[Death of a KitchenAid – Replace with?]

I started out with a Magimix 4200XL a while back. I thought it would provide more versatility in the kitchen than a mixer. Although I found it highly efficient for prepping vegetables, large quantities of dip, etc, I had a failure when I ventured into the baking world. Tried to mix a brioche dough and wound up stripping the internal grips on one of the mixing blades. I also found that for everyday tasks it was much quicker (and more enjoyable) to prepare food with a good quality knife than put it through the food processor.

In the end, I ditched the Magimix and swapped it for a Kitchenaid mixer, which I have used far more often than I ever used the Magimix. There's not a lot of difference in the prices between the two units.

I also bought a little processor (Cuisinart) for small batches of pesto, dips, etc. I've been quite happy with my little setup, although sometimes I think a Kenwood unit may have been slightly better value for money.

[Cookbooks: I think I might be done.]

When I first tied the knot, my cookbook library was bursting at the seams: 15 books.

“I don’t think I need any more cook books,” I said proudly to my wife.

12 years and 150 books later…

[Casual and takeaway places in North Melbourne]

Hi Anna. In the past (sans demanding children), we’ve used the Cheap Eats and Good Food guides published by the local paper (The Age). Results were a bit hit and miss, but I suppose that’s half the fun. You can pick it up at their website but most bookstores keep copies. Might be due for a new release very soon.

http://theageshop.com.au/offer.php?intid=571

We found most places were happy to take plastic.

First post

Ben