Food Tales is a joint venture of the Queensland Writers Centre and the State Library of Queensland where they feature some of Queensland and Australia’s best-loved food writers.  They are held in different parts of the state and it’s always about writing and food.

On May 11th at the Maleny Community Center’s newly refurbished auditorium, The Food Tales folks are organising a Food Styling, Food Photography and Food Tales workshop.  Starting at 9:45 folks can learn how to craft and share their food passion via photography, food styling, writing, blogging and graphic design.

Yes, there are the three who’ll be presenting the workshop.  On the left is photographer Chris Klass from Klaas Creative.  Remember when I said I went to a food photography workshop?  It was with Chris.  I learned so much – just look at the difference in the quality of my photos since I attended.  I have a long way to go but I’m practicing as hard as I can.  Here’s a sample of his work.  (Practice, practice, practice, Maureen.)

To make the food that’s fit to photograph, Peter Brettell, chef and owner of Wild Rocket at Misty’s in Montville will be doing all the cooking.  Peter is from the UK originally and he and his wife Belinda started Wild Rocket in December of 2010 and they have achieved a reputation for using the best local produce and free range organic meats.

Everything is made at the restaurant including the sausages, breads, stock, sauces – even the jams and chutneys for the scones are made in-house.  If you come along on the 11th in Maleny, you’ll not only watch Peter’s food being styled and photographed, that’s what you’ll be getting for lunch.

Peter will be presenting at this year’s Real Food Festival in Maleny.  His job?  The kid’s cooking class.  I think it will suit this father of three down to the ground.  You will love meeting Peter. I sure did.  He has a smile that instantly puts you at ease.

Julie Fiedler will talk about graphic design and how it fits in with producing great food photos.  There will also be a representative from the Queensland Writers Centre but sadly, I don’t yet know who that is.

Finally, there’s the writing and blogging.  This is where I’m going to tell what it’s like to be a full-time food blogger.  You want to know the good the bad and well, frankly there is no ugly?  I love what I do and I’ve met the most wonderful people through my blog.   No food blogger will tell you that it’s easy but it’s incredibly rewarding work.

Through people I’ve met, I’ve learned to make interesting, quirky food, I’ve used really different ingredients that would make my poor father squirm and John and I have been able to eat most of it.  Sometimes when you have to make a recipe 3 times, the 2nd and 3rd are giveaways.  Sometimes the recipe is well…  crap.  It happens.  🙂

If you’re going to be in the area, it’s going to be a fun event in a beautiful part of Southeast Queensland.