Heinz Beck Masterclass at Caffe Sicilia, Surry Hills (1 Dec 2012)

628 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 

http://www.caffesicilia.com.au

Three Michelin Star chef

Thanks to George Redmond from Wasamedia for inviting me along to the Heinz Beck masterclass held at Caffe Sicilia. To be honest the only Heinz I knew before the day was the canned variety. Due to restriction of time and space in the kitchen it was more a cooking demonstration and tasting of the dishes rather than a hands on class. The kitchen was quite narrow it wasn't practical for everyone to actually get close enough to see what was happening but the tasting of the dishes was my favourite part. I was happy enough to just stand back to photograph the food bloggers photographing Heinz which is always fun. The first dish was a savoury Sedanini 'De Cecco' with red shrimps, smoked aubergine coulis and croutons. The pasta was perfectly al dente for me and the flavour combination very enjoyable. I like the added crunch from the croutons sprinkled on top and could have happily eaten another serving. For dessert the Orange jelly with bergamot ice cream and edible flowers was a hit with everyone. Great presentation with lovely flavours and the interesting basil puree worked so nicely in the dish. The homemade ice cream was silky smooth. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to visit his three michelin-starred restaurant La Pergola in Rome but I'm glad I had the chance to meet the very down-to-earth and passionate chef and enjoy a couple of his dishes.

Other food blog reviews:

• Eat, Show & Tell — includes dessert recipe

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Sampling dishes created by a three-michelin starred chef who's passionate about using seasonal produce

CONS: Not much space in the kitchen to watch the cooking but I was more than happy to just taste and appreciate the final dishes

MUST TRY: Visiting La Pergola in Rome one day

VERDICT: Was a good opportunity to see a top chef in action and get to ask him questions about his cooking career

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Sedanini 'De Cecco' with red shrimps, smoked aubergine coulis and croutons

Orange jelly with bergamot ice cream and edible flowers

Not much room to swing a cat in this kitchen — let alone fit a few food bloggers with their DSLR cameras

Plating up the Sedanini 'De Cecco'

Heinz loves talking about food

Plating up Orange jelly with bergamot ice cream and edible flowers

Chef meets food blogger

Heinz kindly writes out the dish descriptions

Love a good reflection shot

Heinz Beck and me

Would have loved to try this special dinner

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Helm Bar: Cocktail tasting blogger event, Darling Harbour (24 Mar 2012)

Aquarium Wharf, Wheat Road, Darling Harbour NSW 2000

http://helmbar.com.au

Cocktails & Bloggers Ahoy!

Thanks to George Redmond from Wasamedia for inviting me along to a cocktail making and tasting blogger event at Helm Bar which is located in a prime location for attracting tourists around Darling Harbour. I learnt three things on the day — firstly, my PR contact George was actually a woman — secondly, it’s interesting taking photos of people taking photos — and finally, Helm Bar had an interesting repertoire of cocktails that were different from just the usual classics. Also I reckon Terry Durack would have had a chuckle seeing so many FABs (Female Asian Bloggers) today — the term he mentions in his Jamie's Italian review. From the description I thought it was going to be partly a cocktail making class where we actually got to make the cocktails ourselves but this task was left in the good hands of our competent bartender Matt so it was more a tasting class. The Espresso Martini ($17) was justified at around 11 am due to containing coffee — which was also supported by Smirnoff Vodka, Tuaca and Kahlua. Nice balance of flavours for those missing their caffeine hit and needing the hair of the dog. The Senorita Margarita ($16) was very limey for me and unfortunately the sampler didn't have a salted rim although I've never been a fan of margaritas so I didn't mind. I'm not a bit fan of cocktails with tequila or salt for that matter except the taste of olives in a martini. I'm suspecting margaritas are an acquired taste for me.

For those not adverse to a bit of heat the Sexy Saint ($18) with St Germain liquor shaken vigorously with a mix of chilli, lemon juice & honey set my taste buds alive. I didn't mind the chilli although I'm not sure if I could have finished a whole one. The Ginny Hendricks ($18) sounded like my kind of cocktail with Hendricks gin & Aperol, muddled with cucumber, lime juice & sugar syrup, strained & topped with ruby red grapefruit juice. It had refreshing flavours although I think I needed more than a little taste test to fully appreciate the overall balance of flavours in the cocktail. The Oriental Sweet Tart ($17) had potential with Plymouth Gin, lychee & pear liqueur but I found the orgeat syrup overpowered the cocktail just a bit too much with the almond flavour for my liking. The final Mystery Cocktail prepared was not yet on the menu as they're still wanting to find a name for it. Mixed with Disaronno, Citrus Vodka, lime and passionfruit it looked pretty good served in a tall glass. I was thinking 'Pash Me Now' or perhaps even 'Pash Me After' once you've had one.

After the sampling of cocktails it was time for lunch with platters of assorted food coming out in plentiful supply — I'm sure everyone was full to the rafters with the generosity. My favourites were the tasty duck pancakes, crispy tempura prawns even though a little oily and the carved steak platter which I didn't think needed the scattering of fries over it as part of the presentation, but loved its flavour and tenderness. The only thing missing to complete the lunch was a cocktail of choice, bottle of wine or even jug of soft drink to share on the table to help wash all the food down. With plenty of seating, covered alfresco views of Darling Harbour and weekly specials priced to please it seems Helm Bar is geared to attract the hungry and thirsty tourist or even after work city local looking for a place to catch up with friends. It's probably a bit off the beaten track for me but if I'm in the area again I might be tempted to explore more of the cocktail menu.

Other visits to Helm Bar:

• 24 Mar 2012 - Cocktail tasting blogger event

• 16 Apr 2010 - Drinks

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Water views, Interesting cocktail menu, Plenty of seating, Bistro menu seems reasonably priced

CONS: Only small tastings today but a cocktail is best fully appreciated drinking as a whole from the correct serving glass, Drinking before 12 noon might be frowned upon by some

MUST TRY: Espresso martini for the caffeine addict, Ginny Hendricks for the gin lover, Visit on Tuesday for $7 cocktails all day

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Meet Matt the bartender

Espresso Martini: A good old serving of the daily grind with Smirnoff Vodka, Tuaca and Kahlua ($17)

Senorita Margarita: Jose Cuervo Traditional & St Germain Elderflower Liqueur shaken with lemons, limes & a dash of agave nectar served straight up or on the rocks with salt ($16)

Sexy Saint: St Germain liquor shaken vigorously with a mix of chilli, lemon juice & honey ($18)

Ginny Hendricks: Hendricks gin & Aperol, muddled with cucumber, lime juice & sugar syrup, strained & topped with ruby red grapefruit juice ($18)

Oriental Sweet Tart: Plymouth Gin, lychee & pear liqueur with a balanced serving of lemon juice and orgeat syrup, shaken & served low ($17)

Name this cocktail — how about 'Pash Me Now' or 'Pash Me After'

Antipasto platter with Peking duck pancakes

Tempura Prawns w/ soy & wasabi mayonnaise

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Chicken Chimichanga w/ spiced avocado

Wedges w/Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream

Garlic bread

Fish of the Day (Salmon) w/Crushed Kipfler Potatoes, Fennel Olive and Chilli Salsa (Tasting Size)

Scotch Fillet w/ Cafe de Paris Butter (Sliced)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Sichuan Salt & Pepper Calamari w/ thai dipping sauce

WORTH TRYING :-)

Lunch time views

Time for cocktail sampling

Photographers in action

The lengths bloggers will go to get their shot

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Balcony seating

Weekly specials

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