Business class: Gadgets & goings on...in the kitchen

Margaret River in the city

Rosemary Nielsen-Powell has taken over the site of Margaret River produce shop, Proost! And while she’s renamed the business Be Tempted, the small store located in London Court still stocks a wide range of goodies from the state’s South West.

Mrs Nielsen-Powell says one of the most successful product ranges comes from Margaret River oil producer Olio Bello. Its classic oil is popular but so to is the whole range, which includes mandarin, lime and parmesan infused organic olive oils. But it’s not only the South West that is showcased. Bullsbrook-based producer Food Symphony is on Be Tempted’s shelves with a very Australian “bushfire smoked chilli sauce with eucalyptus”. Pastry chef Rochelle Adonis’ white chocolate, cranberry and pistachio nougat and rose petal nougat are also available.

Mrs Nielsen-Powell says she intends to modernise the shop, which currently has a cottage feel, to reflect the ever evolving South West region.

Amano still an essential

While gathering various delicious ingredients is critical, it’s equally important to have the right tools to cook them. Cottesloe-based Amano is one store that offers a vast range of modern European style cookware, from Pillivuyt French porcelain dishes to artisan pottery from Victoria’s Robert Gordon. According to the shop’s owner Bev Sprague, the store’s best seller is Wusthof’s knife range from Germany. The shop and its gadgets have come to be somewhat of an attraction, she says.

“A percentage of our customers bring in their out-of-state guests for a wander around when they are showing them their favourite Perth places, which I always find great.” Amano is also well known for its cooking school – the longest surviving cooking school in Perth – which offers speciality and hands-on classes.