We celebrated Father’s Day lunch a little early this year thanks to An Affair With Italy and Pretty Beach House. I was invited to lunch with my Dad Rob at the spectacular Pretty Beach House in Killcare in NSW and treated to a menu prepared by one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs Stefano Manfredi. We jumped in the car and drove up to the beach house and didnt get back until after dark. It was such a special afternoon and a treat to escape the city and spend quality time with my Dad where we could actually have a proper conversation, which didnt involve being interrupted by one of my girls. Hosted by Julie Adams and Emma Scott from An Affair With Italy, we were joined by one of my favourite artist’s Laura Jones, co-founder of bassike Deborah Sams and Kate Nixon from Busatti who styled the table with her elegant linen napery. Heres what we ate
The menu
Pizza on arrival
Margherita
Tasmanian black truffle and fontina
Antipasti to share
Baked chickpea-flour tart with prosciutto and pecorino (Cecina con prosciutto e pecorino)
Slow-cooked octopus with potates (Polpo con patate)
Seasonal vegetables fried in extra virgin olive oil (frittura di verdure)
Primo
Potato and saffron gnocchi with crab, peas and chilli (Gnocchi di patate e zafferano, polpa di granchio, piselli e peperoncino)
Secondo
Slow-roasted free-range pork loin and belly stuffed with herbs and spices (Porchetta)?Cauliflower, basil and olive salad (Insalata di cavolfiore e olive taggiasche)
Dolce
Rice fritters with vanilla cream (Frittelle di riso, crema alla vaniglia)
Cafe
Espresso di Manfredi
Laura Jones, Julie Adams and Georgie Abay
Deborah Sams with her Dad Doc
Stefano Manfredi
Laura Jones and her Dad David. Georgie Abay and her Dad Rob