Forum Fest 2015 Melbourne

[cookie1]

CP don't worry too much. I'm sure we can do things and be together without tooooooo much organising. I'm not really interested in a show but would love to either do a tour of the Vic markets or at least go to them. Otherwise I am up for most things.
We are going over very soon if anyone wants me to check specific things I am happy to do so. We are staying at The Swanston of course. DD and the concierge are apparently going to have a competition of the most steps in a day or something.

If anyone wants to do anything special let me know and I will pick up the information and post it.

[Katj]

Cookie, when in Melbourne, and walking through Vic markets, there was a Stall that sold masses of Cake Tins every size imaginable, unusual shapes too. Lots of muffin papers and other stuff.  We were in a hurry to get back to car because meter was running out. Would love to have got back for a closer, longer look. As you walk from Elizabeth st up, it was on the left side about half way along.

[Cuilidh]

Cookie, when in Melbourne, and walking through Vic markets, there was a Stall that sold masses of Cake Tins every size imaginable, unusual shapes too. Lots of muffin papers and other stuff.  We were in a hurry to get back to car because meter was running out. Would love to have got back for a closer, longer look. As you walk from Elizabeth st up, it was on the left side about half way along.

... if it is the shop I am thinking of, it is in one of the central enclosed shops, i.e. not one of the more open stands, and it is fairly near the Elizabeth Street end of the middle building at the market. 

Actually that could be more confusing than helpful! - I'll see if I can take photos for you tomorrow and post them on here, it may help.

[cookie1]

Will try to check it out Katj.

[Cuilidh]

OK, I don't know if this will work, but I'll try.

Books for Cooks have recently moved next to the market.  They just moved about a month ago so there is no signwriting yet.  If you orient yourself alongside McDonalds and look up the street towards the market, Books for Cooks is on the left hand side, right next to Minh Phat, the Asian supermarket. 

The first photo is of a shop which I think is called The Party Shop - if you walk up past Books for Cooks and turn left at the corner it is a little way along the street, opposite the big car park and just beyond Sweeneys, the luggage shop.  It has all sorts of odds and sods in it, but I really like some of the storage jars, not particularly handy for hauling back to Perth, but it's just a thought.

The next photo is of the entry to the kitchen shop (shed F) and the next photo is the kitchen shop, it is the second one along.

I haven't been able to post any of the photos unfortunately    , but hopefully you will be able to find your way around from the above couple of paragraphs - they were really good photos too 

[cookie1]

Thanks anyway Marina. When I go over soon I will be checking out Books for Cooks so will look. This new place will certainly be better than the old shop, it was so very tiny.

[Katj]

I wish I had seen Books for Cooks when in Melbs 2 weeks ago. Oh well next time.
Cookie, you better put a day aside just for that haha.

[achookwoman]

We now have a space for a member to attend the Yum Cha cooking class on Sat 24 th October.  $83.   Please  send me a PM if you are interested.

[cookie1]

Nikki and Nerissa won a cooking class with Alyce and flew over with their Mums especially for it. They raved about it. I'm looking forward to this.

[Katj]

I wish the Yum Cha class was here in Perth.
I've eaten a lot of Yum Cha since youngest DS married a lovely Vietnamese girl. Truly Yum!

[cookie1]

Katj you should think about coming over. You would fit in with the people who are attending really well. We may sound wild but we aren't really.

I was checking chocolate tours yesterday. One that sounded quite good was $49 per person. You do get tastings and a small goodie bag. http://www.chocoholictours.com.au/melbournes-chocolate-wonderland-tour/
I have been in touch with them, but given no details.

Most of these places are easy to find yourself, so as an alternative you could go on a 'self drive' tour saving yourself $49. You would then need to spend your own money to buy some tastings and have a drink and cake at Koko Black. Hopefully I will be doing a self drive tour of this next week. ( fingers crossed all the ailing rellies stay well)

Is there anything else you would like checked out? I'm happy to do so, with no commitments.

[achookwoman]

Kat, there is a place if you want it.  No pressure.

[Aussie Brenda]

Cookie the chocolate tour sounds good,  forum Fest is coming up quickly now it was so far away when we booked. 

[Wonder]

I haven't been on here much recently but looking forward to the weekend. Unfortunately DH is doing the ride to conquer cancer the same weekend so won't join me at all. I'm currently working in Brisbane so away from home most weeks, so while home last weekend treated DH to a night at The Westin, the hotel was nice but glad we were there using points rather than paying and would much prefer the boutique Adelhpi than the larger Westin. Anyway while waiting in the foyer on Saturday morning there was a tour group which was doing a lane way tour and its sounded really interesting. I'm not sure if it was specially designed for the particular group as the guide was saying it was much shorter than he generally does but he sounded very knowledgable and had a lot of information on the history of Melbourne as well as the graffiti and artwork. If anyone else is interested I would be interested in one of these types of tours.

[achookwoman]

Thanks Wonder, sounds good to me.  I think CP has done one similar and thought it was great.