The Meet.Make.Eat. Excellent Adventure…

I like to think that I’m an Ambassador for all things tasty and awesome.
In actual fact, that very statement, is declared proudly by me on all my Social Media profiles.
Why… You ask?
Because, it’s true.
Take for example, the Cellar Door Wine Festival.
I am, as it so happens, an official Social Media Ambassador for this unmissable South Australian event. Showcasing the cream of the winemaking crop, from the 20th to 22nd of February 2015.
It’s Tasty.
It’s Awesome.
They know what I’m all about…

Anyhoo, this isn’t your ordinary Wine Fest.
This is over 150 of South Australia’s very best wineries, from all the corners of South Australia’sincomparable (OK, I’m biased, but… It’s true.) wine regions, along with 9 of SA’s best boutique breweries AND a plethora of our best local food producers, restaurants & chefs…
Can you spell… AH-MAY-ZING!?
Yes, this dear friends, is the epitome of a one stop shop.

Now, because this isn’t your regular festival shindig. The legends at the CDWF have decided to throw in a few delectable foodie experiences to whet your whistle and satisfy your hunger, while also getting you involved.
One such experience is the Meet.Make.Eat. Masterclass.

Note to everyone: At this point you should begin mentally humming ‘Eye of the Tiger’ whilst imagining my repeated, spoon wielding, air punching…

Firstly, let me set the scene…
Six teams of two.
Brought together by a love of all things culinary, and then divided by a desire to claim ultimate victory.
Guided by top chefs, with mouthwatering recipes.
Time limits. Prime Ingredients. Whose dish will reign supreme…?
Ummm… No, it’s not MKR. It was our Ambassador showdown.

Now, we all know I love a challenge, and more than that I love a competition. Air Punch… Air Punch…
But, I was feeling relaxed and jovial this eve. Actually, everyone was.
This state of joyous calm, might’ve had something to do with the waterfall of wine making its way down our gullets while we cooked…
But, this is a wine festival. Of course there’s wine.

My duo-tastic A-team consisted of myself and my fellow Ambassador, Tash Stoodley.
Her first words to everyone… I can’t cook.
The overwhelming response… Pair her with Bree.
Now, I can appreciate there was a feeling of unrest with the masses.
Yes, I did win a cooking competition.
But, unwittingly, they were actually handing me the wild card entry.
Tash can cook. And, she can plate. WAHAHAHAHAHA (Villainous laugh)… Air Punch… Air Punch…
So off we set, wines and spatulas in hand.
It was a Tapas fight to the death… OK not literally… But, it was the certain demise of your foodie reputation if you massacred your allocated recipe and served something shite. The stakes were high.

Tash and I were charged with creating a glorious, Summery dish, courtesy of Kane Pollard fromTopiary Cafe.
Pea, Chive and Sour Cream Fritters with a Smoked Salmon, Snow Pea Tendril and Preserved Lemon salad.
Kane, along with Tze Khaw, Executive Chef of the Adelaide Convention Centre and Paul Baker, Head Chef of the Botanic Gardens Restaurant, are the formidable Iron Chefs, overseeing the Meet.Make.Eat.kitchens.

And, this heroic masterclass is exactly as the name suggests…
Meet one of these renowned South Australian chefs and be gifted with their phenomenal recipes. Cheers one another with a tipple.
Make a fabulous meal out of the very best, seasonal ingredients, under said chefs guidance, while enjoying another tipple or two.
Eat the fruits of your collective labour, with said chef, while continuing the former tippling.

What would such an experience cost… You ask?
Hold onto your hats ladies and gents, because I’m about to BLOW. YOUR. MINDS.
$75.00 per person.
(Now, quoting the eternally insightful words of Bill and Ted…)
No Way?
Yes, Way.
Party on Dudes!

So, still quoting Bill and Ted…
Who at the end of our Ambassador showdown, was most triumphant?
It was Amanda and Mark, with their truly delectable offering (I inhaled four of these palate pleasing puppies) of Baked Prosciutto wrapped Figs with Goats Curd.
Nobody ever stood a chance as soon as they rolled in with that overflowing tray of perfectly ripe figs… But then, perhaps that’s just my sour wine grapes talking…

Until next week, be excellent to each other xxx

 

To find out more about the Cellar Door Wine Fest 2015 please click on the following link – http://cellardoorfestival.com

To find out more about the Meet.Make.Eat. Masterclasses please click on the following link – http://cellardoorfestival.com/meet-make-eat/

Logo Photo credit: Cellar Door Festival 2015

 

Also, because I know, you really need to know… The foodgasmic menu we created (and you too could create…) was as follows;

Kinkawooka Mussels with Smoked Pork and Hills Cider

Salad of Hot Smoked Harris Salmon with Pickled Fennel, Endive, Dill and Fetta

Seared, Dry aged Beef Rump with Tuna Mayonnaise and Crostini

Dry Spice Rubbed Chicken with Stone fruit salad

Honey and Prosciutto Baked Figs with Goats Cheese and Rocket salad

Pea, Chive and Sour Cream Fritters with Smoked Salmon, Preserved Lemon and Snow Pea Tendril salad