Local Knowledge: Alice Zaslavsky

Award-winning author and broadcaster Alice Zaslavsky is famous for her enthusiasm when it comes to telling the world how wonderful vegetables are. Her acclaimed book In Praise of Veg has kindled passion for cooking and eating more veg all over the world. The book has been published in 11 countries, winning the 2021 ABIA for Best Illustrated Non-Fiction as well as picking up medals and accolades in Germany, The Netherlands and the UK. Her new book is called The Joy of Better Cooking. Alice calls the Mornington Peninsula home, which makes sense because we all know that’s where the best vegetables are grown, and here she shares four of her favourite things to do and see on the Peninsula.

1. At the risk of adding to the queues, I’m putting this one right at the top of the list: grabbing the best chips in Victoria from Hawkes Farm in Boneo. They’re growing the spuds, then triple-cooking them for the crispiest crunch and the softest, sweetest innards. It’s almost irresistible to grab a couple of trays of a Sunday morning, and perfect for frying up with a couple of eggs and some feta the next day for leftovers.

2. Grabbing some unshucked oysters on the Flinders Pier to take home and scoff – along with some mussels from the other side, which we’ll happily steam with some herbs and any splashes of bubbles left over from the oysterfest.

3. We love the produce on the Peninsula – whether it’s from Torello Farm, Hawkes, Peninsula Fresh or our soon to be regular members’ box from Barragunda Collective. If you’re a Ninch local, you might like to get on board too.

4. The main drag in Sorrento is where we can happily get a bit of a shopping hit should we be running low on linen pants and European kidswear. Capped off with a play at the terrific Sorrento playground and some coffee and cake from Flat BLK, of course. If we’re especially hungry, a visit to Hotel Sorrento for their excellent zucchini chips and other fare is sure to satisfy. If you’re sensing a ‘chips’ theme here, then you are entirely correct.