#epiqure

[butterandco]

Our mates at Qantas have invited Pepe to take part in their prestigious Qantas epiQure Fairs again this year and Pepe is tickled pink.

The epiQure events offer masterclasses, meet the producer talks, wine tastings and lashings of delicious locally produced food.

Pepe will be chatting audiences up in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne from September 6th.

[butterandco]

epiQure Qantas - Producers Series Degustation Dinner

If you're not a member of the epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyers, well lets just say  - your missing out on some amazing events featuring Australia's best food and wine producers.

On Wednesday 31 October I was invited along to the second last Producers Series Degustation Dinner for 2012 and it was held at one of my all time favourite eateries "Kitchen by Mike" in Roseberry.

This elegant evening was hosted by Jan Rundle from epiQure with a "Question & Answer" theme, the producers included, John Fairley (Country Valley), Grant Hilliard (Feather & Bone), Tom Carson (Yabby Lake wines) & yours truly Pierre Issa (Pepe Saya butter).

Here's how it played out,

Pictured: George Hatzis, Jan Rundle & Mike McEnearney

Canapés on arrival, Anchovie and tomato confit on toast 

Taittinger NV

Yabby Lake Pinot Gris 2012

Pictured: John Fairley & Pierre Issa

On the tables, Young radish with Pepe Saya butter & woodfired sourdough bread on tables

Pictured: Tom Carson

Entree, Hot smoked ocean trout with white Asparagus

2010 Yabby Lake Chardonnay

2009 Yabby Lake Chardonnay

Pictured: Jan Rundle, Grant Hilliard & Mike McEnearney

Main Course, Roast duck with braised spring peas

2008 Yabby Lake Pinot

2010 Yabby Lake Pinot

Cleanser, blood orange and aperol granita

Dessert, Creme caramel with Mulberries

2009 Heathcote Estate Black F Shiraz

2006 Heathcote Estate Shiraz

Finished off with Fresh mint tea & chocolates

Pictured: Jan Rundle

Here's some information about epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyer.

epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyer is the wine community exclusive to Qantas Frequent Flyers where you can enjoy fine wine, food and rewards. Members of epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyer will be able to access top-quality Australian wine selected by the Qantas Wine Panel for the business and first class cellars. They will also have access to limited-release wine vintages.   Additionally members will be able to attend exclusive events including wine tastings, private dinners, and behind the scenes winery experiences. Members will also have access to food-related content including inspiring recipes from Neil Perry, plus they can participate in the community forum online.   1. How does one get to attend these events? 

Online purchase of tickets via the Qantas epiQure website, you must be a member to purchase tickets however, non members can attend with a member

2. Can anyone join Epiqure? 

You need to be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to be a part of Qantas epiQure.

3. What did that event cost Per person? 

$140.00 pp

4. How often do you hold them? 

We hold over 50 events per year for Qantas epiQure members nationally

Special thanks to,

Qantas Events: Petrina Bull & Dick Boyles

epiQure: Jan Rundle & Kate Bedwell

Photographer: Mark Sherborne

The team at Kitchen by Mike

[natkateatstuff-blog]

EpiQure launch at Rockpool Bar and Grill (2 hats) 19 July 2011

A last minute decision to attend this exclusive event was definitely not one that we regretted. Nat had received some information on it in the mail and after 2 weeks of it just sitting on the bench he actually decided to take a look at the details online. This was when we saw that Rene Redzepi was attending and also that it was $400 per head! Oh not to worry we actually had the exact amount of QFF points needed to cover it  - what a fluke! After dining at Noma in 2009 when it was merely the 3rd best restaurant in the world we have been avid followers of Rene Redzepi and his ideas.

For those of you who have not heard, Qantas launched a new wine club called EpiQureat Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar and Grill. Neil designed the 7 course tasting menu and Steve Lienert (senior red wine maker of Penfolds) matched the wines. David Blackmore was also there (MD of Blackmores wagyu beef). Of course the event would not be complete without Matt Preston as the MC - he makes no secret of his love for Rene Redzepi.

The event started with canapés of anchovy, smoked tomato and toast and goats cheese tortellini with pine nuts and raisins. These were accompanied with a constant supply of 2000 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne which Nat and I enjoyed two glasses of before realising we had at least 6 more wines to go and it was a "school night". The canapés and champagne was enjoyed whilst watch a list of b grade celebrities (mostly home and away stars) walk through the door and pose for photos. Of course Matt's besties George and Garry were also there and also the CEO of Qantas Alan Joyce.

After taking our seats and chatting with a lovely couple who were seated next to us we made the observation that the "common people" were seated on one side of the room and the "celebrities" on the other. The second course of baby beetroot salad roasted, jelly, raw with barrel aged feta dressing was served and this is where we realised that there were not one but TWO wines matched to each course! For this course there was a 2010 Penfolds Autumn Riesling and a 2005 Penfolds Bin Aged Release Riesling. The idea was to taste the difference between the two and maybe select one to accompany with your dish. Most people just drank them both! The dish and the wines were fantastic as were all the wines for the night! Steve Lienart spoke briefly about each wine as they were being served. 

The third dish for the night was blue fin tuna tartare, moroccan eggplant, cumin, mayonnaise and harrisa. It caused some controversy at our table with one guy determined to argue with our waiter about blue fin tuna not being a sustainable food. This prompted Neil Perry to come out and state to the room that it was farmed tuna and therefore sustainable. 

The remaining dishes were:

Rich and noble prawn congee, star anise scented peanuts, chinese fried bread and chilli oil.

Woodfire roasted burrawang chicken with baby carrots and pea sauce (3 wines with this one)

Slow cooked David Blackmore wagyu short rib, charred, with red braised shitake mushrooms, yam and ginger puree (these were matched with 2001 and 2004 Penfolds Grange) The 2004 grange was actually better than the 2001 and Nat managed to sweet talk the waiter into giving us and extra glass of each. So we definitely got our moneys worth! 

Sharpe family strawberry mascapone cake (matched with Penfolds grandfather tawny).

The food for the night was fantastic. We were pretty toasted after a gazilion glasses of wine and Nat took the opportunity, when Neil Perry walked around to say hello to everyone, to tell him that his tingling prawns at Spice Temple were no good. He laughed it off and called him a whimp. After two bad experiences at his other two restaurants Neil Perry had finally served up some decent food, so he won back a few points this time around. 

All in all we had a great night and surprisingly didn't wake up with a hangover. We're convinced the high quality wine made the difference. Its hard to say if the food was typical of Rockpool Bar and Grill, but if it is, then it deserves the 2 hats.