Good Food Month – Yotam Ottolenghi Brunch
“Brunch, for me, is an extended breakfast that should be enjoyed whenever you have time properly to engage in cooking and eating.” – Yotam Ottolenghi
November marks the month of food. The Age’s Good Food Month, presented by Citi, is part of Australia’s largest food festival. With lots of events around the country, there are a series of venue-based events and offers. You can get the full program here: melbourne.goodfoodmonth.com
Some good karma came my way, when I was offered a ticket to the sold out Mediterranean Brunch with Yotam Ottolenghi, Shane Delia and Karen Martini. With 450 guests all there to see the masterful Israeli chef, and indulge in a brunch by two local well known and respected chefs, I couldn’t believe my luck. Oh and then there was the part where I got to interview him, along with Dani Venn (ex Masterchef), before the swarms of fans arrived. That post will be up shortly 🙂
Set in South Wharf’s newest event venue, Aerial; the queues snaked further than the eye could see to get in the door. Before long, we were all seated (once lots of people had successfully secured a selfie with the man of the hour) and enjoyed the Mediterranean delights from the three chefs.
Confession time; I forgot to photograph most of Shane Delia’s food as I was in the moment and enjoying the food waaaay too much. It’s such a shame really, as his dishes were just sensational.
Yotam Ottolenghi Brunch
Shane Delia Hand made Turkish bread Fresh ricotta, organic tahini, carob molasses Olives rolled in fel fel Pumpkin & cinnamon hummus, chicken, smoked Aleppo pepper, cashew Braised beans and saffron, Lebanese sausage, sumac hobez Karen Martini Spiced saffron scones with a date lemon preserve & an orange blossom labneh Sumac potatoes with cornichons, fresh herbs, crème fraiche, fried quail eggs & pickled veal tongue Lamb & almond mini pastry Yotam Ottolenghi Tomato & roasted lemon salad Crushed puy lentils, tahini & cumin Cauliflower cakes with salbitxada sauce Banana bread with tahini and honeycomb
Stand out dishes for me were Shane Delia’s pumpkin and cinnamon hummus, which Yotam said he also loved, despite being a slight purist when it comes to hummus. I also loved the braised beans with Lebanese sausage by Shane.
Karen’s potatoes with pickled veal tongue was delicious, along with her soft saffron scones.
Yotam’s dishes from his new cookbook were all fantastic. I loved the tartness of the tomato and roasted lemon salad, but I love, love, loved, the sweet, saltiness of the banana bread with tahini and honeycomb <3
I’m off to try and make some friands from his new book, Plenty More. Stay tuned for the interview that I was lucky enough to do 🙂
Thank you once again to Haystac and Citi for this incredible opportunity 🙂
Iron Chef Shellie attended the Yotam Ottolenghi Brunch thanks to Haystac and Citi.
Lizzy (Good Things)
Wow, you were very lucky indeed to be hosted for this event! The Sydney one was great too.
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
STUNNING photos as always and I am SO SO SO jealous that you go to dine with the one and only Ottolenghi and try his dishes because usually we’d have to catch a plane to London before we can try 🙂 Think I’m going to put his book on my Christmas wish list!
Gourmet Getaways
What an eventful opportunity you got, Shellie! And look at all the food!!!
Gourmet Getaways xx
Keren @ Just One More Spoon
Amazing view! I love Yotam Ottolengh!!! Sounds like you had a marvellous time there Shellie.
Tania @My Kitchen stories
Mega exciting….and all before lunch time. Cant wait for your interview
Cara @ Gourmet Chick
Gorgeous pics – takes me straight back to that amazing food. Weren’t we both lucky ducks? Such a treat to taste a menu created by three such fabulous chefs. I think we have a few of the same favourites.
Ling
Loving the sound of this pumpkin and cinnamon hommus.
Off to google and i’m glad you were able to attend!