Star Struck

- Mrs STM & I - definitely star struck!!

I don't often get too excited meeting celebrities, identities, sport stars yadda yadda yadda because as a journalist it's just part of the job and really no big deal.

But it seems there is an exception to this rule. Last Friday night at the Capricci's launch a collegue, a former collegue of mine and myself got ourselves in a little bit of a tizz over meeting one of our mentors. I've only been in the media a few years as have my collegues, this lady on the other hand has been around a long time and sure knows her stuff.

We affectionately refer to her as Mrs STM and when Mrs STM talks you listen. There aren't many around like her, in fact I can only think of another guy who I will refer to as Mr WA News who commands as much respect. These two people together really know what they are talking about when it comes to food and as someone relatively new to the food caper I listen. The thing is after our Friday night conversation it seems I am learning as most of my views seemed to match theirs so it just goes to show I really do know what I'm talking about. I just got to start believing it a little more......

Have you ever been star struck? Who is your mentor? Tell me your stories I'd love to hear from you.


- Another star struck moment in Sydney with another one of my mentors Kochie - love him!

Masterchef Australia's first restaurant opening - Trevor Forster's Capricci's

- Trevor Forster & I celebrate the launch of Capricci's in Rockingham WA.

It's been a crazy weekend for me and I've had a ball. Last Friday I was invited to attend the launch of former Masterchef contestant, Trevor Forster's, new restaurant Capricci's.

Located on the beautiful Rockingham beachfront I think it is one of the best things to happen to this gorgeous beachside city in a long time.

On Friday night local identities and fellow Masterchef contestants Josh, Kate & Linda flocked to Capricci's to support their old mate who was eliminated from the show after using bait in a team task. However, there was no sign of bait on this night, just champagne and oysters all making for a fabulous night out.

Trevor's down-to-earth personality and friendly nature guarantees his new gig will be successful & with bookings all the way through to November it shows he is already onto a winner.

I wish him, his lovely wife Marianna and the rest of the team at Capricci's all the luck in the world - CONGRATS GUYS I'll be dropping by real soon!!!

Masterchef reunited - Josh, Trevor, me, Linda & Kate.

WA's Good Food & Wine Fest Wrap!

- Me with Masterchef's George Calombaris - AWESOME!

As Editor of Menu Magazine you get to go to some pretty exciting and fun events one which I attended over the weekend - my first Good Food and Wine Festival. I attended the Every Woman Expo last month so sort of had an idea of what these expos were all about but I can now say the Good Food and Wine Festival is in a league of its own.

I mean I don't know if you've all noticed but there is a serious food revolution taking over the country and it is getting bigger by the minute. It seems everyone is getting into the foodie craze and have either become cooks, are learning how to cook or are in the food critic department.

Manning the Menu Magazine stand on Friday I met foodies of all ages who were quick to tell me about their latest creation in the kitchen and where I could find the best place to eat cupcakes in Perth (just so you know Sherbert in Maylands I'm coming for you!) Apparently, yes Perth, we know what we are talking about when it comes to the good stuff - food & wine and it was certainly evident over this bumper food weekend.

My weekend highlights included watching George & Gary's Masterclass, meeting Masterchef judge George Calombaris & Little Caesars super pizza chef Theo Kalogeracos as well as sampling some of the finest wines Australia has to offer. Now tinme to switch gears and prepare for this weekends Truffle Festival...mmmmm

Did you attend the festival? If you did what were your highlights? I'd love to hear from you all.

My Life in Ruins - A Review

Last night I attended a movie premiere for Nia Vardalos'' latest flick My Life in Ruins. I was so looking forward to watching it and couldn't wait to see what this Greek Goddess (and boy does she look like one in this film - just stunning) could come up with after the success of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the not so successful Connie and Carla. Unfortunately what I did see was a slow to start off with film with not as many laughs as I expected.

Vardalos'seems to get typecast into this genre of film where she plays the unlucky in love Greek girl who then finds her true love in the most unexpected circumstances and so the tale of My Life in Ruins begins. Those who want to watch the film for themselves stop reading now, those who don't prepare for a spoiler.

Vardalos plays Georgia a Greek American tour guide who leads a tour around Greece with an assorted group of tourists which include two very badly played Australians (who apparently have drinking problems - drinking VB every minute of the day) who would rather buy a T-shirt than learn anything about the history and culture of Greece. There are also clashes of personalities, cultures and tour bus guide swaps until older traveller Irv Gordon played by Richard Dreyfuss, shows her how to get her KEFI (Greek for Mojo) back. Among all of this she also happens to fall in love with the hairy, scary tour bus driver Prokopis Kaka (Poupi) played by Alexis Georgoulis who transforms himself into an Adonis by the end of the film. Of course it all ends with the Happily Ever After tag with Vardalos offered a raise and deciding Greece is where she should stay instead of returning to the US and taking up a university job.

All in all the film is your typical chick flick (I'm a sucker for these)and does get better as it progresses. The beautiful Greek scenery adds to the viewing pleasure along with Poupi's reveal. Make a night of it and watch it with a bunch of your best girlie friends after dining at your favourite Greek restaurant - WOAO PA!!!(dsiclaimer: plate smashing optional!!)