By JOLENE OGLE
THE 2014 International Food and Wine Festival started with a bang and a lot of laughter when comedian Wendy Harmer made a guest appearance at the Westpac Ruby Lunch, on Thursday.
Wendy, also editor-in-chief of sassy newsite, The Hoopla, shared her hilarious adventures in cooking and marriage, as well as memories of her very first kitchen – think lime green benchtops, splades, stoneware ramekins and electric frypans.
Wendy also recalled the first menu she “managed to pull off”, which included prawn cocktail, Spanish rice, beef stroganoff, fruit salad with Grand Marnier, all served to the sweet sounds of Neil Diamond.
As the first event of the three-day festival, guests were also treated to a three-course menu created by Melbourne chef and co-owner of Union Dining, Nicky Riemer.
All meals were matched by Seppelt wines and diners enjoyed chilled chicken ballotine for entree, Pacific Reef Cobia with Noosa Red tomatoes, Kinkawooka mussels and green goddess sauce for main and a decadent chocolate mousse, fresh berries and passionfruit for dessert.
Westpac director of women’s markets Larke Riemer said this year’s Ruby Lunch was a sold-out event and there was already a waiting list for the 2015 Ruby Lunch.
“But, we’re not sure how we can beat Wendy Harmer as a guest speaker,” she said.
