Grand Designs Melbourne 2012

I saw Kevin McCloud up close and personal today at the Grand Designs Live in Melbourne 2012 today! Two years ago I would not have known about him at all but an accidental switching of the channel to ABC brought me to Grand Designs and I have been in admiration of his style of presenting, his knowledge of the subject and his passion for sustainable building ever since. Yet, Grand Designs is now in it's twelth year and still going strong as is evident from his many fans in the convention today.

From Grand Designs, there have been a few spin off programs such as Kevin's Grand Design where he undertakes a public housing project with a focus on sustainability and community networks, and Kevin's Grand Tour of Europe. He has even written a couple of books and launched simlar conventions in the UK.

We got to the show half past the opening time at ten a.m. The line to get into the venue was long but luckily it was fast moving. The first impression I got was 'wow'.. The layout of the booths was orderly and the decoration of real blossoming fruit trees - cherry, plum, apple caught my eyes. I think they looked beautiful.

Although we already had breakfast, I couldn't resist a taco at the Grand Cafe. We had a spicy slow braised pork taco with Asian slaw topping. The sauces were at another booth where we could take what we wanted. I loved the chipotle mayo, and guacamole but Gaz also had lemon and chilli mayo on his side of the taco. Hmmm.. With our tummies filled, we made our way to the Grand Theatre (not so grand because there weren't enough seating for us who had to stand) to hear Kevin talk. We could neither see nor hear anything so we wandered to the booths instead.

We sat in on the House of the Future presentation where the latest gadgets where shown. They include a mirror which turns into a tv, a tv which moves from its position to suit the angle you want which is good for tight spaces, an escape pod which is a meditation and relaxation hideout, a clear shower stall glass which clouds when you wish it to for privacy, a Dyson hot and cool fan (we have this, so I guess we're one step closer to the future!) and an elevator oven (pretty cool, it is hidden in the kitchen bench and elevates up when you need to use it).

Despite the crowd, we did manage to hear Kevin talk later in the day. We also saw many more gleaming kitchen appliances, pretty pictures of homes, beautiful bidets which is one of Gaz's faves since our trip to Japan, and unique home accessories (one booth showed a revolving shoe rack... Now that's something I like!).

'Hands up those who would like to have dinner with me!'

However, one of the events I would have liked to have gone for is the Miele Kitchen demonstrations where guest chefs such as Matt Stone and Maggie Beer cooked for the audience. We did not manage to get a seat or a good standing space (only the people on seats were provided samples of the food cooked) so we had to leave both times we were there.

We left at closing time, at 6 pm and this officially makes it the longest time I have ever spent at an expo!

Biting the Hand that Feeds

I was trying to help someone today when that person betrayed me the moment I had my back turned. It was a terrible feeling...

Hellenic Republic, Brunswick

Gaz and I went for an early dinner at Hellenic Republic last week, at 5:30pm!! When I booked, the lady asked if I would prefer 5:30 or 9:15pm! It's better to be early than late so I chose the earlier version but if it hadn't been a recommended restaurant I would not have proceeded with the booking. Really, do anyone even eat so early as five or as late as nine if they can help it?

Anyway, we arrived at six and was told that we have the table only until 7:30. Luckily we can eat quite fast! Gaz chose the saganaki with peppered figs, beetroot salad and skewer of pork belly with fennel salad while I chose potatoes fried with olive oil and rosemary, and whole flathead from the grill.

The saganaki came first, on a hot plate. We both loved the fried cheese. The sweetness of the figs offsets the saltiness of the cheese with a tint of peppery taste. Nice combo.

The other dishes came a while later, during which I perved at the tall and muscular waiters. The waiters all seem to be so tall! And they wear tight short sleeve shirts and trousers which shows their muscles so well..

After about fifteen minutes, our dishes arrived at the same time. The pork belly skewers were four two inch cubes. They were tasty but the cuts we were given had a lot of fat.

The flathead was more work that we thought it would be. The first few bites were filled with little bones which immediately brought back memories of eating fish congee as a child. No, choking on fish congee would describe the memory better... The fish was grilled nicely and I enjoyed the walnut dressing scattered on the top of the fish.

I did not enjoy the beetroot salad though. It was me, not the beetroot though I did not think the sesame labna anything special. The last dish being fried potatoes was nothing I thought it would be... I had imagined small cubes of potatoes fried with oregano but it really was just hand cut fries. I thought the ones by Grill'd were better.

The food was good quality (with exception of the fatty pork, too fatty!) and well cooked but nothing we ate that night was so special to attract us to return.