Sam Low: Barista extraordinaire

There once was a coffee lover named Sam

Photos: Sam Low's latte design, and
competing  at the Latte Art Championships.
Source: Sam Low.

He was just 21, yep just a wee young man.

2013 was an exceptional year for him
For the New Zealand Latte Art Championship was a huge win.

He flew to the World Latte Championships in France
Armed with his favourite milk jug, a barista's lance.

Against the world's best this kiwi fought
Using all his skill and every trick he was ever taught.

Such talent got him a gig as a judge
Ah ha, now it was his turn
To make contestants shiver with a stare
At the Barista competition at NZ's Culinary Fare.

So when Sam finally opens his dream coffee shop
Don't forget to look him up, it's sure to be tops!

Food Envy gets a peek into Sam's wonderful world of coffee...

What's the difference between a good coffee and an exceptional coffee?

So many factors come in to play when talking about the difference in coffee because according to the WBC (world barista championship) guidelines "balance" is the main criteria especially in flavour which includes the acidity, sweetness, bitterness and some cases umami (savoury).

The appearance of the coffee helps as well, this is where latte art plays a part as we all eat/drink with our eyes first. However at the end of the day it really depends on personal preference.

How many coffees have you made in your life?

So far, it easily exceeds 200,000 cups.

How many coffees do you drink a day?

On average of 6 shots of espresso and 1 pot soft brew filtered coffee.

What improvements are you working on?

Trying as many different/unique coffees in different brewing methods, identifying the flavours from different origins, really just expanding my palate and knowledge of different coffees on offer.

What are your coffee aspirations?

The most obvious answer is probably visiting a origin, maybe the birth place of coffee Ethiopia. And of course eventually opening up my own coffee shop.

Find out more

• World Latte Art Championship 2013

Bizzy Lizzys Good Things

Screenshot: Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things website

She generously ladens
the world
with her
abundant passion
for food.
Sharing.
Giving.
Bonding.

Her cooking
Simple and true
A joy to follow.

Her words
Bursting with flavour
picked fresh
from the heart.

Her photos
So fresh and tasty
Colours so vibrant
Instant response? Drool.

Three cheers to Bizzy Lizzy
and to all her Good Things
For a long, happy life
in this wonderful
wonderful
world
of food.

Death becomes her

Photo: Plunge into the depths of a
beef & burgundy pie! Credit: Food Poet.

She plunges
Into the
Abyss
Of earth
and blood.
It holds.
Holds.
Then..
Crack
It yields.
The sinful aroma
Assails her nostrils
Pierces her heart
Drowns her starved soul
Into ecstasy
As only
A
crispy
chunky
beef and burgundy pie
Can do.

My Christmas family feast

Photo: Christmas, a marvellous time!

My favourite time of the year
Is a marvellous time of excitement and I admit, a tinge of fear.
For it’s Christmas
With the food oh so scrumptious
Loads and LOADS of it, so utterly delicious!

It starts off with Christmas lunch
Made by Nonna full of love
Lasagne so good, no doubt inspired from food spirits above.
Filled with layers of bolognese sauce
It’s simmered for hours and hours

Photo: A huge Christmas spread.

For a taste explosion of hearty rich southern flavours.

And then off for dinner
Only a few hours later
For a huge Christmas spread that took hours and hours to cater.
Baked turnip, golden potatoes, sweet pineapple
Honey basted ham, juicy roast turkey
Fresh prawns, smoked salmon and tender pork with apples oh so saucy.



Photo: Tiramisu - loaded with alcohol! ;p


Then to top it all off
The finale:
Mango pudding, sticky date with butterscotch sauce
And tiramisu – it’s Christmas, so loads of alcohol of course!

Mango moula

Photo: Mangos - juicy, tender and sweet.

It’s almost
Almost the season for mangos
Juicy, tender and sweet
One bite and it hooks, oh boy what a treat!

So many
Many delights to create with mangos
Cheesecakes, puddings, salsas, salads and cocktails
Better not run out or you’re sure to hear many wails.

Where oh
Where are these grown, these beautiful mangos
In WA, NT, NSW, and QLD
September to April, time to pick mangos by hand.

Photo: Halloween mango pudding.

And what
What types are grown, of Aussie mangos?
Calypso, Kent, Palmer, Kensington Pride & Brooks
With a kiss & a slice, what fun will by all the cooks.

So let’s
Let’s all get behind, this summer’s crop of mangos
Full of vitamins A, C, beta-carotene and fibre
A delicious energy boost - you'll roar like a tiger!

Yarra Valley spoils



Photo: Yarra Valley delights. Credit: Food poet.

I once spent a weekend
Frollicking in the spoils
Of a beautiful valley
The wonderful Victorian Yarra Valley.
Many delightful treats abound this land
Its bakeries so full of cheery folk

Its markets big and small so fine
And its abundant wholesome food
Including its chocolate
Ohhh so truly divine.

Fresh eggs from chooks
Who lay with happy clucks
And then dance and play.

Honey from bees
Who wine and dine
On juicy sweet flowers
Every single day.

Wineries galore
Call home this luscious land
To do them justice:
Bottoms up
And mangia mangia
Til you can no longer stand.

Where to find the Yarra Valley

View Larger Map

Places to visit

• Tokar Estate Winery
• Wild Grains Bakehouse
• K&W Chocolates
• Healesville Community Market

Advance Aussie Farmers Direct's Fare

Australians all let us rejoice
For Aussie Farmers Direct has set us free

Photo: Fruit from golden soil and farmers' toil.
Credit: Food Poet.

Photo: Such great service, free delivery,
oh so rare! Credit: Food Poet.

Photo: Fish fresh from the sea. Credit: Food Poet. 

With fruits from golden soil and farmers' toil
Our prawns and fish are fresh from the sea.

Our pantries abound in Nature’s gifts
From such great service, so rare
In history’s page, they'll take centre stage
Advance Aussie Farmers Direct's fare!

Beneath our radiant southern Cross
Our Aussie farmers toil with hearts and hands
To rear such juicy lamb of theirs
Renowned of all the lands.

For those who’ve come across the seas
There’s boundless food to share
With passion let us all combine
To Advance Aussie Farmers Direct for their extensive ware!

In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Aussie Farmers Direct for your excellent fare!



Many thanks Peter Dodds McCormick: for your wonderful Advance Australia Fair which has been adapted for a fair dinkum awesome Aussie service!