Writer, Eater
The most impressive book on macarons is now in English! Pierre Hermé's 2008 French book "Macaron" is out this month in English.
Last minute book gift ideas on The Gastronomer's Bookshelf
If you're stuck for present ideas, or end up with some gift vouchers for Christmas, have a look at the list of book ideas I put together on The Gastronomer's Bookshelf in our 2010 Year-end feature. And of course, there are heaps of reviews on the site to whet your appetite as well.
Beef short ribs cause ecstacy
Last year I came across a recipe for Korean-style oven-browned short ribs in one of my favourite meat books. It sounded very tasty, braising tasty beef with ginger, garlic and other flavourings to produce something deeply delicious. The outcome was nothing short of heaven. Fatty heaven, but heaven nonetheless. If you haven't cooked beef this way, I highly recommend it.
Great culinary book reviews
Have you seen the latest reviews (Rose's Heavenly Cakes, Momofuku, Adventures with Chocolate, and more) or my detailed feature Where Are The Good Meat Books? Read them on The Gastronomer's Bookshelf
Book giveaway – Momofuku
The Gastronomer's Bookshelf is giving away a copy of Momofuku (which looks like a swear word but is in fact a popular New York restaurant).
TASTY PRESERVES
Can the honest reputation of foodblogs survive the PR-foodblogger relationship?
It seems foodblogging has matured far enough to be entwined in a pretty tiresome game of cat and mouse with restaurateurs and public relations (PR) companies, egos, money and more. It's worth contemplating what the fallout will be. This article has been brewing for a few months, as I tried to reconcile my opinions about freedoms, community, advertising and blogging with some of the changes that have been happening in Melbourne's foodblogosphere.
Read more Sun 17 Oct, 2010Daring Bakers: éclairs
Another month has flown by and it's time for the August Daring Bakers' Challenge. Pierre Hermé's chocolate éclairs were flavour of the month (from his Chocolate Desserts book with Dorie Greenspan). I love éclairs but rarely eat them. Often they're a bit rubbery after...
Read more Sun 31 Aug, 2008Michel Cluizel's Chocolatrium
I've never been to a chocolate factory. I've long dreamt of bathing in couverture, taking illicit bites of bonbons on the production line, and other interesting fantasy activities. Even in a chocoland like France it's almost impossible to come close to such an...
Read more Thu 18 Jun, 2009A personal perspective on binge-drinking and social policy on alcohol
The New Prohibition. Australia's battle against alcoholism, especially under-age and binge drinking, has been in the spotlight over the last weeks. Proposed solutions have been stronger penalties for supplying alcohol to...
Read more Fri 18 Apr, 2008Mainstream and new media incompatible? (or: Does The Age Epicure censor bloggers?)
The relationship between mainstream media publications and the online world is strange in Australia. A new media of blogs, independent commentators, expert forums and the like has burgeoned in cyberspace. Despite this, the mainstream media is often strikingly silent about the new media contribution to knowledge and debate. The food community online knows only too well in what poor regard they're held by some. Perhaps it's time to consider the threat it poses to old media interests.
Read more Wed 18 Jun, 2008
