The enormous McWhirters Building in Fortitude Valley has been around since 1898 and has housed departments stores, markets, shops and fast food joints that have all come and gone.  They chart the rise and fall and rise and fall of the Valley as a shopping destination and the faddish nature of consumers, always looking for the… Read more

It’s a new year, a time of new beginnings.  I’ve got a new look and lots of plans and ideas about the year ahead.  It seems every other writer and blogger is making food related predictions for 2013 so I may as well join in and become a soothsayer for TIFFIN in 2013.New Avatar –… Read more

Happy New Year!  Hasn’t the stone fruit been great this Summer? An excellent growing season has meant bumper crops and low prices. The cherries have been the best I’ve had in at least half a dozen years and my favourite, nectarines, have been great. Although I also enjoy peaches, they can be a bit hit… Read more

Whether you’re shivering through wintry blasts or baking under the blazing sun, Christmas is a time that has an enduring sense memory linked to food.  I always wonder why we only ever buy a leg ham at Christmas when it’s available all year round?  The same for petticoat shortbread, Danish butter cookies and pfeffernusse.  Once, they… Read more

Earlier in the year, a cute little avatar popped up on Twitter – a smiling gyoza dumpling Hai! This heralded the impending opening of Harajuku Gyoza in Fortitude Valley.  Finally, after months of  ‘it’s on the list’, it was our turn to visit this dumpling bar on our way to a night out with former… Read more

We hear a lot about shared and tasting plate menus.  This style of eating suits Australia’s laid back attitude and it definitely suits Queensland’s warm climate so you can pick and choose what and how much you want to eat.   Most tasting plates are typically referred to as Tapas (though they are normally far… Read more