STARS AND STRIPES Murray's Brewery at Bob's Farm is unveiling a new brew truck (Chevy C20) on July 20 as part of American Beer Month. Working with Liam Butler from Butlers Customs, the truck has been "pimped" for the occasion. The brewery is offering seven US-themed beers throughout July and a finger-licking-good choice of US-themed food specials. Also, American-themed concerts will be performed every weekend. "We've brewed some brilliant American IPAs, including our Brut IPA as well as an IPA using an American variety of Chinook. We'll also be celebrating with classic American Pale Ales," says brewery owner Murray Howe.
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GOOD NEWS Good Brother in Newcastle East is now open four nights per week for simple snacks and wine by the glass, Wednesday to Saturday until 10pm.
HIDDEN GEM Pasta Di Porto at Anna Bay is known for its award-winning pasta but you can also stop by for a feed, a coffee and a chat with Peter and Domenica. The gourmet toasties they are serving right now using Two Bobs Bakery bread look amazing.
BON VOYAGE Travel Guides didn't win a Logie this year but Newcastle's Fren family, of Oma's Kitchen, partied as if they did. "As usual Channel 9 looked after us, with lots of television appearances on The Today Show, with our best interview on Today Extra with David Campbell and Richard Wilkinson," Mark Fren says. "It was great to catch up with stars from Married At First Sight. We were lucky to attend the Recovery Brunch on Monday after the awards. This week will be Oma's last trading week for 2019. Filming for series four of Travel Guides begins in the next few weeks."
RELISH TO RELISH UPDATE A couple of weeks ago in the Newcastle Herald's Food Bites column I wrote about my fondness for Pete's Pickles. As luck would have it, Peter Jenkins himself happened to read the column and I heard from his daughter, Chelsea Jenkins, who grew up in the Lake Macquarie area but now resides in Cronulla.
"Pete's Pickles are becoming so popular we can hardly keep up," Chelsea says.
"The furthest back Mum can remember is the recipe coming from her grandmother Violet Jeffery, who brought up her family of nine kids in Forster. She then passed the recipe onto Pricilla Jeffery, my Mum's mum, and my Grandmother.
"Nan (Pricilla) was a prolific baker in Forster and was known for her amazing apple pies and cakes but also made these green tomato pickles that my father, Peter Jenkins, loved.
"Eventually Nan agreed to teach Dad the recipe. As far back as I can remember on every trip we always had fresh ham and pickle sandwiches on white bread, and soon all of Dad's friends where after a jar of pickles."
The pickles are mainly made with green tomatoes and beans and take a long time to make.
"Both my sister and I are terrible cooks, but luckily my sister's son Cooper, who is 6, has a keen interest in the markets and may be able to continue on with the recipe in time," Chelsea says.
"At the Pelican Markets you will see the Pete's Pickle stand but you may not see Pete; he has a tendency to get chatting to anyone and everyone or you may find him bartering with his pickles for a roast roll or pie.
"Mum is continually yelling at him to get back to the stand to help but it is not long before he is off again."
In addition to being stocked at Valentine Butchery, Chelsea tells me Pete's Pickles can also be purchased at Pelican Foreshore Markets, Lautan Hair Design Redhead, Arteas at Swansea, Studio M Hairdressers Blacksmiths, Curves at Belmont and Blacksmiths Butchery.
The Jenkins, of Pelican, also supply Pelican RSL with jars to go with every ham in the annual Christmas Ham Raffle.