Listen to what Ben Milbourne has to say about his new released cook book 'Tasmanian Trail' & his TV show 'Ben's Menu'

From an unknown science teacher a couple of years ago to now being well on the way to being an ambassador ... an ambassador for good food and Tasmanian produce and lifestyle. Ben Milbourne chats to Polly McGee from 'ABC Northern Tasmania' about his latest cookbook & TV show. Listen  here.

Series 2 of 'Andy & Ben Do..' on it's way!!

Show to put Tassie on the travel menu

(Source: The Advocate)

Local celebrity "foodie" Ben Milbourne is back on the small screen for the first time in two years after the first episode of his new cooking show aired on Channel Ten yesterday afternoon.

Devonport man Mr Milbourne has not been on-screen on television since his appearance in 2012's season of popular cooking show MasterChef.

The first episode of Bens' Menu aired at 4pm yesterday afternoon and featured Mr Milbourne at the Cradle Coast Farmers Market and visiting Andrew Craigie's Sassafras farm.

Mr Milbourne said it took a little while to get used to public speaking and getting back in front of a camera but said he got better as the filming went along.

"When we were on MasterChef we were always told not to look at the camera but for the show [Bens Menu] it's all about engaging with the viewer," Mr Milbourne said.

Mr Milbourne has been filming the show for the last two months and said it was a great feeling knowing that the end-game he had been working so hard for had finally arrived.

He said the aim of the show was two-fold:

"Firstly, it's about showing that you can make a national television show here [North West Tasmania] but it's also about showing off Tasmania," he said.

Mr Milbourne said the entire first season of the show was filmed in Tasmania and said he was proud to show off his home state.

"I always refer to Tassie as the show's co-host," he laughed.

The state government provided $100,000 for the show, to help showcase the region and the state as a foodie tourism destination.

Premier and Tourism Minister Will Hodgman said the show was a chance to showcase the state's fresh produce "with our beautiful state as the backdrop."

"There’s no doubt produce like our seafood and wines will get mouths watering, but more so, Ben’s travels around the state will give Australians a taste of the unique experiences Tasmania has to offer," Mr Hodgman said.

Bens Menu will air on Channel Ten Mondays to Fridays at 4pm. To celebrate the release of Ben's latest book Tasmanian Trails the Devonport Bookshop will be hosting an author event on September 12 at 1pm. At the event Ben will talk to readers and sign copies of his new book.

 

Ben's Menu is on..it's happening!!

Ben's Menu....the much awaited cooking show hosted by Ben Milbourne has started airing on channel ten!! The show is scheduled to air at 4 pm from Monday to Friday. The show is based on Ben's home state Tasmania, especially North-West Tassie. It is aimed to give the mainland Australians a taste of Tassie. The show can also be watched online here.

Ben to do Ice Bucket Challenge

Check out this video of Ben's little brother Grant Milbourne doing the Ice bucket challenge here

And guess who is his nomination? Yes, it's Ben. & Ben has accepted the challenge as well. Lets wish him ALL THE VERY BEST :)

Ben Milbourne on Newcastle Food & Wine Expo, on Andy & on his upbringing in Tasmania

For teacher turned foodie Ben Milbourne, food is about fun, creativity and adventure. Thanks to his best mate – MasterChef winner and Maitland local Andy Allen – food and friendship are also closely intertwined.

Milbourne and Allen appeared on the MasterChef 2012, the series which Allen went on to win with his new-found best mate by his side. In the years since the TV juggernaut, Milbourne has produced two cookbooks – last year’s Mexican Craving and Tasmanian Trail (out next month) – and travelled the country and the world. He is also set to launch his new TV show Ben’s Menu on Channel 10 in the coming weeks.

Milbourne is appearing at this weekend’s Newcastle Food & Wine Expo, supported by the Newcastle Herald, where he’ll host intimate 35-person degustations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as demonstrating his cooking skills on the Celebrity Stage across the three-day festival.

Speaking over the phone from Tasmania on a break from filming his TV show, Milbourne’s passion for food is palpable: he counts his blessings for all the opportunities that have come to him post-MasterChef and the fun he’s had along the way.

‘‘I don’t think I’ve worked a day since MasterChef finished. Everything has been so much fun and so enjoyable and everything that I do now is a whirlwind and I’m loving it,’’ Milbourne said, adding that fun had been the constant factor in his relationship with food.

‘‘Food has always been fun for me. It was a passion for me before I went on the show and I guess that’s why people go on the show, to take their passion and turn it into something that becomes their life. 

‘‘I’m the perfect example of what you can do. I was also really lucky to meet a best mate on there, who I still do a lot of work with, in Andy.’’

Milbourne’s visit for the weekend’s expo is not his first to the region: he’s spent time in Newcastle and Maitland, and raves about weekends spent at Allen’s family’s property in Port Stephens. He and Allen, who is now Sydney-based and works at Bronte’s Three Blue Ducks, have also travelled the world together in pursuit of new flavours and techniques. Last year they travelled to Mexico (which is documented on Allen’s YouTube channel) and are soon jetting off to Spain and Portugal on another culinary adventure.

It’s part of Milbourne’s approach to food – that there are always new flavours to conquer.

‘‘In my past life I was a science teacher and I used to say to my kids:  ‘There are 120 elements on the periodic table and the universe was created with that.’ You have more than 120 ingredients in your pantry so imagine what you can create with that,’’ he said.

Like many great chefs, Milbourne is also passionate about eating seasonally, something that was fostered by his upbringing on the Apple Isle.

‘‘Being in Tasmania we’re very lucky that we get four seasons here.  We get really distinct changes in season and, in those changes in season, we always get changes in produce,’’ he said. 

‘‘My life has been based around the idea that at certain times of the year we eat certain things, and I think that’s really important.

‘‘The way things are going now, things can be grown year-round and shipped so quickly from one area to another that they’re always available. 

‘‘If you go into a supermarket you can always get things, which a lot of people want. Customers want to know they can get a watermelon any time of the year.

‘‘But if you want it to be at its best you have to get during its season. 

‘‘If you are buying from a greengrocer or a producer, that’s what they build their livelihood around, so it’s important we give as much support as we can give people for growing or supplying produce that is in season.’’

Seasonal and local produce will be the heroes on Milbourne’s menu for the degustations and demonstrations at the expo. On the celebrity stage he’ll teach punters how to make kingfish carpaccio with Mexican vinaigrette, avocado mousse and pico de gallo salsa and totopos (similar to a tortilla).

‘‘Kingfish is prevalent to that region, people are going to be able to get their hands on it. They might even be going out catching it. I know Andy catches a lot of it when he goes out with his dad,’’ Milbourne said. 

‘‘The best way to eat kingfish is raw or just seasoned with some acid, doing a ceviche or something like that. 

‘‘With a fish so delicate in flavour you can get away with eating it raw or just simply curing it. I’m also going to show you things you can put with it to give some texture or a bite, to make a dish out of something so simple.’’

The Mexican theme continues at the expo’s three degustations hosted by the Tassie cook, with all but one of the dishes designed during Milbourne and Allen’s Mexican trip. Milbourne’s menu not only draws on local produce but will also be prepared by the MasterChef star himself.

‘‘I’ll be in the kitchen during the day getting everything ready and then I’ll come out and dine with the guests and explain to each of them where the dish came from, where we went about sourcing the produce, where the idea came from,’’ he said, adding that he was looking forward to getting up close and personal with punters at the dinner.

‘‘When you do things like this it’s so much nicer if you feel like you’re almost at someone’s house or in a really intimate setting, it means I get an opportunity to get around to everyone, to talk to everyone and find out why they’re there, what they enjoy about food. 

‘‘For me it’s just as much a learning experience as it is for those people coming because I get to find out what makes people tick and why they want to come along to these things. It means I can hone my idea of what I want to do going forward, so I can give people what they want.’’

Milbourne is also hoping Hunter locals will give him what he wants: gossip about best mate Allen.

‘‘I’ll sit down and enjoy some wine and a chat with people and if they have any questions about what I’ve been up to or what Andy’s been up to or maybe they might be locals who know Andy and can give me some dirt on him, which would be handy,’’ he laughed. 

‘‘If I can walk away from the weekend with some dirt on him, I’ll be really happy. Even better, if they have photos I can lord over him while we’re in Spain so he can pay for every meal.’’

Milbourne appears at the Newcastle Food & Wine Expo, supported by the Newcastle Herald, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

(Source: Newcastle Herald)

Snaps of Ben Milbourne at House Of Anvers' Chocolate Dinner (August 9)

 

Ben's entree: Pork belly mole with kiffler potatoes

Ben's main: Jerk rub chicken with corn puree, burnt corn salsa & pop corn

Your chance to dine with Ben Milbourne

 

The Food and Wine expo is back once again & this time in Newcastle (August 29-31). With over 150 Exhibitors the Newcastle Food & Wine Expo will have all the ingredients to tantalise your taste buds. You can simply sit back and watch the free demonstrations from Celebrity Chefs or enjoy the samples and discover the latest ideas of culinary world.

And this Newcastle food and Wine expo gives you an exclusive chance of an intimate dining experience with Ben Milbourne. He will be designing the menu, preparing the meals and then will join you for the full degustation all matched with Wines. This is your only opportunity to get up close and personal and learn a few MasterChef secrets!

• Friday Night seating at 6pm
• Saturday Luncheon seating at 1pm
• Sunday Luncheon seating at 1pm

Ben is the Guest Speaker of Tassie Specialist conference -- Sept 2014

 

We all know that post masterchef Ben has achieved lots of things..we have seen him as the Brand Ambassador for Australia's oldest brewery Cascade, he has been the first ever accreditation ambassador for Tourism Tasmania & Brand Ambassador for Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. We are pretty aware of Ben's passion about Tasmania, especially food & tourism. And now another feather in his cap.... He has been chosen as the Special Guest Speaker of upcoming Tassie Specialist Conference to be held in September. Tourism Tasmania & Qantas have partnered together to hold this conference for the first time. For more details, check out here.

Few pics from Ben's Menu filming

 

These pics were taken at Cradle Coast Farmers' Market on July 27.

Save the date --- July 27

 

Chance to get your face on TV!!!! Yes, you read it right!! All you have to do is to visit Cradle Coast Farmers' Market on July 27. They will be hosting Ben Milbourne on July 27 at the Ulverstone Wharf Complex from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Ben will be filming an episode of his new cooking show 'Ben's Menu' with cooking demonstrations, featuring ingredients from local stall holders. So what are you waiting for????
Visit Cradle Coast Farmers' Market, may be with a friend or three to enjoy this fabulous morning.

Chocolate evening with Ben Milbourne

 

In conjunction of Chocolate Winterfest Latrobe 2014, House of Anvers is organizing 'A DINNER WITH THREE CHOCOLATE MASTERS' on Saturday 9th August at 7:30 pm. Ben Milbourne, along with Igor Van Gerwen (Belgian chocolatier & owner of Anvers Confectionary) & Pascal Janvier (internationally renowned chocolatier) will be there to prepare the four course degustation dinner. While Ben will be preparing a Mexican inspired entree & main with cacao, you will get to taste a super tasty Peruvian inspired chocolate dessert made by Igor. And last but not the least, Pascal will be creating a chocolate sclupture masterpiece in front of your eyes!! They will have all courses matched with wine and/or beer and coffee or hot chocolate. So don't hesitate..just give a call to 6426 2958 to book your seat. Hurry up!!!!!

Ben & Andy cooking for Australian ambassador in Mexico

Ben & Andy reached the last part of the last part of their Mexican odyssey when they left the pacific coast & came back where the journey all began: Mexico city. & here they faced one of the toughest cooking challenges of their lives....they cooked dinner for the Australian ambassador to Mexico & 14 other food critics!! Yes, you read it right!!!!! After quite a number of changes, the final menu looked like this: 

Starter: Ceviche of Prawn Cucumber Granita Picante

Entree: Hot smoked salmon, Beetroot puree, Tzatziki & Pumpkin Flowers

Main: Pressed Lamb Shoulder & Lamb Backstrap, Cauliflower puree, Bacon, Cos & Mustard Jus

Dessert: Lemon Curd, Pepper Meringue, Goats Cream & Fruit.

& everyone was so impressed with the food Ben & Andy prepared. See it to believe it.

Mexican Makeovers for Ben & Andy!!

The penultimate episode of Ben & Andy's Mexican Odyssey sees the boys buying fresh fish straight off the boat in Puerto Angel & then making super-fresh breakfast ceviche with them. Then they headed off to the state of Chiapas & here they visited a local Mexican family & got to taste the most amazing Tacos made of the simplest of ingredients. & you simply can not afford to miss Ben & Andy trying out the traditional Mexican costumes & joining a bunch of locals for a bit of street basketball. Watch the full episode here. The last episode of this amazing 'Andy & Ben Do Mexico' will be out next Thursday.

 

Ben & Andy explore Pacific coast..

Episode 3 of  'Andy & Ben Do Mexico' is out now!! Here they are seen exploring the Pacific coast of Mexico. The place is unbelievably beautiful. The boys enjoyed an epic day of fishing. They caught a 2m Sail-fish & a few Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin fish). They also showed how to make an amazingly fresh sashimi with a very few ingredients. Far away from the hustle & bustle of city, Ben & Andy relished every minute of the relaxing & laid-back atmosphere of the place!! Check it out here.

Keep an eye out for Episode 4 next Thursday.

BANDY moves to Puebla and Oaxaca

So, episode 2 of ANDY & BEN DO MEXICO is out!! & here they move from the hustle & bustle of Mexico city to the state of Puebla. Here they visited one of the most renowned restaurants of the country 'El Mural de los Poblanos' & the menu card of this restaurant is a cooking lesson in itself.

Here they got a taste of Agave Worm Tacos & Chilli Poblano- a juicy, slow-roasted, sweet Poblano chilli, stuffed with a mild soft goat's cheese on a bed of rich tomato sauce. They also paid visit to the city's 'Sweet Street' & tasted some traditional sweets.

From Puebla they moved to Oaxaca, the food capital of Mexico & took part in a cooking class. Here they tasted foods like Chapulines (grasshoppers tossed on a clay cooking surface with garlic, lime juice, salt & the extract of agave worms), Chicatanas (full bodied flying ants, fried - wings, eyes & all), Mezcal (traditional drink of Oaxaca) & 6-hour lamb hungi & A KILO OF MEAT, EACH!!!! Watch it here

 

The rest of the three episodes will be out on Andy's youtube channel every Thursday till 19th June. Don't you dare to miss out!!!!!

All set to start filmimg for Ben's Menu

 

Work has begun to build the set of celebrity cooking star Ben Milbourne's new north-west (Tasmania) based tv show. The set will be built at Ben's new house at Spreyton, Tasmania. Executive producer for the show John Hatcher, Creative Media CEO, wants to create a modern, yet rustic and warm, setting.

"I don't want to make it look like the other [cooking show] sets which are very modern & very cold. " he said.

The set, to be built inside a former apple packaging building surrounded by paddocks with horses & cows, will feature throughout the 90 episode first series which will be broadcast on national television. Mr. Hatcher aimed to have the set ready by mid July, & outdoor segments will be shot before then. Much of the program will be recorded on the road & during visits to North-West & other Tasmanian food producers, focusing on regional fresh & seasonal produce.

Mr. Hatcher also said he would like 10-13 episodes of Ben's Menu to be broadcast internatinally. He hoped Masterchef hosts & contestants would also feature on the show.

(Source: The Advocate newspaper)

Ben Milbourne talks Mexico

 

As we have already posted here, Ben Milbourne is leading a tour to Mexico with MasterChef Travel. Here is a little chat on how he first fell in love with cooking and his favourite city for food culture.

Tell us about the highlight of your MasterChef journey?

The Masterchef Journey was amazing, and there were plenty of Highlights but the most lasting is defiantly the friendships I have made, with not only other contestants but the judges and crew.

The experiences I had, friendships I made and people I met during Masterchef have been some of the most influential interactions I have had in my whole life. Everybody talks about life changing events and Masterchef was definitely one of those events for me.

Have you watched the MasterChef series that you were on?

I have watch a few episodes of my series but its hard watching yourself on TV and I want to remember the experience as I saw it, felt it and lived it.

Did you watch last year’s series?

I used to watch Masterchef religiously until I was on it and now I just don’t have time, I watch a few episodes of last years but I am very rarely home at that time anymore. Life has really changed.

Where did your interest in cooking come from?

I have loved the social qualities of cooking since I was a little boy and I would cook with my Nan. From there it stuck with me until I went to University and started teaching. Spending time in the kitchen and cooking were ways for me to relax and be creative after work.

How do you feel about leading the MasterChef Travel tour to Mexico in 2014?

I can’t wait to get back to Mexico and lead this tour, food is what drives Mexican culture, it is engrained in the lives of the people. We will eat food that has been perfected over generations and stuff so fresh that it can’t be perfected on. I will share with you the Mexico that I know and love and the reasons it’s been may favourite cuisine for over half my life.

Which cities do you recommend as the best for food culture?

Oaxaca is the biggest foodie city in Mexico but your going to find great food everywhere, the coast is amazing also the food is simple, fresh and loaded with seafood which is great for me.

What foodie experiences do you recommend?

Eating a ceviche on the beach by the waves is a definite must, Tostadas in a market and Tacos on the street are also pinch yourself moments. You have to try grasshoppers and you have to have a mole.

Andy and Ben Do Mexico (Part 1)

So the wait in finally over!! The much awaited and much anticipated ANDY & BEN DO MEXICO is up & live on Andy Allen's youtube channel. The episode 1 starts with both of them arriving in Mexico & straight away they went on to explore the place. First of all they visited a local flower market, known as Jamaican market. Next they went to some other local food markets where they tasted 'fruits with chilli' & 'Half lime half orange Hybrid fruit'. They tasted various things out there including the HOTTEST CHILLI of Mexico & Huarache. They had their lunch with some local Bankers at San Juan Market where they happily gorged themselves with Ceviche & Aguachile & you will also find them downing on some tequila as well. For dinner, they hit a taco-stall somewhere on a street. No, that's not all. To know the rest do yourself a favour & go have a look here!! You are going to love it for sure :)

Episode 2 of Ben & Andy's Mexico Adventure will be out on May 28, 2014. Get ready for some more Mexican fun!!

New role for Ben Milbourne : Masterchef Travel Expert

MasterChef Travel is a collection of culinary-themed small-group holidays, featuring MasterChef personalities and local culinary experts – perfect for anyone with a passion for food and a taste for discovery.

Mexico trip with Ben Milbourne!! Can anything get better than this?? No we aren't asking you to dream anything like this!! Now it is possible..yes, you can be accompanied by Ben in a trip to Mexico. & Masterchef Travel has made it possible :)

Join Ben Milbourne for a:

• Food journey to discover one of the world’s oldest cuisines and introduce you to the world of chocolate, corn, chillies, tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatillos, vanilla, avocado and guava.
• For a visit to the ancient USENSCO archaeological site of Uxmal and have lunch at the beautiful Hacienda Temozon
• Explore a range of regional specialities and the people who create them  

This is going to be a 14 days/13 nights tour & the departure date is November 1, 2014. For more details, visit here .

Ben and Andy discover what tastes better in Mexico--

Check out this great interview of Ben & Andy!!

Ben and Andy discover what tastes better in Mexico--

Mexican-mad Masterchefs Andy Allen (2012 Australia winner) and Ben Milbourne have recently returned from their Intrepid Real Food Adventure Mexico.

This food trip debunked a lot of myths about Mexican food for Ben and Andy, so here is what they think now about travelling in Mexico, authentic Mexican cuisine and what tips they brought home…

Q: What are 3 things that taste better in Mexico?
Ben: “1. Beer, oh the cold, cold beer. 2. Tortillas, for the quality and the fact that they are freshly handmade. 3. Lemons, because they are actually limes!”

Andy: “Everything tastes better in Mexico! I’d add the tequila, the chillies and spices.”

Q: Did you bring a favourite recipe back from Mexico?
Ben: “I brought heaps of recipes home, but I think the fave is a flan we found in Zipolite. It was being sold by a grandmother, mother and daughter on the beach and was the best dessert we had in Mexico.”

Andy: “At the Tlacolula markets in Oaxaca. We sat down and ate a lamb hangi, which was cooked underground for 6 hours and served in a rich tomato broth. I then came home and created a chipotle braised Mexican lamb shank dish, which has become a winter warmer crowd favourite with my housemates.” 

Q: What’s the first Mexican food you would tell travellers to try when they arrive?
Ben: “It depends where you are, but I would suggest going to the closest fish market and getting a ceviche.”

Q: What surprised you the most about the food in Mexico?
Andy: “The amount of flavour that Mexicans can get out of such simple and inexpensive ingredients.”

Q: Street food in Mexico – thumbs up or down?
Ben: “Huge thumbs up! The street food is king, by far and away the best food is found in markets and on the streets.”

Q: Does food play a big part in Mexican culture?
Ben: “Food is at the heart of Mexican culture. Food is what binds Mexican people together, it gives them purpose and pride.”

Andy: “Mexican food is all about the culture. It’s not just about the food, it’s about the people that you eat with.”

Q: Did you learn any new cooking techniques while you were in Mexico?
Andy: “Since coming home I’ve done a lot more barbecuing over hot coals. In Mexico there was a lot of cooking over an open fire, which is another simple and effective way to create more flavour.”

Q: Where will be next on your food travel menu?
Ben: “I would love to do either Thailand or Italy.”

Andy: “I’m so keen to get over to Spain and Morocco!”

(Source: Intrepid Travel's website)

Mexican Fiesta with Ben & Andy

Thinking about visiting Mexico anytime soon? If your answer is YES, then you can't afford to miss Intrepid Travel's Mexican Fiesta with Ben & Andy. As we all know, Ben & Andy recently returned from Intrepid's Real Food Adventure in Mexico. This event will take place at 1000 £ Bend in Melbourne on Thursday, 29th May, 2014. Here they will share great stories & info as well as traditional Mexican recipes. They will also be cooking up a Mexican Fiesta. & guess what, the event is absolutely FREE. To know more, visit http://www.intrepidtravel.com/event

Foodie gene & good looks run in the family!!

We all know how brilliant chef is Ben! But he's not alone in the family who can cook delicious dishes, his little brother Grant Milbourne is quite a good chef & can give Ben a tough competition in terms of good looks!! The latest season (Season 6) of Masterchef Australia has just started airing in Australia & Ben's brother was seen there at the audition round (for top 24) after being chosen as one of the top 50 contestants. But unfortunately, he could not make it through :'(

Grant Milbourne (4th from the right side, front row) along with top 50 contestants of Masterchef Australia season 6

During the audition, Grant cooked Beef Massaman curry, but unfortunately according to the judges it wasn't good enough to earn him a place in top 24!!

Grant Milbourne's beef massaman curry

Though Grant was denied a place in top 24, but we are sure he'll continue to follow his food dream & with Ben by his side he will bound to succeed.. we wish him all the very best :)

Grant at Masterchef audition

Check out how much Ben is proud of his baby bro :)

Andy & Ben Do Mexico!!

Okay guys. so you already know that Ben along with his best mate Andy went to Mexico last year for a month long trip & while exploring the Mexican Cuisine, they captured the sights, sounds, food and drink of the country on film for an exclusive YouTube documentary series to be released on Andy's YouTube channel.

Now hold your breath!!!!

The time has finally come!! Ben & Andy's Mexico trip Web series is set to be released on May 22, 2014! This web series will be five episodes in total & the 1st episode is going to be launched on 22nd May. The rest of the 4 series will be released once a week for the next four weeks.

The series tells the story of these two travelling, eating & chefing their way through Mexico. They will also be sharing reflections on how much their lives have changed, insights into Mexican food culture & a stack of how-to's along the way. So in short it will be awesome, mouth-watering, I-wish-I-was-in-Mexico kind of stuff. So subscribe to Andy's YouTube channel so that you don't miss out on it!!


You can also check out this awesome article to get some insights into Andy & Ben's Mexico trip & authentic Mexican cuisine!! It also tells you what are Andy's top Five must-eats in Mexico :)