BEN WILLIAMSON

GERARD’S BISTRO

Ben Williamson is having a Prince of Persia moment, pulling focus from the wealth of Middle Eastern cuisines at his fingertips at Fortitude Valley favourite Gerard’s Bistro to zoom in on the ancient culinary traditions of Iran in a Gourmet Institute session that’s bound to enrich your culinary horizons. At Gerard’s the charms of many cultures are harnessed across the menu, sometimes on the same plate, as Williamson’s love of Aleppo pepper, North African ras-el-hanout and Turkish apple flavours comes to the fore. Tonight, though, it’s all about Persia, and two of the region’s greatest contributions to the table, rendered in a modern style. Fesenjan combines the savour of duck with the richness of walnuts and the brightness of pomegranate and sour cherry, while Williamson’s take on the classic Iranian jewelled rice is perfumed with saffron, barberries, orange zest, pistachio nuts and mint.

EXCLUSIVE COOKING EVENTS WITH HARVEY NORMAN AND AUSTRALIA’ S FINEST CHEFS

BEN WILLIAMSON Pomegranate, rose, cinnamon, sour cherry, saffron and citrus all come to the party when Ben Williamson makes duck fesenjan and Iranian jewelled rice. EVENTS IN SY D N E Y, M E LB O U R N E , BRISBANE & ADEL AIDE

Bosch 600mm pyrolytic oven, $3,299 (HRG6767S1A). Bosch built-in coffee machine, $3,899 (CTL636ES1). Bosch 47L combi steam oven, $3,899 (CSG656RS1A). Bosch 140mm warming draw x 2, $1,149ea (BIC630NS1A). Bosch 700mm gas cooktop, $1,599 (PPQ716B21A).