The Community Christmas Party + More festivities ‘Sarah Cooks’ Style

For the sixth year running, my mum aka The Social Butterfly, has hosted the annual Neighborhood Christmas Party. It’s such a great event where all the neighbours get a chance to get together for a feast. Always smiling and hardly ever frowning- my mum has been described by friends of mine as pure sunshine. When she isn’t cooking up her amazing kitchen creations for us kids, friends, colleagues and the neighbours she would be in her second home- her garden.

We often joke about the number of times my brother and I have had to practically drag my mum away from her garden late at night. Step away from the roses!

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The owner of this Christmas tree makes a mean Pork Belly
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Mum with the neighbours
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To ignite the festive spirit, Santa makes an appearance bearing gifts. I got one so I must have been nice this year!

Now, it wouldn’t be a neighbourhood party without a raffle and to ensure the love is spread as much as possible, there are ten hampers up for grabs just for the grown ups and the kids get to battle out for some awesome prizes by playing a game of musical chairs. The 1st prize is as big as a laundry basket – filled with wine, chocolates, shortbread, jams and other delights. All goodies are donated by each household and a few of Santa’s happy helpers get together and prepare each hamper and to wrap up the pressies.

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spit roast pig

It is tradition that a 30KG spit roast pig full of crack..ling goodness is devoured. For my friends and I, this is the star attraction! For you Filipino readers, I plan on making some Paksiw na Lechon with the leftovers. Yaah babay!

My friends and I succomb to some pig!
My friends and I succomb to some pig!

What I love about my mum’s street, is that there is truly, a strong sense of community. Everyone looks out for each other and best of all – every week when I pop over for dinner, there are always a few neighbours dropping off delicious morsels from melt in the mouth Greek almond shortbreads, freshly steamed dumplings to egg tarts, curries and lasagna.

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Here comes more food….

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Christmas with The Butter Queen (Sarah) and Sandra

Whilst this post was half baked/written, I had just attended a splendid Christmas Party hosted by the awesome duo Sarah and Sandra and thought it was fitting that I pay tribute to their efforts. Although, I don’t know how I found the strength to write this post after so much food!

Sarah made a mean Pork Belly who even gave me the honor of deciding whether it was ready. Staring at the juices flowing and crispy skin screaming out “eat me,” I happily decided that it was time to eat this piggy.

Other items that had us flocking to the tables was the Spinach and Fetta Pie, the incredible cured salmon, Vanillakipferl, tangy avocado dip, cute little cakelets that disappeared right off the coffee table, addictive Homemade Marshmallows by the Syrup and Tang Crew (nice to meet you guys! p.s. no more toasting of the marshmallows) and of course Sandra’s Lychee Cocktail that sent me tipsy due to an empty stomach.  Actually, who am I kidding, I’m a cheap drunk really….

Let the food porn begin!

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Pork Belly freshly cut for us seagulls to grab quick
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Homemade Marshmallows by the Syrup and Tang crew

Cured Salmon
Salmon cured (OMG CURED!) for 3 days by Sarah.
Cakelets
Cakelets
The pie! The Pie!
The pie! The Pie!

Wishing you all a chocolate filled Christmas!

To get into the festive mood, I’d recommend hitting up The Boulevard to see the Christmas light filled streets. Otherwise, check out this handy site I recently stumbled across which lists all the houses across Melbourne to visit: http://www.christmaslightsmelbourne.com.au/

Keep eating!

Adrian

22 thoughts on “The Community Christmas Party + More festivities ‘Sarah Cooks’ Style

    1. Hey Bel- It was an awesome turnout this year. Looking forward to the next one already…still feelin festive!

  1. OMG! So amazing. Your mum sounds so gorgeous. Nothing beats community, it is so wonderful to have neighbours looking out for you. Are those dumplings Filipino?

    As for the rest of the food, WOW. The salmon, the marshmallows! I am so jealous!

    Merry Christmas and hope to see you around Melbourne soon.

    Lauren x
    .-= Lauren aka Ms Baklover´s last blog ..Nicks Grill =-.

    1. hey Lauren- the neighbours are the kindest bunch- always giving me food when I’m around! Belated Merry Xmas- see you soon!

    1. Hey butter queen- twas good seeing you as well- thank you again for the lovley meal! Glad you liked them. To next year!

  2. Yay! I have just found your blog – so excited for a Pinoy food blog in Melbourne! The street party sounds awesome; I seriously need to find a way for our little family to move into the street 😉 looking forward to reading more. Merry Christmas!

    1. Hey Melissa- hehe, thanks! 2011 is the year I make more pinoy cuisine on my blog. The street party was so much fun, but I’m still suffering some indigestion…. Thanks for visiting!

  3. Hello!

    I’ve just come across your blog. Great stuff. Looking forward to reading more from a fellow Melburnian foodie in 2011 🙂

    Cheers,
    Linda

  4. hey mademoiselle délicieuse- I have gained 5KG’s! Help!

    hey penny- hehe, thanks

    hey hannah- all the foos was awesome, I couldn’t pick just one LOL

    Hey Linda – thanks for visting 🙂

  5. What a superb party………….thank God for butterflies, social and all the others. I love the look of the marshmallows and what great community spirit. Have a blessed 2011. Take care

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