Kia Ora to all in Aoteoroa and beyond, Tin-a-cocoa... tin-a-coffee... Cup-a-soup, my God it’s nearly Christmas....

Unfortunately this is not a "The Week That Was" full of fun, laughter and hijinx, it’s just a catch up jejune missive from the “bloke of ambiguity”...

Rumours a rife I hear back in the old country about the imminent arrival of the great white hunter Mississauga Juju [aka Jersey Ju] (after 6 hard years of hunting for kin here in North America and beyond) her trusty side-kick Montreal McGregor [aka Manhattan Mac-the-knife] and of course the ever present GBoA Pip Global Bloke of Ambiguity [aka NY Pip] as always is not too far behind, (only in his homework and looking at them)??

Well to put these rumours to rest once and for all “IT’S TRUE”... Not only is it all true but Montreal McGregor arrived in Auckalofa on Tuesday morning at 5.30am courtesy of Air NZ direct from Vancouver. We trekked out to Toronto Airport on Thursday (last week) to hand over Mac to Air Canada Cargo, he was left staring out of his prison cell with a look that will haunt me till we meet again, he then spent 3 nights in Vancouver where they had more snow on Friday night than the whole of last winter...!

Montreal McGregor as he has the ability to do, is now resting up at Château Quarantine in the sunny region of Pokeno’s just south of the Bombay Hills??? It’s a lovely resort with rural vista’s. His 28 day package includes, indoor outdoor living with sun shade, dog spa, as much food and water that he can tuck away, a one-on-one fitness trainer, and a weekly visit from MAF just to make sure that he hasn’t come down with a case of foot in mouth [his fathers specialty], or god forbid rabies in between Vancouver & NZ??? What puzzles me is that the palaver that we (well mainly Julie) went through before he even left (it will be in an upcoming book) was just plain weird, why is it that Mac who has to be clear of everything before he can even fly or leave Canada has to then in Vancouver be cleared again by a Canadian Customs Vet then is plunged into quarantine for a month in NZ. Yet no one wants to test me, I could have been bitten by a rabbid racoon, or scratched by a sick squirrel, or even conked by a canadian goose and no tests for me... Maybe my concern is because Manukau McGregor has cost more than me, Juju and a container combined in getting home... I digress.

So that leaves Mississauga Juju and Toronto Pip, well.... I resigned as GM of PRF Group on 11/11/2010 (Armistice Day) after 15 years with PRF it has been a hard decision but one that needed to be made, both Julie & I after 6 years in North America have known for a while that it had to end. It’s appropriate to point out that 11/11/2010 would have been Dad’s birthday and as he was the one who started me on the Pirelli path I subconsciously decided that I should honour him in resigning on that very day. For those of you who are not aware we suddenly lost Dad on September 18^th.

So as of Dec 10^th (my final day) I am officially unemployed for the first time in 18 years, scares the be-jesus out of us but am sure once back into NZ it will all sort itself out.

Meanwhile back in Toronto, Juju is starting to pack up the apartment so that we can load a 20’ container and send back to “The Land of the Long White Cloud”. I have to point out and thank Juju here for her determination and effort in both organising McGregor (with nearly a month of solid paper work, fileing, vet trips, calls to MAF and rush test’s to Kansas), add to this quotes & visits from shipping agents and of course starting to pack everything.

Juju asked me a few weeks back what I percieved my involvement will be in all of this, and somewhere along the way asked how old I was, the answer was quite simple “You tell me when to turn up at the airport, and 7", this as per usual went down like the proverbial lead balloon, however after explaining that after 15 years with one company and 6 years as GM it was not going to be a simple "switch off"?? Ironically it appears that this may not be the case as the handover has gone smoothly and I have quietly backed off my duties etc (it's just a shame that it is early winter and to cold to play golf).

  

So there you have it, Mac is back... Ju & Pip are due (with an eta of Dec 19^th) after a few days on a deserted island in the pacific, to recharge the batteries, to reflect on the 6 years of adventure we have just had, then it’s Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas (although I’ll be dreaming of a lovely mistress)           

Cheers to All and see you soon,

Pip

Global Bloke of Ambiguity

Cookbook Store Windows

I'm just back from doing my finale Christmas window at the Cookbook Store in Yorkville, Toronto. (Now back at home we've just watched Mac take off on Air NZ from snowbound Vancouver on Flight Tracker.)

 Cookbook Store at the corner of Yonge and Yorkville St, Toronto; Julie and Amy.

Its my third Xmas window, my first was back in 2005. Putting the Xmas windows in on the same day as the Santa Parade and an early snowfall signals the start of the season. Walking home tonight past the huge lit tree erected across from Holt Renfrew's great windows made me think nostalgically of the other winter Xmas' we've spent up here in the snow.

Based on the idea of an Advent Calendar with 24 windows I sewed this drop from plastic sheeting and orange cargo straps from the Dollar store.

Tonight I had the help of Visual Merchandising student Amy who did the side window and brain stormed the concept with me last week. I chose bright orange to complement the red of the store and to wake up the Yonge-Yorkville corner with an unconventional combo. Using rubbish bags and spray painted tomato frames I made my Xmas trees for two bucks each, my stars are hot glued knives and forks from the Dollar store.

Working at the store 2005- 2007 was a fab entree into the world of food, foodies and food writing. Meeting many top chefs and tv cooking personalities, who all adore the charm Alison and Jennifer bring to this mecca of books, has been a privilege and so much fun.

2005 Xmas; 2006 Valentines Day

2006 Xmas feature polystyrene cups and lime green color shots.

June Bridal Gown made from cooking magazine pages for the Gay Pride Parade 2006

Asparagus painting for Bonnie Stern in Spring 2006; Dining at home Window 2006.

 Nigella Lawson launches her new TV programme 'Nigella Feasts' October 2006 at the store . I did the window in conjunction with the Food Network with furniture from Pottery Barn.

Spring 2010 Herb Garden Window with product supplied by Sheridan Nurseries on Yonge Street.

I love windows and am forever sneaking pics inside and outside fav stores like Anthropologie.

Best Xmas Dinner Ever...Gordons Goose!

Click on images to enlarge to read recipes. Enjoy.

Mac in Vancouver at Worldwide Animal Travel compound

 

Christa with Mac; Ruthy stops by for a cuddle; Macs comfort zone; Wee McGregor!

Ruthy, our shipper tells us Mac has the offical seal of approval to fly and is confirmed for Sundays Air New Zealand direct flight to Auckland.

The dear girl has provided chopped carrots and peanut butter to make Mac's dinner taste more like home!

He's fine and wrapping them round his paw!

Thanks to the team at Worldwide Animal Travel at Richmond, BC.

McGregor Flies south for the summer and Gordon Ramsay dazzles at brunch

Putting the small white dog into his crate at Air Canada Cargo hangar (along with dear old well chewed Frank), Pip and I felt like real heels! Mac silently watched us walk away, luckily he couldn't see the tears streaming down our silly faces. We flight tracked his plane right through to landing in Vancouver, our friends in Saskatoon waved as he flew by their part of the world! Once on the ground he's reportedly happily chowing down and waggling his tail, in true stoic Scottish style he's taking his ordeal with good spirits. The next three days he hangs out in Vancouver then to NZ on Sunday night.

Amongst the leaves in Rosedale

 During the week I'd dragged him out to his fav haunts. We walked in Rosedale and down at Cherry beach, dropped into a few stores on Bloor and visited with his Westie friend Henry. Our super Marie and other neighbours were very sweet saying goodbye. Sadly the goodbyes sent Mac into a fit of the trembles like I've never seen before. 

 

 Beside the lake at Cherry Beach; Crated and ready to fly, Frank has seen better days; Saying goodbye at the Airport

Meantime it was an early call for me this morning. A little too early as, arriving at a Brunch event for three Michelin Star chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay I realised I'd put on two different shoes in my Mac distracted state. Its true, one high heel, one low boot...not sure how I managed that and hope its not a promise of my sartorial future!

Two feet, two different shoes! Definitely a first!

Gordon Ramsay? Delicious! Naughty. Fun. Thoughtful. Wicked. Self proclaimed Perfectonist. Obsessive. A little ADD. Impossible not to like! He tried so hard not to swear, he managed a good hour before the S word came out and was nearly finished before the F word appeared. In reality he's well spoken, sweet, tough, very buff, has the knack of being totally engaged in one when he speaks to you and can play a room like a pro, especially one full of gorgeous Toronto soccer Mum's, his term, not mine.

 Dressed in dark slim jeans, black tee and chocolate leather.

My task was to click away for the Cookbook store. Such fun. Having the gorgeous man twinkling his sexy eyes at me!...well err..at the camera!.

 Arriving in -1 morning chill; Alison, Julie, Jennifer; Gorgeous Gordon; Alison in her stride; Hells Kitchen Cesar's; Chef Ramsay showing off his impressive abs; signed copies of World Kitchen Ramsay's latest tome.

The best bits are before and after the main event, in the Green room and he's signing books, joking, having fun. Alison (Cookbook Store) had interviewed Gordon in front of 500 dinner guests at the Granite Club, this morning he'd done a radio show, the brunch at St Lawrence Hall for Canadian Living and then another interview with Alison at Market Kitchen at St Lawrence Market for the Globe and Mail before attending a luncheon and hosting the Chefs Challenge Event at the glam Carlu for Mt Sinai Charity events this weekend. Phew and thats just one day! Its a big foodie weekend in Toronto and it was great to hear Gordon rave about his experience at the Black Hoof, talked about an inspirational dish with scallops with bone marrow!

Can't wipe the stoopid grin off my stoopid face!!

Gordon is filming a new season of Kitchen Nightmares in the states and was surprised when I mentioned the name of his latest filming location. Meant to be a big secret! I can't divulge the spot but needless to say it was my boyfriend's fav watering hole, we know the staff well and all about the pre-Gordon nightmare state of the establishment. We can't wait to see what he's done to it!

One of our best Christmas dinners in North America (or ever) was care of Chef Ramsay. Ripped from the December 2005 issue of Good Food mag, his recipe for Roast Goose with Date and red wine sauce accompanied by Brussel Sprouts with pancetta, Rosemary spiked cabbage, Star anise spiced potatoes, Parsley croutons and Clavados glazed apples was too die for. I'll attach the recipes in a following blog. The Goose was out of sight the best bird we'd had, redolent with lemon, limes, Chinese five spice, parsley, thyme and sage and honey... an odd mix but fab! We did have to resort to Julia Child for carving instructions at the last minute and now happily have the low down on goose chopping!

In 2009 we met Josh Emmet in New York. Josh, then Chef de Cuisine at Gordon Ramsay at the London  NYC, is now stirring up acclaim at 'Maze' Gordon's Melbourne (Australia) restaurant. Craig Neville-Manning, kiwi computer wizz-scientist who was integral at setting up Googles first remote engineering centre in NYC, hosted a whole passel of kiwi's for cocktails and chat with Josh. Typically understated this kiwi cooking wunderkid talked of the pleasure evoked from working for Ramsay, a masterchef demanding excellence yet a staunchly loyal supporter and promoter of his staff's individual talents. It was our first glimpse of the man behind the "F" bombs on TV, that glimmer of suggestion that there was a real 'nice'guy behind the showman's bluster. Josh was very clear that Gordon was a one of the boys, a great mate to have a beer with.

Josh Emmet; Julie, Craig Neville-Manning, Pip; The Mannings Tribeca rooftop patio; NZ and American art adorn the walls of apartment; Tribeca by night, Yummy nibbles from 'GR at the L';3rd floor sitting room;Moko; Interview with Josh.

Our Most Excellent North American Adventure Comes to an End

Its official, Mac flies home to Auckland next week and we will follow just a couple of weeks later ending our most excellent adventure in northern climes. Its been six wonderful years of exploration, new friends and experiences.

From the moment we heard Pip's Dad died we knew our time in the Northern Hemisphere was on borrowed time. Since returning from New Zealand last month I've been organizing our exit strategy. As of last Friday we have all the pieces of our jigsaw in place.

Dear little McGregor has been through a barrage of tests and inoculations to allow him back into his homeland, the paper work had me completely unglued at first. I felt quite overwhelmed by the mountain of red tape and fine print but with the help of our pet shipper, Ruthy in Vancouver, we now have it all straight.

McGregor Wood, the intrepid world traveller!

His journey will be far greater than ours as it will be over a month, just two days before Christmas, before we can pick him up from the Quarantine station in New Zealand. We hate doing this to him but can't wait to see him back on the green grass of home! Watching for frogs and rabbits will quickly replace his long time confusion with squirrels. Not the sharpest pencil in the box our boy, its taken him 6 years to work out that squirrels run up trees when chased!!

Toronto has turned on a glorious fall season with sparkling crystal days for our last, the autumn leaf colours possibly the best yet. Our street is still golden with drifting leaves.

Amongst the planning and packing there is time for some final Canadian memories. I'm doing a final Xmas window at The Cookbook Store as a finale to my association with the wonderful gals there. Friday night I  was lucky enough to photograph Nigella Lawson at the gracious old Royal York Hotel at the Icons of Cooking event in the lovely Ballroom. Nigella launched her new book Kitchen, a personal account of the food that warms her heart, that she shares with her loved ones. She outshone every woman in the room, those eyes are exquisite, her curves legendary, she loves to chat, shoes and getting her kids to eat were key topics as she signed about 300 cookbooks before the gala dinner began. Alison, famed manager of the Cookbook store, interviewed Nigella on stage after dinner. The 250 strong guests were entranced by Nigella's candid responses and felt she would have been happy to chat on all night long. What they didn't know was that she was totally exhausted and battling a cold after a grueling book signing tour of the States last week.

 

Nigella and Julie; Jennifer Grange, Nigella Lawson,Alison Fryer, Julie; self photo; table setting; Menu, Kitchen; Nigella signing books for Guests; The Ballroom at the Fairmont Royal York Toronto, Chef David Garcelon, Flowers, Alison and Nigella on stage.

Last weekend I attended Opera Atelier for the last time. The production was the pastoral opera Acis and Galatea (Handel), the sets and costumes designed beautifully by my friend Gerard Gauci with the pre-opera talk given by our dear friend Dr Roberto Nickel. Ultimately a tragic tale of love and loss, the opera was gorgeous with glorious ballet and singing from the large and very beautiful corps and stars. The Elgin theatre is a jewel of the old style, its location on Yonge Street directly across from the Eton Centre, Toronto's largest and most frenetic shopping Mall. 

 Gerard Gauci's costumes Acis and Galatea

Roberto, Julie and Gerard in St Germaine 2007

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Paris in 2007 with these talented men, visiting house museums, galleries and chateaux as Gerard, a well known artist in Canada, researched locations for his wonderful paintings of 17th and 18th Century French rooms.

The Oeben Desk, Musée Nissim de Camondo, Acrylic on Board,14.5"x18.5" 2007 by Gerard Gauci; images I took at the Musee Nissim de Camondo in 2007

Recently we attended the Westie Walk at Mississauga. 250 Westies all in one park make for a serious attack of cuteness. Organised by the Foundation for Westie Rescue, it was surprising to see how many of these wonderful dogs had been rescued, these little chaps and chapesses where presented with ribbons and did a special red carpet walk! Mac and Henry made friends and generally had a great time, true to form they were most interested in the hotdog stand, hoping for fallout from the bbq or kids hands! These super cute cupcakes were simply irresistible, presented in a black dog bowl all proceeds went to the charity.

Westie Rescue Cupcakes; McGregor and Henry; Julie and Mac, Pip with Mac for the group photo

Two weeks ago we had my kiwi niece Bex and Brit. boyfriend Matt to stay over Halloween. Bex had spent three weeks driving across the States and Canada, camping out and couch surfing after a summer spent in BC cherry picking and in Alberta working with a famous horse whisperer. They'd come to Toronto to spend Halloween with friends. Bex created a cute Halloween costume inspired by peacock feathers. Before the party we drove the hour and half down to Niagara for a lazy afternoon wine tasting and visiting the falls.

 Bex in Halloween kit; feather headband;feather mask;Pip, Bex, Mac and Julie at Niagara Falls; the Horsehoe falls from the Canadian side of the river.

Toronto's local elections took place in October, I did my bit by being loosely involved with a candidate for city councilor for our local ward, putting together a fund-raising cocktail party for him in the lovely home of ex Lieutenant Governor General of Ontario. It was so much fun doing flowers and working with super clever caterer Tracey Pritchard from Pan Bagna in a gracious old Rosedale home. Ultimately the candidate was not successful in his bid, out polled by an experienced campaigner.

Fall colours and berries; lilies by the pool; patio arrangement.