If I had to choose anywhere else to live in Australia I would choose the funky, laid back beachside suburb of Avalon on Sydney's Northern beaches. Rumour has it that Avalon was apparently named after the legendary island that King Arthur's sword 'Excalibur' was forged and where he was taken after he was wounded at the Battle of Camlann (the things you read about in a food and lifestyle blog)!

Avalon is an idyllic suburb surrounded by picturesque hills overlaid with native gum trees. It boasts excellent views of both the Pittwater and Pacific Ocean and throughout the summer you will find sun gatherers and great surf. Avalon has excellent food, relaxed cafés and a variety of eclectic shops that you can spend hours rummaging through.

Hence, one of the stores I return to time and time again is The Cooks Larder on Old Barrenjoey Road.  Samantha and Dugal Mackie the owners of this lovely establishment are both passionate about food and are eager to share. So if you enjoy cooking or simply love to eat The Cooks Larder is your destination as it's a 'unique space combining a food store, delicatessen, cooking school and café'.



What I love about this place is that the quality of the food is excellent. There is also a definite Mediterranean emphasis that is evident in the products that are available at the deli. The relaxed atmosphere and Samantha and Dugal's food knowledge is also impressive. Without fail you can 'expect to find a knowledgeable staff member always on hand to assist with any cooking, food or entertaining advice and should you need more, there is a cooking class for every occasion and level of skill'.

So if Barcelona is a bit out of your reach maybe you should consider booking into one of the classes that are on offer at The Cooks Larder?  For those parents in Sydney who are at a loss during the school holidays why not enrol your budding little cook into one of the Junior Cooks classes?