Sweet Sensation

It’s spring on a plate. At Om Nom, executive chef Jo Ward has done it again, adding another incredibly artistic and delicious dish to her dessert menu. Strawberry Kisses is a picture-perfect creation of spiced strawberry sorbet, vanilla panna cotta, raspberry and rose cremeaux, pomegranate meringue and white peach nitro. And, no, we’re not sure if Ward is a closet Nikki Webster fan.

Planning Ahead: By The Book

Award-winning author and chef Christine Manfield is celebrating the publication of the second edition of her book, Tasting India – now with 30 new recipes and three added chapters – with a tasty tour. She’ll be taking over the kitchen of Richmond’s Anchovy for one night only on 11 November to create dishes from recipes she’s collected during her many visits to India. Plus, all guests will receive a signed copy of Tasting India. Be sure to book in advance.

WHEN Sunday 11 November

WHERE Anchovy

Four Times the Flavour

Collingwood favourite CIBI, the Japanese cafe and design store, is spreading its wings. Not too far from the much-loved space it occupied for a decade is its new site, which is four times bigger and will allow owners Meg and Zenta Tanaka to expand operations. At the huge former garment warehouse, you can order the crowd-favourite simple Japanese breakfast of grilled salmon fillet, “tamagoyaki” omelette, seasonal greens, rice and miso soup (every day now rather than only on the weekend), browse the artisan Japanese homewares and stock up on pantry essentials. The new CIBI opens early this month at 31–39 Keele Street, Collingwood.

Feeling Saucy?

When the bottles of sauce kept going missing from the tables at Fancy Hank’s, the barbecue joint on Bourke Street in the city, executive chef Mike Patrick decided to do something about it. Now, fans of the five different flavours – we love the Coffee & Molasses BBQ Sauce on slow-cooked brisket and Habanero & Carrot for spicing things up – can buy them online and in the restaurant.

Walk This Way

Want to get to know the streets of Brunswick a little better? Join one of Foodie Trails’ walking tours of the bustling suburb and you’ll get the lowdown on its best Turkish restaurants and food sellers. Find out how to best use Middle Eastern spices, snack on baklava and enjoy a three-course progressive lunch as you move along Sydney Road.

Waste Not, Want Not

If you often find yourself emptying the fridge of wilted veggies and spoiled leftovers you need to take a look at your kitchen habits. Open Table, the organisation that offers meals to those in need in the neighbourhood, runs a free two-part workshop demonstrating how to reduce waste at home. Get creative with vegetables as you cook lunch, learn some money-saving tactics and find out about composting. The first of the workshops is held in Carlton on the fourth Saturday of each month, and you need to book in advance.