THE WORLD'S BEST BRUNCHES BY LONELY PLANET NEW website Bohemian Rhapsody Club is very grateful to Adam and Chris for their support of this editorial
I was browsing through the book when suddenly I remembered how I suddenly discovered how my son was learning to cook: on the phone... He was holding the phone in one hand, listening and cooking with his other hand. His first "phone dish: were kefir pancakes the recipe of which was told him on the phone by his grandma... - the exact recipe I saw in the book "The World's Best Brunches" by Lonely Planet. . How interesting I thought especially when I also remembered that my son would cook this dish late in the morning - to be exact - at brunch time!
What IS brunch anyway? As wiki reassures us: "Brunch [as such] is a combination of breakfast and lunch eaten usually during the late morning but it can extend to as late as 1500 o'clock. The word is aportmanteau of breakfast and lunch. Brunch originated in England in the late 1800s, served in a buffet style manner, and became popular in the United States in the 1930s." I believe this is something you can afford: wake up late, say 1100 or 1115 in the morning, have a slow shower and go out or cook for yourself and someone close to you. We can easily do it on Saturdays or Sundays, right? Dear wiki tells me again: "the term was coined in Britain in 1895 to describe a Sunday meal for "Saturday-night carousers" " meaning my guess was correct - you can not eat it during the week unless your work responsibilities allow you to do so... or unless you are on holiday. NOW I love this word... BRUNCH sounds more like lazy afternoon...
Let's open the secret book now... The foreword is written by famous chef Bill Granger, a very happy guy whom everyone trust because of his divine recipes. I also thought - he was happy probably because before writing this foreword he was cooking himself the BEST brunch too...
Anyway... which recipe should I try first? Bill Granger's famous ricotta hot cakes? Acai Bowl with yummy seasonal berries? Colcannon? Egyptian Ful Medames? Lox and Bagels? Swedish Pickled Herring? Spanish Omelet? Or should I make Buttermilk (kefir) pancakes? The list goes on so my eyes can not take it anymore with all the offers on the plate... But this is not the end as the drinks recipes will follow: Bloody Mary, Chai, Hibiscus Ginger Punch,... and this is not the end as the Condiments will follow this vast list too: Seville Marmalade or Hummus? Smashed Avocado or Tomato Ketchup?.. Well, I guess they managed to cover all countries, all continents and many corners of the world... You will discover lots of new flavours and will try some unknown dishes - this is all there in front of you...
Not only the book gives you the recipe it also tells you about the origins of this particular food and also where you can find it when you are out there, exploring the world traveling and the expected price, I love Lonely Planet books for their attention to detail. We came to Australia originally from Moscow, Russia in 1993. We had to travel back with my daughter there in 2006. The city changed so much in 14 years we would not be able to find our way to eat out without the Lonely Planet Moscow guide in my daughter's backpack. It gave is the exact address, the exact prices and what to ask for. It never failed. the same story repeated when we traveled with her in Paris. The Lonely Planet travel guide gave us the exact plan what to do on our 6 days trip including all the places to visit and stay at and all the cafes to eat in. I adore the mathematical (more like analytical) approach of Lonely Planet: the native people would not tell you more than it is written so precisely in their guides... But this was just a "by the way" comment...
Again... I suddenly remembered something else... I was very upset at my son when he did not read as much as daughter. I wanted to encourage him and bought him a book about Cooking Everything From Eggs. After one of my complains that he again did not read anything that week, I saw him leaving his computer with the Effs book in his hands... I asked him: "why are you taking Eggs book to your bedroom? It's a cooking book..." when I heard my son's reply: "Well you asked me to start reading again... i have to start with something... I love recipe books"... I felt defenseless. Some cook books are good to have on your kitchen selves, some are good to open up occasionally - to read through... some should always be on your kitchen table. I believe "The Word's Best Brunches" is one of them... Buy it and decide where YOU will keep it.
I would also like to know your favorite brunch recipe...
DAYDREAMS AND TORMENTS OF LOVE NEW CONCERT OF CHOPIN MUSIC review by Irina Ivanova Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to Olga Shonnina and Sergei Suetin (Solouhin Society Melbourne and St Petersburg Music Studio) for this opportunity to review this event
The literary-musical evening “Daydreams and Torments of Love”, organised by Soloukhin’s Russian Literature Society, was dedicated to the remarkable love story of Frederic Chopin (1810–1849) and George Sand (1804–1876). This was a brilliant alliance of classical tune and modern-style prose, enjoyed by multilingual audience and shared in the warm atmosphere of art-loving fellowship.
The immaculate Sergei Suetin’s piano performance was gracefully presented and complemented by glamorous Natalia Novikova, narrating the tale of Chopin and Sand’s relationship. The concert was illustrated by a series of paintings depicting the two great personalities and included Chopin’s most celebrated compositions.
His delightful nocturnes, mazurkas, preludes and waltzes filled the air and took the audience onto the fascinating journey of human emotions.The tempestuous union of the magnificent composer and romantic young man Frederic Chopin with the charming socialite and extravagant writer George Sand is a dramatic novel of love and torture, lingering inspiration and broken hearts.
Their relationship was full of up and downs, love and hatred, hope and disappointment... It was beautifully compared by the evening’s presenter Natalia to a classical story of “The Nightingale and the Rose” written by Oscar Wilde.
'If you want a red rose,' said the Tree, 'you must build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart's-blood. You must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you must sing to me, and the thorn must pierce your heart, and your life-blood must flow into my veins, and become mine.' [http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/NigRos.shtml]
Last Saturday I attended the Trupp Cooking School. Situated in upmarket South Yarra, within 15 meters from Chapel Street and Prahan Market, Melbourne, the location was perfect for any young budding Master Chef.
This is a cooking school that will blow your mind away. Run by award winning chef: Walter Trupp and his lovely wife Dorota Trupp.
I attended the 5th class from the Chef at Home series. A quick look at the website gave me some indication of what to expect:
Session 5: Fish market tour Outcomes: choosing and filleting fish; poaching, baking, pan frying, slow cooking, salt encrusting, stewing, curing and raw-serving of all types of fish. Learn all about sustainability, fish catching methods and seasons.T
The class itself certainly delivered beyond my expectations. Walter is an absolute delight to learn from. He has such a passion for cooking and makes the preparations all look so easy. And the great thing about it, creating mouth watering meals seems so simple when he shows you how to do it.
We started the day with a visit to Prahan market where we were given a short talk on what to look for when buying fish, how to pick the perfect fish fillet, seasons of various fish and the questions to ask your fishmonger when you go home.
From there it was back to Trupp base where we headed straight into breaking up into groups to prepare the group breakfast. I was a little bit bewildered, not having the previous experience that my fellow chefs had received, but I was at ease within a short time. It was very noticeable how much the group has learned from previous classes and were most willing to guide me correctly. I was shelling and deveining prawns effortlessly after being shown how to correctly do it and was impressed with the shaping being assembled around me.
Walter would call the group together to show everyone a technique for all to learn every couple of minutes and then we would seamlessly go back to what we were doing.
Within half an hour we had 3 wonderful fish dishes for breakfast to share. Each tasting divine and I was blown away by how just common and well known ingredients were that worked in synergy to produce tasty breakfast ideas.
Lunch followed with me being impressed with everything I was shown. Wine was enjoyed while we chatted, prepared,cooked and ate our lunch. The day was perfect and full of “not that difficult learning.” To top it all off there were succinct notes for me to refer to afterwards once I had left.
The class started at 9am on the dot and finished at 3pm on the dot. Six hours flew by. We were given a detailed print out of recipes, facts on how to prepare fish, fish sauces, storage of fish, not one piece of information was omitted.
Just when you thought it could not get better, we were given a talk from Dorota who shared some wonderful short videos on fishing sustainability which certainly opened up my eyes to what is happening in our waters and what we can do in order to buy sustainable seafood.
Dorota is a Nutritionist with a passion for sharing her knowledge. Being a Naturopath and Nurse myself I was enthralled with her knowledge and how passionate she is about sharing her knowledge. Questions were freely asked and she was able to answer them with authority and no trouble at all. What a winning combination.
The proof in the classes happened a couple of days later when I made the uncomplicated meal for my family:. the fish parcels that I watched being made by another group (from the wonderful recipes that each participant receives at each class) and literally within 30 minutes I had the meal ready to be served. My sons loved the meal and even rated it a 10/10 which is fantastic seeing as fish was one of the weakest meals for me to cook. Not any more. The whole family was very excited when I told them I was preparing a meal from the class and they were not disappointed.
From my whole family and big THANK YOU, to Walter & Dorota Trupp xx
PLEXUS COLLECTIVE CONCERT NEW review by Sylvester Kroyheer and Rachel Sandey website
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is very grateful to Meldi Arkinstall, Philip Arkinstall and Stefan Cassomenos for this unique opportunity, and to Sylvester K and Rachel S for sharing this editorial with all our followers
REVIEW OF CONCERT GIVEN BY ‘PLEXUS’ AT THE FEDERATION SQUARE MELBOURNE ON WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2015, FEATURED AS “PLEXUS SQUARED: THE LAUNCH”.
With a buzzing, supportive and highly expectant audience, this premiere performance was a start of a growing spectre of original and contemporary music fuelled by exceptional musicians with the support of donors, patrons and enthusiastic supporters – much to the exciting development of the arts in music and original compositions.
The programme began with a short foot tapping rag time style piece by Charles Hoag (1990) with echoes of Scott Joplin. The Slow Drag Rag was easy on the ears, well integrated and smooth that finished with energy and flurry.L’Invitation au Chateau (Invitation to the Manor House) was the next offering from the French composer Poulanc (1947). Narration by Helen Morse was immensely expressive and visually engaging that explored the complexities of the interactions between the upper and the lower classes in France. Unfortunately, the programme did not present a reasonable synopsis of the plot but focused in on Anouilh, the play he created for this part musical/narrative piece. With the frivolity, romance, flaunting, vanity, comedy, extravagance and occasional decadence, the 35 minute composition presents a positive challenge as to how life enfolds despite our expectations. Musically, a lively, sweet, sensitive, expressive, dreamy and responsive performance from the talented trio!
Following the interval, the much awaited world premiere of ‘Half-formed thoughts’ by Jonathan Dreyfus (2015) was presented with a mysterious and moving base clarinet introduction interchanged with a beautifully mellow clarinet solo, intertwined with the touch of a sensual violin and a rhythmic harmonious piano. The second movement of the 15 minute piece concluded with a bouncy, precise and playful theme, slowing for a soulful interplay and change of pace to conclude with superb runs on the piano, staccato rhythms and a powerful finish. Very fresh and original!
The fourth piece on offer was Samuel Dickenson’s ‘Nightmares’ (2015) – another world premiere! The 12 minute composition was very engaging with a slow and dreamy start and despite its technical difficulty, the pensive imagery, melancholy and frenzy connected with sometimes unwanted images and experiences related to perceived events. A dazzling ending! With the History of a Soldier – L’Histoire du Soldat by Igor Stravinsky (1920) came our last piece.
Superbly spoken by Paul English, the musical and vocal interpretation presented a powerful and somewhat cryptic feeling of a life and afterlife of a soldier – the fears of war, the results of facing an end and then a new beginning. Within the 15 minutes of its evolution, the essence of futility is clear – The Demon declares, “Give me back what’s mine”. A terrific and powerful finish that pulls the soldier to an apparent Hell with a musically frenzied big finish.
As for the wonderful musicians, Monica – Violin – smooth, expressive, warm and a precise interpreter of new and highly complex music. Philip – Clarinet – deeply soulful, engaging, rich in sound with colourful presence. Stefan – versatile, vibrant ,astute and brilliant. Look forward to future events.
review by Sylvester Kroyherr (Musician/Singer/Architect)
THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL - THE WHITNEY HOUSTON SHOW website
review by Julie Dargan Bohemian Rhapsody Club is also very grateful to Larissa Cavanagh for her support with this editorial
Thank you for calling me on Friday to see if I could replace you at the Whitney Houston Show at the Atheneum in Melbourne. Here is my review:
The Whitney Houston Show is one show you should not miss. Belinda sings all the songs we love so well made famous by Whitney Houston. Belinda is humble, interacts wonderfully with the audience, hits those high notes with precision and puts on a stunning concert.
Back up band were awesome and the dancers gave the show that extra dimension.
Choice of venue was perfect. Stage was intimate and the you felt a part of the performance and not up in the rafters of a major venue that can sometimes lose the intimacy that is so needed in a performance such as this.
Belinda was available for signing and autographs which is that extra touch that is so lacking in modern day shows. Live music, authentic interaction, all created a wonderful nights entertainment which had me one very happy and relaxed woman.
My score (if I have to give one) 10/10
review by Glen Wilson and Camilla Wilson
The Greatest Love of All
Not just another tribute show. The reality of tribute shows is the ever present reminder that you are watching an impersonation of the real thing.
The Greatest Love of all is a shining exception to the rule.Belinda Davids is exceptional as Whitney Houston and bears a remarkable resemblance in both appearance and vocal abilities.
Opening night in Melbourne, was Belinda`s first visit to Australia. First night jitters were a little apparent in the first few songs – Belinda herself admitting she was nervous about her first night in Australia, once the nerves settled, it was Whitney Houston at her finest.
By the second set this was no longer a tribute show but a world class performer at her best.
Belinda’s personality shines through with her approach to an audience and her audience participation is second to none.The audience was treated to a string of classic Whitney Houston hits
Belinda`s outstanding rendition of ‘I Have Nothing’ , Complete with red dress and singing in perfect sync with Whitney Houston on the big screen, Brought the audience to their feet – along with not too many dry eyes.
Belinda was backed by a world class 6 piece band , fantastic dancers, Classic Whitney Costumes and a great light show. And a big thumbs up to the sound engineer delivering great sound, punchy bass, clean high range and most importantly… not to loud.
Belinda’s voice is nothing short of remarkable, a mix of Whitney Houston with a good amount of Belinda`s own individuality shining through. She hits the high notes with power and ease. If you are a Whitney fan this is a must see… And if you aren’t, go along and be entertained by one of the best voices in the business.
Belinda said she is Whitney Houston`s biggest fan and is living her dream playing her. Go and share here dream – you won’t be disappointed.
review by Alice and Mounir Slamani
Opening night at the Athenaeum Theatre is always a treat. I remember the first time being there as a small child, and on opening night of The Greatest Love of All the same electricity encapsulated the venue. Belinda Davids not only sounds like Whitney, she encompasses her being. I grew up with Whitney songs, recorded from the radio after hours of listening, song after song on the same cassette tape, dancing in my bedroom. I have to say that I was disappointed the crowd didn't feel the same way. Sure, the Athenaeum isn't the best place to hold a dance party to our fav childhood songs, but the crowd needed more enthusiasm. Whit (aka Belinda) managed to rev up the subdued crowd during the classics, and I was left grieving the legend that Whitney left behind. The production efforts and energy the show contained were visible, and it wasn't just a rip off of an old icon. Belinda threw her own efforts and magic into the performance to make it her own and still pay tremendous homage to her idol. This is a production that lifts the life and times of Whitney Houston into the history books, where she deserves to be.