Courtesy of SBS, I had the great pleasure of joining a group of excited foodies on a special Gourmet Safari hosted by SBS tv presenter and author, the wonderful Maeve O’Meara. She took us on a enchanting multicultural food adventure around Sydney.
I jumped at the chance of the food adventure, but as one of our group remarked during the day, the experience really was all about meeting the wonderful people who run these great restaurants and stores and hearing their stories.
These special people had such wonderful hospitality and vitality of spirit and I’m going to devote a post on each of them.
People like master coffee roaster George Sabados from GS Roasting, who’s infected me (again) with a love of coffee… more.
Gracie and her crew at Paesanella in Marrickville who make fresh ricotta and wonderful Italian cheeses: mozzarella, stracchino, marscapone and scarmoza each day… more.
Quiet but glorious Fernando Ramos, master of the pasteis nata (Portuguese custard tarts), he hand makes around 1,000 tarts a day sometimes… more.
Human dymamo Giuseppe Ranieri and his parents at the Aladin’s cave of wonderful continental goods including olive oil, aged parmesan, panettone and my new favourite cheese, Vento Estate… more.
We finished our tour at Al Aseel Restaurant in Surry Hills, according to Maeve it’s the “best Lebanese restaurant in town… fresh, authentic and addictive… more.
Gourmet Safari Adventure, 12th October 2010 Itinerary
Gourmet Safari: GS Roasting
Gourmet Safari: Paesanella
Gourmet Safari: La Patisserie
Gourmet Safari: Ranieri Deli
Gourmet Safari: Al Aseel Lebanese Restaurant
Gourmet Safari is run by tv personality and author, Maeve O’Meara. There are safaris in Sydney, Margaret River, Kangaroo Island as well as overseas including Vietnam Safari and Greek Island Safari.
Noodlies sydney food blog’s Sydney Gourmet Safari was courtesy of SBS.
With her tv presenting and writing work, I'm surprised that Maeve has time for anything else!
Didn't know that there was an Al Aseel in Surry Hills. Been to the one in Greenacre. Would be curious to see how this one is like…
She was amazingly sweet and professional, I was so impressed. Al Aseel was good in my books, although I have to say it was a little unfair on them cause I have been eating at every place we went to. Highly recommend Gourmet Safari!
That's a nice way to look at it, more than restaurant, it's the people. Good one.
it was a really great experience, i highly recommend gourmet safari
Looks great, was it a whole day?
wow, you're famous now 🙂 what a great experience!
nah, not really foodwink.. although sweet Maeve has invited me for a peruvian gourmet safari this coming Sunday.. that will be fun!