Mouth-watering Morsels of Myrtles and Marsupials:
De-watering the Dinners of Oz?

You are invited to the President’s Dinner featuring the Bernard King Memorial Lecture and a new induction to the FMCA Hall of Fame

In addition to the biennial Australian Food Media Awards and numerous functions throughout the year, the FMCA holds the annual President’s Dinner. In 2006 The Bernard King Memorial Lecture was initiated by the FMCA and presented by Mr Jeff Gambin (Australian Humanitarian of the Year in 2000), a philanthropist who feeds over 400 homeless people each day and engages them in many activities that improve their lives.

In 2007 we have seen the greatest awareness and concern ever about water and sustaining our food supply in Australia. For the 2007 Bernard King Memorial Lecture, the FMCA has invited Professor Michael Archer to present a thought-provoking lecture on “De-watering the Dinners of Oz”.

Professor Michael Archer, BA (MCL) Princeton, PhD (Zool.) University of Western Australia, FRZNSW, FAAS, is Dean of Science at the University of New South Wales, a recipient of numerous awards, and will be known to many for his regular contributions to Sally Loan’s breakfast program on ABC Radio 702. He is passionately committed to communicating to the Australian public the vital importance of implementing compatible, innovative approaches to maximise long-term, effective conservation of Australia’s plant and animal life. What can we learn from our flora and fauna which have survived for millennia on this, the driest continent on Earth?

The FMCA Hall of Fame inductee for 2007 will also be honoured at the President’s Dinner. A nomination form is enclosed, and if you wish to nominate a fellow member, the form must be returned to the FMCA Secretariat by Friday, August 3. The criteria for nomination are detailed on the form.

What’s so good about the glycemic index (GI)?

Hear the evidence and discover what you can do to make a difference

Every day, 275 Australians are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Food Media Club members are in a unique position to make a difference to our “diabesity” epidemic (which is costing Australia about $1 billion a year) by including more low GI foods in the recipes they develop for homemaker magazines and in the food products, meals and menus they create. Studies from around the world show that low GI foods help people lose weight, manage blood glucose levels, improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from (and, of course, ask questions of) some of the world’s leading experts on the GI, carbohydrates and our long-term health and wellbeing:

• Alan Barclay, CEO, Glycemic Index Ltd; Consultant, Diabetes Australia
• Catherine Saxelby, Accredited Practising Dietitian and food writer
• Professor Jennie Brand Miller, Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Sydney
• Kaye Foster-Powell, Accredited Practising Dietitian
• Peter Howard, Food and wine commentator and author

GO NUTS FOR LIFE AT THE ZOO

Nuts for Life and the Food Media Club Australia invite you to
a fun, educational evening all about tree nuts.

Nuts for Life is a health education initiative of the Australian Tree Nut Industry to raise the awareness of the health benefits of nuts and to dispel any myths.

Please come and support the Australian Tree Nut Industry by joining us.

A spice spectacular in Adelaide!

Some say that variety is the spice of life but the inaugural FMCA event in South Australia, to be held at Dhaba Spice Kitchen in Leabrook, will hopefully convince you that indeed spice is the spice of life. FMCA President and spice guru Ian “Herbie” Hemphill will be speaking about the spice trade, and Ragini Dey of Dhaba Spice Kitchen will be providing delectable morsels of her mouthwatering food for this great event.

Also included are wines from Fox Creek, “piggie” fortune cookies from Australian Pork Limited and a raffle with some fantastic prizes, including a signed copy of the new hard-cover edition of Spice Notes and Recipes by Ian Hemphill, kindly donated by the author, a book package from Le Cordon Bleu Australia, and a dinner voucher from Ragini Dey at Dhaba Spice Kitchen.

The Food Media Club Australia is an association of food professionals who have expertise in diverse food-related areas, such as journalism, food production, public relations, marketing, nutrition, catering, restaurants and small businesses. So spice up your life and come along for a “foodie” meeting of minds!

Exclusive: Good Food & Wine Show
Exhibitors’ Party

Melbourne – Friday, June 1
Sydney – Friday, June 15

Unless you’re an exhibitor or presenter at the Good Food & Wine Show, you will not have had the privilege of mingling with more than 300 food and wine experts from around the world. Well, wait no longer!

The FMCA, in conjunction with the Good Food & Wine Show, is holding two
exclusive cocktail parties in Melbourne and Sydney. Enjoy Catching Thieves wines from McWilliam’s, Pure Blonde beer from Foster’s, juices from Emma & Tom’s, and delicious morsels from executive chefs Scott Pickett (The Point) and Sean Connelly (Astral Bar, Star City) while hobnobbing with Curtis Stone, Matt Moran and other high profile foodies.

These functions are brought to you compliments of the Food Media Club Australia; Diversified Exhibitions Australia; The Point, Albert Park; and Astral Bar, Star City.

The Food Media Club Australia sincerely thanks all parties involved for their generous support in bringing these events to you free of charge.

A tasting of seafood from the Eyre Peninsula

With pristine waters providing all manner of seafood, from shellfish to finfish, South Australia's beautiful Eyre Peninsula is arguably the seafood capital of the nation.

Ease into the weekend and indulge in a taste of delicious fare such as the Pristine Cleanseas kingfish and the Port Lincoln Fresh Fish Company's offerings, including sand crab, King George whiting, calamari, snapper and more.

Local wines from the emerging Eyre region will be available, along with South Australia's finest beer. Cooking demonstrations will also be on offer to help you hone your fish cooking skills.

and all that jazz...
...apples and pears 2007

You are invited to attend the 2007 apple and pear educational...

a look at the latest developmentsfor australian apples and pears, including the exciting new variety jazz.

apple and pear growers will be on hand to discuss...

• the truth about apple and pear varieties, including the new jazz apple
• apple and pear breeding programs and the potential for a red fleshed apple
• the impact of the environment on the 2007 apple and pear season
• the import of New Zealand apples and the affect on Australian growers
• the reason why Australian families should be eating apples and pears
• the best way to store apple and pears to maximise the eating experience for consumers.

The Flavours of Ancient Rome

Melbourne

Roman banquet, Sarti’s Restaurant

Indulge in the flavours of Ancient Rome, where feasts became a decadent art form. The Roman Empire lasted almost 1000 years in a time before tomatoes, potatoes, corn or chocolate appeared in Mediterranean food. Roman nobles lived life to the fullest and took their food very seriously.

In Melbourne, under the culinary consulship of Sarti Restaurant’s Maurice Esposito and Mirella Willingham, and in co-operation with the Food Media Club Australia, discover this ancient culinary art through recreated authentic dishes.

These two banquets will be held in conjunction with the 15th Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (March 16 to 30, see www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au), and FMCA President Ian Hemphill and Vice President Stewart White invite Victorian members and interstate Festival visitors to join them at Sarti’s on the Wednesday night to salute the gastronomic glory of Ancient Rome. (Members are also welcome at Thursday night’s banquet but neither Ian nor Stewart will be able to attend.)

The Flavours of Ancient Rome

Sydney

Roman banquet, Alio Restaurant

Indulge in the flavours of Ancient Rome, where feasts became a decadent art form. The Roman Empire lasted almost 1000 years in a time before tomatoes, potatoes, corn or chocolate appeared in Mediterranean food. Roman nobles lived life to the fullest and took their food very seriously.

In Sydney, join us at Alio Restaurant, Redfern, for a Roman feast to welcome the Ancient Roman new year on the eve of the festival of Anna Perenna, which is celebrated on the Ides of March. According to the old Roman lunar calendar, March was the first month of the year and the Ides (15th) marked the first moon of the new year. Ovid in his Fasti gave a vivid description of “the revelry and licentiousness” of the festival – both are optional for FMCA members.

Discover the culinary art of Ancient Rome through recreated authentic dishes prepared by Chef Ashley Hughes and his team.

Chinese New Year banquet

Celebrate the Year of the Pig in style

As legend has it, when the Jade Emperor devised the Chinese calendar it was the unhurried pig that came to represent the last year of the 12-year celestial cycle. But for FMCA members this will be the first event for 2007. In partnership with Australian Pork Limited and the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, the Food Media Club will celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Pig in sumptuous style.

This special, not-to-be missed porcine event will feature a heavenly and indulgent eight-course banquet, devised by Executive Chef Jess Ong and accompanied by premium Piggs Peake wines and Pigs Fly boutique beer.

Kung Hei Fat Choy

Numbers are limited, so guest attendance is restricted to one per member. Book now to avoid disappointment!