Dear Eating with Jack

Firstly, lets be clear. I miss you and I'm sorry.

Sorry for the very silent neglect of the last two months and the general neglect last year of delayed posts and hollow promises. I've had a bit on, a bit too much actually, hence you have suffered.

You would be relived to know that I still behave like a dedicated blogger, I still photograph pretty much all my meals (the 700 food images on my iPhone will attest to that), I plan blog posts that never get written -or at least published- and I of course, am just as committed to food and what I put in my mouth than ever, maybe more so than ever actually.

I've also been thinking more deeply about what this blog means to me; from when I started it in 2006, to last year, to today and for the year ahead, and I have decided that I want to continue with this.

I love the commitment, the pride in my work, the sense of achievement that is mine alone, and most importantly a record of my everyday life and thoughts. Lately these have been mostly consumed by your evil social media sibling twitter but some things, actually most things, can't be communicated in 140 characters no matter how pithy and clever I try to be.

Soon, hopefully very soon, I will be able to share what has been stealing my time away, but at this stage lets just say that it will be the biggest life change I have ever experienced, and that's saying something for someone that has still written here just as diligently through a tough period of redundancy, then self employment and personal events like my Fancy Party (read wedding) and many big overseas adventures.

Things have changed before and I have still happily posted away, yet this time things are different and to be honest I am hoping to find the stability I need to balance all of this but at this stage I need to reassure you that I am here, I care, and I miss you.

I can say that I will have a more expanded online presence next year, a new website, blog and twitter account too, but they will be more like work, I promise you Eating with Jack, you will still be the fun one, the one were I will continue to be a little political if I want to, or really just totally myself, no guard on.

So with that, I hope we can be friends again. I do solemnly swear to be more loyal and write more often.

xx

Jackie

Julie and Julia, and boeuf bourguignon

Any self respecting food blogger knows all about the ones that 'come good'; the bloggers that go on to write about their love of food and actually get paid for the passion.


I've have books by Clotilde, David, Adam and Pim (and Steve, though not strictly a food blogger), I read the mainstream media articles written by local bloggers and cheer on our community's victorious moments at regular get togethers.

So it's with the same interest that I keenly accepted an invitation to the latest instalment of these victories; a food bloggers story being made into a book, that then gets made into a movie...

No doubt, I am the marketing trifecta when it comes to the Julie and Julia movie.
Chick - check.
Foodie - check.
Blogger - check.

So I guess I was destined to love it and I did... well actually I loved it more when I, as a good blogger, (not one of those naughty, unresearching ones that all the boring people talk about) did my due diligence looking at examples of both Julie and Julia's work. Initially, watching Meryl Streep play Julia Child all I could see was a frumpy version of the Devil not wearing Prada, and then that thought morphed into an annoying drunk drag queen that likes to grunt. I was disappointed by her strange acting...UNTIL I watched this and this and this. Now I think Meryl is a genius, close to the god like status Dan Aykroyd has in his interpretation but you'll need to see the film for that clip!

I was fortunate enough to watch the film in the luxury of a big fat lazyboy style arm chair while eating Julia Childs recipe for boeuf bourguignon with creamy mash and sipping Red Claw Shiraz. You can to with a special deal at Victoria Village Gold Class, check it out here.

If you are even half as keen as me when it comes to foodie things, I know you will enjoy it immensely. I think I need to see it again just to pull out all my favourite quotes and scenes... who doesn't remember with excitement their first comment?

A clean slate is in order - Amnesty week

I've had a bit of a busy few... well, months.

Eating with Jack has suffered, Twitter has flourished. The immediate satisfaction of tweets has nothing but increased my guilt in lack of quality posts. I think about them, photograph then, even mostly write them; just don't publish them.

Well in an effort to alleviate my continued avoidance of EwJ, due to the post that I 'should' be finishing first, I wish to ask for amnesty. And welcome you to join me, post those stories you haven't quite finished; just the images, list the important bits in point form, do whatever it takes, just get the bloody things up so you/we can all move on.

Otherwise twitter will continue to get busier and our blogs will get quieter.

I pledge posts from Hong Kong, from Sydney, some local food scene banter, a pretty produce picture or two, and even some very belated recipes -some that are so out of season that they are nearly in season again.

Starts tomorrow, now for another few hours of procrastination... see you on Twitter!

Melbourne Food Bloggers Barbie

If you haven't already heard, Duncan, Sarah and Thanh have organised a bit of a barbie and get together for local food bloggers.

You can read all of the details here, let us know if your coming and make first dibs of what food you will be bring to share. I'm making some Thai style fish cakes with a knock-your-socks-off dipping sauce.

So don't be shy, if you have a food blog and are up for a chat, come a long and meet us. We don't bite, or at least on Saturdays!

Australian Food Twitterers?

I've decided that I need to become a bit more techi. There is an expectation when you have a blog that you actually understand how all this stuff works, I don't, I just love food but have decided that I should give twittering a go.

So as they ask, what am I doing now?

Have a look at the column to the right of this, and have a look.

Apparently it's addictive but I'm not in the habit yet to send in my moment by moment food experiences. I've noticed that other international food bloggers are uploading 'what am I doing now's' every few hours!

I'm yet to find other Australian food twitterers.
If you're one, say hi and I'll follow your every meal... perhaps maybe I am addicted!

Laughing out loud

This article on the Guardians Word of Mouth blog about the changes to Cadbury's mixed chocolate box has had me laughing out loud.

And then I remembered my impassioned despair a few years ago, learning that Allens were no longer making Kool Chocs (yes the 'Fruits' use to have siblings).
I rarely eat lollies but Kool Chocs got me through Uni and were a nostaligic treat, yes I was as the Guardian article quotes, BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED (capitals are necessary for dramatic effect...).

Any favourites you've missed recently? Are you bitterly disappointed?

2009, the year of more voices

2008 was (I should be writing is, but it feels so over already) an exciting year for me and Eating with Jack. We have grown together and I have have never been prouder.
There are some interesting projects on the horizon for my little addictive hobby that I hope to be able to share soon, but in a larger Melbourne sense this coming year will be quite interesting.

As no doubt you have read across a multiple of Melbourne bloggers, that the editors of The Age Good Food Guide and writers and reviewers for The Age, in Epicure and other sections have resigned to move to The Australian newspaper.

This strikes me as a huge coup for The Australian, and it must be a pretty sweet deal for John and Necia. But the thing that I think is the sweetest, is the opening and changes to happen in our food reading opportunities and what that will mean for food bloggers, and in fact all Melbourne foodies.

I can only assume that the Australian is trying to secure a little of the Melbourne food reading public, and I guess a restaurant review book must be part of the deal (why would you take new roles, lesser than your current deal?).
Obviously, The Age will replace these writers and readers will get to know new reviewers and/or go searching at The Australian for something more familiar or even perhaps look around for other voices - this is where bloggers come into it.
Google is the tool of choice now days for finding anything online and as we all know blogs are pretty powerful when compared to other websites. I anticipate the shakeup will mean a broader readership as people readjust, search for identifiable and trusted food writers, blogs no doubt will benefit.
So keep your fingers warm, and keyboard clicking away, an opportunity to attract a new group of eager readers awaits.

As for Ed's speculation about Jill and Terry, oh please bring them back to us (they were in town recently 'visiting Mum'), but how can we in little old Melbourne town compete with what seems like the ultimate international lifestyle in London?
Matt Preston, apparently no longer with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, seems like a likely person to step up?

In other food news, I hear that "every chef in Australia" has applied for roles with Masterchef Australia -presumably as judges - shortlists are currently down to the last handful, so who will it be? Quietly I am pleased that the industry is supporting this program and lending it a good measure of credibility, to what seems like an adjusted format from the UK series.

So bring on the shake up, I'm looking forward to what eventuates and seeing a new round of Melbourne food writers and reviews on our pages and computer screens.

Thank you Clotilde

I receive the Chocolate and Zucchini newsletter and am an admirer of Clotilde's blog, so was interested in this video interview from her recent book tour through the US.



Apart from being inspired by seeing her speak and not just reading her, I loved the smart advise she offers about dining at french restaurants.

If I may, I'd like to suggest this also applies to Australian restaurants were, as Clotilde advises, you are entering what should be treated as an extension of the owners home, don't rearrange stuff or change things around, she likens it to going to the theatre.
I find that all too often restaurant experiences are altered for the worse by people that demand changes to menus, move furniture (then complain when waiters bump their chairs) and generally don't go with the flow like an invited guest. I guess the rule of thumb for me is if the experience is not right then leave with the realisation that its not for you, don't go trying to change it to suit, I doubt you will ever be 100% happy with the result.

A hundred posts!

I am very proud to share that this is my 100th post. Yipee!
I started Eating with Jack on a whim late one evening in November 2006, and didn't really think too much about it again until I attended the Melbourne Food and Wine Festivals Out of the Frying Pan in March 2007. This was where for the first time to my ears, blogs and bloggers were spoken about by the 'serious people' in the traditional media. I thought to myself, well I have one of these, why don't I give it a good go... and well, here we are 100 posts later.

Perhaps it's just one of those things but since then, there seems to have been a building of talk about blogs, some good, some confused, some misguided and others just silly. Yet I have powered on, mostly with some anonymity, for the past year from anyone that knows me in real life. A privilege of not having to answer questions about the blog from foodie friends or be quoted back to myself... erhh!
But really its been an absolute blast, so thanks for coming along on this crazy addictive ride with me.

Here are some highlights.

My holiday last year to France and Spain and in particular -dining at Mugaritz.

"Vegetables, oven roasted and raw, sprouts and greens, wild and cultivated, seasoned with brown butter and dusted with seeds and petals. Emmental cheese generously seasoned."
A striking dish, that is served to the table without the broth of which is poured gently in front of you. The emmental broth is perfectly creamy milk in colour but it "blushed" with the movement of the baby beetroot underneath as I began to eat. Fresh, clean and the kind of perfect kitchen garden food that any restaurant would vie for the opportunity to serve..

Winning an experience with Gourmet Traveller magazine and spending two days in a Sydney studio with them.
Thanks to Menu for Hope, can't wait to donate again next year.

and a low-light.

Getting absolutely sick of figs while trying to feature them in a planned regular series, ‘My Pick’. I didn’t continue with the posts, as I didn’t want to taint myself away from other favourite produce…

There has been some funny moments, like my post on Percebes -which up until recently was one of my highest read posts -were a friendly reader alerted me to my dining error... hehehe

Slightly warm from being cooked, the flesh looks like a soft mushroom with a strange filament thing on top. The taste was quite intriguing, some what like a fresh briny oyster with the texture of a clam or mussel. The overriding memory is of a delicate fresh sea taste and trying not to get the squirty juices all over me.

From a commenter:

Oh no! You didnt eat the shell contents did you? Thats the sex organs and while it wont kill you it is a definite no no to eat them. You just eat the wobbly bit left when you twist off the leather covering on the leg. Getting squirted with seawater at the time, as you noticed!

And a funny image

Well, I only had to poke the worm a little to get him to run out of his delicious little apple hole...

And a great example of how blogs can bring ideas and knowledge of people together.

My piece on house filtered, carbonated water was based on an idea from London, developed (and implemented) in Melbourne and attracted comments from around the world.

I was truly impressed by the diverse knowledge base of Melbourne bloggers, when I was confused after dining at BBQ Pacific Cafe and they came through with the explanations.

Thanks for reading, I love being part of our 'little', world wide community of food friends and I look forward with anticipation of my next 100.
Cheers!

What does the 2008 Gourmet Traveller, 'Best New Talent' chef look for in a blog?

Hi Jackie

Just a quick note to say thankyou for the “dish of the month” write-up on your blog.

Its blogs like yours that give blogs a good name because of-

1. a great photo (I really like blogs but hate it when I see a crap photo of my food that makes it look awful….)

2. A clear understanding of food and what makes a great dish

3. A genuine passion for food and the industry (not a try hard fascination i.e. you live it as do I)

4. Perspective- being able to compare because you have invested your hard earned on travelling and eating out at great places

5. Support- You realise that we are all in this together i.e. Customer, Chef, Wait staff, Supplier, Restaurateur, Grower and we all have to push and try to be better if we want Melbourne to be taken as seriously as other food capitals around the world.

... [and other unrelated bits]...

Kind regards
Ben

Well I am more than a little flattered that Ben Shewry has taken time out of his busy day to be bothered reading my blog, let alone email me such a concise thank you.

I asked Ben if it would be okay to share this email, as I thought it was incredibly interesting from a bloggers perspective, what a key person in the industry thinks of blogs.

Personally, I share his thoughts, am very fussy about what I read online and read some sources for education and others just for entertainment.

Bens mention of support for the industry, is an inspiring concept that is indicative of the important links between all the players of the restaurant industry, including the diner. Of course, this also includes all styles of media that dine, and then write about their experience. Therefore we all have important input, into an industry we love.

So, I am now conscientious to keep my socks pulled up and my blog looking smart. What do you think?

Food Bloggers Banquet

This is already old news in the blogging community, where I think all attendees except me have posted on this get together... so here is my bit or was that bite??

Held at the St Kilda Vegout community gardens about 20 of us meet and shared dinner, food opinions, dining tips and in my case acquiring much needed blog advise.

I had the pleasure of meeting, Ed, Vida, Duncan, Sticky, Claire, Anna, Katie, Jamie, PG, Cindy, Josh, Elliot, Sarah, Thanh, Jon and a few blogging partners.

My contribution to the night was more in a support roll, I don't have the glory of the macaroons, the intensity of the secret sauce, the elegance of the barramundi or the will to get my fingers dirty and swish the dough (thanks Ed for making it and Katie for turning it into pizzas).

Apart from the macaroons that I should not continue to go on about, as I worry that Duncan will throw in the writing, for a career in macaroon making and we will miss his words... I have to say I ate (without even thinking...) a silk worm pupa. Googling this tonight after thinking about my dumb, eagerness to eat anything I stumbled across one of the funniest posts, which makes me feel even sillier for my dumb eagerness. Thanks Ed!

Not that I regret my dumb eagerness, I have never not eaten something offered to me (I only didn't eat the cockroaches in Asia, because I was unsure about the etiquette with the wings, to eat or not to eat??) And I have to admit my eagerness has gotten me in trouble before so I should be more aware, yet all I can say is they tasted nothing like chicken, more like a witchery grub in fish sauce!
Jack