Patrick Swayze - A True Gentleman of the Screen

It's been one hell of a year this year - both good and bad. And this morning we lost yet another superstar of the screen in Patrick Swayze. My memories of PatrickSwayze as I'm sure with all of you lie strongly around his role as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing. This was the second movie I saw him in after the classic movie The Outsiders (not only a great movie but featured some of the best eye candy you will ever see in one movie).

Patrick went on to do a lot of movies including another one of personal favourites Ghost, Road House (hot hot hot), Young Blood and Point Break, all of which were helped me, my sisters and cousins get through those awkward teenage years - I mean which woman didn't dream of being Baby, Dr Clay or Molly in Ghost.

Today we lost one of the true gentlemen of Hollywood, who not only oozed class, style and humility. His courage in fighting this horrible disease that touches us all in some shape or form is to be commended and looked upon when we too are having a bad day.

May you now rest in peace with the others who have gone before you and may your light shine on forever in our hearts and in your movies always. You will be sorely missed....

Feel free to share your favourite Patrick Swayze movie or to leave a comment.

RIP Patrick Swayze 18/08/1952 - 15/09/2009

Food Glorious Food - Belles Fave Dishes of the last THREE Weeks!!!

A few weeks ago I promised I post about my Favourite Dish of the Week in my blog - BUT I've been quite slack (in posting that is) and have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen instead!! So tonight rather than give you one dish this week I'm listing my fave dishes from the last three weeks. Again if you like what you see email me and I'll email through the recipe - Bom Approveito!!! (I'm learning how to say enjoy your meal in every language possible)


This slow cooked beef stew is one of my favourite things to cook. It reminds me of living at home with mum & day and its so easy it really does cook itself'!! It's the perfect meal to enjoy on a cold winter's night.


This pasta with sugo (Rigatoni with fresh tomato sauce) is a regular in our household. It's so easy to whip up and all you need to do is add some mince or gravy beef and some shaved parmesan and it will transport you to Italy in an instant - YUM!!


This beef stir-fry is a quick and easy meal perfect to whip up after a hard day at work. I haven't really done it much lately and I've missed it so it was good to cook it up again.



I held an afternoon tea for Father's Day and my sister-in-laws birthday so for the first time ever I BAKED!! It may not seem like a big deal because I enjoy cooking but let me tell you cooks and bakers are two different breeds. For me baking requires a lot patience (none of which I have)and I think a lot hope for things to work out the way they look in the cookbooks. So here is my baking attempt Hazelnut Chocolate Tart and Strawberry Tiramisu (no baking required here and actually quite easy), I also threw in fruit skewers dipped in chocolate for good measure too.


The Hazelnut Chocolate Tart was actually a winner on the day despite my pastry making dramas!!!


My version of Tiramisu - Strawberry instead of coffee. This dessert would be great on a hot summers night with a sweet glass of white, just glorious...

So there you have it hopefully this week I'll come up with something new for you to check out - Food is life so eat & enjoy!!!

Masterchef, Cookbooks & Wine Awards - Oh what fun!!!

It was a big food week for me last week. As you can see I've covered French book launches, tried a cooking class (see previous post) talked Masterchef - AGAIN and enjoyed some fine food and bubbly at WA Sheraton Wine Awards.
So here's a run down of all my events with the most recent starting at the top!!

The glitz and the glamour of WA's wine industry were out in full force last Friday as they celebrated the best in the industry at the Sheraton Perth WA Wine Awards for 2009.
I was again lucky enough to get an invitation to the night which included an exquisite four-course meal along with gorgeous matching wines and a first-hand look at what the WA wine industry is producing.
Some of my favourites included the gold medal winning 3 Drops 2009 Riesling, gold medal winning Castle Rock Estate 2008 Pinot Noir and gold medal winning Koolama 2007 Chardonnay.


Enjoying bubbles and fine food at the Sheraton WA Wine Awards

Other winners on the night included:

Class 1: Riesling
Silver medal: Castelli Estate 2009 Riesling
Gold medal: 3 Drops 2009 Riesling

Class 2: Sauvignon Blanc
Silver medal: Knee Deep Wines 2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Gold medal: Stella Bella 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Class 3: Semillon
Silver medal: Sittella Wines 2007 Semillon
Gold medal: Evans and Tate 2004 Semillon

Class 4: Verdelho
Silver medal: The Growers 2004 Verdelho
Gold medal: Ashbrook Estate 2009 Verdelho

Class 5: Chardonnay
Silver medal: Ferngrove Vineyards Estate 2008 Chardonnay
Gold medal: Koolama 2007 Chardonnay

Class 6: Dry White Other Varieties or Blends of Varieties
Silver medal: MillBrook Winery 2008 Viognier
Gold medal: Redgate Wines 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Class 7: Sweet white table wine
No Gold Medal to be awarded in this class
Silver medal: Xanadu Wines 2008 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Class 8: Rose
Silver medal: Woodgate Wines 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold medal: Sandalford Wines 2009 Cabernets

Class 9: Pinot Noir
Silver medal: Abbey Creek Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir
Gold medal: Castle Rock Estate 2008 Pinot Noir

Class 10: Merlot
No Gold Medal to be awarded in this class
Silver medal: Rockfield Estate 2007 Merlot

Class 11: Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver medal: Wine by Brad 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold medal: Capel Vale Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Class 12: Shiraz
Silver medal: Mongrel Creek Vineyard 2007 Shiraz
Gold medal: Knee Deep Wines 2008 Shiraz

Class 13: Dry Red, Other varieties or Blends of Varieties
Silver medal: Windance Estate 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Gold medal: Preveli Wines 2007 Cabernet Merlot

Class 14: Sparkling Red or White, Other varieties or Blends of varietiesNo Gold Medal to be awarded in this class
Silver medal : Old Kent River 2006 Pinot Noir Chardonnay

Class 15: Fortified Any style
Silver medal: Sandalford Wines NV Pedro Ximenez
Gold medal: Jane Brook Estate Wines NV Liqueur Verdelho

The Chairman's Award for the Wine of the 2009 Sheraton Perth WA Wine Awards is: Koolama 2007 Chardonnay

The Most Successful Exhibitor in the 2009 Sheraton Perth WA Wine Awards is: Evans and Tate


Thursday August 27 2009

Those of you, like me, who loved Masterchef will be happy to hear that former contestant Trevor Forster's restaurant Capricci's is doing very well and unlike previous rumours people can still go in and enjoy a meal and say hello to the friendly fellow too!

I went down on what turned out to be a gorgeous winter's day and Rockingham I have to say, was out and about in droves enjoying their beautiful foreshore. Speaking of foreshores this is exactly where one finds Capricci's and come summer-time I think it will be the perfect spot to enjoy a nice long lunch and a few glasses of chilled white.

On this visit to Capricci's my collegue and I started with a couple of lemon, lime and bitters and the antipasto tasting plate. All I can say is do not eat anything before going because Capricci's is all about warm, generous portions fit for kings or in our case queens - in my opinion this dish could have satisfied four people quite easily!!

Next on my list was Trevor's Lamb Cacciatore made famous on Masterchef. Living up to all expectations this lamb was tender, flavoursome and fell off the bone. Accompanied with mash potato and vegetables it's generous serve again left me feeling more than satisfied.

After my meal Trevor and his wife Marianne came over to chat with us and he told me his main aim with the restaurant was to cook good quality, Italian food which never left you hungry. And after this visit their I can honestly say they've got that down-pat!!


Loving Trevor's famous Lamb Cacciatore - so good!


Monday August 24 2009

I love a good book launch but even more so when the book comes in the form of cookbook! Last night I attended the launch of award winning French pastry chef Emmanuel Mollois' new cookbook Et Voila!

Beautifully put together and published by Fremantle Press the book features more than 60 easy-to-follow recipes alongside some gorgeous photography.

During the launch foodies feasted on a range of pastries both sweet and savoury all of which are also covered in the book.

Those with a sweet tooth can learn how to make the French croissants, Palmiers and the ever popluar chocolate eclair in the comfort of their home.
Et Voila! is available now at all good bookstores.


Enjoying one of the yummiest chocolate tarts ever!!

So there you have it my week in food - I ate, I read, I cooked and I drank - A LOT but it was all in a weeks work - Bon Appetito!!

Sex and the City 2 - It's Coming WOOT WOOT!!!

First pics of Carrie in the new movie.
I know I'm not the only one out there that's excited to see the above pic of style icon Carrie Bradshaw in fine form and ready to set the fashion world on fire once again.

This photo among many others I discovered on the web put a smile on my dial and I cannot wait to see what the producers of SATC have install for us when it hits our screens sometime next year.

After last year's suprises there are many questions being asked as to what the producers will do with our beloved characters and with the rumour mill running hot you don't know what to believe.

Some have again suggested someone will be killed off, Big & Carrie will split/have a baby/or both and Samantha will finally fall in love?????? I don't know what to believe but one thing I know for certain is the fashion won't disappoint - bring it on I say, can't wait!!!!

Have you heard the rumours? What do you think the producers will do with our characters and their storylines?? There are so many conspiracy theories out there and I'd love
to hear your thoughts on it.