The first time I met Sally McDonald of Foodie Frolics I asked her what had brought her to Istanbul. I’m always curious about what brings people here and what makes them stay. Sally gave me one of the best answers to this question I have ever heard. “I came because of the tomatoes.” Not only did I completely understand her answer, but I wholeheartedly agreed. The tomatoes in Turkey are delicious.
A passion for food can easily be equated with a passion for life – and Sally definitely embodies that passion. A native Australian and a food lover, Sally opened her company Foodie Frolics 2 years ago. What exactly is a Foodie Frolic? It is a website – where Sally writes about restaurants you want to try and food that you want to sink your teeth into – complete with a very humorous rating system. The website’s newest feature, ‘Wet Your Whistle’, takes you into the newly blossoming world of Turkish wine. But this is just the beginning. Sally also offers catering and fun events like ‘Sex and the City’ parties where some of Sally’s favorite episodes are paired with snacks and finger food and those new Turkish wines you really should try.
Sally’s philosophy centers around quality food. I think it may all harken back to those tomatoes – the fresh and flavorful produce which can be found in shops and greengrocers and pazars around the city. These high-quality foods are mixed together creatively – it’s not just fusion cooking, it’s creative cooking borrowing the best from more than one cuisine. A Foodie Frolic isn’t about technical brilliance or recipes that require a Masters in the culinary arts. Rather, it is a fun experiment in flavors and tastes, and it’s all about improvisation. Sally believes you can always make a good meal using quality food, and she’ll teach you how to prepare one as well. Just when I despaired about finding a Turkish wine that I enjoyed, in came Sally’s suggestion of Suvla (more on this later). Sally uses Suvla and wines from other smaller wineries to create events centering on food pairings. It’s a tailored experience that brings out the best in the wine and the food. It’s a truly sophisticated way to spend an evening – or afternoon.
Sally’s Foodie Frolics is something that pushes the boundaries, whether it is a walking tour of the fish pazar or an out-of-the-way lokanta specializing in regional fare or a hands-on class or a catered affair, Sally creates a food experience. Come frolic with Sally. In fact, she’s a contributor here at Yabangee where she’ll share her food insights and tips and suggestions. Welcome, Sally, from all of your foodie-curious fans.
For more information about scheduling an event with Sally, check out her website.
Alba Brunetti is a contributor to Yabangee. She is a writer and editor, and to find out more about her work, visit www.albabrunetti.com or Twitter: @AlbaBrunetti
