10 October 2011

A taste of Italy for Oamaru

Iconic New Zealand chef Jo Seagar is set to share her Italian cuisine tips and tricks at a special dinner at Oamaru’s historic Pen-y-bryn Lodge.

The legendary author, teacher and television host will oversee the serving of her favourite Italian dishes and share recipes from her new book ‘Italia’ on Sunday November 13. The dishes will be cooked by the Jameses who run Pen-y-bryn.

‘Italia’ was inspired by Jo’s time spent in Italy at a cooking school in Umbria, and aims to make delivering classic Italian dishes ‘easy peasy’ for the New Zealand home cook.

“Authentic doesn’t have to mean difficult, this is for the home cook. I’m delighted to visit Pen-y-bryn and this stunning part of the South Island to share my ideas on a traditional Italian feast with hosts and guests who I hear are all keen ‘foodies’,” said Jo.

Pen-y-bryn is hosting the three-course dinner at a cost of $130 per person which includes a glass of wine paired with each course from award winning Bannockburn winemaker Olssens. Paperplus Oamaru representatives will also attend the event and sell copies of ‘Italia’.

The night of gourmet cuisine is the second in a series of Celebrity Chef dinners being held at boutique Pen-y-bryn Lodge. USA-born lodge owners James Glucksman and James Boussy are passionate ‘foodies’ who are throwing open the doors of their award-winning lodge to chefs from around the country and around the world.

The lodge will donate $5 from every ticket sold to the dinner to the Timaru Hospice, Jo’s charity of choice.

An exclusive accommodation package on offer includes a stay at Pen-y-bryn Lodge with accommodation for two people for two nights, two tickets to view the Blue Penguin colony, two tickets to Jo’s dinner and breakfast both mornings. One breakfast will include a chance to sit down with Jo the morning after the dinner. The package is priced at $1160 per couple.

James Glucksman of Pen-y-bryn Lodge said that staying two nights gives guests the opportunity to experience some of the wonderful things their region has to offer, including the Oamaru Farmers Market held on Sunday mornings.

Jo said she was looking forward to incorporating some of the exceptional produce available in and around Oamaru into her dishes for the night as she said she was “hugely passionate” about the food and wines New Zealand produced.

“I love to provide the tools to create great meals with minimum effort for maximum effect,” she said.

“I’ll be very happy to work with James and James and answer any questions about my Italian experience throughout the night, and no doubt I’ll be asked some of the tricky Christmas cooking questions too!

“Of course I’ll be delighted to sign any copies of the book for those who want it as a fabulous coffee table book or a great Christmas gift.”

Jo Seagar has been the proud Patron of Hospice New Zealand since 1999, a voluntary role which takes her to many events throughout the country each year.

Reservations for the dinner and accommodation bookings are essential by calling Pen-y-bryn Lodge or going online at www.penybryn.co.nz

About Italia
Jo Seagar’s new book "Italia", Simple Cook School Recipes from Italy is being launched from October 2011.

‘Italia’ is inspired by Jo’s cook school in beautiful Umbria. It shows cooks how to make classic Italian recipes the easy way. In true "easy peasy" manner, authentic doesn't have to mean difficult. Its classic gnocchi, risotto, making pasta and pizza bases, and many other traditional Italian cooking through simple step-by-step instructions.

The book takes readers through an Italian feast -- antipasto, small first courses, salads and vegetables, gnocchi, risotto and polenta, pasta; breads and pizza; meat, chicken, game and fish, desserts (eg Mama's tiramisu); baking, and drinks (eg Papa's limoncello).

ENDS

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