Michelle Pearson brings a second show to the Fringe full of songs, storytelling and a generous portion of scran…
From growing up around distinctly un-fancy Australian food and a Lebanese dad who hated garlic, to disaster date at the $4 buffet and finding salvation at the all-night truckers’ café, Michelle weaves her culinary journey around perfectly delivered songs by such diverse artists as Etta James, Brandy and John Waite with slightly different lyrics. I’ll never hear a certain R&B song as anything other than ‘it’s too late to order fries’ now…
We were served a three-course meal alongside Michelle’s anecdotes: a delicious lamb and Vegemite sausage roll with a chutney made from Australian herbs, pancetta amatriciana with Barolo wine, and a roasted apple ice cream with salted caramel sauce. Each dish tied in with her personal story in some way, and the talented house band – set up somewhat perilously among the sinks in the kitchen! – kept the tunes flowing and the mood upbeat.
Comfort Food Cabaret was a perfect weekend Fringe treat, now in its fourth year at the festival, and if it returns for 2026 I recommend you book in early.
*****