A Bush Tucker Christmas was the theme for a festive celebration last night at Taste for the Love of Cooking, the fabulous cookware store in the Valley.

Taste queen Jodie Macaulay organised a wonderful setting with food by Stephane Bremont from Tukka Restaurant matched by Australian wines chosen by Darren Davis of Purple Palete.

We started with a Native platter - a selection of emu and kangaroo meats with native berries, fruits and spices. This was a wonderfully surprising combination of new flavours. No qualms from me about eating Skippy!

The main was a seared medium rare fillet of kangaroo with braised veggies and a roasted peach. It tasted as good as it looked. For dessert Stephane rolled out lavender and finger line creme brulees with chocolates flavoured with native Round Leaf Mint - a winning combo.

The kangaroo we ate was MSA graded and came from North Queensland as the marbling in Queensland kangas is richer than that in NSW kangas. Go Queensland!

A highlight of the evening was Michael Connolly's didgeridoo performance - one of the best I have heard.

The Purple Palate wines were sourced from small growers in the Barossa Valley and were well matched to the unique flavours of the native-inspired foods.

Look out for more news of a new food lover's group (sort of like a book lovers club for foodies), that Taste is launching next year. Should be a fabulous opportunity for those with a passion for their food to share the love.

I also came away with a wonderful Ironwood Gourmet pizza board made from environmental friendly Acacia wood. I've travelled in the Outback and seen how tough this wood is. It's going to be my new best friend in the kitchen.

Find out more at -
www.ironwoodgourmet.com
www.dreamtime.auz.net
www.taste-online.com.au
Taste for the Love of Cooking, Montpelier Road, Fortitude Valley

Pictured from top: Jodie Macaulay, Stephane Bremont, fabulous MSA graded NQ kangaroo fillet.