We deliciously dined our way through the many winter holidays, surrounded by Master Chef Christine's (early) holiday decorations and warm crackling fire.
First up was Guest Chef Liam, presenting the chefs with a pile of delectable yorkshire puddings, a common sight on his families holiday table. Might have had seconds (and thirds). The yorkshire puddings were served with two types of butters, one herbed garlic and the other a mustard butter. Americano's with optional almond baileys completed the course.
Next up, Sous Chef Dallas presented us with her family favourite for the holidays, a cheese ball encrusted with walnuts. The cheese ball was served with homemade rhubarb chutney and a variety of homemade crackers, sesame being this chefs favourite. To mark the special occasion, we echoed her family tradition of a little bit of bubbly and enjoyed some chilled processco to complete the cheese.
To the table for Sous Chef Vanessa's holiday favourite, potato latkes served with sour cheese, apple sauce and cinnamon sugar. The piece-de resistance was the pecan maple crusted bacon - amazing! The breakfast-for-supper was served with Swedish glogg, mulled wine with slivers of almond and raisons.
Next up, we celebrated the excesses of Winter Solstice with a flavourful french onion soup from Sous Chef Leah. The cheese-toped caramelized onion soup was served with chilled Gewürztraminer from the Alsace region of France.
For the main dish, Master Chef Christine presented a playful "gingerbread" house, constructed of a lentil nut loaf, mash potatoes, and a lawn of green peas. Little tree crackers were delightful. A pour of hot vegetable gravy pulled all the elements together.
For dessert, Sous Chef Amy wowed the crowd with a chocolate mocha bouche de noel, with a ricotta filling. The bouche was presented with chocolate meringue mushrooms and chocolate ganache almond pinecones. A digestif tea with ginger and rooibus tea was a light herbal end to the meal.
A joyful celebrate, with a visit from sous chef Dean. A big thanks to Master Chef Christine for such a lovely celebration of winter holidays.
Next up: Master Chef Dallas