagne & chive veloute ended my stay in Melbourne sufficiently satisfied.
Tempura fried ricotta stuffed zucchini flowers on a warm salad of peas, ricotta and smoked salt
Rich Laburn is filmmaker, photographer and writer who is based at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. Spending his time capturing scenes of the wild and communicating the beauty of the African bushveld, he runs the Londolozi Blog as a way to entertain and engage people wishing to visit these wild lands.
