• Chris
Summer Entertaining Essentials
Entertaining Seasonal Cooking
Summer in Melbourne means having people over. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue or drinks on the balcony, here’s what I always tell people to have on hand.
The Drinks
Start with more ice than you think you need. Then: a crisp white (Grüner Veltliner or Vermentino), a case of something light and cold (pilsner or pale ale), and sparkling water. That covers 90% of guests.
The Snacks
Keep it simple. Good olives, a block of aged cheddar, some cured meat, and decent crackers. Buy these on the way home from work and you’re sorted for unexpected guests all week.
The Thing You Always Forget
Salt. Not table salt — flaky salt. Maldon or Murray River Pink. A pinch on sliced tomatoes, on watermelon, on grilled corn. It makes everything taste like you tried harder than you did.