Sharnee Rawson reports on the week that was, from exploding Thermomix to the Mardi Gras, seasonal eating and what you should do this weekend.

Next weekend we’ll be dusting off our Easter egg bunting and stocking up on chocolate, planning an Easter menu to impress, but this weekend we’re recovering from quite the week in food, planning for Sydney’s Mardi Gras, and using up our summer produce. While you were at work/ playing with the kids/ checking out the new vegetarian menu at Sydney’s Yellow/ recovering from the daily grind, you may have missed a few things. Here’s what happened in food this week.

Finally, some news from Aus in the US

In food news this week; American news outlets have just twigged that Noma has a Sydney pop-up, as detailed by the New York Times. If you didn’t snag a ticket, you can pop down and try for a loaf of Noma’s 900gm loaves of bread.

Meet your new chilli eating champion

What makes a human want to consume five of the world’s hottest chillies? Sheer competitiveness, mostly, and the lure of a shiny trophy. Here’s a first person account on to what it takes to enter a chilli eating competition and win (warning: milk drool ahead).

Thermomix explodes

Another kind of burning – and this one not self-inflicted. A Perth mother is suing Thermomix after the lid came off her machine, spraying her with scalding pasta sauce and causing second-degree burns.

Gluten free hits the big time

Most of us in the office can’t remember the last time we had cornflakes, but when a delivery of Kellogg’s new gluten-free range dropped at the magical time of 3pm (AKA second stomach hour), we found ourselves filling up our coffee mugs for a taste. The verdict? Pretty much exactly the same. And given that corn is naturally gluten-free, we did wonder why (or whether) there was ever gluten in there in the first place. Regardless; any ceoliacs who felt ripped off as kids have the chance for redemption.

Stop taking photographs of your food

Do as we say, not as we do. And so it is with our etiquette for the modern foodie. Whip these out the next time someone tells you to wait for a picture before digging into your ragu.

Bob’s Burgers to release cookbook

Fan of  Bob’s Burgers? The FOX network cult TV show revolves around Bob Belcher and his off-centre family, which runs a burger shop with terrible pun-named menu items. The show’s official cookbook is about to drop (yay), with burgers such as the Sit and Spinach, the Sweet Home Avocado and New Bacon-ings.

Use up your summer veg

It may be officially Autumn, but most of the produce for this spectacular Summer vegetable lasagne. It’s the perfect weekend project.

The green smoothie that won’t quit

If you really want to try something different, the office is also completely smitten by senior food editor Phoebe Wood’s stunning matcha and kefir iced latter. Just look at it.

What to do this weekend

Sydney’s most colourful parade – Mardi Gras – kicks off tomorrow. Some of our office team have been #shredding in anticipation, but if your mind is on food and drinks, we’ve wrapped up our most colourful cocktails and dishes to serve up at a Mardi Gras party. Phoebe Wood has even created these rainbow chocolate chip almond cookies.

Get out your green thumb

You could get to work in the garden; Chiswick’s head gardener Peter Hatfield says that this time of year is perfect for planting all kinds of greens. Check out his tips and tricks, along with exactly what to plant here.

Melbourne holds the food event to be at this weekend

Melbournites have no shortage of amazing food and wine events this weekend with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in full swing. Checkout the website to where to find events such as Food Truck Alley, The G & T project, pop-up seafood markets, master classes and even an “extreme drinks” class with delicious. contributor Mike Bennie.

But Sydney has one next weekend

Sydney’s best restaurants will descend on Centennial Park next weekend for Taste of Sydney, the annual event that has local foodies stocking up on totes and new Instagram filters. We’re gearing up for a weekend of eating and rubbernecking as we hunt down the top dishes and the best chefs. Here’s our pick on the top 5 dishes you need to eat.

And Sydney has this…

If you’re in Bondi, A Moveable Feast kicks off from 6.30pm, on the sands of the famous beach. The dress code is “pastel beach chic” and event-goers will be treated to magnums of Piper-Heidseick champagne, Sonoma bread with Pepe Saya butter and a gorgeous picnic menu from Lauren Murdoch.

While Hobart has the hot new restaurant

Tassie residents; have you heard about Peacock and Jones, the new Hobart restaurant down on the docks? Read our reviewer’s assessment and wander down for some crisp ling fritters wrapped in raddichio.