Geoff Schoenberg

What does your Christmas dinner usually look like? Traditionally I have had a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, carrots, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce (which usually is forgotten until 10 minutes into the meal).

Well, this year was different. Very different. My good friend Kerren brought me along to David and Doreen’s place where another David joined us and the five of us engaged in a dining experience. Instead of a traditional “put a whole bunch of dishes on the table and load your plate obscenely” meal, this was done in a restaurant style six course meal.

Early in the day (you can tell because I’m still upright) we begin our great meal prepared by David (head of table) with help from Doreen (front right of photo)

Course 1 – Asparagus wrapped in Leeks

A nice and light way to start the meal. The toasted sesame seeds on top provided the extra little bit to make this dish special.

Course 2 – Pan Fried Scallops

Everyone here could attest that I was salivating as this dish was being prepared.  Scallops are always a favourite of mine and the little touch of crispy fried leeks provided the texture in this well prepared dish

Course 3 – Gnocchi with Mushrooms

Mushrooms and I do not have a particularly fond history. However, I have recently decided to give them another go and dishes like this reinforce that notion. This was probably my favourite course of the night featuring Ricotta and Feta gnocchi with sauteed mushrooms in a porcini broth. It was unbelievably good. Truly a tremendous dish.

Course 4 – Crayfish

A simple piece of fish is always nice and this was a nice way to end off the pre-dessert courses. The wine had kicked in by this stage so I have forgotten what the sauce was, but I remember the shallots were delicious!

Course #5 – Dessert!!

With raspberries and pistachios playing off each other, this frozen desert was really delicate  and tasty!

Course 6 – Cheese!!!

What better way to finish off a meal than with some amazing cheeses and bread and port that is older  than I am?

We decided early in the day to make an effort to drink 100 years worth of wine… This is a photo of the damage we did…

Well, how did we do with our mission? Very accomplished. We stepped it up and ended up at 125 years between five of us. Three bottles of bubbly, three bottles of white, four bottles of red and a 26 year old bottle of port! Good job team! (On the list, the final bottle of bubbly didn’t make it)

To sign off, me holding 50 years of wine!!!