Picked up a big chunk of the rarest cheese on the planet for a party we throwing at our house tomorrow night, the Cwmglyn Farmhouse Cheese “Isobel”, a Single-Cow Cheese! Pronounced coom-glin http://www.cwmglyn.co.nz this has to be the best cheese in all New Zealand and right up there in the world stage, having just won a Super Gold Award in the Fine Food World Festival in London–out of 2600 artisan cheeses, making it in to the Top 60 for the trophy tastings–bloody awesome effort! Check out the website www.finefoodworld.co.uk/world-cheese-awards.

Its wee bit of a drive to Eketahuna to Biddy’s ‘Cheese Door’, the only place you can get it retail, although if you ask very nicely at her restaurant supplier, On Trays, http://www.ontrays.co.nz/ in Petone, you might score a piece. Otherwise, makes sure you leave room for cheese if you’re dining at Logan-Brown…yes folks, all happening in Wellington, New Zealand, Middle of Middle Earth.

Full article in the wings…

Cheers

Curtis

Chatting with my American friend yesterday on the ritual of Thanksgiving, I asked her if Goose was ever on the menu for Thanksgiving. She looked at me in bemusement, “Oh no, that’s very English, we don’t do Goose”. Curious I thought, given Thanksgiving is rooted in English tradition and Henry VIII, a man who sure knew how to celebrate – marriages and redefining the Church – would be perplexed at this denial of ancestry. Read More >

It’s the Pōhutukawa tree that does it for me… our very own Christmas Tree

Where else on the planet would there be a tree that speaks to me, and understands I have been 28 years at sea.

I thought I was destined to roam, but as it turned out I found my way home.

To Wellington, the great harbour of Tara, but also named after our past master.

A town named after a Duke that would make most Kiwi’s puke, but never mind, its a ship of line that our character is defined.

And I did my time here in my youth, and some would say I was a touch uncouth, and that’s probably the truth.

Actually, it’s the garage beer that brings me here, a beverage I would like to be near.

They call it Wellywood, but my purpose for being here is little understood.

I should really live in New York as my wife is a banker, and she’s the anchor.

But what sort of tree would I talk to in New York… I think I’d rather shake hands with an Ork.

No, it’s the Pōhutukawa tree with its stamen bright, surely the future is in sight.

You know everything is all right, when I drive around Oriental Bay in the twilight.

And when I look at my daughter, and I see her shine, I know that coming back to New Zealand was always in my mind.

Wishing you all the very best for the festive season

The Wandering Palate

Just love the card my daughter gave me for my birthday…