Tetsuya Wakuda
I do have a few dreams left and many of them involve eating at spectacular restaurants around the world. One of them is located here in Sydney and it’s one that I haven’t visited in over seven years as the last time was for my 30th birthday. So I was very happy to be invited to attend a Electrolux Masterclass with Tetsuya Wakuda at his world famous restaurant Tetsuya’s. Only twelve classes are held a year and needless to say, spots are very much limited to a lucky few. Tetsuya would be showing us how to cook some dishes and talking to us about how he likes to cook and answering any questions that we had for him. To top it all off, we’d be sitting down to one of his famous degustations, an epic 10 courses that no soul in their right mind would ever pass up. And the best part? One of you Dear Readers, have a chance to win a spot at a Masterclass including, flights, accomodation and transfers! 
Yes the Electrolux Tetsuya Masterclass is a “money can’t buy” event and tickets to it are not available to the general public so the only way to get to attend one is through invite only-or of course a competition like this.
The evening started with a chauffered car pick up. The driver opens the door for me (don’t you just love that?) and I get into the car and we pick up Christie and Peter on the way. We arrive along with the other bloggers invited and enter the upstairs newly fitted kitchens. We mingle with some champagne while Tetsuya and his staff are busy prepping for the evening’s class. After a short time we are ushered into the new kitchen, a stunning marble topped island with knee pad activated sinks, a sleek fridge and a shiny induction cooktop. And this would be this kitchen’s maiden voyage!
His first tip after welcoming us and confessing his nervousness is about induction saucepans. People are apparently put off from buying induction cooktops thinking that they will need to buy new saucepans but he tells us that if you place a magnet on the base of a pan and it sticks, it will be induction cooktop safe and he also mentions that 80-90% of pots made today are induction suitable.
Tetsuya and Christie
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March 5, 2010
by Not Quite Nigella
“Dear Lorraine,
Im sorry for the late notice on this but wondering if you’d like to come as my guest to a new food safari we are running this Sunday – its a Japanese lunch with Mr Azuma in the city. They have a mission to bring Japanese food to people and will be doing some interesting things.
Hope you can make it.
All the best from Maeve”
“Oooh!” I squeal happily before realising that I have a huge eating event scheduled for that very day. After a bit of juggling and some understanding dining companions, Teena and I are headed towards Azuma Kushiyaki in Regent Place for our very first Gourmet Safari with Maeve with Mr Azuma Kimitaka!
Bonito Shaving Box
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February 15, 2010
by Not Quite Nigella
Every year around Christmas my girlfriends Gina, Teena and I get together for a dinner and present exchange. It’s usually around mid December for Teena’s birthday but this year it’s a little closer to Christmas. So the slobbery drunken Santa count and sexy, trampy Mrs Claus outfit count tonight in Potts Point is high and somewhat relentless as people in red and white felt outfits parade past us in very, very jolly moods as they celebrate finishing work for the year.
We enter Busshari in Potts Point near the famous fountain and the first thing I’m struck with is how very, very dark things are here. “Eeek!” I say to Gina “This is not going to make for good photos” and she agrees. Teena arrives a little later and we make our selections. There are curiously two menus, one a double sided sheet in a plastic sleeve and the book version which looks prettier but the double sided sheet is easier to read. There is an impressive looking sake list for the sake aficionado. I look around – apparently Nicole Kidman has been spotted eating here but there’s no sign of her tonight.
Fresh Oyster w salmon caviar & dashi vinaigrette jelly $3 each
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December 24, 2009
by Not Quite Nigella
As I walked up towards the Ocean Room still high from my interview with Fergus Henderson and the strong coffee I had just sipped, I spied a gigantic black ship with Steve Irwin written on the side. I checked it out and it’s a Sea Shepherd anti whaling vessel. As a whale lover I’m interested to go on board and take advantage of the free tours while they are docked here. Reem arrives shortly after and she is interested in going on board too. First things first, we girls need to eat.
The Ocean Room is a beautiful space with a high ceiling. Looking up I see wooden batons suspended from the ceiling (my first thought, French rolling pins) all in different sizes to create a wooden wave feel. Apparently there are 42,458 of the suspended Javanese wood batons. In the centre of the room there are winding banquettes and at the front there are dark wooden tables where we are seated to take advantage of the view. Normally the view is of the Sydney Opera House, however today the view is of the ship Steve Irwin which is docked today.
I ask for the speciality and there are two items, tuna done 5 ways or the tuna wing which takes 40 minutes. We’re running out of time as we want to go onboard the boat so we order a few dishes and do what food bloggers do best. Share and dissect everything. Maximum tasting opportunites you do understand… Service is polite and the meals are brought out quickly as per our request.
Complimetary Tomato Somen
The glass of chilled tomato somen is delicious with a clear taste of tomato in it despite the somewhat clear look of the broth. It also has a touch of bonito flavour to it and the noodles are silken and slippery and styled prettily.
Chotto Collection Raita’s collection of five assorted Chotto $23
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October 11, 2009
by Not Quite Nigella
I’m at Wasavie restaurant, patissier Adriano Zumbo is sitting across the dinner table from me, Reem is at my side and he is completely unawares of the couple behind him to his left that are nudging each other and pointing at him. I can’t lip read much but the words “Masterchef” seem to spring to their lips a lot. Life must be crazy for Zumbo nowadays.
Sonoma Goodie bag-breads are fantastic as is the Spelt Maple Oven Roasted Muesli which has some very delicious almonds in it.
A little earlier that night Reem and I were at the new Sonoma Bakery opening at Fiveways in Paddington (love their olive loaf toasted) and who should pop in but pastry god Adriano Zumbo. He is definitely the most popular man in town and we watch as eager admirers stand back and watch and spotting a gap in the conversation, introduce themselves. I don’t blame them, I’d do the same.
But anyway, back to dinner…Wasavie is one of those Japanese restaurants I had meant to go to for the longest time and knowing that Zumbo, Reem and I love Japanese, we grabbed a table in the second room, not the communal table which seems to be the more popular place to dine at but was full up. We choose a few light things to eat after having eaten quite a few tasty sourdough canapes. The waitress lets us know that as the kitchen is busy then the sushi and sashimi plate will be about 30-40 minutes which isn’t a problem.
Potato and Wagyu Croquette $6 each
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September 28, 2009
by Not Quite Nigella
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