Author: chefmarkmc

With over 45 years as a professional chef running restaurants and kitchens at the highest level, my focus today is on our simple honest food. Based in the famous wine growing region of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, I produce a range of food products that are available at the Barossa Farmers market and other gourmet food outlets. and offer business mentoring and skills coaching to food business.

In Praise of a “Milky Mojito”

by chefmarkmc, posted in cocktails, delicious recipes, food and drink, Seasonal Kitchen

A lifelong fan of Pernod and Pastis, here courtesy of Diffords guide is a refreshing Provencal take on the classic Mojito

My Friend (&) the Chocolate Cake

by chefmarkmc, posted in australian chefs, baking, Barossa Wine, cakes, chocolate cake, cooking classes, delicious recipes, dessert recipes, food and drink, food and wine

This is a very simple recipe for a delicious chocolate cake but the most important aspect of any recipe is does it work.... this is a story about making sure you get all the details down right before you share it!

Why on earth would you want to eat a green fig?

by chefmarkmc, posted in australian chefs, cooking classes, delicious recipes, figs, food and drink, food and wine, home preserving, preserving, Seasonal Kitchen, sugar confections, wine country cooking

Throughout history, creative cooks have performed a kind of alchemy making the seemingly inedible into the delicious. Unripe, baby green figs are one such food, yet these sugary, rose scented confections are a delightful alternative for your cheeses boards when sweet ripe fresh figs are out of season.

Some Like it Hot!

by chefmarkmc, posted in australian chefs, chilli recipes, cooking classes, delicious recipes, food and wine, Seasonal Kitchen, Spicy recipes, wine country cooking

What makes a good recipe? for me its one that stands the test of time, and with a new spicy cooking class on the way it seems a good time to blog about one of my favourite recipes for chilli jam based on a one from the legendary Australia Chef Christine Manfield.

Keeping Your Cool..

by chefmarkmc, posted in Barossa Wine, delicious recipes, food and drink, Seasonal Kitchen

To say it’s been hot in the Barossa this past week is an understatement. A sweltering heat wave, horrific bushfires through the Adelaide Hills and a full schedule of cooking classes has kept us busy, inside and at home. To be honest the biggest question for the week has been “what to drink and cool down … Continue reading Keeping Your Cool..