24th July, 2009

We've finished switching this site over to its new web host and the email is back up and working again, thank goodness.  Our thanks go to our poor customers who were so patient with bouncing emails and random things vanishing off the catalogue.

So, back to normal and back to work!!!

6th July, 2009

With the appearance of blini pans on Channel 10's hit show "Masterchef" we've suddenly been inundated with orders and have sold out.  The good news for our customers is that we've located another supplier (of non-stick pans this time) and these should be with us within the next few days.  We are taking backorders as necessary.  The regular non non-stick pans should be back in stock in a month.

Also appearing are truffle-slicers (oooh, just in time for Bastille Day and Australian truffle season), and some fantastic cheap and cheerful Indian metalware.  If balti dishes and tiffin tins weren't enough, we've added serving platters and those fiddly little bowls that are at home with anything from yoghurt raita, to mis en place.

14th April, 2009

Things should be back to normal now that we've returned from the Hunter Valley.  I know that our catalogue went toes-up for a short while and I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers.  We still seems to have the odd hiccup with mail from time to time, but we *think* we've got this sorted out.

3rd January, 2009

What a year 2008 has been!  Although there were some parts of it we would gladly like to forget, Voodoo Kitchen has gone from strength to strength, added in more products and has extended our customer base.  A big "thankyou" should go to all our suppliers for their excellent service - you guys have helped make us what we are.

13th May, 2008

With great relief, I am able to confirm that our tajines are indeed lead-free.  Both the glaze and pottery have been tested and have passed with flying colours.

I would like to thank our customers for their patience during this time - I am most grateful for your trust and forbearance through this difficult matter and we are all ecstatic that things are back to normal.

Speaking of which, I have found a supplier of blini pans which will be up on the site shortly.  Other goodies include some very fancy julienne/plain peelers, silicone sushi-mats and cookie guns.

I've also located a local supplier of both cheese kits and jerky/sausage makers.  I believe that they will be also bringing in smokers shortly and look forward to getting some bacon going soon.

Cheers!

7th April, 2008

IMPORTANT NEWS -

PLEASE READ

We are aware of the news report that aired Friday (4th April) about the tajines in South Australia found to be contaminated with lead.  Our tajines are sourced from a manufacturer that uses a clear flead-free glaze and are safe for cooking.

However, in the interest of safety, we suggest that you refrain from further use of your tajine until we can obtain independent verification of this fact.  We urge you to be patient while we get to the bottom of the what we feel is a somewhat sensationalist piece of reporting - a further update will be posted here as soon as we know anything further.

- Mara, owner of Voodoo Kitchen

25th January, 2008

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank our customers for making 2007 a year to be proud of and to wish all of you a very happy New Year.  We have brought in some more products for you - concentrating this time on harder-to-find implements such as larding needles or oyster shuckers.  

I'd also like to encourage all of our customers to let us know if there is a particular item you've been trying to find.  We have access to a large amount of professional equipage beyond what we stock and if there's something you want I would be more than happy to try and track it down for you!

In other news, we will soon be releasing a monthly newsletter with recipes, specials and news items - sign up to our mailing list so you don't miss out!

11th December, 2007

I've just received my delivery of Turkish ceramics and I'm very pleased with what's arrived.  My importer was out of a lot of items - he only gets a shipment once per year in May - but I've still managed to snaffle some very pretty plates and tiles.  It's a bit of an awkward shipment - because no design is alike, I've got to photograph each and every plate and that's taking some time.  Tiles and the first plates are already up.  Check back in the next few days to see them in their full glory.

6th December, 2007

The medium and large paella pans have arrived with only a small problem - 34cm has been replaced with 38cm which will be the new medium size from now on.  Any customers with orders for the 34cm can purchase the 38cm at the original price if they wish.  It seems that the manufacturer has had some label changes but I've had a good look at the stock and it is still excellent quality.  I'm tossing up whether I should requisition one of the 46cm pans for my New Years Eve party.  Definitely a party-size pan, that one!

30th November, 2007

The funky bakeware has started to arrive!  I'm so very excited by this stuff.  It's high-grade silicone bakeware and the moulds are reproductions of the copper-pans used in various royal households across Europe.  Affordable flights of fancy!

29th November, 2007

I predicted some time ago that there was going to be a trend away from the Asian tastes that we love so much to something newer and interesting and I also pegged Spanish-North African flavours as the way it would go.

It seems that I might actually be correct - in the last few weeks I've seen two main-stream food producers introduce a "Moroccan" range of seasonings.  The most recent of these is a bit of a scoop.

Not yet released (but due very soon) is a new flavour chip (or crisp, if you're British) from Red Rock Deli.  I only know about this because the advertising company who are handling the advertising purchased two tajines from me for the advert.  I shall endeavour to post a copy of the ad as proof very shortly (pending release from the ad agency).

Also in news today, I've added two tiny little tajines to the range for use as condiment bowls.  I have some lovely tapas dishes which will go up shortly, and I'm waiting on my shipment of specialty bundt pans.

The larger size paella pan were supposed to be shipped to me this week but I'm still waiting.  My importer did say the end of the month but they can't give me a date, unfortunately.  Very annoying, as I've got orders waiting.  However, the 34cm and 46cm pans will be in that batch and will be listed shortly (I hope).

1st November, 2007

The advertising has gone out and we are officially in business!  Just in time for Christmas.

10th October, 2007

The first stock is in and I've located a supplier of quality cast-iron.  They're a US company and are a family business that's been around for over 100 years.  I've been given the details for a local distributor and will see about keeping some of their grill pans and casseroles.

I'd say that their stock is at least equivalent to the Le Chasseur and Le Creuset ranges but at a much more reasonable price.

27th September, 2007

The orders have been placed and the stock is due to start arriving by tomorrow.  Then we just have to get it all photographed, loaded, and we should be good to go.

What fun!

20th September, 2007

I have located the most amazing manufacturer of copper ware in the South of France.  I am currently in negotiation to import some of his hand-made artisinal metalware into Australia.  Of particular note are traditionally-made copper pans and - very exciting - unlined copper mixing bowls that will fit the standard Kitchen-Aide mixers. 

For the Neil Perry's of the world who insist on whipping egg-whites in copper for that extra lift, these bowls will take some of the effort out.  Plus, as a bonus, the copper looks simply amazing. 

I've done a bit of research and cannot find anything like it already in Australia, which is rather exciting.  Of course, these bowls will not be cheap, and will probably have to be brought in as a special order only, but I believe that there's a small exclusive market to be had for them.

15th September, 2007

Got back from the Reed Gift Fair this afternoon and was quite happy with the day.  I’ve managed to locate several excellent suppliers and I'm quite excited about the products.

I’ve managed to get a supplier of excellent quality and authentic hand-made tajines as well as a whole host of other Moroccan goods (fez and slippers, anyone?).  I’ve located a supplier of VERY reasonably-priced paella pans in a startling variety of sizes.  I’ve found a knife supplier (thank goodness) who can not only supply ever-sharp ceramic knives but also does top quality German steel AND everything from mid-to-top-shelf JAPANESE chef knives, including the traditional folded-steel variety which top out at a little under $1000.  They also sell the whetstones and camellia oil to keep these relics of samurai craftsmen in killer condition.  Very impressive stuff.  I had to restrain myself from drooling on the goods.  The damascene-patterns on the folded steel were amazing.

Further, I’ve found a little Chinese import company which specialises in crazy kitchen gadgets - most of which I wouldn’t think would be particularly useful, but they DO have choppers and spinners which appear to be at least the equal of the Zyliss range.  They also sold mandolins, graters and this groovy PC-mouse shaped potato peeler which strikes me as being very good for someone with arthritis as it’s easy to grip.

A few stand-out items include some excellent silicone baking wear, some good quality baking sheets and tins (very durable construction), more specialist whisks than you could poke a stick at, and a fantastic collection of china as a starter for my dinner plate department.  There was a importer of Turkish ceramics as well, so at least the china section will be colourful!

The one thing I didn’t find is a supplier of good copper cookware, which is a shame.  However, there’s a food and beverage show on at the end of the month so I’ll go to that and see what I can find there.  If nothing else, a bit of networking might put a few leads my way.