This must be a joke

I was sent a press release last night and I’m not sure if it’s taking the piss. Let me know what you think …

It starts off by saying: “Chef Nelly Robinson from nel. likes to keep things interesting… that’s why he changes the degustation menu at his bunker-esque Surry Hills venue every eight weeks. His latest menu is his best yet; each course designed with one of Nelly’s favourite childhood films in mind.

“Starting with a Spoonful of Sugar and finishing with the Seven Moods of the Seven Dwarves – nel.’s Once Upon a Time degustation will have guests feeling completely overwhelmed with nostalgia.”

OK, kinda cute, I thought.

And then …

“One dish that has everyone talking is Nelly’s recreation of Bambi’s Mum. As children, one cannot forget the horror of ‘that scene,’ and Chef Robinson wanted to ensure he included all of the most memorable childhood moments, not just the happy ones!”

“I think everyone cried when Bambi’s mum got shot…. well, I know I did,” says Nelly in the press release. “I love these films from my childhood and know so many people who feel the same way, so I decided to create a one of a kind experience for my diners. For the ‘Bambi’s Mum’ course, we make the most of the situation by cooking the venison slowly, rolling it in peppers and serving with beetroot and parsnip.”

My brow furrowed quite deeply at that point.

And then the press release said: “A nel. degustation would not be complete without a little extra theatre with each course, and for the Bambi’s Mum course, guests are provided with rifle casings with a mix of seeds to sprinkle on their dish.”

Ummmm … did they just say you sprinkle a mix of seeds from a rifle casing on Bambi’s roasted mum?

What the actual F?

OK, I may have served bunny party pies at an Easter party once upon a time (true story), but there wasn’t a sauce gun on the side.

Apparently bookings are now available for the “Once Upon A Time – A Degustation”, which is on the menu between April 9 and June 29. It’s $118pp, with an optional $90 for beverage matching.

I’m presuming that means you can have Bambi’s mum with a blood red glass of Cabernet, then?

Nelly’s publicist says he’s available for interview to discuss the “incredible creation process around his insanely creative menu – which is even gaining interest from food media as far as the UK and Singapore!”

Yeah, nah.

“We think your readers will LOVE this menu and the nostalgia it evokes in everyone!” she added.

Yeah, nah.

The press release looks legit and comes with a Dropbox of fancy photos, but … surely it’s a joke?

I’d think if it was an April Fool’s Day prank, but it arrived on April 2.

Thoughts? Feelings?

PS The PR us to contacted me to say she’s seen my blog and IT’S NOT A JOKE! Ooops

Song of the day: Madonna “Crazy for you”