Despite the cold, rainy weather, enthusiastic diners trickle into the Brasserie Bread cafe last Saturday evening to enjoy a night of bread, butter, beer and seafood. Hosted by former MasterChef contestant Mindy Woods, we’re in for a fabulous gastronomic adventure featuring a plethora of local producers.
The night starts off with beers from Young Henry’s, a brewery in Newtown that tributes old-style techniques and allows you to buy a 2-litre growler bottle that you can keep refilling with every purchase. Next to the DJ, a table of chunky Brasserie Bread sourdough is accompanied by Pepe Saya butter and creme fraiche with Yarra Valley caviar and a selection of cured meats from Salumi Australia.
John Susman speaks about the sweet and soft Kinkawooka mussels, which tonight are infused with beautiful Asian flavours. Next up are Cloudy Bay clams in an impeccable butter sauce that’s perfect for mopping up with sourdough. For the main course, Mindy cooks up a flavoursome paella in a gigantic pan, teeming with beautiful squid, prawn and mussels.
The evening ends on a high note: a Dessertmakers sticky date pudding is served with a bittersweet beer caramel sauce (made with Young Henry’s oyster stout!) and topped with a quenelle of Pepe Saya mascarpone. Absolutely incredible.
It was a delight to be a part of such an exciting evening of incredible products and beautiful people.
Follow Mindy Woods on Twitter to keep an eye on her foodie adventures and pop up restaurants!
2 kilo wheel of Pepe Saya butter and bread!
Young Henry’s Beer
Brasserie Bread sourdough, Pepe Saya creme fraiche & Yarra Valley caviar
Young Henry’s apple cider
Michael enjoying a cold one
Mindy and Michael
Olive & rosemary bread with Pepe Saya butter
The boys from Young Henry’s hoeing into the bread and caviar
Pouring beers
Sitting down for dinner
Kinkawooka mussels
Cloudy Bay clams
Mindy and giant paella!
Plating up paella
Dessertmakers sticky date pudding with a beer caramel sauce and Pepe Saya mascarpone
Mindy and John
Hi Pepe!
