2022 Spanish film festival competition

Spanish film festival competition
Hola amigos!

The 2022 Moro Spanish Film Festival presented by Palace cinemas returns with a curated selection of films from Spain, Latin America and beyond.

The films below are our first sneak peek into the programme which will screen at Palace Cinemas in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Byron Bay, starting on April 19 in Sydney.

Chinese New Year of the Tiger 2022

This year is the Chinese year of the Water Tiger, which starts on February 1, 2022, and ends on January 21, 2023.

A water tiger year occurs every 60 years and the Chinese zodiac has five elements, earth, water, fire, wood and metal.

Those born in 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938 are tiger people.

The 12 zodiac animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year-cycle.

So this is Christmas

So this is Christmas and what have you done?

Some Christmas humour

I wouldn't go as far as stuffing the turkey with Prozac, but Christmas can be a time when emotions run high and instead of peace and goodwill to all, it becomes stress and distress for some.

So here's some funny Christmas stories to lighten the mood.

Christmas in the Australian summer can be a trying time for the appointed family chef, usually Mum.

St Ali Italian film festival 2021 competition

St Ali Italian film festival 2021 competition

Live la dolce vita and celebrate spring at the St Ali Italian film festival 2021!

Read on and enter the competition to win one of three double passes to the festival and enjoy the best of Italian films.

One of the first things I did when we were released from the lockdown in Melbourne was to visit my favourite cinema. Watching movies is one of the joys of my life and 12 weeks without seeing a movie on the big screen was painful to me.

Book review. Last Shot by Jock Zonfrillo

Book review

Last Shot by Jock Zonfrillo

Published by Simon & Schuster Australia $45

Last Shot by chef and MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo is described as a coming-of-age memoir of addiction, ambition and redemption.

Born to an Italian father and Scottish mother in Glasgow, Jock's early life was heavily influenced by both cultures.

“Nonno, Dad's dad was the most Italian man who ever lived,” said Jock.

Nonno wore a suit if he was going down the street to buy a newspaper and was a larger than life character to his adoring grandson.

Bastille Day 2021

Bastille Day

The francophile in me hopes to wake up to a delectable breakfast of this Breton buckwheat galette on Bastille Day.

It's a special creation by my friend, chef Gabriel Gate, for his Taste le tour.

Recipe from https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes

The recipe originates from Brittany, which is famous for its delicious savoury crêpes made with buckwheat flour and garnished with cheese, charcuterie, seafood and more.

Galette Bretonne à la farine de sarrasin

(Breton buckwheat galette)

Suburban Chinese restaurants

My friend and former colleague, journalist Jamie Duncan, and I had an interesting interview on how Chinese food has evolved over the years. Here is Jamie's story in the Herald Sun.

Why there’s nothing like suburban Chinese food

Melbourne today boasts some of the best regional Chinese cuisine around — but some old-school suburban restaurants are still mastering the classics.

Jamie Duncan

February 11, 2021

Herald Sun

Chinese food in Melbourne has come a long way since the 80s.

Chinese New Year of the Ox 2021

Chinese New Year of the Metal Ox starts on Friday, February 12, and we hope it will be better than last year, which was tumultous and challenging.

The other animals in the Chinese zodiac are the Rat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep, Rooster, Monkey, Dog and Pig.

According to the Chinese annals, those born in the Year of the Ox are said to be determined, strong and conservative.

Christmas 2020

Christmas this year has come near the end of one of the most challenging years the world has experienced.

Some countries have the pandemic under control, while others are experiencing second and third waves of this terrible virus.

Let's all hope and pray for a better future, a peaceful and joyous Christmas and a happy New Year.

As is this website's tradition, here is a recipe for my favourite dish at Christmas, a succulent baked ham and this year we're trying chef Manu's Christmas ham baked with stout.

Manu's stout baked ham

Cakes for One

Some days you just feel like having a little bit of cake with your coffee, while watching tv or just for fun.

When you've eaten your last morsel of cake and your favourite patiserrie is closed, despair not.

My friend Felix and I have created these recipes which are not only quick and easy, but absolutely delectable.

They are designed to feed one hungry person, but if you feel like sharing, just double or triple the quantities.

Banana bread for one by Felix

¼ cup all-purpose flour

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

A Wok on the Wild Side