By Leigh O’Connor.
Celebrity Chef Alastair McLeod has small needs when it comes to Father’s Day this Sunday – taking his daughter Clancy for a ride on her pony is number one on the list!
While he may be in charge in the kitchen, his other responsibilities around the family’s property run the gamut of taking care of a few dozen animals ranging from equine to feline, canine, avian and galline.
"I enjoy the simple pleasure of being in their company. I’ll take our wee daughter out for a ride on her pony Wally. I like to think I’m in charge, but really, I’m the groom…” he reveals.
We had to chance to chat exclusively with Alastair as he prepares for the Good Food & Wine Show in Brisbane from October 25-27, where he will be doing live cooking demonstrations at the Harvey Norman Main Stage.
"I first collided with the juggernaut that is the Good Food and Wine Show back in 2007 when I had the opportunity to cook at the Brisbane show on my birthday. The atmosphere was electric! I was in the company of the finest cooks in the country and in the orbit of the best producers, winemakers and distillers from around Queensland and further afield.
"I was absolutely hooked! This year, I am going to be the Master of Ceremonies in the Harvey Norman kitchen. I like to say I am, ahem, in charge!”
Alastair is big on getting kids into the kitchen to cook as a family and shares some of his insights and tips to achieve this:
"This is a habit that, while we have to foster it, never feels forced. Cooking creates connections – it is a conduit to contentment. We always sit at the table, it’s not formal, with the food shared. Clancy will grab the bowls, my wife will flick the TV off and we connect.”
His best-kept secret for family cooking:
"I hone in on what Clancy likes to eat and show her how the tastes that she enjoys are born. She makes great gnocchi, which ultimately comes down to repetition. To get good at a ‘thing’. You have to do the ‘thing’.
"We bake together which is picking the low fruit, but in doing so, she learns about process and organisation. So, when she’s in the mood to cook, I always encourage it and we get in the kitchen. The last tip – it’s easier if I do the washing up!”
In the McLeod household, the recipe that gets the kid’s kitchen party started is fried rice.
"It has the added benefit of teaching our wee girl about not wasting anything. We always have eggs from our chickens, in the crisper maybe half a capsicum, a floppy carrot and some tired-looking green beans, that can with some old steamed rice be turned into a delicious and nutritious meal.”
As for a go-to Father’s Day meal, Alastair says it could be as simple as a bowl of pasta with tomatoes, fennel, caper and anchovies, or a vegetable curry.
"We worked and travelled as a family in India last year, so the cuisine of the Subcontinent is our latest culinary muse.”
Try this family dinner-winner recipe for marinated chicken skewers, Summer salad, lemon and feta dressing from Alastair one night this week and get the kids cooking!
