An Ode to New York

Food sustains life, yet it is so much more than something we need to nourish our bodies. Food brings people together. Food at its essence is love, life, and the heart of society...

A very wise statement that comes from the “sermon” I recited when conducting the wedding ceremony for my close friends, Rachely and Phu. That’s right, I had to become ordained as a reverend to be an eligible marriage officiant! Anyhow, fast forward one year and this statement is a true reflection and summation of the past five weeks I have spent in New York: working, exploring, reuniting with friends….and indulging in many of my favorite food spots throughout the city. A vast and glutinous set of memories that I have brought back with me to Australia…

I returned to Sydney on Monday after a long and tiring journey. The studio I taught at Columbia (check out some pics here) culminated on Friday evening; by Saturday morning I was on my way to the airport to start my 26 hour commute and, after arriving at the airport in Sydney, I went straight to teaching my first class at UTS. It’s all a blur. I have had to adapt to the winter weather (which surely beats the NYC summer), a 14 hour time difference (which for some reason is really difficult this time around) and the fact that I am craving Pad Key Mao (thai noddles) at 6am…

So with that said, here are a series of snapshots (only a sampling, really), taken over the past five weeks. My New York trip seen through the lens of food. I am drooling...

A homemade feast in celebration of Rachely's Birthday

Dim Sum Go Go with Kate, Phu and Rachely, the best hangover cure

Pam Real Thai with Kate, Paul and Yoni = seriously the best Thai I have ever had

There she is, the famous "Pam"

Shake Shack with Kate, Jason and Laura (visiting from Houston) and then off  to the Met to see the amazing Alexander McQueen show

A burger should always be followed by some Korean BBQ chicken (Bon Chon) at Boka in the East Village. Need to keep a healthy balanced diet...

An Amazing and decadent evening at Elsewhere (highly recommended) with Kate, Jason, Laura, Josh and Marni. Thank you Allen for an unforgettable meal!

Brazilian tapas, caipirinhas and friends at Miss Favela for Liz's birthday

Dinner Club = order in from the Hummus Place

Momofuku with Kate, Phu and Rachely (Need I say more?)

Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn Bridge Park with Eric and Mimi, followed by some amazing pastries and delicious iced coffees (heaven)

Homemade Pho and Bloody's, Courtesy of Phu and Rachely (my mouth is watering) with Kate, Claudia, Lizzie, Marc and Dom

Escaping the heat with cookies, cheesecake and prosecco in the air conditioned MoMA Cafe with Liz

Another hamburger (had to get them while I could) at 5 Napkin Burger with Patrick

A relaxing break/night at home with Pantea catching up over meats and cheeses

Afghan Kebab, Featuring the Combo Kabuli Palow (a must try) with Tony, Lesley, Vera, Lars, Kamal and Jenny

One last visit to Shake Shack... Need I say more?