My Escape to Gourmet Escape 2012!

As soon as I stepped foot on Leeuwin Estate Winery (with my fat pants on) this place was buzzing with celebrity chefs, food and wine. What an amazing location and the best wines I have tasted in Australia, I don't drink much white wine but the Riesling definitely won me over. Before I set out to put myself into a 'food coma' there are two local chefs I'll be chasing down.

Pork & Pistachio Terrine 

By Nigel Harvey at Voyager Estate 

It was a huge one.. a beast, a perfect beast to be exact.

I cannot explain how amazing this terrine tasted, the colours and textures were simply delicious and clean.

Here Nigel has shown me how to plate up the terrine considering colour and texture, make sure there is always at least three elements that work in perfect harmony.

Flowers make everything perfect!

Hay stacks and wine barrels, barnyard party? I think not.

Waiting for my one on one with Jake Drachenberg from Hayshed Hill

Yabbies with Vine Smoked Potatoes, Horseradish cream and Squid Ink Vinigarette.

Here Jake has thrown together his exquisite earthy dish. Simply beautiful.

Here's how many were made up later for the busy crowds.

Fresh oysters that tasted like they have just been plucked out of the ocean.

Its not a food and wine festival without the CHOCOLATE..

& of course cheese.

This was the first food and wine festival held in Margaret River and from what I experienced it will not be the last, I will be back next year!! So calm and chilled not like any food and wine festival in Sydney (meaning I didn't get pushed and shoved out of the way).

Visiting Margaret River? Check out these places out

http://www.voyagerestate.com.au/

http://www.hayshedhill.com.au/

Hope to see y'all there next year.

Betty Jane x

Sweets on the go - Burch and Purchese Sweet Studio

I have a major sweet tooth..it's HUGE. Before leaving Melbourne I had to pick me up a lil' something to take home and indulge. What I love that dessert is such a science and here they totally get that, I'm glad I found a dessert joint that blows me away in every way.

 Thankfully Sweet Studio has amazing options that were packed so well for my departure. Anyone who visit Melbourne please do yourself a favour and visit Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio, its is sheer heaven a mecca for dessert lovers.

Explosive Raspberry Milk Chocolate - $9

raspberry & milk choc mousse/ raspberry custard

raspberry compote/ explosive milk choc chip cookie crumb exaggerated rasp cream/ raspberry marshmallow

milk choc mirror glaze

Chocolate Mandarin Salted Caramel - $9

60% choc mousse/ murray river salted caramel/ 

burnt mandarin cream/ st clements marmalade

aerated choc shortbread/ choc mirror glaze

Pineapple, Mango, Chocolate - $9

coconut sponge/ Mango mousse/ spicy pineapple jam

pineapple cream/ choc mousse/ white choc velvet spray

pineapple jelly/ mango jelly

After devouring all three all I can say is 'I DIE!' the layers, the flavours, the texture, just everything. Yum Yum & Yum!!!!

Check them out [here]

Betty Jane x

The Fabulous Fifties - Soda Rock Diner, South Yarra Melbourne

Glad to have come across this little gem, I will visit each time i'm in Melbourne.

So i'm a little obsessed with the fifties...so what.

Big Bopper (the lot) - $10.95

Definitely value for money the burgers were huge, tasty but not the best..I'm still on the hunt for the best burger.

Strawberry Thick Shake $7.95

It all came down to this pretty pink number and it's what's gonna keep me comin back.

Check the out [here]

Betty Jane x

Belgious Ice Cream - Barcelona, Spain

An ice cream a day keeps the doctor away..right? 

What a fab little gem we stumbled across the night before we left barcelona! why is life so cruel? best ice cream you will ever taste and its organic too. The trick is to get two flavours that compliment each other so don't just pick your two favourite flavours, be adventurous and try something we don't have at home. Go on..I dare you to try their indian curry flavour ;p

Make sure you stop by and have a little scoop of heaven. 

Check them out [here]

Betty Jane x

Seafood Lover's Heaven - La Paradeta - Barcelona, Spain

This place was kinda like eating at the Sydney fish markets..but not if you know what I mean. You pick your seafood and they'll cook it for you. When they call your number you simply pick it up from the window, its as easy as one, two, three! Did I say the prices were affordable for freshly cooked seafood? Be sure to get there early and line up as the queue gets pretty long.

Time to pick our victims, everything is sold as it were at the fish market. 

Sending our seafood (victims) away to the kitchen to be cooked

Oysters

Crabs

So tedious to eat, yet so tasty. I stick to the claw.

Mussels

Cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

Razor clams

Lobsters to end the night.

Check them out if you love seafood [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

Organic Catalin Cuisine at it's Best - La Llavor dels Orígens - Barcelona, Spain

Authentic Catalan Cuisine! Amazing and amazing, I think we almost ate the place down. There was no room left for dessert cause everything else was good and all I remember was plates coming and empty plates piling up. Best place I've eaten in Barcelona and it didn't even break my bank..you know what that means, more €€€ for GELATO! ;D. Did I ention its all organic too?

"Coca" with Duck and Figs - 5,40€

This dish was my favourite! Super soft pulled duck, with the sweetness of the caramelised figs and onions. Drools!

Meatballs with Mushrooms - 7,97€

Duck with Pears - 7,97€

The duck was a little dry but at least the flavour was nice.

Pear and Walnut Salad

I am not really into fruits in my salad, tis salad changed my mind. This is now one of my favourite summer salads.

Baked Rabbit with Rosemary - 7,97€

Rabbit is such a lean meat I find it hard to enjoy, they made up for it here with the flavours. 

Octopus with Onion - 8,45€

Wild Boar Stew - 9,20€

One of the best wild boar dishes I have had, so hearty but not heavy.

Lamb with Rosemary, Lemon, Honey and Chives - 9,40€

Can't go wrong with lamb.

Stuffed Squid - 8,60€

This beautifully stuffed squid was so moist. Being able to dip it into the catalan wine sauce it was served with definitely enhanced he flavours.

Buuuuurp! Very satisfied..

Make sure you eat here if your in town, you won't be disappointed

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Off to get gelato now. Enjoy

Betty Jane x