Steve Cumper

2 weeks ago | homestolove.com.au | Steve Cumper |Bella Westaway

On the Adriatic coast in Apulia’s largest city, Bari, it seems as if every nonna in the town has been seconded to the myriad laneways to hand-roll the region’s specialty, orecchiette pasta. It gets its name from the word ‘orecchio’ for ear, while the ‘ette’ at the end means ‘small’. They are made in a rainbow of colours using mostly natural sources like beetroot, vegies and saffron.

Jan 6, 2025 | homestolove.com.au | Steve Cumper

While jerk might be a derogatory word in English, jerk cooking certainly is not. In fact, the history of jerk cooking seems to originate from the African people enslaved by the Spanish to work the sugarcane plantations, who brought with them the technique of cooking over coals. This method was also used by the Taino, the indigenous people of Jamaica, who cooked in pits to suppress the rising smoke. ‘Jerk’ appears to be a variation of the word ‘Charqui’.

Nov 18, 2024 | homestolove.com.au | Steve Cumper

The first time I noticed a trend toward highlighting the bit-player aspect of a dish or recipe and giving it ‘leading man’ status was many years ago at a shop in Hawthorn, Vic, called Jocks. To clarify, this was not a men’s underwear store; rather, it was an ice-cream studio at the vanguard of the frozen confectionery craze of the time. “Cookies and cream ice-cream…” I mouthed the words slowly as I read the menu. How on earth did they come up with this sorcery, I wondered.

Oct 21, 2024 | homestolove.com.au | Steve Cumper

I met my wife Cate in a large share house of 14 people. It was a rambling old hotel, full of lovely antique furniture; the landlord was an eccentric chap with a history of saving old buildings. Looking for digs and answering an ad, I arrived for the interview. After a few routine questions, he eyed me over and said, “And you have to be a vegetarian to live here.” Back then, if it didn’t have meat in it, I really didn’t consider it a proper feed.

Oct 3, 2024 | homestolove.com.au | Steve Cumper

Truffled eggs and polenta – it’s a moreish combo, and one that has its origins in Ol’ Blighty. In the ’90s, Melbourne was in the midst of a reverse migration of chefs from England. Maybe it was the ‘Neighbours effect’ – you know, sunny skies, chipper dispositions and excellent teeth. Perhaps love interests had led them here, or had too many antipodeans invaded the UK?