The Urban Foodie: Off to pastures new...

Monday, 18 May 2009

Off to pastures new...

The start of this year had a distinct air of change about it. I figured it was time to spread my wings and see a bit more of the world, and to put into context the amazing events of the past few years. The doom and gloom and daily grind of London started to nag away, along with anxieties about my next steps as a chef, writer, consultant or whatever. So I have decided to put my life in London on hold and head out in search of all sorts of experiences that I'm sure will colour my life and imagination.
My first stop is Central America, then onto South America and New Zealand. From here on I will endeavour to capture my thoughts and observations as I travel, with a bias on food - but I'll also post up other random nonsense too, just for the hell of it.
Happy reading.

5 comments:

santos. said...: i wish you great adventures and happy travelling!; 19 May 2009 at 02:15
Steve Wallis said...: Thanks so much! I really love your blogs - they are so intoxicatingly good.. S; 19 May 2009 at 05:28
Fran said...: Hi Steven,

I see you are coming to New Zealand. If you make it to Wellington you have to visit our fav restaurant Monsoon Poon, visited by many celebs and famous chefs ... the food's pretty good too!!!
We wish you well on your travels and hope to see you here soon.

Fran and Glen; 23 May 2009 at 08:35
Steve Wallis said...: Thanks for the recommendation Fran, will definitely check it out. I will be working as a Chef-in-Residence when I get to NZ, at a Maori vineyard in the Marlborough region. Very excited about coming!
Kind regards. Steven.; 25 May 2009 at 19:20
Fran said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; 28 May 2009 at 13:26

MUSINGS AND QUOTES ON FOOD

"My weaknesses have always been food and men, in that order."

Dolly Parton

"Fish, to taste right, must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine."

Polish Proverb

"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."

P.J. O'Rourke

"An empty belly is the best cook."

Estonian Proverb

"A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch."

James Beard

"The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us...."
Marcel Proust

"When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray, with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled up with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb. The smell of that buttered toast simply talked to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cosy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one's ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender, of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries."
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

"People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it is safer to harrass rich women than motorcycle gangs."
Unknown

"Scallops are expensive, so they should be treated with some class. But then, I suppose that every creature that gives his life for our table should be treated with class."
Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet

"Never eat more than you can lift.."
Miss Piggy, Diva.

"The squid is so cooperative. Its body forms a tube that can be stuffed with marvelous fillings. You don't have to be Greek to enjoy this one. "
Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet

"The joys of the table belong equally to all ages, conditions, countries and times; they mix with all other pleasures, and remain the last to console us for their loss."
Jean Antheleme Brillet-Savarin, The Physiology of Taste