thanks

A quick thank you to all those wonderful Melbourne Bloggers who ventured out to the rather chilly Slow Food Market and Lentil As Anything for a lively gathering yesterday.

There was a massive turnout, I forgot to do a head count but we had commandeered 4 tables in the end. While I was a little disappointed the LAA had changed since my last visit, throwing away the fine little menu with tofu burgers and the like, replacing them with a selection of help yourself dishes – the vegan delights were deliciously warming. Conversation flowed easily and whenever I looked down the table I saw smiles and animated discussions.

Once the plates had been finished a dozen or more of us headed over to Handsome Steve’s for some fortification to ward of the chills. The amicable Steve provided much needed warmth and beverages, that kept some diehards entertained for a further couple of hours.

Good to see you all. Hope that it has broken down a few barriers and created further connections in this corner of the blogging world.


Slow Food Market at The Convent: Nettle season - nothing like a little rubifacient on a winter's day

blog meet reminder

Just before I pop out for a long weekend on a wet windy island (thanks so much Rita and everyone who has contributed to our itinerary it is much appreciated), a timely reminder that the Meatless Blog meet draws ever closer. Just 8 days away in fact.

Date: Saturday 26th July
Time: 12.30
Place: Lentil as Anythings @ The Convent, Abbotsford and afterwards at Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment.

If you have ever felt a little daunted by the idea of providing a dish for a group of people obsessed about food - this is the food bloggers meet up for you! Simple vegetarian fare as cheap as you'd like it to be, while supporting the refugee community at the same time.

At the moment there are 12-14 people who've said they will turn up. We can't book but there are a variety of seating options we can pile around. Some of us will be very punctual.

Check back in next week for any other means we have to signal who we are.

the meatless blog meet

I’ve been fortunate to have broken bread with a few local food bloggers of late. What is not to like in a fellow home cook who feels passionate about legumes and other such wondrous things? Over summer Ed from Tomato and I had planned to arrange a North of the Yarra meet up, you know something simple like a picnic in the gardens. We blinked and now it is winter so there is a slight revision of plans.

With a bit of a genius twist on a debate Ed’s had about “foodies” (or rather “anti-foodies”) we’ve have devised a simple plan to catch up in a venue that epitomises the opposite of food snobbery. No chefs table here, nor fine wines or wagyu – this is the Meatless Blog Meet.

Date: Saturday 26th July
Time: 12.30
Place: Lentil as Anythings @ The Convent, Abbotsford and afterwards at Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment.

For those unfamiliar with Lentil as Anything it is a unique not for profit community restaurant, where customers pay what they feel the food is worth. It is funny watching people come to grips with the concept the first time around, actually it shouldn’t be humorous to watch patrons become distressed at not being told what to pay – but it is. What is more, LAA supports refugees, new migrants, people with disabilities and the like with its non-discriminatory employment at its five sites.

Oh and it is also vegetarian.

So if you are free for some very pleasing food on the 26th of next month, or thinking of catching the Slow Food Market in July then let us know to keep an eye for you. If you are running late or just want a coffee, juice or beer - catch up around the corner and upstairs at Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment, an equally quirky Convent establishment. Steve writes “You won't find eggs, 'cooked to your liking', skinny lattes, wraps, low fat muffins or light beer. It's S for Salt, F for Fat, S for Sugar, C for Caffeine and A for Alcohol. Now these foundation stones come in different shapes and sizes and may have never met, but they'll make you'll feel a lot happier than having a yo-yo biscuit for a friend.”.

All welcome (carnivores, partners, small creatures – or not, as you desire).