Top Melbourne chefs give their tips on buying favourite Christmas foods

SANTA might already know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, but the rest of us need our own list of places to go to make a Christmas to remember. From the prawns to the pud and everything in between, Dan Stock asked Melbourne chefs where they go to make their Christmas meal marvellous so yours is, too

HAM

Andrew’s Choice

For master chef Jacques Reymond there’s only one place for Christmas ham. “Andrew’s Choice, of course. It’s certified Australian pork.” A winner of numerous awards over the years, and last week named the best Victorian boneless ham in the Australian Ham Awards, Andrew’s Choice has a variety of hams – from full legs on the bone to praga, gypsy and Metzger versions - as well as pork roasts.

24 Anderson St, Yarraville. For orders, ph 9687 2419.

 

Bundarra Berkshire

Alex Drobysz

“I always use Bundarra Berkshire free range pork and ham,” says Alex Drobysz from Bar Nacional. He especially rates their traditional leg ham that’s crafted by master butcher Peter Bouchier. Triple-smoked and brined, the hams come in whole (7kg) and half (3-4kg) leg portions. Cuts for roasting are also available, including rolled loins and shoulders that can feed up to 10 people.

For orders and stockists, bundarraberkshires.com.au

T.O.M.S

The Organic Meat Specialist is one of South Melbourne Market’s most popular stalls, where venison, kangaroo and goat are stocked alongside Warby Farm rare-breed nitrate-free hams on the bone.

You can pick up Enviroganic free-range turkeys and Milawa Farm ducks here, too.

Deli aisle, South Melbourne Market toms.net.au

Redina’s Butchery

This biodynamic and organic retailer has been serving up hormone-free, grass fed meats for more than a decade. “We buy all our meat here and for Christmas Day their organic duck and Gypsy ham will be on our table,” says Sheng Fang from Ruyi restaurant. Along with nitrate-free Christmas ham and hormone-free turkey there’s rare-breed pork, gluten-free stuffings and a great deli selection.

253b Belmore Rd, Balwyn North. rendinasbutchery.com.au

POULTRY

The Chicken Pantry

Janine Hunt (Chicken Factory)

Allan Campion from Melbourne Food Experiences says this is the best spot for quality poultry “hands down!” But get in early – orders are a must. Along with the free range poultry – chooks, ducks, turkeys - they stock wild kangaroo, wallaby, rabbit, hare, mutton birds, bull-boar sausages and more for a Christmas feast with a difference.

Dairy Produce Hall, Queen Victoria Market. Ph 9329 6417

Felice’s Place Gourmet Butcher

“I’m all about local produce at No.8 and get all my meat from Felice’s Place,” says John Lawson of his CBD restaurant. “They have amazing turkeys which are sourced from Pooginagoric Organic Turkey Farm in South Australia.” Felice’s also stock Milawa chickens - “they have a great range of sizes, from 900g to 1.6kg” - even spatchcocks for something different.

125 Ormond Rd, Elwood. felicesplace.com.au

Great Ocean Ducks

Nic Poelart

Nic Poelart from Brooks restaurant suggests ordering a duck from Greg and Jodie from Great Ocean Ducks. “They are larger sized ducks, 2.4kg-2.6kg, which can feed a party of six easily,” he says. The free-range Aylesbury ducks can be found at Cannings Butchers, under the 12 Apostle brand. Cannings also stocks free range turkey, ham and other meats for Christmas.

Cannings Free Range Butchers, canningsfreerangebutchers.com.au

EAFOOD

Claringbolds

This Prahran market stall is the firm favourite spot for many of Melbourne’s chefs including Andrew Gale from St Ali and Nikki Smith from Collins Quarter who come to pick up their crays, oysters and other festive fish for their Christmas table. Smart service, good prices and flappingly fresh fish means there are queues, but they’re worth it.

Prahran Market, claringbolds.com.au ph: 9826 8381

Ocean Made Seafood

Ingo Meissner from the Grain Store rates this supplier that services some of our best restaurants but that also has a retail outlet in the backstreets of Collingwood. Scallops in their shell, line-caught fish, tuna, oysters – it has everything you need for a very modern Christmas feast, especially if you’re chucking another prawn on the barbie.

22 Robert St, Collingwood. Ph: 9486 0399

Poseidon Seafood

Another favoured supplier to restaurants around town that also has a retail offering. “We use them for our fish at Saint Crispin,” says chef/owner Joe Grbac. “They have great oysters and succulent prawns. My Christmas Day always involves me shucking a couple of dozen oysters for all my 12 siblings.”

30 Steane St, Alphington. Ph: 9497 2811

Footscray market

Adrian Li from Tokyo Tina/Saigon Sally suggests heading to the Footscray market for something different from the sea to put on your Christmas table. “It’s cheap, and you can find some unusual things among the jumbo SA Pacific oysters,” he says. “Beautiful Crystal Bay prawns and NZ eels.”

81 Hopkins St, Footscray

Fegari Seafood

“Most people love to shop for seafood at the major fresh produce markets (QVM, Prahran, South Melb) and they all offer quality and value for money,” Allan Campion says. “But my pick is a little out of the CBD at Fegari Seafood. They sell only the very best local seafood, the freshest in town!”

All long-line caught and wild, the fish comes direct from the fishermen, making it export quality.

425 Hampton St, Hampton. 9533 4411

BAKERY

Phillippa’s

“I love visiting the city store for stollen, Christmas cakes and her fruit mince pies,” says Allan Campion and he’s not alone. Phillippa Grogan has been baking Christmas goodies for more than 20 years, with her plum pudding, served flamed with brandy, and cream and brandy sauce, a highlight of Christmas for many. You’ll also find gingerbread angels, trees, tarts and other treats.

Various locations, phillippas.com.au

Enoteca Sileno

It’s the original enoteca specialising in all things Italian and is the only place to go if panettone is on your mind. With the largest range of the Italian Christmas cake in town, including artisan versions made from 50-year-old starter yeast, there’s a bewildering array of sizes and flavours perfect for every festive table.

920 Lygon St, Carlton North. enoteca.com.au

Il Miglore

Having built up a cult following over the past two decades, for many a Christmas table isn’t complete without some Il Migliore biscuits and cakes. Fresh from their Hawthorn bakery, you’ll find fabulous Florentines, scrumptious shortbread and Christmas cake to die for. They have great hampers and boxes of biscuits that make great gifts, too.

Hawthorn, Armadale, CBD ilmigliore.com.au

OTHER TABLE TREATS

Cherries and berries

Cherryhill in the Yarra Valley is a favourite spot for families to go and pick their own Christmas cherries straight from the trees. And through December, you can pick until 7pm on weekends at Australia’s largest pick-your-own orchard.

 

Estelle’s Scott Pickett heads instead to Fresh Generation for all his berry and cherry needs. “Gerry has a stall at the Queen Vic and is great for festive fruit,” he says, while his Saint Crispin partner Joe Grbac likes hitting Ellisfield Farm down on the peninsula and picking his own cherries. “They have some amazing berries, too. Raspberries to make you weak at the knees!”

cherryhill.com.au

ellisfieldfarm.com.au

Fresh Generation, I shed, QVM

Stone fruit

“We always try and by all our stone fruit from our local farmers’ markets,” says Jacques Reymond, a sentiment echoed by chefs across the city. Sheng Fang says the Gleadell St market in Richmond is where his family goes for their stone fruit “it’s always so fresh, you should see how much we take home every time!” Allan Campion rates the St Kilda, Gasworks and Abbotsford markets – “best fruit from farmers’ markets as they often pick the day before heading into town. You can’t get fresher or more seasonal than that” – while John Lawson seeks out Glenora Heritage’s fruit at markets around town. “Their fruit is fresh, delicious and organic.”

vicfarmersmarkets.org.au

Chocolate

From the beautiful signature keepsake box, this year featuring the artwork of Australian artist Adam Nickel, to the delightful – and delectable – chocolate snowman, Koko Black has something delicious for your Christmas table. With a plum pudding ganache and hazelnut praline snowman as part of the seasonal collection of chocolates, stars on sticks and a Christmas adventure box for the kids, there are choc treats for all.

Various locations, kokoblack.com.au

Cheese

Allan Campion always swings by Spring Street Grocer, as it has one of the most extensive selections of cheese found in the city, where more than 60 cheeses from afar ripen in two temperature-controlled rooms and complement the local cheeses on display. It’s also the go to spot for Tokyo Tina’s Adrian Li. “Bingeing on cheese is one of my favourite things at this time of year, and this is a top spot to scope out.” Let resident cheesemonger Anthony Fermia point you in the direction of something perfect for your table.

157 Spring St, Melbourne. springstgrocer.com.au

Decorations

Ambience Christmas decorations. Picture: Nicole Cleary

For more than 15 years Ambiance has been adding a touch of magic to Melbourne’s Christmas tables, and now has one of the largest ranges of decorations and ornaments from here and abroad. The Australian-made cinnamon stick centrepieces will not only add wow to your table this year but also add the sweet smell of Christmas to your home. There are Christmas elves and Santas in all shapes and sizes.

509 Elizabeth St, Melbourne. ambiancegifts.com.au

Six super supermarket picks:

WOOLWORTHS

Woolworths Gold Turducken

Woolies has turned its hand to this increasingly popular Christmas table roast and has come up with a treat. Free-range turkey and chicken are teamed with barn-raised duck, the three marinated meats rolled around a fig and pistachio stuffing and topped with a bacon lattice.

$19.99/kg

Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Orange and Balsamic turkey

As part of his new Created with Jamie range, the lovely jubbly one has created a free-range turkey roast, the breast meat kept marvellously moist by the sticky sweet orange and balsamic glaze. Ready in 90mins, Jamie’s created a stress-free way to tackle turkey for your table.

$24/kg

Woolworths Gold Chocolate hazelnut pavlova

For something a little different to finish your Christmas feast, try this twist on an Aussie classic. Made from free-range eggs, this pav is drizzled with chocolate sauce and finished with chopped roasted hazelnuts.

$16

COLES

Heston for Coles My Remarkable Australian Turkey Crown

Let the inventive genius of the kitchen take care of your Christmas roast. He has worked with a free range Hunter Valley turkey and given it an aromatic brine to ensure the meat stays moist. Then, while it is cooking, baste with a lemon aspen butter lollipop.

$65 for 2kg

Coles Finest Australian Free Range Full Leg Ham

This free-range leg is given luxury treatment. First it is cured with a brine made using rare Mount Zero pink salt that is hand-harvested from a lake by the area’s traditional owners. Then it is smoked three times over fragrant beechwood.

$75

Coles Finest Tropical Jewel Christmas Cake

If the traditional Christmas fruit cake seems a little dark and heavy for this time of year, this tropical version is perfect for sun-soaked festive celebrations. A moist, light-coloured cake is studded with pineapple, apricot and mango.

800g, $15

 

 

Source :  News.com.au   Dan Stock  December 9th 2014