As president of an Australian organisation representing people who write and communicate about food and farming, Liz is meant to be in Belgium this week meeting with peers from around the world. But thanks to volcanoes in Iceland, she found herself trapped en route in Singapore for four days before aborting her plans altogether and coming home unexpectedly early.
What to do as compensation? High tea at Raffles was on the agenda until a Singapore resident warned her they now use tea bags - a completely unacceptable development to a keen tea drinker who also collects tea pots!
Instead, Liz discovered two treasures that were almost compensation for missing out on all that Belgian chocolate - high tea at the Shangrila Hotel (102 kinds of tea offered to accompany an amazing selection of savoury and sweet dishes in elegant surroundings); and the TWG Tea company, which sells more than 200 kinds of tea including a fabulous Singapore breakfast tea and hard-to-get first-flush, finest orange pekoe picked from the highest altitudes of some of the world's best tea estates. Nothing like a good cuppa to soothe the travel-tortured nerves.
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Welcome to The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, celebrating the traditions of country show cooking in Australia, and the adventures of its author, Liz Harfull, as she meets and writes about prizewinning show cooks, their recipes and secret tips. ISBN 9781862547926
IMAGES FROM THE BOOK
Special offer
Order three or more copies of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook and receive a discount of $5 per copy. For the special price and individually signed copies, order direct from the author.
What people are saying.....
"[The book] sounded interesting so I went out at lunchtime and found a copy of the book in a city bookstore. I have so many cookbooks at home so I was going to flick through the book and walk away. But I loved it..." Bear Head Soup, May 6, 2010
"These books are a real joy. They quality of the binding and the presentation really takes you back to the days when things were created by people who care." Robert Pekin, Food Connect.
"This is the best cookbook I have ever bought. Every recipe I have tried so far has been a success... Not at all complicated and not long listed ingredients, but simple down to earth recipes." Reader review, Fishpond.com.au, July 1, 2009.
"If you are looking for the best fruitcake recipe, the tastiest home-made tomato sauce or the tangiest lemon butter, then this is your book." The Weekly Times, November 19, 2008.
"This is a must-have book and would make a terrific Christmas present!" Australian Gourmet Pages Newsletter, October 2008
"Here is race memory and the faith of the mothers rewarded - a harvest of thanks made with flour measured out in an old cup without a handle, kept in the kitchen dresser. The secret ingredient is love." Peter Goers, Sunday Mail, September 14, 2008
"It's the new Green and Gold..." Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society president Charlie Downer, speaking at the official launch on September 4, 2008
"The spirit of the Australian country show permeates the pages of this marvellously nostalgic collection of show recipes, judges’ hints and vintage images. Compiled by a seasoned journalist on the rural round, it’s a snapshot of an Australian institution and a tribute to our stalwart country cooks. Long may they reign… and their sponges rise. Why buy For lemonade scones, jam rolls and jubilee cakes the way Nanna made them. Perfect for the aspiring showcook and generations to come." Gourmet Traveller Australian edition (September 2008)
"These books are a real joy. They quality of the binding and the presentation really takes you back to the days when things were created by people who care." Robert Pekin, Food Connect.
"This is the best cookbook I have ever bought. Every recipe I have tried so far has been a success... Not at all complicated and not long listed ingredients, but simple down to earth recipes." Reader review, Fishpond.com.au, July 1, 2009.
"If you are looking for the best fruitcake recipe, the tastiest home-made tomato sauce or the tangiest lemon butter, then this is your book." The Weekly Times, November 19, 2008.
"This is a must-have book and would make a terrific Christmas present!" Australian Gourmet Pages Newsletter, October 2008
"Here is race memory and the faith of the mothers rewarded - a harvest of thanks made with flour measured out in an old cup without a handle, kept in the kitchen dresser. The secret ingredient is love." Peter Goers, Sunday Mail, September 14, 2008
"It's the new Green and Gold..." Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society president Charlie Downer, speaking at the official launch on September 4, 2008
"The spirit of the Australian country show permeates the pages of this marvellously nostalgic collection of show recipes, judges’ hints and vintage images. Compiled by a seasoned journalist on the rural round, it’s a snapshot of an Australian institution and a tribute to our stalwart country cooks. Long may they reign… and their sponges rise. Why buy For lemonade scones, jam rolls and jubilee cakes the way Nanna made them. Perfect for the aspiring showcook and generations to come." Gourmet Traveller Australian edition (September 2008)
Getting to know Liz...
Patrice Ryan's wonderful blog, Women's Nook, features a series of interviews with author Liz Harfull about her life as a writer, the people that have inspired her, and stories behind the creation of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Why not take a look and subscribe to this inspiring blog while you are visiting...
Women's Nook interview with Liz - Part I
Women's Nook interview with Liz - Part II
Women's Nook interview with Liz - Part III
Women's Nook interview with Liz - Part I
Women's Nook interview with Liz - Part II
Women's Nook interview with Liz - Part III
Send us your stories and photos
Have you made something from The Blue Ribbon Cookbook? Or perhaps you are planning to enter your local show this spring? We would love to publish a photo of you and your efforts, and tell people about your successes. Please send your news and photos to liz@blueribboncookbook.com.au
About the book
Every year hundreds of talented amateur cooks spend countless hours preparing entries for cookery classes and competitions at country shows across South Australia. The Blue Ribbon Cookbook features the stories of more than 50 show cooks, ranging in age from 3 to 93, and their prizewinning recipes. A feature of the book are tips from both the cooks and experienced show judges about how to make the recipes work – information and tricks of the trade not usually found in recipe methods, but often handed down from generation to generagion.
The collection includes recipes such as Grandma’s chocolate fudge cake, macadamia and wattle seed biscuits, coffee kisses, yeast buns and lemonade scones, muffins, marmalade, sauces, and pickles.
The collection includes recipes such as Grandma’s chocolate fudge cake, macadamia and wattle seed biscuits, coffee kisses, yeast buns and lemonade scones, muffins, marmalade, sauces, and pickles.
About the Author
- Liz
- Author Liz Harfull has more than 25 years' experience as a journalist, freelance writer, editor and public relations consultant specialising in working with rural and regional communities. A keen amateur cook, she thinks nothing of whipping up afternoon tea for family and friends as a way of relaxing at weekends. The Blue Ribbon Cookbook is her first book.
Feedback and comments
Do you have some comments about the book or the blog? Send an email to lizk@adam.com.au
My Blog List
Links
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Centre
- Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists
- Australian Society of Authors
- Food Connect
- International Federation of Agricultural Journalists
- Mt Lofty Historical Society
- Old Fashioned Living
- Robe Book Project
- Royal Adelaide Show
- Rural Media South Australia
- Slow Food Australia
- South Australian Country Shows
- The Blue Ribbon Cookbook - new website
- Wakefield Press
Supporters
The Blue Ribbon Cookbook is supported by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia and the Agricultural Societies Council of SA. Copies purchased at any country show in the State will help raise funds for the local show society.