A Very Special Lunch

Today I had the most amazing day.  I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with Annabel enjoying a lunch that was so delicious and in a setting that was so intimate, I felt that I had to keep reminding myself that I was actually here, having lunch sitting opposite my food idol!

It all started a couple of weeks ago when I received an email from Jane Binsey asking if I was "the lovely Catherine who writes the My journey with Annabel blog".  After a couple of email exchanges and blessing from the best boss in the world to have the day off, I had an invitation to attend a lunch at Albert Street Food & Wine in Brunswick.  This event was part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and was sponsored by a number of New Zealand producers and presented by Annabel and Philippa Sibley.

So apart from sitting opposite Annabel and chatting with her, I met some amazing people and enjoyed the most magnificent food.  I felt no shame in taking a few photos of the beautiful lunch I experienced because I wanted to share with anyone who is interested!

Our entrée we shared between two and had a sample of both the Beetroot, upland cress and goats cheese salad (Annabel's) and the Zucchini flower stuffed with prawns a' la Grecque (Philippa's). So delicious!  The goats cheese was so creamy and the addition of walnuts gave it a crunch that was just perfect.  The stuffed zucchini flowers were magnificent, incredibly creamy inside and crisp on the outside.

We then had a tough choice to make between three gorgeous sounding mains

• King Salmon, pesto, pomme Anna and braised lemon fennel (Annabel's)
• Brined and grilled free range chicken with ancient rice (Annabel's)
• Slow roasted lamb, melted tomatoes, olives on white polenta (Philippa's)

I chose the lamb and, oh my goodness, it was melt in the mouth!  I enjoyed every mouthful of this dish.  So much so that I didn't want it to end!

After the amazing main course, Annabel got up and spoke briefly to the group of people in the restaurant next to the private dining table where we were seated.  I don't think I could tire of hearing Annabel talk about her amazing life!  This is the third time I've been lucky enough to meet Annabel and what I take away every time is how genuine she is and how her love of cooking is such a constant in her life.  I love that she enjoys cooking to make people happy, this I can totally relate to and what is amazing to me is that when I started this blog it was all about the recipes.  Now I feel that it's all about the person.  Annabel is a true inspiration.

After Annabel had her chat and did some book signings she returned to our table in time for dessert.  Here we had a choice of three (tough decision to make!):

• Flourless chocolate cake with lemon ginger ice cream (Annabel's)
• Meyer lemon tart (Phillippa's)
• Rose geranium pannacotta with blackberries and figs (Phillippa's)

I went with the geranium pannacotta and it didn't disappoint!  So amazingly smooth and the blackberries and fig went with the pannacotta perfectly.  The menu didn't say but there was also a semi freddo/ice-cream with this dish which was absolutely gorgeous.




 The wine was supplied by Allan Scott Family Winemakers and complimented the food beautifully.
I had a glass of Allan Scott 2012 Sauvignon Blanc with entree, and a Alan Scott 2009 Pinot Noir with the main which I thoroughly enjoyed (if only I'd got a taxi there!).  After dessert we were bought a delicious spritzer made with Alan Scott Sparkling Sauvignon.  This is a recipe in Annabel's Simple Pleasures book.  The oranges are Vin d'orange.  The recipe has the orange slices bottled with a vanilla pod, caster sugar, rose' or riesling, vodka and left to mature for 6 weeks.  On a hot day like today I could have downed a couple of these easily but as I had to drive home I savored a few delicious sips and had to sadly leave the rest.

What a lucky girl I was.  I still am feeling like I'm on cloud nine!  I will relive this afternoon a million times over and know that it will get better and better each time I talk about it and will be a lasting memory always.

I can't thank Annabel enough for allowing a simple working mum like me, who just happens to like cooking, taking photos and sharing it on a blog to experience a day like today.  I am very grateful.

Catherine