Lobster lunch at Rosedale

We were without Chef Jane and Louise this year for our annual lobster lunch today, but we pooled our collective talents and put on a truly fabulous feast anyway. It's actually great fun working together with dear friends and family on this - in Judy and Jurgen's cosy (but super efficient) holiday house kitchen....especially with a side of our favourite sparking Majella.

 It was all hands on deck this morning getting ready. "Setting the table" was taken very seriously by the boys and James was particularly proud of his efforts with the cumquats and foliage.

 These were my favourite canapés: luscious fresh figs and a slug of Castello cheese - YUM!

 .... and prawn dumplings......

 ...and my efforts with the smoked salmon.......

 ....but did I mention the FIGS?

 ...happy girls .....

 James and Fiona looked after the Sydney rock oysters from Bernie's at Bateman's Bay; three ways - au natural, with sesame and nori and fennel and chilli - just beautiful! especially complemented by Jurgen's choice of Riesling and Hunter Valley Semillon.

 ...and then there was the  lobster......devine as usual... and bigger than ever too.....

 .. served with Judy's Dutch Cream potatoes and Maxie's roast veggie and couscous salad (thanks Donna Hay) and my green salad.

 A highlight of lunch was taking a moment to celebrate Fiona's big birthday this year and acknowledge the very special person she is in our lives...... 

Megan surpassed all expectations with her beautiful dessert cakes - a stunning hazelnut, almond pistacio plum cake with lemon drizzle...... ( served with a gorgeous Sauterne from Normandy France (and that's another story!).

 ... and this gorgeous Italian apricot Crostata (tart) .........

 ... and then after all the sumptuous feasting we take our usual stagger (walk) along beautiful Rosedale beach.

Thanks to our wonderful hosts for making this annual event the highlight of our year - and especially being able to share it the way we do with such dear friends and family.