Savour flavours for worthy cause

A GROUP of Australia's top chefs will run culinary cruises through Europe to raise money for their friend and fellow chef Matt Golinski - here's how to join them.

cruise for mates 28

A GROUP of Australia's top chefs has joined forces for two charity river cruises to raise money for their friend and fellow chef Matt Golinski, who was badly burned in a house fire, in which he lost his wife and children, in Queensland late last year.

Manu Feildel, Alastair McLeod and Janelle Bloom will travel through France on the Avalon Waterways cruise next year, while George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Damian Heads will cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest for the Cruise For Mates fundraiser.

--- Damian Heads

- Pony, NSW

Where are you looking forward to most?

Budapest. I have always wanted to go there. I love Amsterdam and I have been there. When I was travelling around Europe in my backpacking days, I loved how different the city was to anything I had seen in Australia. And the food there is great, as well. 

What are your favourite dishes from any of the tour destinations?

I love the food in Holland. I would have to say that the pea soup is a highlight.

We may be able to get it in other parts of the tour also. When done properly, this is a meal in itself. It is basically pea and ham soup but is so thick and you get all kinds of sausages and meats on the side to chuck in.

Also, cheese. It sounds obvious but all the aged types of cheese are fantastic. And Chocomel, which is chocolate milk unlike any other, and oliebollen, which are doughnuts sold on the street at Christmastime. And bossche ball which is like a huge profiterole. 

What is your favourite European foodie experience?

Oktoberfest. All that beer is like a meal in itself. It was fun a great big party, all surrounding great beer and German food. I was only 22. Plus just popping into a little village and buying something to eat at a local market. 

Are there any types of food you are particularly looking forward to experiencing on this trip?

If you ask a hundred Slovak people to tell you one and only one traditional meal, apparently (I read) at least 90 of them will say bryndzove halusky small dumplings made of potato dough with sheep cheese and topped with "speck".

Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, or black forest cake, was one of my favourites last time I was there.

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--- Gary Mehigan

- Fenix, Victoria

Where are you looking forward to most?

Vienna. Not because of the famous ferris wheel and love scene featured in the movie The Third Man with Orson Welles, but because of the beer, cured meats and sachertorte.

What are your favourite dishes from any of the destinations on this tour?

I have only been to Germany once in my life and although I have a love for anything vaguely "porky" or "piggy" the food I lean towards generally is always very Mediterranean, Western European and Asian, so this trip will be fascinating.

When I think of this part of the world the first things that come to mind are strudel, streusel, dobos torte dumplings, sausages, cured meats, pork, beer, riesling, ice wine, schnitzel, goulash, cabbage, sauerkraut, pickles, game boar, deer, hare, duck ...

Did I mention beer? I want to find out more and come back with a head full of great recipes. 

What is your favourite European foodie experience?

I may not get the chance but if I can persuade George and Damian, 40km south of Vienna is a place called Gut Purbach. Purbach is famous for its wines but Max Stiegal has been making waves for some time at his restaurant championing local food, true farm-to-plate experience and nose-to-tail cuisine.

Cutting-edge food, incredible surroundings and a little confrontational at times all sounds perfect to me.

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--- George Calombaris

- Made Establishment, Victoria

Where are you looking forward to most?

Budapest. I hear it's one of the most picturesque cities to arrive at via the river. It's the last destination of our holiday, but I know that this is going to be a highlight. 

What are your favourite dishes from any of the destinations on this tour?

Of course, being Greek, I'm a big seafood lover so I'm looking forward to sampling the Hungarian hot fish soup called Fisherman's Soup or halaszle.What is your favourite European foodie experience?

I love the true local rieslings and cheeses. Buying local wines in the village together with some cheese and fruit and then bringing them to my suite on board.

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--- Manu Feildel

- L'Etoile, NSW

What are you looking forward to most?

First and second are Provence and the Riviera I have family that live in both of those regions so it will evoke memories of my childhood.

I'm also so excited to go to Monte Carlo as I've never been there but have always wanted to visit.

What are your favourite dishes from any of the destinations on this trip?

The bouillabaisse from the Riviera. A beautiful mix of seafood with the flavours of the Riviera, saffron, tomato, herbs and orange. I can't wait. 

What is your favourite French foodie experience?

Every city in France has its own specialty in food and each is a different experience. France has such a great variety of foods it's really difficult to choose one, so I won't, and will just say I'm looking forward to visiting all of these destinations and trying their food specialties.

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--- Janelle Bloom

- TV chef and food writer

What are you looking forward to most?

I would say Beaujolais as it brings back great memories. When I was younger I remember hiring pushbikes with friends and riding around the wine region of France. We stopped at the most amazing places, ate fabulous cheese with crusty bread and sipped on numerous glasses of very good wine. It was just magic. 

What are your favourite dishes from any of the destinations on this trip?

I love the art of baking and the French are the best in the world hands down, so you can't go past all the amazing pastry shops without stopping to be inspired by their brilliance. I have a sweet tooth so when in each town we must not just view their brilliance, we must visit a patisserie and consume at least one specialty each and every day. 

What is your favourite French foodie experience?

Food shopping in a country that loves food is an amazing experience. To walk into all the wonderful shops, including supermarkets, and just enjoy and embrace the experience. I am also hoping there might be enough time to visit Lenotre cooking school, though being in France with Manu is going to be a treat. I am hoping he will be my personal guide to all things foodie.

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--- Alastair McLeod

- Queensland

What are you looking forward to most?

Provence and, more specifically, Provencal cooking. This area of France has hugely influenced the cook I am today and I can't wait to go back there.

When I think of southern France I think of big peppery olive oils, roasted capsicum, fennel, grilled eggplant and stunning Mediterranean seafood. It is arguably France's most renowned foodie destination and I have more cookbooks from and on this region than any other. 

What are your favourite dishes from any of the destinations on this trip?

A well-prepared salade Lyonnaise is a wonderful thing. The combination of bitter salad greens, crisp bacon, soft poached egg and warm vinaigrette delicious.

Then take me back to the south for a Provencal fish soup redolent with garlic, orange, chilli and saffron. The food of the south is bathed in sunshine simple grilled fish, meat and vegetables with bold seasoning, use of herbs and spice.

When I think of the Cote D'Azur I can almost taste a pissaldiere. Deeply caramelised olives, plump olives and salty, oily anchovies.

  What is your favourite French foodie experience?

To indulge in the French bakeries and pastry shops. No one can touch the French in this regard. Butter tastes different in France it is more creamy and richer than ours and gives a luxe to pastry goods. You haven't tasted brioche until you've tasted it in France.

Go2

The 19-day Grand France cruise from Paris to Port St Louis with Janelle Bloom, Manu Feildel and Alastair McLeod starts on June 17 next year and is priced from $9998. It visits Provence, Lyon, Beaujolais, the French Riviera and Monte Carlo.

The 18-day Magnificent Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest with George Calombaris, Damian Heads and Gary Mehigan starts on August 27 and is priced from $8990 a person. It travels through Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

Both prices are based on twin-share accommodation, including return flights with Emirates from Brisbane. Terms and conditions apply.

Ph 1800 373 267 or see cruiseformates.com.au

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