• Murdoch Books, R688Ben Shewry is chef at Melbourne’s multi award-winning restaurant, Attica. An avid forager and champion of artisan producers, Ben’s connection with nature stems from his childhood growing up on a remote farm in New Zealand. Ben says, “Almost all my dishes are inspired by an important memory, story or past experience.” With delicate elements making up an exquisite story on a plate, Ben’s dishes are for serious cooks with time to create mindful masterpieces.

    Beef tamales are a staple throughout Mexico and Central America. A corn maize meal known as masa harina is made into a paste, often incorporating slow-braised beef or…

    By F&HE contributor Jenny HandleyThe tourism and hospitality industries provide a multi-faceted environment that needs to focus on developing quality people and service. I was encouraged when I heard about an initiative in this dynamic industry over a delicious meal at Dash restaurant in the Queen Victoria Hotel. It was a special occasion for their trainee chef Thaabiet Adams and all-rounder bartender and barista Francisco Domingo, to introduce their talents – in a passionate, accomplished and knowledgeable manner. These impressive men are competitors in the 2013 Showcook Inter Hotel Challenge, in which 10 leading hotels and wine brands have partnered…

    F&HE contributor Jenny Handley meets Eric LanlardMeeting award-winning master patissiere chef Eric Lanlard at a breakfast hosted by le Creuset at Silwood Kitchen in Cape Town made for a memorable morning. Eric demonstrated some seductive dishes, and also unveiled his philosophy about food being unpretentious, borne from his childhood in Brittany, France. Previously just a tad intimidated by the intricacies of chocolate, I felt my fears dissolve as I watched him create three recipes out of his new book, Chocolat – with the salted butter caramel cake being my favourite. His masterpieces have a peasant feel, and I was quite…