Australian actress Kate Jenkinson might be best known for her charismastic TV roles on the Offspring, Wentworth, Five Bedrooms and Amazing Grace alongside Sigrid Thornton, but she’s also a passionate foodie and loves a martini.
Via Instagram, she shares candid moments in the kitchen – making everything from tacos to a gin cocktail with a humourous twist on the side.
She has written her first cookbook – Half Baked which is available for pre-order of Amazon.
Kate Jenkinson spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Gold Coast. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be living in sunny Queensland, but I love the healthy outdoor lifestyle that it’s given me and my family. Having lived in Melbourne for decades, I’d forgotten how important sunshine and salt water is for my mental health.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Making gnocchi in Italy with my Mum. We stumbled across a Nonna in Lake Como who held private cooking classes from her villa. She taught us her secret gnocchi recipe and Mum and I have been making it ever since.
FAVOURITE BAR
Bar Heather in Byron Bay. It’s far from my local, but it’s worth the drive. Unbelievably chic, stunning food, wonderful service and the best drinks menu I’ve seen in a long time.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
A filthy martini: gin, dry vermouth, loads of olive brine and topped with olive oil. Dirty, salty, strong and addictive. You can find my ultimate martini recipe in my cookbook Half Baked.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Salt, grease and spice. Loads of greasy eggs with chilli oil mopped up with buttery sourdough. And a strong Bloody Mary drowning in Tabasco.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Cicciolina back bar in St Kilda, Melbourne. Everything you want in a bar. Dark and moody atmosphere, incredible food and wine and excellent vibes. Go early to nab a booth and stay all night.
OVERSEAS BAR
Gertie’s Whiskey Bar in Nashville. They have an entire wall of alcohol. Not just whiskey but anything you can imagine. The bartenders climb up ladders to get to all the different bottles. Amazing atmosphere and some of the best whiskey I’ve ever tried. Tennessee whiskey wins every time.
FAVOURITE WINE
This is unpatriotic of me, but I always opt for an international drop. Italian, Spanish. Argentinian. If there’s a Tempranillo on the menu that’s usually what I’m choosing.
BEST WINERY
Anywhere in Margaret River Western Australia, but Leeuwin Estate holds a lot of Nostalgia for me. Great food and wine. Stunning grounds and they hold beautiful concerts year-round.
NEXT DESTINATION
Turkey. I’m a die hard fan of middle eastern food and I’m excited to eat and drink my way through Istanbul later this year.
