It’s a sign of the strength of the Hunter Region’s food and wine offering that award-winning photographer David Griffen has moved his family and business from the United Kingdom to Newcastle.
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Originally from the Adelaide Hills, Griffen spent 15 years in the UK building his career by shooting for leading restaurants, cookbook publishers and global food brands. In 2015 he won the Pink Lady International Food Photographer of the Year award for his image “Smoked Wings” – a street food vendor smoking a cigarette while cooking racks of chicken wings over hot coals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Griffen was the first Australian to win this prestigious award, trumping 6500 entries that year from 56 countries. His photograph also won The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action.
In 2016 Griffen’s photography blog won Photography Blog of the Year at the prestigious UK Blog Awards and he was named one of London’s top 25 social media food photographer influencers. He is regularly invited to present on the subject of food photography for social media, most recently in the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada, and also at events such as Taste London.
Last month Griffen, his wife Maria and their two sons returned from a 12-month adventure – travelling a lap of Australia – and decided to settle in Newcastle.
“In between adventures, we formed a list of the things that we wanted for our family,” Griffen told Food & Wine. “Newcastle ticks all the boxes. We have been welcomed into a community where the beaches are incredible and the university opportunities are very exciting. The region’s economic growth, artistic heritage and transport links are also solid reasons we have chosen to stay.”
Check out his portfolio online at davidgriffen.com
It’s show time
The 2019 Newcastle Show returns to Newcastle Showground in March and you have until February 22 to enter its cookery competitions. Categories include general and junior cookery, icing and decorating, and preserves. Showgoers and competitors are invited to attend the judging of selected cookery categories: General Cookery, Fruit Cakes & Puddings (Classes 1 to 41) at 11am on March 2; and Junior Cookery (Classes 42 to 62) at 11am to 1.30pm on March 3.
Pop-up dessert
Nelson Bay-based patisserie A Sweet Ride Called Clyde – owned and operated by Stacey Cleaver – is popping up at the Muster Point building in Mayfield East on February 17 for a five-course, De Iuliis Wine-matched dessert experience. All three sitting times have now sold out, however this might convince organisers to hold a second event in the near future. Fingers crossed.
Meet the mediums
Something a little different caught my eye the other day. It’s called Dinner with Lost Loved Ones and it’s being hosted by Newcastle Leagues Club on April 13. Mediums Deb Webber and Debbie Malone will join guests for “dinner and surprise readings” and then dessert and drinks from 7.30pm, during which time messages from “the other side” will be shared. Tickets at Eventbrite.
Thai in town
The Humble Thai officially opens this Friday, February 1, after a “soft opening” on the long weekend. You can find it on King Street in Newcastle, near Kitami, where a warm welcome awaits.
Winter is Coming
Newcastle’s 48 Watt Street is continuing to push the boundaries when it comes to themed dinner events. They dropped a teaser last week – Winter is Coming – and Game of Thrones fans are in a tizz. The event, whatever it may be, is being held in May.
Chinese feast
Franky’s Lan Zhou Noodles at Carrington will be celebrating Chinese New Year next Monday, February 4, with a five-course banquet. Think garlic pork elbow, scallop roe salad, Hunan pork belly, dumplings and fish. The doors will open at 7.30pm for welcoming drinks, with food being served from 8pm until midnight, and karaoke between courses. The feast is limited to 40 people so book now by phoning 4940 8726 to secure your seat at the table. Tickets cost $88 per person.
Old world wines
Bushrangers Bar & Brasserie in Largs and French-based Decante This are hosting the Duck Into Burgundy four-course wine dinner on Friday, February 22. Tickets cost $89 per person ($79 for VIP members) which includes wines from Burgundy’s Domaine Albert Bichot family and classic French cuisine.
Helping hand
Kwon Mart at New Lambton has listened to customer feedback and is adding English descriptions and comments next to its predominately Korean supermarket products to minimise confusion and bridge the language barrier. Very convenient indeed – for a convenience store.
Festival returns
Lake Mac Food & Wine Festival is returning to Speers Point Park on October 19 following on from last year’s inaugural event. Entry is free and you will be able to buy and taste Hunter Region produce, including wine and beer, while listening to live music and attending cooking demonstrations. The Kids Zone will also return.
French flair
If you are ever on the Sunshine Coast, consider visiting La Maison du Patissier. The Meridan Plains cafe is family-owned and run by Eric and Francois Pernoud (friends of mine who have no idea I am giving them a plug). French-born Eric is a talented pastry chef however his skill set – and his menu – is not limited to sweets. The keen motorcyclist and proud grandfather of one has competed in the gruelling Dakar Rally.
Freebie of the week
The Yoga Kitchen Plan, by Kimberly Parsons, is a soulful journey towards finding your best, most authentic self through the use of pure, non-stimulating foods.
The core of the book is the simple, seven-day plan which incorporates breathing exercises, meditations, basic yoga practice and daily tasks, as well as a selection of recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner that target each of your seven chakras to take you through a whole week.
The Yoga Kitchen Plan is out now through Hardie Grant Publishing, RRP $39.99. Food & Wine has a copy to give away. To enter, send the words “Yoga Kitchen” with your name, address and number to freelunch@theherald.com.au. Entries close on Monday (February 4) at 9am.
