NEWSLETTER FROM RUTH PRETTY (YES, HER SURNAME IS PRETTY!) THE BEST CHEF FROM NEW ZEALAND!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

Every now and then in our busy lives it’s good to just stop for a moment and breathe deeply. A few nights ago after working late at an event in Wellington I returned home to Te Horo and looked upwards. I surveyed the clear night sky, the stars and the nearly full moon.  I breathed in scented garden aromas, listened to night bird whispers and a dog barking somewhere in the distance. I love everything about our location in Te Horo. It has a temperate climate and is always three degrees warmer than Wellington and although we feel the easterly wind we are protected from other winds. We grow abundant herbs, salads and some vegetables and it takes me three minutes to slowly walk to work.  Our house garden is home to a 120 year old totara tree which throws out little cones with seeds and we have families of totara trees springing up all over the place. Every time I return at night I relish this quiet moment of tranquillity. Living in Te Horo we enjoy the best of both worlds. We are very close to Wellington: the city I love, was born and brought up in. It is a big village with a city vibe. Inclusive, thoughtful, naturally beautiful, robust and feisty.  I love Catherine and Gavin’s wedding story today as it exemplifies the magic of Wellington. Best wishes, Join us online Steak and Chips Beef Fillet Steaks with Pinot Noir and Honey Glaze (serves 4) Potato Chipper $55.00 Mamma Mia: A Gorgeous Greek Culinary Adventure Our stunning hot, dry summer has been a cracker and reminded Ruth of long hot days in Greece. Saturday 9 April 2016 10.00am - 4.00pm, morning tea will be served from 9.15am Photo Credit:  Phil Reid ANZAC Day How to High Tea You’ll enjoy much more than ANZAC biscuits with Ruth’s special How to High Tea tribute over the long ANZAC weekend. These relaxed ‘How to High Tea’ events are so popular regulars give Ruth intriguing ideas for new themes. She will show you how to create the small yet deliciously tasty items, in traditional manner from savoury to sweet to slightly outrageous and luxurious treats to finish. You’ll then eat your high tea in the relaxed Garden Room, with a glass of wine. What a simply special way to spend time with friends or family. Recipes included. Saturday 23 April 2016 11.00am - 3.00pm, arrive from 10.15am for morning coffee Photo Credit:  Ross Giblin Kids in the Kitchen: Part 11, Yankee Doodle Dandy Timed for what used to be called the May school holidays, it’s coming up time for your kids to acquire more kitchen skills. As requested by previous kids in our kitchen, the theme is American. Yes there will be a burger, but also much much more. Thursday 28 April 2016 10.30am - 2.30pm, morning tea will be served with parents from 9.45am Celebrating your Mother with How to High Tea One of our favourite events, we are asked about this practically all year. It’s a treat for all mothers to relax and be ever-so-slightly spoiled with a gorgeous day out at Springfield as Ruth shows you how to do a beautiful High tea with superlative taste treats. As Ruth says, "I love it when grandmothers, mothers and daughters of all ages celebrate their unique relationships together over fun, frivolously fancy food and pretty drinks. Ladies, you deserve it.” Saturday 7 May 2016 Sunday 8 May 2016 11.00am - 3.00pm, arrive from 10.15am for morning coffee Photo Credit:  Murray Lloyd Modern Kiwi Cuisine Kiwis cannot fly, but love to travel. With our "can do, let’s give it a go” attitude, Kiwi cooks excel at bringing back a bite of this and a taste of that to create our own modern kiwi style .. and no-one does it better than Ray McVinnie. Generously sharing all his Masterchef judge, food writer and chef experience, he creates flavour-packed food you will love learning about and creating yourself later. A very popular presenter. Saturday 25 June 2016 10.00am - 4.00pm, morning tea will be served from 9.15am Wine, Women and Song Co–owner of multi award-winning Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson, Judy Finn is great mates with Ruth Pretty. Together they make ‘dynamic duo’ look a bit shy and retiring. So when they get together to talk, taste and bring together Judy’s wonderful wines and Ruth’s fabulous food, anything is likely to happen. Sit back and enjoy the fun. We don’t guarantee singing but you will taste the Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay 2014, recently given his first-ever perfect score by wine guru Bob Campbell. Judy can tell you about changing its name. Saturday 28 May 2016 10.00am - 4.00pm, morning tea will be served from 9.15am Fireworks, Sunshine and Admiring Onlookers On a bright Wellington spring day, Catherine and Gavin were married in the garden area by The Boatshed, before invited guests and admiring onlookers from the waterfront walk. The wedding day fell on the night of the annual fireworks display. So, as a bonus, the guests were treated to a fantastic view from The Boatshed on the waterfront. "We wanted our wedding to showcase Wellington’s great food, wine, beer, music, weather – and we got all five”. Photo Credit:  Jess Dewsnap Chip Basket $34.00 The perfect partner for perfect chips, as quick draining is essential to retain crispiness. Also good for veges. Tony Sly Salt Piglet $30.00 Beautiful AND practical, this small ‘piglet’ gives you salt easily to hand for chips or anything else you want to season. Small Macrocarpa Chopping Board $80.00 Providing a secure, solid base for chopping, this size is practical for smaller kitchens. Ruth Pretty Catering PO Box 16041, Te Horo 5544 Springfield, 41 School Road, Te Horo, Kapiti Coast Tel (06) 364-3161 Fax (06) 364-3262 ruth@ruthpretty.co.nz