The Survivor - Derek Aitken You might be sitting there swilling a well-earned post COVID lockdown Corona, watching the footy, clicking Add to Cart, doing your knitting, sipping a Martini or maybe you're wondering if there really is a virus after all. Let me tell you the true tale of a dear friend in L.A. located at the other end of the giant lap pool that is the Pacific Ocean. Derek Aitken is an innocent sigh-stander if you will, a man who may well have breathed his last breath if it … [Read more...] about The Survivor – Derek Aitken
Blog
Who is Dani Valent?
In the midst of Covid19, meet the Melbourne woman who is the Florence Nightingale of the food world and a beacon of hope to the jobless, the frightened and the tearful in an industry once overflowing with joy, frivolity and a dash of controversy. As an example of Dani Valent's tireless campaign for connecting people in this crisis, she writes on Facebook: "Lots of people have been asking me how they can support temporary visa workers who aren't entitled to any government support. This is one … [Read more...] about Who is Dani Valent?
Protected: Get 5 Immune Boosting Recipes Right Now
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WELLNESS GASTRONOMY CHEF SAMANTHA GOWING ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CLUB MED ASIA PACIFIC
WELLNESS GASTRONOMY CHEF SAMANTHA GOWING ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CLUB MED ASIA PACIFIC Australia’s popular wellness chef, clinical nutritionist and Le Cordon Bleu Master’s graduate, is taking her ‘food is medicine’ philosophy offshore in a new partnership with Club Med Asia Pacific. From October this year guests at selected Club Med Asia Pacific villages will enjoy a healthy new menu inspired by Gowing’s wellness gastronomy philosophy. The new menu will be unveiled at 9 resorts and … [Read more...] about WELLNESS GASTRONOMY CHEF SAMANTHA GOWING ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CLUB MED ASIA PACIFIC
Resort Report
Of sand and sea My first resort relationship was in Bermuda, I was nine and it was the Christmas of 1975. A smashing year I might add, and my ears were full of 3XY hits, in particular Carlton by Skyhooks (still my fave and if you ever care to join me on the highway, I will blare it out for you). Another cracker, Bony Moronie, was also on high rotation. Now this was not the kind of relationship you might be thinking of - crikey I was only 9 - this love triangle consisted, obviously, of three … [Read more...] about Resort Report
How to cope with grief
Great barrier grief. The abyss of grief is a chasm so vast that no compass can navigate its exodus. Time is suspended, daily tasks rendered impossible. It is the only state where time and date are so irrelevant that the segmentation of society’s structure is blindingly apparent. As if in apology, time slowly returns and allegedly can heal all wounds. Coping with grief is a kaleidoscope of knots and kindling scars. The multifaceted void knows no remedy but rest. Distraction is futile, … [Read more...] about How to cope with grief
Croc & Roll
It’s almost two years since the tropical paradise of the Whitsundays was devastated by Cyclone Debbie. The once lush and luxurious playground was decimated by a category IV cyclone as the eye of the storm passed directly over Airlie Beach leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Unless you have lived through it, it would be hard to fathom the intensity of wind gusts in excess 260kph bellowing at the door. In the spring of 2018, I made my maiden voyage to the Whitsundays, a group of 74 … [Read more...] about Croc & Roll
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy Gowings Food Health Wealth & Byron Bay Cooking School reserve the right to alter, amend all or any of the arrangements contained within events, cooking classes, consulting and mentoring programs. No refunds. A replacement may be nominated. We cannot accept responsibility for students or delegates’ late transport or non-arrivals due to delays. … [Read more...] about Cancellation Policy
Beaching to the converted
When you live in a tourist town it is easy to take the landmarks for granted. When it comes to cooking, you’re only as good as your last dish, or for the diner it's the memory of what you recently ate and where. Think about the last café or restaurant meal you visited and then check in with your upstairs brain to see what you recall. For me, it was my beloved tarragon chicken at The Rails last Saturday because it was the best I’ve had. It was late in the afternoon, the pub was not busy and I sat … [Read more...] about Beaching to the converted
The Healing Feeling
An excerpt from my book The Healing Feeling first published 2012. My voyage across the nourishing waters toward the healing arts began when I was a teenager. I broke my leg riding my little green motor scooter on a crisp autumn Melbourne morning. I don’t really remember how the accident happened, but clearly I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or was I? Everything happens for a reason and the memory of the impact is deliberately dim. I blacked out but then I saw the light. My … [Read more...] about The Healing Feeling
The Kitchens Resident Chef Sam Gowing
Originally published here on 19 April 2017 We sat down with the resident chef of The Kitchens, Samantha Gowing and asked her about all things food! Sam gives two demonstrations per day on The Cooking Stage at 11am and 1pm every Thursday, most Saturdays and the occasional Fridays. So before you go see her cook up a storm, read all about the woman behind the food! Why did you become a chef?I’ve been cooking since I was six years old. I grew up sitting around the tables of … [Read more...] about The Kitchens Resident Chef Sam Gowing
Well into the future
The rosy fingered dawn illuminates the snow capped mountain peaks beyond my villa window. The crisp morning air bristles the back of my neck as I hustle along the marigold lined pathway to the panoramic yoga room for the first of two ninety minute yoga practice sessions each day. As the spring sun burns off the overnight cloud that drapes the mountain range, our internal hara ignites through yogic breath work and asana unpacking busy minds and releasing tight hamstrings and constricted tendons … [Read more...] about Well into the future
A very short history of Gowings
The Gowing name has been synonymous with good food, bars and cars in Australia since the automative boom of the 60s and the gastronomic boom of the 70s. Excerpt from The Byron Bay Echo 2009 by Victoria Cosford. Samantha Gowing was 20 years old when her father’s horse won the Melbourne Cup. His hand gripping hers, she watched as What A Nuisance came hurtling over the finish line – and even, later on, meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales could not compete with that entrancing … [Read more...] about A very short history of Gowings