Today, take the chill off with a traditional fondue in the Adelaide Hills, we fall for Bacon Week, Peel Street’s latest bar agrees with Leon Bignell, and much more.
Revival of a rich and cosy tradition
Now this looks good. Udder Delights Cheese Cellar in Hahndorf is reviving proper Swiss fondue for winter.
The fondue starts with a molten cheese concoction based on a recipe provided to Udder Delights’ general manager Sheree Sullivan by a visiting European cheese expert. It’s a mix of Swiss Gruyere and Emmental cheeses, dry white wine and kirsch.
To dip, there’s a selection of local kabana, baby gherkins, mini balsamic pickled onions, Adelaide Hills pears, and hot, freshly baked baguettes.
Sullivan says the fondue for two, costing $49, will serve two adults with very large appetites.
She says fondue is a time-honoured tradition that deserved a revival in the depths of winter.
“And while not quite the Alps, our beautiful Adelaide Hills on chilly winter’s days provide the near-perfect setting,” she said.
Udder Delights is serving local cider, wine and beer to accompany the cheese-fest.
The underground cellar proper is available for hire to groups – so you can hold your own fondue party.
Contact details here.
Udder Delights fondue, made to a traditional recipe.
Obligatory Bacon Week news
Yes, it is Bacon Week – a marketing stunt with which we’re very happy to play along.
There is a growing number of local bacon producers who do excellent work. One of them, Kanmantoo Bacon, was a winner in this week’s Australian Bacon Awards, taking out the “short cut” section.
In other bacon news, how about learning to make your own at home?
Feast! Fine Foods is introducing a ham and bacon-making class later this year.
You’ll be taught basic techniques, and learn about the different bacon types, flavour profiles, cures and wood – the components which contribute to that prized bacon flavour. You’ll also be shown how to prepare a champagne ham.
The $120 ticket price includes a heap of smallgoods to enjoy, including shortcut and sugar-cured bacon, boneless ham and air-dried ham.
Your guides will be Jimmy Chirgwin, who makes the Newbury and Watson Smallgoods products, and Feast! founder Richard Gunner.
The first class will be held at the Central Market on September 9. Bookings are essential. Go here for more details and to book.
Chihuahua Bar listens to Biggles
It’s been a long, long time coming, but Peel Street’s newest bar opened its doors last Friday night.
Chihuahua Bar is a South American-influenced bar with a Mexican heart, says owner Rosco Stanley, who has stocked his very stylish two-storey nook with plenty of tequila, mescal and rum.
Friday’s opening was a near-run thing: his licence was approved eight minutes before close of business. Exactly 38 minutes later, the bar opened, joining the growing host of Peel Street establishments including Clever Little Tailor, Peel Street, and Kaffana.
For the time being, Chihuahua is opening Wednesday to Saturday from 3pm – but, in a move that will make Tourism Minister Leon Bignell happy, Rosco has decided to open specially this Sunday for the post-Showdown crowd (either a celebration or a drowning of sorrows).
He agrees with Bignell that the city’s West End bars and restaurants should open to support the footy crowds.
“I think he’s right – as a community sometimes we have to pony up,” says Rosco.
Once the bar has settled in, there will be a food menu and opening hours will extend from Monday to Saturday.
Inside the colourful and cosy Chihuahua Bar on Peel St.
Global players circling Penfolds
There are interesting rumours circulating about potential buyers for Treasury Wine Estates, the owners of South Australia’s Penfolds.
The Australian Financial Review reports today that LVMH, a French luxury goods brand, is considering whether to make an offer for the entire business or “prise off the coveted Penfolds brand as part of a takeover consortium”.
State-owned Chinese player Bright Foods is also reportedly considering its options, along with Constellation Brands.
Pizza Festival
As noted in The Forager a few weeks ago, Campbelltown’s Pizza Festival is upon us.
The festival starts on Sunday, and runs most of July.
Full details here.
Whitey
For those of you missing him (and that includes us!), the news is that InDaily wine writer Philip White has been unwell and unable to make his usual weekly contributions to our pages.
We’re hoping he will be back very soon with his Tuesday wine column and Thursday wine reviews.
Get better soon Whitey.
