The cookbook that inspired!

The other book I finally felt that I had to part with over the weekend (actually it is on hold for someone else so it had to go back) was the Tin Goose Cafe Cookbook (Jeanie Watson).

The first Tin Goose Cafe opened in Cromwell in 2003. Since then it has been joined by Cafe's in Alexandra and Queenstown, all still run by the Watson family. The cafe's are inspired by Central Otago and look for simple fresh regional food, delivered with style.

I saw this cookbook go past when it was checked in from one of our Auckland customers up visiting. It looked fresh and inviting (not that it takes much for me to open up a new cookbook). But even better than that. The recipes looked simple and many contained no more than half a dozen ingredients, all of which I knew I usually had in my pantry. It was Kiwi, so there were no strange names for these ingredients (or ones that I had to translate from the American). And it was all food that I loved to eat. The Amazing Cheese Scones really are amazing. The Zesty Lemon Slice has the best zesty tang. And the Cappuccino Soup puts a whole new spin on uses for a martini glass.

This cookbook was so good it inspired two things.

• I got in touch with Jeanie and ordered a copy for my foodie friend's birthday, which arrived promptly the next day - Thanks Jeanie.



• With the help of the book and some celebrating for said friend's birthday, it was decided that the next girls weekend away was going to be to Central Otago. Guess where we plan on having brunch (or lunch)?

Jeanie told me that she is currently working on Cookbook number 2. I can hardly wait (or should that be weight). There is also a recent article about her on the TV3 news lifestyle page (which is probably why the demand for this cookbook at the libraries has suddenly increased).