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SUMMER AND THE COUNTDOWN TO XMAS IN SYDNEY - 4 DECEMBER 2019 As 2019 winds down, for me it's full of smiley memories of tour guest groups sipping cocktails, munching through picnic platters, savouring plates of organic produce, devouring wicked but delicious desserts, and slurping bowls of ramen - with or without added protein. Food brings us together to connect and make new friends - win-win!And food with a sprinkle of local culture is what we're about! Each year so many new eat streets emerge, new mural art with proactive messages, cafes serving great vibes with their food, and sadly, with rising rents, a few favourites closing their doors, but most eager to re-emerge offering new adventures. And so it is with this first blog post - a new adventure I hope you'll share. My tours aim to give you a personal Sydney experience, and our blog is really just an excuse to keep talking about Sydney, and share a few insights with you. It's December, the start of Summer, and the most indulgent holiday season of them all!  It's Summer, so Beach Balls decorate the Christmas tree in Martin Place Sydney's Martin Place Xmas Tree glows like a giant candy confection sprouting out of Martin Place. The tree lights up every 15 minutes from 7pm to midnight. Instead of candy canes the giant tree features beach ball sized baubles that remind me of giant versions of the multi-layered gobstopper candy from my childhood. This tree's 800 branches are festooned with 15,000 flowers, representing 9 different kinds of Australian flowers: banksia, waratah, bottlebrush, wattle, eucalyptus gum flower, kangaroo paw, flannel flower, pink wax flower, and white wax flower. It's also the tallest Christmas tree in NSW. And it's decorated with more than 110,000 LED lights, and 330 specially created glossy baubles. Each year the tree in Martin Place brings out a child-like joy in everyone. And it's always nice to see child-like excitement in adults. The tree is a hugely popular selfie shot. Your photo challenge is to photograph both in the one shot. There will be Christmas Carols at Martin Place Christmas Tree until December 24. Christmas Carols schedule 
I can't say 'No' to canales, can you?
TRAMSHEDS Farmers Market is one of my favourite weekend market tours. My tour guests tell me "there's no better way to spend a Sunday morning" than talking with market traders, hearing their stories, buying gourmet produce, and then sitting at a shared table with other guests to eat and talk. We walk, talk, eat, and explore.
It's a delicious way of life, that you don't have to travel overseas for! And the produce is exceptional. I also like TRAMSHEDS because whatever the weather, the markets are indoors, and under cover. We sample olives varieties that guests have told me remind them of trips through villages in Spain. Food is so tied into our memories and experiences. I think we all know that, and we are so lucky to have access to fresh, local farm produce, that we should all be proud of and appreciate. Whether it's the potato farmer who drives a very long way to share his harvest of potatoes or the early rising baker with sourdough loaves, croissants, or canales to share, you'll be spoilt for choice. If you've never roasted a tray of potatoes with olive oil and a few garlic bulbs, then you won't know what gourmet simplicity is, or enjoy it. TRAMSHEDS Is the perfect market to build your amazing gourmet cheese or grazing plate. And what about the canales? I want you to try them for yourselves - you tell me how delicious you think they are. I'd love you to join one of my upcoming TRAMSHEDS Food Tours. They are relaxed, and you'll have access to some stunning local produce, post-tour sit down and share a delicious lunch. We have two tour dates coming up: Sunday DECEMBER 8, and our special 'stock up for Xmas' tour on Sunday DECEMBER 22. 
Advent Christmas Tea includes a treasure hunt of ingredients: hibiscus, pineapple, papaya, raisins, rooibos, cinnamon, elderyberry, beetroot, strawberry and more...
Walking through Sydney's iconic, heritage-listed Strand Arcade I'm always drawn into the retail 'spice temple' that is Gewürzhaus Herb & Spice Merchants for a sniff of spice. They sell loose-leaf teas, herbs, and spice blends by weight, minimum 20g.
I always buy a selection of flavours and experiment. If you bake, you'll probably never want to leave the store. And if BBQ marinades or a slow-cooking tagine is your thing, your senses will be in a crescendo, and that's good, right?If you are carrying a very small handbag, request one of their cute canvas drawstring bags to carry home your little packets of tea and spices. It's worth the extra AUD$1, as the bag is perfect to for storing mushrooms in your fridge. With so many beautiful aromatic teas, herbs, and spice blends competing for choice how do you choose? Easy. Ask advice from the knowledgable store manager Rachel or her staff, who know and love their product. We all love spices, but let's get creative with tea! Brew and infuse your tea mix and make shrub, a refreshing cold drink with global variations, but very popular in the Caribbean and American Southern states, and perfect for hot Sydney summers. But don't be complacent, take your shrub skills to the next level - add Xmas spirit/s. Being the generous soul that you are, gift you or someone you like a bottle of your own homemade Raspberry and Advent Tea Infused Gin or reward yourself with a glass of Maple and Nutmeg Whiskey Sour as you scroll through the variety of other recipes on the Gewürzhaus website. You can also change up your favourite recipes with new flavours and glow up your holiday homecooking. Wishing you the very best for the holiday season, and I hope you'll share food and connection with people special to you. |
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