First EatDrink Cookbook by Chef Photographer Dean Cambray
The World Loves Melbourne was privileged to have a coffee with iconic food photographer and chef Dean Cambray and talk about his new book EatDrink; A Visual Feast.
Dean Cambray is an ex-chef, now photographer, who specialises in hospitality and has loved and worked with food all of his life. EatDrink is a collection of stories, told with an emphasis on visual images as well as through text.
Features include the work of wonderful chefs, such as Scott Pickett, Annie Smithers, Michael Bacash, Andy Harmer and producers such as Sher Wagyu, who all share a common artisanal spirit towards providing exceptional quality.
Sitting with Dean he is a perfectionist and master of style. His book brings high end images and content at an affordable price; the $24.99 price tag is generous for the quality of the book. It's a great read and the perfect gift. And the recipes are all accessible.
Dean Cambray is celebrating the best of Victorian produce and chefs and we can't wait for further editions of EatDrink that are planned. Dean is proud that it is a Victorian based production with copy by notable local writers such as Hillary McNevin, Bob Hart and Wendy Hargreaves. The images and styling are from Dean and art direction is by Art Alcaide.
Dean has worked with some of the best chefs in the world both in the kitchen and in terms of photography. He does nothing by half measures. He will use a certain kind of plate for a certain chef. He will use some of his own props but doesn't hesitate to bring other props in for a shoot to capture the moment.
A load of planning goes into every shoot and the food is photographed within minutes of it being served on the table; none of this photographing food that has been sitting around for hours! Dean's photographs are simply beautiful and his use of light is compelling. The food itself looks appetising on the plate; a simple thought but this doesn't always happen with cookbooks!
Dean is a Melbourne culinary treasure whose work is recognised beyond these shores. In fact Dean spends about half the year in Portland and half the year in Melbourne. He not only works with top chefs but top brands. Exciting for The World Loves Melbourne is that many of our best loved restaurants are featured in EatDrink with some of our favourite dishes as the recipes. Bravo Dean! Grab a copy from all well known stores where cookbooks are sold.