Discover a chef's secrets on how to be faster, happier and more confident in the kitchen.
Chef Mel Alafaci has been teaching happiness in the kitchen for years. Proud founder of Vanilla Zulu cooking school in Brisbane, Australia and previously Gecko Culinary Adventures in Durban, South Africa. She's been cooking professionally since 1992. Her intoxicating enthusiasm, authenticity and unique culinary lingo will have you hungry to flex your muscles in the kitchen. Mel is brilliant at adding humour, shortcuts and tricks to all those tedious tasks that you have to endure.
Every recipe has been designed, tried and tested by Mel and she is proud to share these with you. Chef Mel will have you fully taught as a chef before you know it, with her sneaky hints and tips, you'll be mastering skills in the kitchen you have always been to intimidated or overwhelmed to try. Mel pays special attention to flavour, colour and also textures of meals, using basic, everyday affordable ingredients in creative ways. This book is perfect for foodies of all levels, wanting to up skill in their kitchens.
Need dinner party inspiration? Look no further, Chef Mel and her Culinary Quickies recipes will have you flexing your dinner party entertaining with confidence! You'll definitely get a round of applause next time you serve a meal, dinner party inspo is easy using this wonderful collection of signature recipes.
Customer Reviews:
"I've been cooking for many years & never realised I've been cooking mince incorrectly my whole life! Your chopping, cooking & plating rechniques inspire me in my everyday cooking. So much flavour and so easy. I aslo loved your practical tips for freezing pastes, lime leaves etc..."
- Katherine Meldrum
"Mel's so much fun, informative & teaches things that I thought were difficult in the kitchen which are now a breeze. She has a great knack of making simple dishes look exciting"
- Kerstin Knott
"Mel dispelled the myths surrounting the difficulty of preparing a family meal and has given us the confidence to do more cooking and entertaining"
-Jackie & Steve D
"Hello everyone, do yourself a favour and get the Culinary Quickies cook book by Mel, some fabulous recipes! I did the Rosti Cottage Pie the other night, yummy, easy and perfect mince with NO grey liquid in the pan!"
-Susie French
"Chef Mel moved from South Africa to sunny Brisbane where she opened Vanilla Zulu in 2011, bringing her big smile and happy nature with her. She has just published her book of recipes, tips and hacks to help you create magic in your own kitchen. The book is written in her endearing style, with plenty of quirkiness, but provides solid information and tips for the confident cook and the culinary novice. You will find dozens of quickie recipes, and innovative ideas for meals. The recipe for Magical Moroccan Mince with pistachios and date gravel inspured this reviewer to take the brave step of letting the mince do its own thing without stirring on a high heat, until the meat became brown and luscious. I now find myself using this technique often when cooking a protein. As does the hubby!"
-Sherry Mackay Sherry's Pickings Blog Spot
