Regency breakfast at Elizabeth Bay House. Photo Jacqui Newling © Sydney Living Museums
We recently hosted a Regency-style breakfast in the grand dining room at Elizabeth Bay House as a “money can’t buy” experience for the literacy charity, Room to Read. The offer included a personalised gastronomy-focused tour of the House followed by a breakfast which was based on the menu plan given to Maria Macarthur in 1812, Continue reading
Kangaroo steamer. Photo Jacqui Newling © Sydney Living Museums
But of all dishes ever brought to table, nothing equals that of the steamer. No one can tell what a steamer is unless it has been tasted: it indeed affords an excellent repast. Australia, Henry Melville, 1851.
Following Scott’s cry of Tallyho! last week, and the focus on wild game, we salute the kangaroo (yet again), colonial style. Continue reading
Winter medlars in the Vaucluse House kitchen garden. Photo © Sydney Living Museums
Long Life to that House on the Hill of Rouse! … for comfort peace and mirth,
…and oh the goodly Cream & Pies the Ham – the Fowls – the Custard,
The Rolls & Eggs – that cooked themselves – & don’t forget the Mustard
The Oranges & Marmalade – the Medlars & the damper…. Continue reading
'The Firepit', Jared Ingersoll barbecuing at the Hyde Park Barrack. Photo © Adrian Wiggins / Pure and Applied
Now that we’re expert in the fine art of roasting, lets try our hand at broiling! Continue reading
View of an 'Australian Kitchen' (detail) showing a bottle jack in use, in Mrs Isabella Beeton, Mrs Beeton's book of household management, London, circa 1880. Sydney Living Museums R89/80
During one of the floor talks for Eat Your History: a Shared Table a conversation started at the curio wall regarding a piece of kitchenalia you never see anymore, the bottle jack, and a very old question indeed: do you bake, or do you roast? Continue reading
A 'pink blancmange' created from resin by artist Janet Tavener, on the dining table at Rouse Hill House. Photo Scott Hill © Sydney Living Musuems
With the temperature dipping out at Rouse Hill we’re all rugging up and have started lighting the fire in the mornings to take the chill out of the office. Which naturally brings us to a discussion about ice, and a strawberry blancmange for dessert! Continue reading
The Cook and the Curator in the Eat your history exhibition. Photo © James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Join us on Sunday March 9 for our final behind the scenes floor talk at Eat your history: a shared table at Museum of Sydney at 2pm. The Cook and the Curator will take you through the exhibition and reveal some of the quirkier elements of the displays. Continue reading
Apple snow. Photo Jacqui Newling © Sydney Living Museums
Apple snow! I have such fond memories of having apple snow as a child – you never hear of it any more! (Ruth, a visitor at Vaucluse House)
Edible kitchen gardens. Photo Jacqui Newling © Sydney Living Museums
One thing I love about food is that over time so much changes and at the same time so little changes.
Jared Ingersoll, 2013
Guest chef Jared Ingersoll and his mates at Studio Neon teamed up with Kate Walsh from Real Food Projects to host a truly original Farm to Table dining experience at Hyde Park Barracks as part of our feast of Eat your history programs. It was a thrill to be a part of! Jared worked really hard to ensure the food had historical integrity, working from colonial menus and heritage cookbooks, yet maintained his own style and commitment to using local, sustainable produce. Continue reading
A day’s picnic on Clark Island, Sydney Harbour (detail), Montagu Scott, 1870. State Library of New South Wales: ML3
With Movember nearly over for another year here’s a post in honour of the flavour saver, in praise of moustache cups, and some unexpected inspiration from Eat your history: a shared table exhibition for owners of fledgling facial hair wondering where they go to from here. Gentlemen, step away from the razor! Continue reading