A Lot on My Plate with Holly Banfield.

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #13 is with Holly Banfield of HB Archive, Holly's masterfully considered, masterfully sustainable garment practice. Everything about the way Holly approaches clothing is beautiful, and her pattern making and sewing skills are remarkable - I would know haha (for those that don't know, pattern making and sewing education in the tertiary space is my day job). Holly is also a fellow porridge lover, a really kind, gentle and welcoming soul, and I hope you enjoy reading her responses below as much as I did. Thanks for joining us Holly!

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into bread making?

G'day! I'm Holly! I love dancing in the kitchen, lying in parks, swimming, yoga, music, and cuddling my friends.

I'm also the Creative Practitioner for the local label HB Archive. I've been trying really hard lately not to define myself by what I do for a job, but in all honesty I live, breathe, dream and love the clothes I make and all the opportunities that have come from it the last few years.

I've always enjoyed making and mending things. When I was eight or so, I'd go to my friend's house because her mum had a fabric cupboard, and I'd return home and hand sew my dolls and cat (haha) matching outfits.

Straight after high school I studied a three year Fashion Technology degree at RMIT. In 2013 when I was halfway through my final year the Rana Plaza collapsed. After graduating, I couldn't bring myself to work for a fast fashion brand contributing negatively to the industry, and thought if I can't do something good, I won't work in it at all.

Over the next few years, I worked a shitty retail job for a so called 'ethical' women's wear company hoping to make my way to their head office. I kept pattern making, grading and sewing for myself and friends for fun, and managed to score an internship with Vege Threads where Amy showed me that maybe there was another way!

At the start of 2018 I came back from travelling, got a new job in a fabric shop, made some pretty wonderful friends who were locally manufacturing, and started doing freelance pattern making and grading for them and VT.

I spent all my other time still playing around with HB and realised I now had a pretty solid skill set, and library of pieces to open a website and give it a whirl.

Some favourite parts about running HB Archive is getting to do it my own way, contrary to 'the industry' I was taught about in Uni. I also love the community that I have had the privilege to build, and getting to connect, collaborate with and learn from so many incredible creatives (like Clem!)

How have events over the past 18 months or so impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

I'd really burnt out by the end of 2019, I was working seven days a week and was so tired. I made my new year's resolution for 2020 to have a day off a week, and really allowed myself to slowdown and daydream about what was important. 

In saying that, I think it's important to share that the last few years hasn't all been smooth sailing. I temporarily lost my casual job at the beginning of the pandemic, and sold a heap of old samples from my wardrobe to be able to pay my house and studio rent, but overall I feel so fortunate because of the size of my business and the support of my customers and friends, I have been able to really pivot to continue focussing on HB, and yet rest when my mind and body needs to as well.

So, I have really learnt the importance of work / life balance. I try to only reply to messages and emails in work hours and spend time off my phone. 

I've been trying to be kind to myself lately when I can't spend eight hours a day sewing, because there's so many other things with running my lil business that take up my time.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I think I'm a little of both... Depending where I am and what I am doing. I definitely live to eat every morning when it's porridge time though!

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

When I'm busy I try to batch cook quick and easy things for the week that I can turn into other things the next day when I'm heading to the studio or work. 

My weekly go-to’s (sort of cook suck meals, but I'm not ashamed!) are a red based pasta with heaps of butter and mushrooms, black beans fried up with some veg, chucked over spinach with an egg on top, or a very healthy/ lemony version of Pad Thai.

Have you learned to cook anything new during lockdown?

This year for the first time in my life I've actually taken it a little easy on the cooking front. I spent every day off last year flicking through my cookbooks and cooking all day and really learnt a lot. 

I realised how simple it was to make your own pizza dough, or brownies, or pancakes from scratch and I've gotten really good at looking in my pantry, checking a few different recipes and then winging it. 

A couple of weeks ago though, I made my first tiramisu for my housemate's birthday!

What are you most looking forward to when we come out of lockdown?

Going for a swim! 

Finally being able to host the Pop Up at Subject Studio I'd first planned for the end of July, now the last weekend of November.

Sitting on a friend's couch with a cuppa. 

Having a coffee from a café in a nice cup.

What is the first cafe/restaurant/bar you’ll go to when it’s safe to do so again?

I don't know if I can choose one so here's a list I made with my housemates of some places we want to go! 

1.    Marios for pasta, and a slice of cherry pie

2.     Cocktails at Amarillo with my best friends

3.     Shady Lady for the green health shot that comes after the tequila

4.     Faradays Cage for some breakky

5.     An eggplant parma at The Standard.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

Oh yes! 

I've gotten a lot more into pop over the last year, mainly Kylie's new DISCO album, and love the classics and really bonded with my mum over Skyhooks.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered Suzanne Kraft's remix of TOPS song Colder and Closer and have danced to it every morning. The radio is really good too.

Here's a playlist of songs I've been listening to in the studio the last sixish months.

Photo of Holly above is by Chelsea King.

A Lot on My Plate with Cameron Matte.

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #12 is with Cameron Matte of Cams Bread who has been making and delivering bread from his lovely family home in Eltham of late. An exceptional bread maker and a lot of fun, Cam is also a keen skater and a Dad to baby Cosmo. I'm super happy to have Cam on board for this months interview. If you haven’t tried Cams Bread, I highly recommend it, some of the best in the biz. Also, his sourdough crackers are chefs kiss!

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into bread making?

When we had our first ever lock down in Melbourne March 2020, I was working at Cathedral Coffee in the city, which closed for the following months, so I was at home with my partner Taylah, who initially wanted to start making bread, I was happy to keep buying bread from the bakery, but she started making her starter and a few weeks later pulled out the first loaf of bread from the oven and I was hooked! I took over and got really obsessed, reading books, watching youtube videos etc etc. I wanted to master sourdough!

How have events over the past 18 months or so impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

The past 18 months have hugely impacted everything in my life! My son Cosmo was born, I was forced to stop working as a barista, got hooked on baking, realised I could pursue a career in baking (which had never crossed my mind), started baking school. I had so much free time during the lockdowns that I just baked so much, we couldn't consume that much baked goods and I didn't want to waste it so I would give it to friends, who would say I should start selling it. A few things fell into place which got me to where I am now!

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I definitely live to eat, I think about food all the time, when i'm awake and asleep.

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

Taylah and I cook pretty similarly to normal when we're busy/stressed/tired. Making sure we know what we are having for the upcoming days/week is key to being organised. You have to do that to make sure you have all the ingredients ready and to make sure you have enough preparation time and also to do things ahead of time to make life easier. We eat really early around 5/5:30 because eating dinner as a whole family with our son Cosmo is really important for us, so it's a little routine we have gotten ourselves into. We really enjoy cooking and our days are really revolving around mealtimes but if we're strapped for time and unorganised or its the end of the week with random veg left a pretty quick tofu and veg stir fry with quinoa is our go to-lazy-unorganised meal or frozen leftovers from meals prior.

Have you learned to cook anything new during lockdown?

So many things! I've learnt to bake sourdough loaves and other sourdough products! aside from that we have a pretty extensive collection of cook books we make new things out of regularly, at least once a week we make a new meal that we haven't made before to keep things exciting. One thing we use regularly is your galette recipe but change up the filling, we got really hooked on that when we realised it was so easy and yum.

What are you most looking forward to when we come out of lockdown?

Seeing my family and eating and drinking again with friends!

What is the first cafe/restaurant/bar you’ll go to when it’s safe to do so again?

Definitely Cathedral Coffee in the Nicholas building, its my old work that my friend Will Murray owns, its a cafe during the day and a natural wine bar at night, my other friend Denny Baring makes DELISH small plates there at night times! Would recommend! If you're able to visit the city at the moment they've turned it into a cafe/deli/natural wine bottle shop during lockdown. I miss working there <3

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I've been listening to Thomas Grey, Liam Ebbs, Guassian Curve and anything Neil Young has ever released.

A Lot on My Plate with Laura Stortenbeker.

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #11 is with the incredibly talented, incredibly stylish Laura Stortenbeker. Laura is a writer and has such a knack for telling stories, both written and visual. Laura has exceptional style, is an avid (and very skilled and generous) baker and all-round great gal. During lockdown, Laura runs a small cake giveaway via her instagram page called "You Take The Cake". How sweet is that? Read on to see what she's been up to and how she's feeling about it all.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Writing?

Good morning! I've been trying hard to think of how I got into writing, maybe just a continuation of wanting to document everything? I made my own picture books when I was a kid, made zines in high school + did well at things that you had to write for, so it was always around. I started studying journalism but I didn’t like the course so enrolled in a different writing and editing degree when I moved to Melbourne, which helped me understand that I could have a creative practice as well as a professional one. Now I write fiction and the occasional essay, but I also work full time in a government writing role, so I have a few different things on the go.

How have events over the past 18 months or so impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

What I’ve struggled with the most is being relentlessly bored. Being bored would usually make me do something productive, but as it's gone on and on like it has the past year + I have a little slug brain, and I find it hard to think of new ideas and make things. I also started a new job in January, so I’ve been trying to be less hard on myself in terms of not doing as much creative work while I’ve been learning a lot of new stuff. That said, I’m in the middle of trying to write a book set in Texas, and not being able to travel for research meant I was able to have these beautiful email conversations with people working in the industry I needed to research for my project, which wouldn’t have happened otherwise, so some things are lucky.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

Gotta live to eat! I was a super fussy eater as a kid and I’m very lucky I outgrew it. Vegetables are so beautiful and going to choose fresh ones, then getting to eat them is one of the best things.

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

They either ramp up or slow right down. I will eat a lot of toast and cereal for lunch or dinner when I’m very busy or very stressed, which I think is okay! Sometimes peanut butter on a piece of bread is enough, you know? If I have a really big week at work I’ll make something more complicated on the weekend to keep me away from my computer. Baking something and sharing it almost always makes me feel better, too.

Have you learned to cook anything new during lockdown?

I’ve made English muffins, Cruller doughnuts, fresh mint ice cream, a disastrous attempt at a spanakopita, this really good Mexican soup with masa dumplings – sopa de chochoyotas, and I made a crepe cake in between lockdowns because my oven broke and it was one of my favourite things I’ve ever made. And I have certainly eaten a lot of toast.

What are you most looking forward to when we come out of lockdown?

Sitting across from someone I love at a restaurant and hearing about their day while we stuff something cooked with a shit load of butter into our mouths. Having my friends over for dinner in my apartment in summer with the windows open, ice cream machine churning, a peach drink, a fancy silk shirt and grocery store candles, probably a little cigarette out the window.

What is the first cafe/restaurant/bar you’ll go to when it’s safe to do so again?

I miss Bar Idda and Laksa House the most, so either of those two!

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

At the moment (and always) I’m listening to a lot of Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Gillian Welch and Townes Van Zandt, or this playlist where I invested none of my skills as a writer and just called it dinner time time.

A Lot on My Plate with Annie Portelli.

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #10 is with my gorgeous friend Annie Portelli. Annie is one of those people who is an incredible all-round creative. Whilst being a trained (and practising) Graphic Designer, Annie is also the Art Director at The Design Files! I have known Annie for some time now, we first met when I was working at Monk House Design and Annie came in to take over the website and graphic design bits and bobs while Elise was away. I remember that Annie had recently been to japan and had been making a little "Japan Guide Book" which was, as you'd expect, perfectly put together.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Graphic Design?

Hi Clem! Wow okay so I just did the math and I have shockingly calculated that this will be my 11th year in the graphic design biz!? I can hardly even believe that myself. It seems like such a long time but I guess, just like most roles these days, our jobs evolve, twist and turn before our eyes, whilst the actual degree you graduated in remains the same.

When I was in high school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to ‘be’. I come from a family of Chiropractors and Engineers (and lots of boys) so Graphic Design wasn’t a career path that came up in conversation….ever. So naturally, purely based on fear and familiarity, I chose subjects that did not suit my skill set whatsoever with the plan to ‘become’ something in the field of health - thinking this was the best option. Luckily, when I hit VCE and the time came to make some of those ‘serious’ subject selections which would allegedly shape my entire life, I had some really supportive teachers (Ms Mitchell, Ms Avery, bless you!) who encouraged me to keep at least 2 of the creative subjects on my timetable since it was clear that I was pretty good at them! So I did! And just as well, because I basically flunked all other subjects and received glowing marks for the creative ones, which inevitably lifted me into the entry grade to attend my university of choice to study a Bachelor of Communication Design at Swinburne University. Put simply - I seemed to be pretty good at ‘graphic designing’ at the time, and I enjoyed doing it which was a bonus, so I just figured that those were both good enough reasons to explore a future in that realm.

How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

Oh yes, the year that was (and kind of still is?). Like everyone, my outlook/practice and focus fluctuated like something major! Some days I was filled with optimism and productivity and other days you could hardly get a word out of me - flat as a pancake. However, out of boredom, and an abundance of free time and the sudden urge to save money in case things got REALLY bad...I took on a lot more freelance projects on the side with my partner Simon (who is also a graphic designer). I work full time at The Design Files as the Art Director. My job at TDF remained secure - which was amazing, and our team still maintained a VERY busy 9-5 schedule working from home. However, I felt the need to keep my mind distracted in the evenings, and also earn a little extra cashola on the side. So between Simon and I, we’d share the load of work and collaborate together on branding projects. It was quite fun! Some projects are still ticking along today but it really saved us from the tight grip of the lockdown blues, and also drew us away from the tight grip the reality TV show ‘Below Deck’ was gaining on us. Lol - who am I kidding, we fully fell into the deepest depths of that magnificent show and we’re still very much sucked in.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I come from Maltese heritage, so as a kid I was taught ‘If you don’t eat, you get sick’. But at the same time, there was ALWAYS a delicious abundance of food around me at all times, so I didn’t need much encouragement to ‘eat, eat, eat’. Still to this day - if you ‘pop in’ to my parents house on any given day, there will always be freshly baked goods on the counter, a fridge filled with leftovers or food in the making, jarred preserves stacked high up in the pantry and hidden away behind the couch and all the dark corners of the house. Literally, everywhere you look - there’s something to eat. I guess their house is suitable for both those who ‘eat to live’ or ‘live to eat’ now that I think about it. If the world comes crashing down - I’m heading straight over to mum and dad’s for survival.

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

I always try and cook. Even if there’s heaps of shit to do. Especially dinner. I’m all about a yummy dinner, even if I’m not hungry. It’s my reward for getting to the end of the day. I am finding these days that I don’t have that much motivation to cook new things. I’m sticking to my staples that I know off the top of my head, and can make with my eyes closed in record time. A little boring I know but I’m fine with that. More time to watch Below Deck.

What are your favourite ways to enjoy food with people in Melbourne?

I think pre 2020 I would have answered this question by saying ‘I love going to a friend's house for a cute little dinner party’ and don’t get me wrong - I still love doing this when we’re allowed to BUT at the same time, these days, I’m kind of sick of being inside houses! I’m craving the public spaces, with unfamiliar faces and loud noises, accidental bump ins and yummy cocktails which a home bar just can’t manage. Also, we’re so lucky to live in Melbourne. There's a ridiculous number of incredible restaurants to try, and I’m so eager to continue eating my way through them with friends by my side! I went to Sunda the other day and it totally blew my socks off.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

This is the only mix you need right now by Sally Tabart and Jeremy Barr : SO MUCH SO MUCH!

I’m truly blessed to be able to work alongside Sally Tabart each day, and be her real life pal every other. She delivers all the joy, and positive vibes I need in my heart, and now my ears.

A Lot on My Plate with Emily Weaving.

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #9 is with the lovely Emily Weaving. Emily and I met a couple of months back at an impromptu 'stuff around' photoshoot and I can honestly say Emily is one of the loveliest, most talented people I've met. A truly great photographer, Emily has worked on lots of great projects, one you'll probably all be familiar with is the Beatrix Bakes cookbook!

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Photography?

Hello! I’m Emily. I love being at home in my comfy clothes, spending days in the garden and a few pints at the pub. I’m happiest when the sun is shining and the ocean is nearby. I consider myself a bit of a country kid at heart but have always lived in the city. Luckily for me my parents have a rural property I can escape to. I think I’ve always been really interested in photography. I grew up around cameras as my dad is a photographer. There was always one laying around I could borrow and play with, very trusting of dad really.. It never really occurred to me that it was something to make a career out of, the idea always felt kind of unrealistic. I still find it hard to believe that it’s my job.

How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

My focus is maybe a little hazy after the year we’ve had. I’m thankfully quite good at switching off and filling my days with not much at all.. My partner and I had just come back from 10 months of travelling overseas so I think the lack of routine sat well with us. The slower pace of life is definitely my preferred one.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

There’s nothing I enjoy more than eating delicious food. For me it’s definitely live to eat. If I can, I base my days around food. We’ve barely finished breakfast and I’m already planning what’s for lunch or dinner.

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

I tend to default to a simple pasta dish after a busy or stressful day. You can make them so delicious with only a few good ingredients and pasta’s just so comforting. I also make sure the pantry is always stocked to avoid a last minute dash to the supermarket when I really can’t be bothered. I probably have about 8 different packets of pasta at home right now, add a few herbs and veggies from the garden and voila! When I have more time though, I love cooking something I haven’t cooked before. Flicking through a new cookbook is always so inspiring.

What are your favourite ways to enjoy food with people in Melbourne?

We’re so spoilt in Melbourne when it comes to eating out. There’s always something new popping up and the list of places I want to go is forever growing. I can’t keep up! That being said though, it’s hard to beat a good dinner party. Whether I’m hosting or attending, eating a home cooked meal with friends is always special.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I listen to a wide range of music, I guess it depends on my mood. Anywhere from Talking Heads to Aldous Harding but I have a lot of love for disco, soul & funk too. I often listen to these playlists by a hotel in Mexico which I found on Spotify. They’re super reminiscent of our time away, so it’s pretty nice to be transported back.

RDV FOR CASA PUEBLO

CASA PUEBLO TULUM (2)

A Lot on My Plate with Jessie Webb.

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

A Lot on My Plate #8 is with my good friend Jessie Webb. Jessie is a legend. She has the warmest and most welcoming energy and is super special to me. She's also really bloody great at what she does, she knows SO MUCH about fashion and about retail and marketing and buying and trends and she always has good advice for everyone, but she also takes photos for lots of small businesses, and also just in her life in general. It doesn't matter where she's going, her little point and shoot comes along and she will record it! I love how Jessie documents special and regular moments in her life and the life of her friends.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Fashion and Photography?

I'm Jessie. I love a sleep in, a well-executed small bag, really good smells, fizzy water, a morning flat white at Burnside, labradors, listening to music, collecting things, eating with friends, taking photos & the drive to San Remo. 

Right now, I work for a Melbourne fashion label part-time and my other days are spent at a sheet company.

I moved to Melbourne in late 2017 from Queensland and was lucky to already have friends and family here. I studied Fine Art at University after starting a Theatre degree - I remember seeing the art studios on campus and desperately wanting to make things with my hands, so I changed my major. I have worn many hats over the years. I’ve worked in hospitality, in a record store, a bookstore, a screen printing studio, I've worked in the back end of fashion e-commerce, in boutiques and have some experience in buying. I feel with each opportunity, each stint in these different fields, it's helped develop my eye. Fashion & dressing has always been my great love. My mum still has 10 years worth of fashion magazines sitting in boxes in her garage that I can’t seem to part with. I would cut out fashion spreads and outfits from these magazines and tape them to my bedroom wall, I always wanted to work for these magazines and taking photos was essentially an outlet for this love. 

I made a special friend, Emily, in University who had similar interests. We would put outfits together from our wardrobes and I would take photos of her. I loved having someone who was willing to try new things with me & it gradually developed into a project, Velvet Milk. We were getting a response online from creatives we admired, were featured in a few publications and curated an exhibition together. This was such a special time of growth for me, especially after feeling such isolation and disconnection from my interests being from the country, being different from my family and feeling different in school. I think a lot of people go through that, but for me, the plunge from being a rural kid who wanted to be an actor to then being one of 600+ at an all-girls school was seriously challenging. I felt like I only started to feel comfortable being myself in those early years after school. 

I look back on this time and I’m so thankful for these challenges, it wasn’t easy being in my body and it took a long time to take that experience and use it to my advantage. Today, I love working in fashion but it can be limiting for someone who doesn’t fit into most of the clothes on the market. I’m essentially working in a field that isn’t made for me. I know a lot has changed and is continuing to change but it still can be hard. I'm inspired by the people I meet, the outfits I see people wearing out and about. The way I dress will always be a reflection of my personality.  

How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

Ahh that’s a tough one because I feel like the last 3/4 years has been such a period of growth for me, there have been so many up and down periods that last year was a forced break, and one I really needed. 

I would always seem to make the excuse of being busy to avoid risk and change or letting myself just sit still. It took me a long time to realise the pressure I felt day to day was from myself. I still have a long way to go, but I am much more aware of the things holding me back. Taking photos again has been the most enjoyable part of the last 12 months, I have worked on a few really rewarding projects and it has positively forced me to push through those personal obstacles and hesitancy that I place on myself. I have started dating again, I’m living with two of my oldest friends and I’m reminded time and time again of how lucky I am. I have a better idea of what I want in the future, I just know it's going to take a bit longer, realistically. I can feel them bubbling away, I just need to bring them to fruition. 

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

My relationship with food has always been tumultuous. I think for someone who grows up in a bigger body and is told what to put into that body for a long period of time, similar to dressing, it takes a great deal of time and strength to feel comfortable & confident in my choices. Being in my body and being who I am, I love eating food, I love cooking food. I live to eat! I've learnt so much about food from my friends, travelling & from growing up on a Cattle farm. I spent my childhood watching Two Fat Ladies, Escape to River Cottage, Nigella and Jamie Oliver with my mum. I hated the food at boarding school & I can remember from a young age coming home for holidays and craving fresh food. I needed nutrients, I wanted fruit, vegetables and I wanted to learn how to cook for myself. Our family wasn’t always in the same place and my parents worked long days but we always ate dinner at the table together. It was my job to make a salad or side each night and this is my first memory of feeling creative with food & enjoying what I was making. 

Cooking is also a part of my love language & I really enjoy making food for others. In saying this, I am my own worst critic, I always make things and then am disappointed at the outcome. I would be a really unsuccessful Masterchef contestant. It doesn’t matter how much prep I do, I am as far from cool, calm and collected as it gets when cooking for more than 3 people. I panic, I sweat. It always ends up being yummy but I would really like to work on being a better host. 

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

When I’m busy I tend to forget to eat, or I don’t prioritise eating throughout the day and I drink a lot of coffee :( Having a plan of what I want to eat for the week has always helped me actually eat a proper lunch. When I worked in the city I was constantly buying treats out and that wasn’t exactly a sustainable approach. I definitely treat myself more when I’m not feeling great, which I try to follow up with making meals at home and making sure I’m eating what’s in the fridge. I always fall back on comfort food & things my mum would make me when I feel stretched or uninspired. She would make a vegetable minestrone to clean out the fridge from time to time, both my grandmother and aunts did the same. That’s my ‘you need to eat some vegetables’ meal. My ultimate go-to meals are crispy, crunchy salads, rice with many, many toppings and anything using lots of ginger. I got a Donabe for Christmas so this has been used a lot recently. 

In saying all of this, I have amazing friends who all cook for each other. There are always jars of kimchi being exchanged, baked goods and bottles of wine dropped off at the door. My friends know when I’m in a slump, I’ll get a call or text from Tisha & Justin saying “We’ve made too much food, come over!” They do this often and it’s a perk that they are incredible cooks. I eat with my friends a lot, this breaks up the week and is always something to look forward to. Eating with them reminds me of those times I would come home from school and eat a steak for the first time in 4 months - I feel alive!

What are your favourite ways to enjoy food with people in Melbourne?

This is possibly my most favourite part of living in Melbourne. I love going out to eat, I love stopping in at my favourite spots and grabbing things to bring home. I’m not fussy, I’ll eat in the car, I love chomping away in the park, going to a friend's house, eating on the sidewalk - eating with friends is such an important part of my life. 

I have some special eating with friends rituals :

• ‘Sushi Thursdays’ is with my bestie Claire. We get a coffee & cookie from Falco Bakery and then walk across the road to Hinoki and share some sushi. We get the Tuna Nose Maki

• A group of friends has family dinners every Sunday night. Before lockdown, each week someone hosts and makes the main and then your guests bring vino / dessert / a side. I really miss these dinners and it was the nicest way to ease into the week.

• Clem’s ‘Flavour Sensations’ (for those reading at home, I go to Clem’s, sit on her couch and rifle through her things as she brings me little treats that she puts together from the fridge)

• When my friend Lizzie had her first baby I would drive over a few times a month and eat breakfast with them before going to work. Sharing the meal with them and seeing Remy grow so quickly is one of my favourite memories living here.
  

Some of my Melbourne tried and true are a negroni at Bar Liberty, the salmon onigiri and chicken nanban don from Tochi Deli, the turkish bread from Ovens St Bakery, fried chicken at Kantan, tonkotsu ramen from Hakata Gensuke, samosas from Pista House, the chicken sanga at Burnside & the ham & comte croissant from Falco. 

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

Music is such a big part of my day to day, I know you are the same. I am my happiest with music. I listen to a lot of radio shows throughout the week & enjoy making playlists for people. My favourite song at the moment is Washed in You 

• I made a playlist Alone At Home last year where I would add 10 songs each Sunday, I still add music from time to time and it's full of tracks that are in my high rotation.

• My favourite NTS show’s are by Budgie & Charlie Bones

• Each Sunday I listen to Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio.

• Sampology has a great ongoing playlist which I love - this is great to cook to.

• I follow Suniye which shares music from all around the world, they made a playlist from their posts.

• Children of Zeus has a monthly NTS show which always hypes me up.

• Music to unwind Vibration N°1. Space & Time

Gorgeous image taken by Jessie.

A Lot on My Plate with Claudia Chew

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #7 is with the lovely Claudia Chew. Claudia is a local Illustrator and Graphic Designer currently finishing of her Design degree. Claudia lives in Naarm (Melbourne) with her partner and their two cats. I have always admired Claudia's work and have really enjoyed reading her responses to these questions, I hope you do too.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Illustration and Graphic Design?

Hello! I’m Claudia, 21, living in Naarm. I have been enjoying the process of driving out to the bush and picking mushrooms, decorating/furnishing my new house and annoying my cats every 5 minutes. I used Tumblr when I was younger to communicate and connect with others with similar interests in different fandoms which eventually lead to me following people who can draw my favourite characters really well, which then lead me to the illustration and graphic design world.I think one of the first illustrators I’ve stumbled across was Carla McRae which was when I first realised that illustrations can be used to make functional things look good. I think the appeal of graphic design and illustration is the feeling of reward when you get to see your designs in a public space on/offline.

How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

It felt difficult to create as there were less opportunities to experience new experiences. I would fall into a small safe routine where my life was contained in a small physical space. The online world felt cramped too, the algorithm on Instagram suggested things I thought I liked which didn’t provide me with much inspiration as it used to 5 years ago.

During the pandemic period, I did lots of self-reflection through journaling, talking out loud to myself to process my thoughts that were not drawing. I didn’t have any hobbies to fill my socialising time with but my whole house decided that it was the perfect time to make wine. Every year, we safely make a berry wine, but last year we decided to go with a more avant-garde approach to wine and had the opportunity to taste a month ago (we all moved houses and the wine is at my old roommate’s house). It was onion wine. It had a nice clear Rosé colouring to it, with the top notes of onions which later graduated to a more pungent sweet onion wine flavour. Every breath after the initial sip reminded you of onions. Although it seems like a good idea for a vinaigrette, I do not foresee myself using it. (I feel like I’m getting a bit off track now) Wine making was the main activity in the house, but as an individual, I got into making ceramic objects. It was a good break from the feeling of not being inspired to illustrate, while still being able to replicate the same design process, engaging with the pleasure senses in your brain. Since your hands gets dirty, you can’t use your technology leaving more time for reflecting.

After the pandemic ended, I moved houses, got a new job, slowly broke connections that didn’t make me feel 100 percent while consolidating connections that made me feel supported and heard. I also learnt that it’s ok to move from one style/aesthetic of visual communication to another as you proceed through life.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I OBVIOUSLY live to eat!

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

I cook my best meals when I'm stressed, I guess it’s a form of procrastination. I love to cook anyway, and someone has to cook sooner or later, so why don’t I make my best meals right now! It makes me less stressed after I get it out of the way, I can tick it off as a chore, and then there’s only work left to do. These are meals I put effort into with separate processes like ramen, pasta dishes, and spreads of many small dishes; small soups, Korean side sides, corn cheese, nasu-dengaku, quick pickle vegetables, char hor fun, cold noodle salads, roast vegetables, spring onion pancake, stir fried vegetables with garlic or shrimp stuff, chicken wings (I rarely cook meat, but this one has been good because of my new weird microwave-grill built into my apartment. When I’m tired usually my partner cooks, but I love Shin Ramen. I’ve also been going to Fishbowl which is by far the most nourishing food chain! They do yummy Poke Bowls that you can easily customise to your liking.

What are your favourite ways to enjoy food with people in Melbourne?

When I have money I like to go to restaurants that are a bit more fun and experimental, maybe as a cute date with people close to me who also feels the same about food. BUT my favourite thing to do is to cook meals with my friends or just order uber eats and hang out. Usually it would be a PM situation as we are all very busy during the day.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I conveniently made a playlist on Spotify for this! I have been obsessed with music that makes me feel nostalgic like Mitski and Grimes.

Photo of Claudia taken by Claudia's friend Velvet

A Lot on My Plate with Shauna Sieger

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #6 is with the lovely Shauna Sieger. Shauna is a Freelance Designer and wine advocate, who filters their anxieties and curiosities of the world through design. Recently moved to Tasmania with their partner, you will normally find them exploring new landscapes during the day and a glass in hand at night.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Graphic Design?

Creativity has always been apart of my life. Starting from when I was in grade 6, one of my favourite teachers Mr Clark allowed me to flourish and execute my creative side through school homework books. To winning a competition between my sisters and I when my Dad got us to all re-create the record cover of Knights In White Satin by the Moody Blues. Fast forward to moving to Melbourne and working in hospitality and retail, I continued to always be drawn to graphics, publications and considered design in general. It was only towards the end of my Diploma in Business at RMIT that I discovered Communication Design. The first day of the degree was essentially the start of my career. I was fortunate to meet incredible and highly creative people throughout my journey.

How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

Last year was a transformative year. As I adapted to the new way of living through COVID I was fortunate enough to work remotely, and find the balance between taking care of my own mental health and enhancing my design. Since moving to Tasmania, the landscapes and surroundings have shifted my perspectives and practices to a slower way of living.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I would place myself in the middle. I have an understanding of the benefits of good food and also developing my palate to bring me pleasure. Food brings people together, a time to connect and fuel conversation and creative ideas.

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

I love simplicity in all things. When the day gets away from me I tend to go back to the basics, no matter the emotion. As long as I have pasta, butter and pepper in the kitchen I’m happy.

What are your favourite ways to enjoy food with people in Melbourne?

I am a full romantic when it comes to dining out. Restaurants such as Marion and The Carlton Wine Room are my favourite go to. The service, wine, food, and the company have a beautiful ritual about them. Although I do have to say hosting or attending dinner parties is where my heart lies. I’m a creature of comfort so I love creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable and are able to indulge in food, wine and good conversation. Perhaps some spontaneous dancing towards the end of the night!

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Podcasts lately more so than music, I find it helps with my work flow. I get really invested into stories, especially when it comes to true crime or cults. I have just finished a Pineapple Street Studios podcast called Heavens Gate (highly recommend). When it comes to music, I genuinely love anything Jazz, especially instrumental, I feel like I get teleported to a downtown jazz club in New York, I feel at home. Also on repeat at the moment is SZA, Sade and Roxy Music.

A Lot on My Plate with Layla Cluer

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

For interview #5, I've been lucky enough to have interviewed Layla Cluer of Soft Edge Studio for this months "A Lot on my Plate" interview, which is exciting for me because I have long admired her work, and based off the amount of messages I get when I post a dish on one of her beautiful plates or bowls, you all do too. Layla is a superstar, she's great at what she does and she's a truly generous, lovely person too.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into making ceramics?

Sure, ceramics are a new and old thing for me. When I was 17 I went to architecture school, which I loved but mostly in a theoretical sense. Very early on I was given the opportunity to work both in practice and as a research assistant, so by the time I finished my degree I was quite certain I would always have an interest in Architecture but was very much questioning it as a career path. After that, I did some travel and continued working for a few years and then eventually found myself studying fine art at the VCA. Architecture felt restrictive, so the expansive ways of thinking and making that art school afforded were a welcome change. And the workshops were like a wonderland! I spent all my time pestering the technicians about new materials and techniques, trying my hand at almost everything on offer. That’s where first encountered casting and slip. At that stage, I was making moulds from found objects and using the casts (sometimes ceramic) as props within video works and as part of larger installations. But I was also utilising the near-empty kiln to make cups on the side, which I traded for prints and other artworks. Towards the end of my studies, I finally stopped working in architecture a got a job within the curatorial team at RMIT’s Design Hub Gallery which is where I stayed for the next three years and until I left Melbourne. There are so many great things I could say about my experiences there and the people I was lucky enough to work alongside. But in the end, I realised that I wasn’t fully satisfied making other peoples work come to fruition as a full-time job and that I was ready for a change of scene after a decade in Melbourne. At that point, my plan was to move to London to pursue masters but I returned home to the Northern Rivers for a break on my way and picked up clay again, and it stuck!

How have last years events impacted your outlook/practice/focus?

Well, for one thing, I’m glad I didn’t end up going to London at the end of 2019. I can’t imagine being stuck in a small & dark apartment! Like everyone, I think this last year has been a bit of a mixed bag for me––full of highs and lows.

When the pandemic began, I was working part-time managing a gallery which came to an abrupt halt. So in the early days, while I worried about how I would pay my rent along with far more existential things, I occupied my hands by baking a lot of bread, and my body by surfing way more than I usually would. But I was itching to get into the studio by the time restrictions started to ease, so I really threw myself into it with a new focus as soon as I was able to return.

The uninterrupted time, coupled with the relative financial stability provided by the government gave me the opportunity to hone a few of my skills. Among other things, I spend weeks tinkering with minerals to develop a colour pallet that you don’t typically see in ceramics and from there things really started to grow!

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I’m definitely the latter! Food before most other things…

How do your cooking habits change when you are busy/stressed/tired?

For me, cooking is not only about sustenance and the sensual pleaser of eating. It’s about sharing, and conversations that ensue when we gather around a table. When I’m stressed and tired I definitely start cooking more simple meals, but I still try to make an effort to share them with others in order to create a pause in my day. My studio is on an old farm full of fruit trees, so I always bring lunch and make sure that my assistant and I stop at the same time to share it in the garden. It seems inconsequential but sharing lunch is something I always wanted to instigate if I ran my own team or business.

You used to live in Melbourne and took the plunge and moved to the Byron Bay Hinterland. How has this changed the pace of your life? And what do you miss about Melbourne?

As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in the area so it was more of a homecoming than a plunge. That said, I never saw myself moving back permanently. But once arrived, I realised that I had been deceiving myself, thinking I needed to follow some sort of trajectory that necessitated living in a major city. We have the internet and air travel after all! And I quickly rekindle my love with the warm ocean and slower pace of life! I was always itching to get out of Melbourne, each weekend I would try to escape the city and go hiking or camping – in the end this it was more exhausting than restorative. Now I get to go for my morning walks in one of the many incredible national parks that surround my house!

I miss my friends and the food, of course, but I can always visit.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

Because my hands are covered in mud all day I can be a bit lazy when it comes to listening. I listen to a lot of NTS programs – World in Flo Motion, All Styles All Smiles are a few of my go-to's. But it really depends on my mood… and the weather!


The lovely photo of Layla is by Avan Podhajsky

A Lot on My Plate with Lucy Roleff

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

For interview #4 I caught up with Lucy Roleff. Lucy is an artist but is also a musician! Can you even believe it? Her still life paintings are as jaw-droppingly beautiful as her music is. Alongside playing the harp (!), Lucy has one of the most beautiful voices. Lucy has a lot of nice insights to share about her experiences this year. I hope you enjoy.

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How did lockdown affect your working habits?

I'm a bit of a lone wolf in most of my endeavours, so I was able to keep working throughout as all I really needed was my easel, paints and a desk. Though I did have to relocate a couple of times between my studio and my apartment which was a bit of an overhaul. Then at the end of lockdown I was off to the Napier Quarter guest house in Fitzroy where I was extremely fortunate to stay for a few weeks, as artist in residence. In some ways I was more productive as I was able to paint full time, but certain logistics like correspondence, post, sourcing materials etc were slowed down - as they were for everyone.

How has easing restrictions changed your daily routines?

Returning to my old routine of getting up in the morning, grabbing coffee and walking the twenty minute stretch to my studio has been a huge relief. It was good to note how healthy it is for me to work outside of the house, though I know I was very lucky to be able to work at home for such a stretch and for the most part it was smooth sailing. There are some nice changes that have occured from being in relative isolation for a while, such as being more observant when outdoors. I think since most of us were hitting the streets for exercise and sanity, practically overnight everyone became a flâneur. Like on my walk to the studio today I can tell you I saw two dead crows, a little fairy door someone had installed at the bottom of a tree, a bee hive (which I nearly walked into to take a closer look at the fairy door) .. I don't know if I was so aware before, maybe I was much more in my head as I took basic outdoor time for granted.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I think most of the time I live to eat. I think I get this from my Dad, who is German and eats from a place connected to his emotions. Growing up we would eat things that reminded him of home or his parents. Same on my Mum's side, which is Maltese. My family is huge on both sides so some dishes will always be present at certain celebrations or gatherings. Potato salad with gherkins makes me think of Christmas Eve, baked macaroni reminds me of my Nunna. I never thought much about how people view food differently til talking to my brother who is in the navy and often eats from the viewpoint that it's fuel for energy. If i'm really busy maybe I can sway to that side a bit.

Did you learn to cook anything new during lockdown?

Yes! To be honest I am usually a pretty lazy cook. I think because I work with my hands and creative brain so much, by the time it rolls around to preparing something to eat I typically see it as a waste of my time if it takes longer than 20-30 minutes. This did shift a bit at the start of the first lockdown though - like lots of people I got very into preparing food in those first two weeks. Mostly I was interested in making herbal tincture medicines and sewing, but I also made apricot jam, preserved plums and made some new favourite recipes such as an israeli eggplant dish and oladky (ukranian yoghurt drop scones.)

Where was the first place you went to eat after things started opening back up?

I was very fortunate to be working on my residency at Napier Quarter at the time, where anyone who is in the know will be well aware of their coffee, anchovy toast and fine pastries.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I've actually been chipping away at two seasonal playlists which I update every so often. One for Autumn and Winter and one forSpring and Summer. So the Spring and Summer one has been on high rotation at my studio the last couple of months.

What do you most look forward to now that life is reaching "COVID Normal"?

It will be nice to have more freedom to go on long drives, visit the country and to see family. I'm taking it easy with the reemerging as i'm an introverted type and get easily overwhelmed by too many people. I think many folks like me are going the slow burn route with returning to 'normal' life, and hopefully establishing new ways of being from here on.

A Lot on My Plate with Sally Tabart

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

Interview #3 see's me catching up with Sally Tabart. Sally is a writer and producer and general multitasker. With a background in film, Sally brings a whole gamet of skills and experience to her current role as Managing Editor of The Design Files, where she has been cooridnating all of the content, contributors, writing and photography (plus lots of other things) for the past 3 years.

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How has lockdown affected your working habits?

In both positive and negative ways.

Being locked down has made me realise how much of a homebody I am at heart. It’s been nice to be able to hang out a load of washing or start preparing for an extravagant dinner if I’m having writer’s block or just need a moment away from the computer, and not having to commute to/from work has been huge. I’ve also been exercising in my lunch breaks three or four days a week (previously I was getting up at 5.45am before work, which seems insane to me now). It has been amazing for the quality of my work in the afternoons and for my general sense of achievement and fulfilment on the bad days. In some ways I’ve found myself happier at work because I feel a lot more balanced – I have so much time in the mornings and evenings now. I can get pretty low sometimes about how much of our lives we are supposed to spend working, so having this extra time makes that all a bit easier to come to terms with.

But on the other hand, I’m really tired. I am so grateful to have a job that I truly love and can do from home, but it’s been really hard to have to constantly be reinventing, rescheduling, and rewriting as things change. We’ve put so much energy into new ideas that often become irrelevant or impossible overnight, and some days it feels like I don’t have that much left in the tank. Our output basically hasn’t changed, but the circumstances are so much more challenging. Luckily our whole team is really close and supportive of each other, so there’s a lot of space to just ride the waves as they come and be honest about how we’re feeling. I appreciate that a lot.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I live to eat – there is no question about that! Especially during this time, eating and cooking together (I live with my boyfriend and another couple, our friends Fushia and Jack – we’re like a little family) has become a massive part of our daily lives. The ‘So who’s cooking dinner tonight?’ group message generally gets sent out before 11am at our house and it’s always so nice to come together at the end of the day, eat and laugh. I look forward to that time so much. Each weekend day generally revolves around A Meal, and it’s really nice to be able to care for each other by cooking good food.

Have you learned to cook anything new during lockdown?

Although I’m quite an intuitive cooker, I’m not that adventurous! I tend to go with the same things. I’ve been cooking heaps from Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s new book, A Year Of Simple Family Food. And also from your blog!! My boyfriend Jeremy hasn’t been working until recently, so he has been getting really experimental in the kitchen. I’m so proud of him because he had never cooked anything more than toast when we met, and these days his repertoire is SO impressive! He doesn’t bat an eyelid at those recipes I always put in the ‘too hard’ basket and is constantly making new things. A couple of recent highlights have been Larb Gai and Saag Paneer, everything made from scratch!

My housemate Fushia has become the galette queen – both sweet and savoury. Are galettes trendy right now?! She made an Asparagus version of your galette last night and it was incredible!

Where will be the first place you go to eat when things open back up?

On the first day of announcements for hospo opening back up my friends and I booked a big table at Old Palm Liquor which has literally been the ONLY restaurant I’ve been to in 2020, but it’s such a good place to go with a group and vibes are always high.

These are some of my favourite Melbourne foods that I miss dearly and cannot wait to eat:
- Whipped cod roe and fried bread at The Builder’s Arms
- Stracciatella, mushrooms, rosemary, potato focaccia at Carlton Wine Room
- Vodka pasta or tomato and anchovy pizza (sitting up at the bar) at Capitano
- Tofu with pâté bhan mi from N-Lee
- A glass of wine and a classy snack at Embla
- The complementary fried bread from Marion, and the lobster rolls!
- Oysters at Long Play
- Maccheroni Della Zia (mini meatballs, eggplant, Napoli sauce + basil) at Tiamo
- Rolled rice noodles at Lagoon Dining
- A bustling banquet meal at Yamato

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

There is literally never a waking moment in our house when we don’t have music playing! My boyfriend is a DJ and has hundreds of records so usually he gives us a bit of a performance on the weekends. Otherwise, these are some of the mixes and playlists I keep coming back to: (hover for links)

WORKING FROM HOME:
- Millu – For Home Use only
- Nnguzunguzu – The Perfect Lullaby
- Anu on NTS
- Danny Hotep on Hope Street Radio
- Brekstacy on Skylab (Friday mornings)
- The Breakfast Spread with Milo Eastwood on PBS (a true MVP for us)

EXERCISE
- Work it @ home by Emma Cutri on soundcloud
- This mix my boyfriend made
- Sosupersam

GENERAL VIBES
- This ‘Take it easy bitch’ 4 hr Spotify playlist I made
- Mixed Fruit on NTS
- Born N Bread on NTS

What do you most look forward to when restrictions ease?

Although restrictions are easing, I’m starting to realise it’s still not going to be the same for a long time. I want to go to a house party and dance with 100 other sweaty people until sunrise. I want to have heaps of friends over for a wild dinner party. I want to jump in the car and decide to drive to the coast in the middle of winter, just to jump in the ocean for a few minutes.

One of my absolute favourite things about Melbourne is spontaneously deciding at 8.30pm to duck in somewhere and grab a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta, squeezing in shoulder-to-shoulder, always sitting up at the bar. I love that you can go to a restaurant every night of the week and it will pretty much always be bumping and bustling. It might be a while until we get these things back, but I am so committed to being here to help Melbourne rebuild – and it’s gonna feel so good when we get there.

A Lot on My Plate with Gina Lasker

As part of my monthly newsletter, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

For interview #2, I'm checking in with flower extraordinaire, Gina Lasker of Melbourne floral studio, Georgie Boy. Gina is known for her incredible floral masterpieces, mostly servicing events around Victoria, so when events essentially ceased in 2020, she flipped her business into a flower delivery service. Buy a Bunch, the weekly delivery service, has been a huge hit.

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How has lockdown affected your working habits?

Well, we went from a full calendar of event work to nothing basically overnight. It was shocking to say the least. I decided to start a delivery service called BUY A BUNCH after a few requests from clients. It started as a way to support our growers and bring a little much needed joy to the community but it's turned into something that has really kept us going and I'm so grateful for the support.

It's definitely given me some routine as opposed to event work which is much more erratic and multi-faceted. I've also had the opportunity to connect and work with excellent people and organisations like Free To Feed, Fig and Salt and Torte By Mirjana.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

Live to eat! (As if there's any other answer) Is there anything more comforting than a good meal? Gathering for meals is a big part of my culture and how I was brought up. It often informs where I want to travel and the people I gravitate towards. I dated someone who could eat cereal for every meal... it didn't work out.

Have you learned to cook anything new during lockdown?

We've been doing a weekly dumpling night with some friends (from afar). Each week is a different cuisine and it has been everything from, gyoza to pierogi to empanadas. Needless to say, dumpling is a loose term. I'm a coeliac so I've been trying to make gluten free dumplings - let's just say I'm still recipe testing. My partner, Dan made these incredible Baja Fish Tacos which were a riff on this recipe here.

Where will be the first place you go to eat when things open back up?

Probably to Longplay for some risotto and martinis.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I've been listening to a bit of Nick Cave's Ghosteen and Laura Marling's new album but also this playlist I stumbled upon calledChilled Cow. It's a moody time over here but I usually sway between podcast and music. I'm in a real podcast swing at the moment - Nice White Parents, WTF, Where Should We Begin, The Daily are on high rotation.

What do you most look forward to when restrictions ease?

In the least original but most honest way - having lots of people over for meals again. Dan and I were constantly doing that and there is absolutely no greater joy in my life! Also, would love to get to Sydney and New Zealand to visit our families and do the same there. Driving up and down the coast for the day. Lazy days in the park with friends and food. Dinners out that turn into rambling conversations which turn into one too many jalapeño margaritas which turn into the suggestion of a D-floor which turns into me being very enthusiastic but then actually just heading home to bed.

A Lot on My Plate with Gemma Leslie

As part of these monthly newsletters, I will be sharing short interviews with friends and creatives who have a lot on their plate. Everyone has been through a lot in recent times, and I wanted to check in and see how they're going, if these trying times have changed them or their relationship with their work, what good things they're enjoying and doing and most importantly, what they're eating.

First cab off the rank, Gemma Leslie. Gemma is a close friend of mine and an amazing multi-disciplinary Designer. Gemma has worked for many amazing local companies, including Lucy Folk, Hamish Munro, Modern Times (the list is exhaustive and incredible). She also runs local bed linen label Scottie Store with her partner Mike, as well as her new not-for-profit culinary poster shop Food For Everyone, with 100% of proceeds going to FareShare Australia. It's fair to say Gemma has her hands full. Here's what she had to say:

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How has lockdown affected your working habits?

The affect of lockdown has been great for me. More so, it has taught me to slow the pace down. I’m feeling more present in my work and more creative. I’ve done some of my best work to date in the past few months! Most recently, a project called ‘Food For Everyone’ A not-for-profit culinary poster shop. 100% of profits are donated to FareShare, a national food charity with a simple mission: to provide free, cooked nutritious meals for people in need. I’m so wrapped with how it came together.

The old adage goes, some eat to live, others live to eat. Where would you place yourself?

I’m definitely the latter ... living to eat. The best thing in life is coming together and sharing a meal. That’s my idea of a well lived life. I’ve been brought up in a family with that mantra, so I think I’ve been so lucky to have such a delicious upbringing.

Have you learned to cook anything new during lockdown?

I’ve learnt to make some simple and beautiful Japanese rice bowls. I love them because you really have most of the ingredients already. I love a flexible dish - you can jazz it up with salmon or chicken, or simple just have some mushrooms with veggies. A nice healthy change to my regular pasta diet! I’ve also mastered salad dressings.

Where will be the first place you go to eat when things open back up?

I’d love a knock off drink and snack at Gerald's Bar, then walk down the road to Carlton Wine Room for dinner afterwards.

Could you share with us some of the music that’s been getting you through the past few months?

I’ve enjoyed a playlist ‘weekly meditation’ made by a favourite artist of mine Matthew Halsall. It is perfect for the morning, mellow but with a bit of a morning kick to get me going and my mind feeling creative. I’ve also loved putting on World Wide FM’s show ‘Morning Mari’. It’s a 15 minute mini breakfast show. Plus the show contains different reflective features throughout the week. On Mondays, psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher offers his positive mindfulness advice. And when I need to concentrate I turn to my all-time favourite pianist and composer, Bill Evans.

What do you most look forward to when restrictions ease?

I am dreaming of Summers spent with family and friends, eating dinner at dusk in my backyard with the fairy lights on. Hoping to get up to Brisbane to visit family. Fingers crossed we can all be together soon.