Top 5 January Food Bites

One month of 2013 has already done and dusted. It’s been quiet, in all respects. I haven’t been at TAFE, I’m not back at uni yet, and I haven’t even been working as much as I should. Instead I’ve enjoyed time with my nieces, some lazy days by the pool, and a few too many television episodes. But things have still been churning, and so I’ve got a list of 5 of my favourite things to happen this January.

1. Summer Fridays are Back

These are the markets that got me started on this whole crazy baking journey. The place where I found out people would actually pay me money to buy cupcakes. I went to the first market on a whim, and I only went back because people asked me to. Now I’m half the way towards becoming a pastry chef, I’ve catered for weddings and birthday parties, and I’ve been featured about 4 times in magazines and newspapers. It’s a pretty sweet feeling.

My caramel cupcakes. Vanilla cake with gooey caramel centre and crunchy caramel popcorn.

If you want to come down, I’m there every Friday until the end of March. You’ll find us on Ebenezer Place, just behind Rundle Street. Keep your eyes peeled for the Cupcake Table.

2. Food Blogging Friends

We had another food blogger meet up in January, a lovely picnic at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. I of course brought along some cupcakes, and while it was small it was a great reminder of how much I love catching up with other local food bloggers. Hopefully we’ll get a few more people at the next one.

Yes, 11 Cupcakes for 4 bloggers.

In other food blogging news I also found out that someone I went to school with has an LA based food blog with his girlfriend. It’s called Boy Meets Girl Meets Food a food blog “created as a way for us to connect with each other, as well as anyone who loves food, while we were in a long-distance relationship.” Then there’s Tyson from Tempting Tyson who has just been announced as the new sous chef of the White House Hahndorf. Chris Wilson, one of my chefs from TAFE, is the head chef; now I have no excuse to not go check out their new set up.

3. Cancer Free!

It’s not really food related, but it’s been one of my favourite parts of January. Late December I had to go in for a check-up after having a few symptoms, and ended up having a polyp removed. I’ve always known that my family has a strong history of bowel cancer, thanks to the lovely MSH2 gene mutation. I had the test done when I was 16 and found out I carried the gene, but this was the first time it really hit home for me.

Usually I wouldn’t have started testing till I was 25, but luckily I did, because my doctor said if the polyp had been left for another 6 months it would have most likely developed into cancer.

For now it’s a bullet dodged, but a reminder that you’re never too young to get cancer. My cousin and a friend participated in the Undies Run for Bowel Cancer, an event that focusses on the importance of talking to your doctor.

4. Moving Music

I helped out at Moving Music with Yelp, who were handing out free water on the day. If you haven’t heard of Moving Music you should really check it out. It was a great afternoon/night walking through the city, seeing plenty of bands I’ve never heard of because I’m so out of the loop, and seeing some spaces around Adelaide in a new light.

Chicken & Felafel from the Happy Motel

Of course there was also food, once again thanks to the Happy Motel. Thankfully there were only two choices available which made things pretty easy, I’d get both. Everyone else went for the chicken, but while the chicken was delicious, the falafel created a major case of food envy from everyone else. They were the best falafels I have ever had, crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside, and full of flavour. They both came served with yoghurt and sweet pomegranate, and a cucumber and feta salad that had slices of chili hidden amongst it.

5. RecipeYum & Howtoi
Last but not least are the two new sites, spin-offs from Weekend Notes where I currently write and edit. RecipeYum is (if you couldn’t guess) a recipe site. Writers share their recipes with their own pictures, and get paid based on how many views they get. There are bonuses like competitions, and awards. It’s got very humble beginnings, but I’m hoping over time it might attract a few food bloggers, because I’d love to see the quality of recipes and photos soar. I’m going to be the chief editor of the site, which is exciting for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Poppy with our tissue paper pom poms.

Howtoi is a similar concept, but instead of recipes it’s got ‘How To’ guides. I’ve been having lots of fun crafting with my nieces to ger some articles ready for the site. So far my favourite are the tissue paper pom poms.

That’s my slow and steady January. What sort of a start has your year got off to?