our Foodie Blog

November 14, 2025

5 Chef-Approved Tips to Make Your Holiday Cooking Spectacular

Is there anything more to love about the holidays than great food? Okay, it’s...

November 10, 2025

Why Cooking Classes Make the Perfect Christmas Present

The festive season is also the season of giving, which is wonderful, except when...

November 05, 2025

Global Dishes to Inspire Your Festive Christmas Feast

Before you pull out last year’s turkey and ham recipe for Christmas, have you...

September 26, 2025

5 Creative Recipes for Halloween Desserts Everyone Will Love

For some, Halloween is a spooky night of costumes and trick-or-treating. For others, it's...

September 19, 2025

Italian Recipe Books Every Home Cook Should Own

There's something so satisfying about recreating a classic dish from another country in your...

September 12, 2025

Corporate Christmas Party Ideas with a Team-Building Twist

Does the phrase "corporate Christmas party" fill you with a little dread? The usual...

September 05, 2025

Team-Building Activities in Brisbane That Drive Engagement & Productivity

Teams that genuinely enjoy working together make magic happen. What better way to get...

August 28, 2025

Sip, Sauté & Celebrate: The Ultimate Hens Night Cooking Fiesta

Want to plan a hens night that's truly memorable, interactive and bubbling with fun?...

August 18, 2025

How a Corporate Cook-Off Can Ignite Innovation

As a business owner, you may not use cooking and corporate success in the...

August 08, 2025

6 Cooking Tips Chefs Swear By (That You Can Use...

How do professional chefs effortlessly create culinary masterpieces? It's not always about fancy gadgets...

July 24, 2025

Why These Forgotten Foods Deserve a Comeback

If you could turn back time and taste some of your old-time favourite foods,...

July 17, 2025

Beat the Mid-Year Slump With a Cooking Class Night Out

The year is well underway, and perhaps that initial burst of New Year's energy...

July 10, 2025

A Flavourful Review of Vanilla Zulu's Breakfast Brunch Masterclass

If you believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day, this blog...

June 25, 2025

Inspired to Cook? See Delicious Dishes With Common Pantry Staples

It’s time to stop staring into your pantry, feeling uninspired. The truth is, some...

June 16, 2025

The "Always Delicious" Weekly Plan: Quick Meals That Always Satisfy

We all know the struggle: a busy day, an empty stomach, and the daunting...

June 05, 2025

Your Checklist for a Smooth Cooking Class Experience

Everyone deserves their own culinary adventure, and cooking classes are an incredible way to...

May 30, 2025

Adapting dishes for vegetarians, vegans or gluten-free diets

These days, you’re likely to find yourself cooking for guests with varying dietary needs...

May 15, 2025

Cooking with Queensland’s freshest fruits and vegetables

There's something truly special about cooking with produce that has just been harvested, bursting...

May 09, 2025

Knife Skills 101: Mastering the Basics for Home Cooks

The thought of wielding a sharp knife with confidence can be intimidating, but mastering...

April 29, 2025

From Potjie to Braai: Mastering Simple South African Cooking Traditions

If you’ve ever tasted South African cuisine, you would be familiar with the rich...

April 22, 2025

Live Your Cooking Show Dreams with Vanilla Zulu!

If you’re one of those people who often find themselves glued to cooking shows,...

April 17, 2025

Easy healthy cooking habits to adopt today

When we live by the clocks, the idea of healthy cooking can often feel...

April 14, 2025

Why Vegan Cuisine is Anything But Basic

Let's face it, vegan food has been unfairly categorised as nothing more than bland...

April 08, 2025

The Art of Giving Edible Gifts

There is an unmistakable unique charm and thoughtfulness in gifting something you've lovingly created...

March 27, 2025

Why Brisbane Cooking Classes Are A Great Team-Building Activity

Are you tired of the same old team-building activities? If you want to spice up...

March 20, 2025

Reinvent Traditional Easter Dishes With These Tips

Easter is a time for cherished traditions, family gatherings and of course – delicious...

March 13, 2025

Death by chocolate self-saucing pudding…the PERFECT entertainer.

Perfect for entertaining…death by chocolate self saucing pudding.Warning: Do not wear your skinny jeans...

March 06, 2025

How Corporate Events Can Impact Company Culture

Corporate events are more than just social gatherings for teams in the workplace –...

February 22, 2025

Why All Good Cooking Starts with Curiosity

Cooking is more than just following a recipe—it’s about creativity, exploration and a willingness...

February 15, 2025

10 Life Lessons from the Vanilla Zulu Kitchen

The kitchen is not just a place for creating delicious meals; it's also a...

February 09, 2025

Breaking Down Culinary Fears

Are you someone who breaks into a cold sweat at the thought of cooking...

February 03, 2025

Christmas Cooking Classes: Why It's A Great Idea For Your...

'Tis the season to jingle and mingle and what better way to bring your...

January 25, 2025

The Art of Flavour: Exploring Herbs & Spices in South...

South African cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of flavours and aromas, enriched by a...

January 18, 2025

Love is in the Air: Cooking Up Romance in a...

Cooking classes aren't just about food—they're about creating connections and kindling romance. Whether you're...

January 15, 2025

Live happily ever after in your kitchen...you need these amazing...

5 Reasons you hate cooking…and how to fix that. I hear it so often....

January 11, 2025

Spice Up Your Slice: International Pizza Toppings to Try

Who doesn't love pizza? It's the ultimate comfort food that everyone loves and it...

December 27, 2024

Date Night Ideas: 7 Reasons to Try a Couples’ Cooking...

Tired of the usual dinner and a movie for your date nights? Spice things...

December 20, 2024

5 Reasons to Skip Dinner Reservations & Book a Group...

Are you tired of the same old routine of dining out with friends? It's...

December 18, 2024

Sexy and Easy Peach or Apple Cobbler

Filling3 cups peaches or apples diced, skin on is fine (you can use any...

December 13, 2024

The Secret Ingredient to Team Building: Why Your Company Should...

Are you looking for effective, out-of-the-box ways to build a strong and cohesive team?...

June 24, 2021

Roast Cauliflower Soup with pancetta bark

Roast Cauliflower Soup with pancetta bark   I'm a lazy chef, I have a busy...

April 10, 2020

Sexy savoury breakfast slice OR muffins

A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN…BRILLIANT BACON AND SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST SLICE THAT IS!A little...

December 03, 2019

Happy Sexy Quickie EGGS

  In my quest for the laziest YET sexiest eggs, this has become one of...

October 21, 2019

Change your life 'Bolognese'

Mel's versatile Bolognese recipe (Serves 6-8) 1kg premium beef mince 1 large onion finely...

July 09, 2019

Spectacular Paella

SPECTACULAR SPANISH…WHO WANTS TO MAKE LAZY BUT PERFECT PAELLA. Spectacular Paella made easy (Serves...

June 29, 2019

Ever so glamorous Mac and Cheese, my sons recipe.

Ingredients Makes enought for 6-8 people ( my son makes this huge batch so...

June 18, 2019

The Inspired Chef - My journey with truffles. My journey...

The inspired Chef I am so terribly excited. I am so terribly inspired. Which...

March 28, 2019

Strawberry Sundae Cupcakes

This is the cake I made when I married the man of my dreams....

March 28, 2019

Perfect pumpkin and pepper scones with matching whipped pumpkin, pepper...

Hello everyone! How exciting, I just love sharing fabulous recipes with you.  And what...

February 18, 2019

5 minute Keto Bread - Enough for a week

So in an attempt to shed the kilo's I found in my latest trip...

February 15, 2019

My amazing foodie tour of London and my Culinary Quickies...

I was lucky enough to head to England last week on my 'Culinary Quickies'...

February 07, 2019

Who wants to live happily ever after? Beautiful Blueberry Pancakes...

Greetings everyone!It's good to be back at home.  No matter how much I love...

January 18, 2019

My famous Death by Chocolate Platter featuring spiced ras el...

VANILLA ZULU’S FAMOUS DEATH BY CHOCOLATE ‘BLINGED’ BROWNIE This is truly the dessert of...

January 17, 2019

Food and Love – Valentine's Day Inspiration with my Crab...

Love is in the air... It's the time of the year we embrace romance and...

January 14, 2019

Mozambique Cuisine...Africa on fire

This weekend I was fortunate enough to be one of the presenters on stage...

January 13, 2019

Oz Harvest Carrot Top Pesto...this will literally change your life!

    If you haven’t heard about Oz Harvest I really recommend supporting their...

December 18, 2018

Vanilla Zulu's Orange, Pistachio and Vanilla Christmas Mince Pie with spun sugar...

  Tart shell 1 ½ cups / 180g plain flour 60g almond meal, toasted...

October 29, 2018

Under an African Sky

Fusion Cooking School Under an African sky again... Ladies and gents, everyone who was...

September 21, 2018

Dirty Black Beef with biltong, chilli and coriander bling

Anyone that knows me also knows that I'm the worlds laziest chef.  If there...

September 19, 2018

I dreamt of Africa...and Bunny Chow

Four years is a very long time not to return to see friends and...

July 05, 2018

The Queen of Culinary Bling hunts for black diamonds

Hello fellow foodies This weekend was an amazing celebration of foodie fabulousness.  Not only...

June 13, 2018

Hard Core Carnivore Team Build with JBS Australia

Hard Core Carnivore Team Build with JBS Australia  When JBS Australia gave me a...

June 12, 2018

When BHP came back to me...

Vanilla Zulu Team Building Events  We have very lovely and loyal clients that come...

May 26, 2018

Week 6 - Plump sweet potato, sage and bacon stuffed...

Bling up your next roast with this fabulous 'spray-tanned' roast chicken!  Roast chicken is an...

May 26, 2018

Week 4 - One pan suntanned chicken...

Okay, who's sick of washing pots and pans and millions of dishes! I certainly...

May 12, 2018

Purple Carrot Cake for Mum

I'm so excited!   My mother arrived last week to be with me and...

May 04, 2018

Crispy Skin Salmon with happy yellow butter bean or perfect...

  First of all, I just want you to know, that you too can...

May 01, 2018

How to make your own ras el hanout spice mix

I know this like a massive investment, but once you have this made up,...

April 27, 2018

Sexy Stir Fries - Are your stir fries soggy and...

    Stir fries are a wonderful, healthy, economical family meal. Not only are...

April 15, 2018

Week 1 - Magical Moroccan Mince with a pistachio and...

   CHEFS MINCE NOTE: REMEMBER if there is grey liquid in you pan at...

April 13, 2018

Butterbean and Ras el Hanout dip with lemon oil drizzle

Guys this recipe is just too easy.  If you have any roast carrots, butternut...

March 30, 2018

Fragrant Lamb Shoulder with sticky figs, pistachio and lemon gravel

2-4 kg-lamb shoulder bone in Salt and pepper to season 1-2 litres weak chicken...

March 30, 2018

Glorious Sun-Tanned Pan Lamb...with sexy yellow butterbean puree

Suntanned Pan-Lamb with dates, mint & nuts Mel’s note: Leg of lamb is fabulous...

March 24, 2018

Seared Crispy Skin Fish with Pancetta Bark and Rustic Pea...

First of all, I just want you to know, that you too can get...

December 01, 2017

Tremendously Moist Terrific Turkey

Buy Mel's latest Book! Culinary Quickies!  https://amzn.to/2BQZ0s1 Perfect Christmas Gift! Tremendously Moist Terrific Turkey...

November 20, 2017

I made Churros...and they are the easiest thing you will...

It's a rainy cool and beautiful day in Brisbane today.  Perfect for comfort food...

November 06, 2017

Rustic Pea Mash...simply spectacular

It's always surprising, during my classes, when we create the most amazing meals imaginable...

October 30, 2017

Happy Yellow Butterbean Mash - the newest and latest craze...

We all love mash.  Its comforting deliciousness is not only the cause of many...

September 08, 2017

Lightest and fluffiest happiest birthday AND wedding cake!

Hi guys! Yes, I turn 43 tomorrow and in two weeks I marry the...

August 21, 2017

Father's Day Pancake Ideas!

Home made buttermilk maple pancake 250ml buttermilk or milk 1 egg 50ml maple syrup...

August 21, 2017

Father's Day Eggs for Breakfast Ideas!

Eggs are always a popular choice for breakfast. I have two sauces here for...

June 09, 2016

Saffron, lime and chili infused butternut broth with creamy chive...

Nothing is more satisfying than a healthy and nutritious bowl of fabulous pumpkin or...

June 09, 2016

Testimonials - what our students have to say!

Testimonials Vanilla Zulu We put our heart and soul into what we do here...

May 05, 2016

Six Week Chef Skills Course

Six week chef skills course - culinary tuition Brisbane’s only comprehensive six week Chef Skills...

April 27, 2016

Vanilla Zulus Telephone Pudding

Living away from my home country, I have found myself not only longing for...

April 26, 2016

MOTHER'S DAY Pumpkin, Parsley & Parmesan Scones

These are not just ANY old scones.  Behold…these are my old faithful’s.  They have...

March 15, 2016

One a penny, two a penny...hot cross ducks!

Vanilla Zulu's hot cross ducks Of course, you can just make standard buns, but...

March 10, 2016

Gift Vouchers - the perfect gift!

Buy the perfect gift for your fabulous foodie or budding chef!Vanilla Zulu gift vouchers...

March 10, 2016

Team Building for Corporates

The only thing better than a cooking class, is a cooking class designed to...

March 05, 2016

Have you got 12 minutes and a tea bag?

Have you got 12 minutes and a tea bag?Fabulous! Then you can home-smoke salmon...

March 05, 2016

Moroccan inspired Suntanned pan-lamb with date, mint and pistachio bling

Suntanned Pan-Lamb with dates, mint & nuts YOU WILL NEED: 1 – 1.5kg leg...

February 10, 2016

Love is all around us...

 Love is in the air... It's the time of the year we embrace romance and...

January 29, 2016

African Culinary Safari...with the Vanilla Zulu

Flavours from Africa!  What a melting pot of cultural diversity South African cuisine is...which...

January 04, 2016

Giant Tiger Prawns with Peri Peri

When I think of the perfect summer holiday I always think of the trip...

December 09, 2015

Beautiful sun-tanned beer-braised pork belly with caramelised apples

Beautiful sun-tanned beer-braised pork belly with caramelised apples and onions... Pork Belly is one...

December 08, 2015

How to create a fuss-free Culinary Bling Christmas Feast!

How to create a fuss-free Culinary Bling Christmas Feast! Part 1 Do you want...

October 31, 2015

Famous Roasted Red Capsicum Puree

As requested by so many!  The most fabulous sauce EVER! I used this with...

October 30, 2015

Mysterious and sexy Moroccan Mince

How many times a week do you cook mince for the family?  In my...

October 17, 2015

5 Reasons you hate cooking...

I hear it so often.  'I hate cooking'... And i really just don't understand!...

October 17, 2015

Porcini and basil Arancini with Verjuice mayo

We had so much fun with this dish in my class last night, and...

October 16, 2015

There's a ZULU on my plate!

There's a zulu on my plate!I always smile to myself when, despite myself, I...

October 15, 2015

How to keep cool in the kitchen this summer with...

I have to admit that I really did enjoy winter in Brisbane this year....

September 05, 2015

More Father's Day Recipe Ideas

As much as I love the hustle and the bustle of Father's Day treats...

September 04, 2015

Dirty 'BLACK' Tomahawk Steak with Porcini and black salt mayo

200g TOMAHAWK (on the bone RIB STEAK) OR beef tenderloin OR lamb backstrap per...

August 20, 2015

Vanilla Zulu Culinary Bling series 2015: Waterbiscuits and culinary bark...

The first in my series of Culinary Bling 2015 videos shot right here at Vanilla...

July 14, 2015

Bling up the big chill with this sexy 'sun-tanned' roast...

Hot chilli and pumpkin chicken with fabulous turmeric and curry CULINARY BRONZER!   Bling...

April 23, 2015

African soul food

My family of African beaded giraffes at the cooking school My memories of Africa...

April 18, 2015

Culinary high heels...dessert bling for your next big event!

Strawberry and chocolate tilesAbove is my decadent roast strawberry and ras el hanout brownie...

April 17, 2015

Meal makeovers- ways to make your food look sexy

Meal makeovers You've seen in the magazines and adverts how models or homes are...

April 17, 2015

Perfectly poached eggs with chilli, basil and black salt bling.

Perfectly poached eggs with chilli, basil and black salt bling I actually look forward...

April 17, 2015

Bling up your steak...and shop shop shop!

Shopping and steaks...It's fast approaching bikini weather and I don't know about you but...

January 30, 2015

Culinary Bling...and eat yourself sexy with this beef, avo and...

Beef Avocado and rocket stack on fire roasted red capsicum 500-700g MSA Rump or...

January 30, 2015

Soup bling - More wild ways with SOUP!

This is one of my favourite things to do to soup…bling it up!  Give...

October 25, 2014

Culinary Bling...Delectable chicken, eggplant and coconut curry

This wonderful dish is a fast and fun take on a fragrant chicken curry. ...

October 01, 2014

More wild ways with chicken...

It's time to have a love-affair with chicken! According to my little survey we...

September 06, 2014

Eat yourself sexy ...first recipe of summer!

I'm sure that like me you have realized that winter was not kind on...

July 05, 2014

What a wonderful place...welcome to my very cosy fireplace in...

Greetings from a beautiful and chilly Franschoek, the second leg of my Africa trip....

June 22, 2014

I'm off on a Culinary Safari!

Watch this space ladies and gentleman because today I leave for a long overdue...

May 17, 2014

Pumpkin, parsley and parmesan scones...with culinary bling

These are not just ANY old scones... These are magnificently quick, you don't need...

May 07, 2014

A blog within a blog!

I'm so excited with my new role as Ambassador Chef for Gourmet Garden! Watch...

November 22, 2013

Delicious Butterflied Lamb with Fragrant Moroccan Couscous

Butterflied Lamb with Fragrant Moroccan Couscous Ingredients 1 small leg of lamb, deboned and...

August 24, 2013

Spiced Purple Carrot Cake with Ricotta Lime and Vanilla Frosting...a'la...

Beat together 185g softened butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar in a mixer until...

August 23, 2013

Easy Entertainer...Spicy Shiraz, beetroot and strawberry jelly pate...

Easy entertaining...wild about food! Vanilla Zulu's easy chicken liver pate with fragrant Shiraz, beetroot,...

August 18, 2013

Baked Snapper with crispy wings and sexy Nigella and herb...

Vanilla Zulu's Fish and Seafood night Who wants an easy but beautiful fish dish?...

May 22, 2013

Cheeky beef cheeks...

As we step into winter we will all have to embrace the simplicity and...

May 14, 2013

Gorgeous baked cheese

Perfect for a winter warmer...

May 14, 2013

Baked cheese with fragrant garlic and tarragon

Garlic and herb baked cheese served with crusty bread This is a gorgeous and...

May 08, 2013

Vanilla Zulus easy entertainer scones

Looking for a quick and gorgeous scone recipe that is as versatile as it...

March 11, 2013

White Chocolate Cup Cakes

So simple yet soooo Preeeeetty. Defintely can be made in advance, leaving you more...

March 11, 2013

Boozy Vanilla Panna Cotta

Panna cotta really is the simplest thing to make, just have the confidence to...

December 04, 2012

How does your garden grow...

Yes, cooking is simple.  We all do it everyday.  But are you tired of...

December 03, 2012

Christmas Safari! African Style...

African Class last night, so good to take a trip down memory lane!  This...

November 23, 2012

Fiery beef fillet with spiced beetroot pesto, pistachios and petals

November 16, 2012

Mini croquembouche with petals, filled with Tahitian vanilla custard...

Mini croquembouche! With fresh petals and filled with Tahitian vanilla custard...

November 16, 2012

Easy Christmas entertaining

Littlest Christmas tree...total cost $4.50!  Merry Christmas

November 16, 2012

Johns Egg Nog

A couple of years ago John brought along his now-famous egg nog.  Not only...

November 16, 2012

Faux Croquembouche Vanilla Zulu Style...

The feared Croquembouche, once you know how to make them, they really aren't that daunting. ...

March 12, 2011

IN THE PRESS

FOOD AND HOME ENTERTAINING MAGAZINE " Vivacious Melanie Townsend holds court with aplomb.  An...