Rupert’s unsuccessful stair training attempt.
Masterchef Memories
Today I had the absolute privilege of meeting one of Masterchef Australias favorite – and most talented – contestants, Alvin Quah. Alvin is back in South Africa after his recent visit for the Good Food and Wine show.
The day started off fairly badly, and for a few hours I thought we weren’t goig to make it to the stunning Pick n Pay Good Food Studio. For those of you who live in Joburg, you will know what I am talking about she I say that the second it rains, we turn into absolute road idiots. Murphys law, the heavens opened last night, and the roads this morning was absolute carnage. It took two hours to arrive at the venue, but it was worth every second stuck in bad traffic.
I said to someone afterwards that even if Alvin had demonstrated how to open up a tin of dog food, I would have been absolutely enthralled. He is totally endearing, witty and personable, and at the end of his demonstration, he had the entire audience wrapped around his little finger.
Avin taught us how to make 3 dishes – starting off with a Bruised Salad, a Kung Po Chicken and lastly, my favorite, a Buddahs GardenSsalad. If you give me some money ask me very nicely, I may just share the recipes.
Despite the hefty price tag of R500, I even bought the Master Chef cookbook which is not yet available in this country. A bit pricey for a cookbook, seeing as I have the iPad app which I bought for several dollars, but this is Alvin, c’mon!
After the cooking demo, Alvin chatted about some of his favorite South African foods, including ‘Bunny Chow’ which he initially thought was a rabbit dish, as well as ‘potpie’, kudu and boerewors.
I also had the pleasure of meeting a few Twitter friends – namely the foodie babe @MegPascoe, a fellow Kate @Kate_Elsand the fabulous @GourmetGuys
Alvin will be demonstrating for a few more days at the Good Food Studio, and I highly recommend attending one of his talks – you will come away inspired, enthralled, and a little bit hungry.
#noworkwednesday
Yesterday, I found myself between jobs. Nothing too dramatic but a long story none the less, and one that I only wish to get into in a few weeks time.
This leads to me to my current situation, which is I now have a full 15 days of leisure time before my next adventure begins. Let me just add that 15 days is possibly the longest amount I have had off since I was in high school er, a few years back.
Once the intitail shock and bewilderment had set in, I began to realise that this was such a blessing in disguise, and the timing couldn’t have been better. We recently got a puppy ( see my first post an insert ‘aah’) and the thought of leaving him alone every day while I went to work has been devastating. I can now spend 2 weeks with the guy helping him to adjust.
Apart from that, I have out together a list of sorts, of things to do during my 2 week ‘staycation’ :
– start a new exercise routine from a Woman’s Health book I bought several months ago, which up until now has been doubling up as a coffee mat
– Get started on my Christmas shopping
– Renew my passport (just incase I’m surprised with a overseas vaycay – hint hint boyfriend)
– Start painting again
– Go to lunch with all my stay at home friends
– Nap. This one has me really excited
Not to get ahead of myself, I feel it may be best to stop right here. I’m off to the gym.
Here I go…
My fingers have been hovering over my keyboard in preparation of writing my first post, since about 9 am. (Don’t tell my boss). This is quite daunting actually – for someone who enjoys nothing more than a good cynical rant, bitch or moan, or to talk about current events, interesting titbits and what not, the thought of doing it in over 14o characters ala Twitter style truly has me stumped.
My name is Kate, this is my blog – it will (hopefully) be an extension of me and my thoughts. Sometimes irrelevant, more than likely fairly annoying, but mostly sarcastic, witty and insulting to more than one individual.
Enjoy.
PS – for my first daily dose of cute, here is a photo of my brand new Boston Terrier puppy, Rupert.
