The 2005 Australian of the Year is a plastic surgeon, clinical professor, Director of Royal Perth Hospital’s Burns Unit, inventor of Spray-on Skin, mother of six and all round super-woman and today - Professor Fiona Wood is Anna’s guest in the Quickies Kitchen. Between interesting chats Fiona dons an apron and whips up her Lentil Salad with pan fried beef fillet which Anna enthuses is ‘yum… it’s such a lovely combination.’ Anna cooks: An elegant quickie… Succulent Seared Scallops ‘That tastes really good’ - Fiona A one-pot quickie… Bloody Mary Lamb Shoulder ‘Oh it’s beautiful’ – Fiona A never-fail quickie… Truly Great Choc Cake ‘This is great and couldn’t be easier’ - Fiona
Aptly named, the 6 foot 10 inch Sam towers over his sister-in-law. The banter is cheeky and relaxed as Sam shares memories and career anecdotes, including his 2006 experience donning a 50kg monster suit to play Ira in the Spike Jonze film Where the Wild Things Are. After making Anna a warm-up Margarita, Sam whips up one of his favourites: Tequila Tortillas with prawns and paprika on tasting, Anna announces: ‘that is so delicious’. Anna cooks: An Oriental quickie… Balinese Chicken (with Snake Beans) ‘That is very good’ - Sam A kid-friendly quickie… Spaghetti and Meatballs ‘This is incredible Anna’ – Sam An Adults-Only quickie… Walnut and Rum Torte ‘Absolutely divine’ - Sam
Amid the cooking they touch on Raelene’s career highlights: sport, food and healthy living. Down to earth and delightful, she and Anna make a winning combination behind the cook top. Her quickie is: Raelene’s Pear Salad with rocket, gorgonzola and prosciutto, which Anna declares: ‘…so fresh, so quick and really quite fancy’. Anna cooks: A hearty quickie… Chicken and Fennel Casserole ‘The chicken just falls off the bone, it’s beautiful’ - Raelene An Italian quickie… Gamberi Linguine (with chilli, spinach and prawns) ‘It’s absolutely delicious’ – Raelene A sweet, sparkling quickie… Bubbles Berries ‘Absolutely beautiful’ – Raelene
Philadelphia born, Grammy Award winning musician Lucky Oceans has been a WA local since moving to Fremantle 30 years ago with his new Aussie bride. He can now be heard broadcasting on Radio National between gigs. He and Anna share a musical history and played many gigs together as Nansing and the Jam Tarts in the 1980’s. While reminiscing the good times, they cook and jam a little in the Quickies Kitchen. Lucky, a ‘lapsing’ vegetarian, cooks Anna his Vegie Pasta with broccoli, leeks, capsicum, mushroom, fetta and anchovies, which Anna declares ‘Fantastic… I’m going to make this at home for sure!’ Anna cooks: Chilli Basil Smoked Fish or Smoked Trout Stir fry ‘I love it’ - Lucky Moroccan Fish Curry ‘It’s just amazing isn’t it. Hmmm…’ – Anna and Lucky Passionfruit Curd Tart (with brûlée topping) ‘This food is to die for’ – Lucky
Anna and Ian go way back – in fact, she prepared the dish he prepared earlier - when TV chef and presenter Ian Parmenter worked on the series, Consuming Passions. These days Ian and Stephanie Alexander are on an ambitious quest to get kitchen gardens established in all Australian primary schools. Today, he cooks Anna his favourite seduction dish using - of all things – an iron and ironing board. Asparagus Wild with Salmon is a hit with Anna who loves what he does with an iron: ‘Ian, that salmon is just perfect,’ Anna. Anna cooks: A robust quickie… Pork Curry ‘A complete meal’ - Ian A lemony quickie… Beef Ceviche (with micro greens) ‘Stunningly good’ - Ian A passed-down quickie… Chocolate Sauce (on vanilla ice cream) ‘I’m surprised about this and impressed’ – Ian
Stand-up comedian and mother of five, Fiona O’Loughlin drops by the kitchen to cook and chat with Anna. Described as the funniest working mother in Australia, her appearance is relaxed, and like her act, peppered with funny anecdotes, mostly about her life as a busy mum in Alice Springs and her career as a comedian. Fiona cooks her special occasion family quickie for Anna: Brain-Food Salmon. Anna declares on tasting: ‘that is gorgeous!’ Anna cooks: A posh quickie… Grilled Marron (with spice mix) + Fennel and Avocado Salad ‘Best crustacean…that I’ve ever had’ - Fiona An exciting quickie… Leek Tarte Tatin (served with goat’s curd and smashed olives) ‘I love you… that is amazing’ - Fiona A spectacular quickie… Choc Swirl Strawberry and Ice Cream ‘It’s a piece of art’ – Fiona
Former West Coast Eagles footy star, David gave up the game a few months ago to spend more time with his new baby boy Marley. Family is everything to David who grew up with strong traditional aboriginal influences thanks to his father, an elder with the Yolngu Djabu Clan from North East Arnhem Land. Young David learnt a lot about surviving in the bush from his father. Since retiring from football, David is able to give more of his time to The David Wirrpanda Foundation – a vehicle he launched in 2005 to improve the lives of disadvantaged indigenous kids. A thoughtful, passionate person, with a new respect for pasta (now that he doesn’t have to ‘carb-up’ before games), he makes Anna a classic favourite: Tuna Pasta Bake which she describes as ‘really yummy.’ Anna cooks: A healthy quickie… Minestrone Verde ‘It’s beautiful’ – David An All-Aussie quickie… Kangaroo Fillet and Naughty Potatoes ‘Very nice… a lot better when you’re not moving the ash out of the meat’ - David A no fat added quickie… Lime and Macadamia Nut Cake ‘That was sensational’ – David
Today’s guest, former punk rocker and The Clash guitarist Nick Sheppard entertains Anna with unique songs and stories from his musical career. Now a Perth local, he and his wife run two clothing stores: Elroy and Yo Yo Buffalo but music is still the number one love and he recently launched a debut album called ‘Hey Rock ’n Roller’ with his new band: The Domnicks (named after himself and Dom Mariani). He loves whipping up Mexican treats for his family and makes Anna his favourite quickie: Chicken Fajitas with fresh tomato salsa and her verdict? ‘I reckon this’d be good after doing a gig about 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning.’ And while Nick serenades her on guitar Anna cooks: A snappy quickie… Pistachio Crusted Snapper ‘It’s so delicious and you made it look really easy’ – Nick A spicy quickie… Creole Chicken (with sweet potato, red onion and corn salad) ‘Oh this is amazing’ - Nick A super-simple quickie… Summer Cherry Tomato Pasta (with fresh herbs) ‘That is delicious!’ – Nick
Swiss-born Manuela Darling-Gansser has a wonderful job travelling the world cooking, eating and writing about food.