Buddy Valstro - The Cake Boss at the Everything Baking Expo Perth

Today I was lucky enough to meet one of the most talented people in the baking industry - New Jersey's The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro! 

Here for the weekend Buddy visited Perth to the delight of his fans at The Everything Baking Exhibition. Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre he has one more show here (tomorrow) before jetting off for a one-show only event in Sydney on Monday. 

The exhibition, the brainchild of Julia Pergoliti of Cupids Delight it features chef demonstrations, the latest products and services in the cake decorating and baking industries with 

Buddy Valastro the cake king of Hoboken most certainly the highlight. 

Buddy a fourth-generation baker and owner of the famous Carlo’s Bakery in New Jersey appeared today for a special masterclass where 30 budding cake decorators and bakers got to experience a once in a lifetime one-on-one tuition from the Cake Boss himself.

Buddy will make his final appearance in Perth tomorrow from 9am during a live demonstration for fans. The Buddy's Surprise show will give fans the chance to hear the chef's top tips and he might even share a few secrets.

Tickets for the Buddy's Surprise show are $65 and tickets to the expo are $16.

For more information visit Cake Artists Australia and to read more about the man himself visit 

Carlo's Bakery .

P.S What was he like in person? An absolute sweetheart!

Some of the cakes in the Everything Baking Cake Competition - Ah-mazing!!!!

Australiana themed cakes were popular

Snags on the barbie, vegemite, surfboard & boomerang - very Aussie!

Love the colours on this one

Award-winning OZ cake

A tribute to The Boss

And another - very cool!

Showing me how it's done

Doing what he does best

THE BOSS

A quick pic before continuing on with his Masterclass

Read my ishoperth interview with The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro

Jus Right

SERVING UP THE PERFECT BURGER IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS, BUT ONE PERTH BURGER BAR IS CONSISTENTLY HITTING THE MARK. BY BELINDA CIPRIANO

   
What makes a good burger - ah-mazing? I get this question asked of me a lot. To some it’s the delicious, tender patty, while for others it’s the sweet taste of the relish or a combination of both.

   Like most people, I love a good burger and when asked who makes the best in the city I have got to give it to Jus Burgers, time and time again.

   Jus Burgers, the brainchild of foodie Justin Bell, opened its first store in Leederville in January 2009 and has since expanded to Subiaco, Fremantle and more recently Northbrige.

   And while the Guvnor, Spanish Snag, Mullet and Pommy all sound like a prelude to a cheesy joke, they are in fact all names of the delicious burgers available at this burger bar/institution.

   On my recent visit to Jus, I ordered the Pommy Burger with a side of onion rings while my friend ordered the Spanish Snag with a serve of chips.

   My Pommy burger was just as I remembered it – how could I forget (I don’t even look at menu anymore, even though I should) it’s the only burger I order off the menu and it never, ever fails to disappoint.

   Western Australian Amelia Park Beef, which is Meat Standards Australia approved, hormone free, char-grilled, cheddar and back bacon served on a Turkish bun with homemade aioli, relish, lettuce, tomato and Spanish onion – this burger is to die for – especially for those who are a bit more carnivorous.

   The Spanish Snag devoured by my friend was equally delicious and similar to the Pommy burger but served with chorizo sausage and sweet red peppers instead.

   Our sides were just the right size and having never tasted the Jus’ onion rings, I have to say I was impressed.

   Made fresh daily, as with everything served up by Jus, these delightful rings were the perfect accompaniment to my delicious burger and left me more than satisfied.

   I love what Justin Bell has brought to Western Australia and the way he supports WA growers and suppliers but most of all I like that his burgers are always jus right!

   JUS BURGERS NORTHBRIDGE

   Open:

   Monday and Sunday 11.30am to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am to 10pm

   Where:

   Shop 11/189 William St Northbridge 9227 0668 www.jusburgers.com.au  

HUNGRY FOR IT Jus Burgers director Justin Bell tucks in to a Pommy burger 

The delicious Pommy with a side of onion rings.

NEW LOOK, NEW MENU @ Rydges CBD Restaurant Perth

I haven't written a personal restaurant review on this blog for a while. There's a few reasons why - I do it a lot for work and just like everybody else like to enjoy dining out sometimes without having to take notes, pics etc, secondly you can read a lot of my reviews in ishoperth and lastly I haven't come across a great lunchtime feed in a while - that is until I dined at the Rydges CBD Restaurant last week. This, well this I had to share.

I had actually heard the hotel's CBD Restaurant had gone through a few changes including with their menu and their new head chef Sam Southall (who I interviewed earlier this year see ishoperth interview below) so when thinking of places to dine for a girlie catch up I thought I'd give it a go.

The lunch menu (see below) is reasonably priced with the most expensive item on the menu Wagyu @ $62. On this day the two of us tried the Cauliflower Soup with truffled hazelnut honey (AMAZING!) for our entree and the linguini with meatballs, parmesan, tomato, tomato and basil was my choice for a main.

I'm not one to go for soup when I dine out, because I'm usually left underwhelmed, but this delicious and light dish served in a little le creuset pot was just beautiful. Creamy but not rich and just delightful I could have easily had a second serve - yum!

The linguini was cooked perfectly al dente (to the tooth) and the combination of tomato, olive, basil and parmesan is always going to be a winner for me. Add to that melt -in-your-mouth meatballs and I'm a happy girl. 

It was a pleasant afternoon and sitting amongst the city suits lunching it was nice to relax and not worry about going back to work or even having to write anything down - just perfect. So next time you're in the city drop in and say hello, have a bite, or enjoy a drink and say I sent you ;) Bom Approveito!

Linguini with meatballs, tomato, olives and basil - YUM!

NEW LUNCH MENU

My interview with CBD Restaurant head chef Sam Southall