THEY say never trust a skinny chef but Jenny Kozuharoff begs to differ.
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The owner of French restaurant Bistro Aliment who has a stake in a personal training business said balance was key.
She said in general French people enjoyed rich food, but they never snacked and were often active.
“I don’t think you deny yourself anything; food wouldn’t taste so good if we weren’t meant to enjoy it!” she said.
Having opened the bistro with husband Steve at Bright in April, Kozuharoff said she had always favoured French cuisine.
“During my apprenticeship we’d spend weeks on sauces and stocks,” she said.
“I love fiddly food and I’ve got the patience for it.”
Kozuharoff makes six different stocks and sauces from scratch on the predominantly French-inspired menu.
The pastries and desserts already have a big following.
“The creme brulee is very popular; it is actually caramelised at the table,” she said.
Mum to Emily, 20, Ava, 17, Lily, 14, and Cydney, 11, with Steve, Kozuharoff said she’d always dreamed of opening her own restaurant.
The couple moved to Bright in 2003 before the Delany Ave premises came up almost 12 months ago.
“It was a well-known restaurant space in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” she said.
“It was a big renovation though; we started with only two sinks and a cool room.”
What's your favourite dish?
I love all desserts!
What are the staples in your pantry?
Pasta, tomato sauce, tuna, cheeses especially brie.
What's the biggest product discovery you have made in cooking?
Snails. We recently met growers from Mirboo North, who also run Cafe Escargot.
What's your secret vice?
Coffee and chocolate.
What is your recipe standby?
Duck a l’orange, creme brulee and French onion soup.
What is your most unforgettable meal and where?
A potted crayfish with a clarified butter sauce at Stephanie’s in Melbourne or the first time I had quail eggs at Hermann Schneider’s restaurant Two Faces.
What's your favourite cooking utensil?
Tongs
What's in your kitchen toolkit?
I use a blender and Kenwood mixer all of the time.
What did you have for dinner last night?
Beef bourguignon with Paris mash.
What are you drinking?
Coffee – strong with a dash of milk.
Details:
Bistro Aliment,
1-5 Delany Ave, Bright
Phone: 0438 065 077