about donna

hello,
I can’t believe the year is coming to an end. We had a fabulous staff Christmas party at my house on the weekend. It’s so good to see everyone out of our work environment. There was Champagne, dancing, a spit roast in the backyard. It was good times all round. We’re signing off for the year until 5 January so I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and safe new year.
Donna

hello,
It's started... the Christmas cooking help phone calls. My sister-in-law called me yesterday afternoon. She was having an early Christmas dinner for some friends who are heading overseas for the holidays and she was in a tizz about turkey cooking times. I swiftly directed her to the perfect roasted turkey. Her next dilemma was not as easy to solve. She seemed concerned that her daughter Emma was having trouble cutting pretzel antlers for reindeer cupcakes. It didn’t seem to bother Em so much, though, as I heard her call out from the background, “don't worry mum, I’ve got a huge bag". I suspect my niece may have been a better pretzel cutter than she was making out to be, but was secretly enjoying the feast of broken antlers! It’s nice to see them cooking out of the magazine I send them.
Happy Christmas cooking.
Donna

hello,
It’s been a busy couple of weeks with my various book signings and cooking demos. But it’s been great to meet so many of you! My new food range is starting to trickle into stores now and I’m so excited. After two years of testing and mixing and tasting, it’s great to see it come to life on the shelves. With Christmas just around the corner it’s time to start planning menus and stocking the fridge and pantry with easy throw-together nibbles for impromptu drinks parties. It’s also a great excuse to keep a few extra bottles of bubbles chilled at the ready. Not that I ever need an excuse…
Donna

hello,
Catch me on Sunrise tomorrow morning at 8.50am on Channel 7. I’ll be putting hosts Kochi and Mel’s cooking skills or more appropriately assembling skills to the test with the pumpkin, ricotta and basil lasagna from my new book no time to cook. It’s a fast and fresh recipe you can make for dinner or freeze and simply reheat and serve up over this busy holiday season.
Donna

hello,
Get a taste of the fast and fresh recipes in my new book no time to cook at David Jones this Thursday and Friday. I’ll be demonstrating how easy it is to make a gingery Thai chicken salad, a summery prawn and rocket linguine and an onion marmalade tart perfect for a weekend lunch. And as a little extra, everyone will get to try my new molten chocolate chunk brownies. They’re part of my new bake-at-home food range, which I’ll be launching in December (just in time for Christmas!). I’ll be signing copies of my new book, too, so I hope to see you all there. I’ll be in Sydney on Thursday 20 November, 12.30pm–2pm at David Jones, Market St and in Melbourne on Friday 21 November, 12.30pm–2pm at David Jones, Bourke St.
Donna

hello,
Keep the morning of Monday 17 November free in your diaries. I’ll be making an appearance on Today at 8.20am on channel 9 as part of the official launch of my new book no time to cook. I’ll be giving hosts Karl and Lisa clever cooking tips and demonstrating how to cook zucchini and mint pasta. It’s a fast and fresh recipe you can make that night and have a meal on the table faster than your kids can say, “mum, what’s for dinner?”.
Donna

hello,
Thank you to everyone who turned up for the advanced signing of my new book no time to cook at Chadstone in Melbourne. It was such a big hit! I’m about to hop on a plane to Hong Kong with my husband. I’ve been brushing up on my Cantonese phrases and can’t wait to discover Hong Kong’s gems. I’ve got a list of places to eat and shop from my savvy staff, so I’ll be on the look out for new ideas to bring home to you.
Donna

hello
Get your hands on an advanced copy of my new book no time to cook at the Chadstone Festival of Food in Melbourne. Drop by the Chadstone shopping precinct at 11.45am on Friday 31 October where I’ll be cooking some fast and fresh recipes from my new book. I’ll be whipping up lemon-feta chicken, zucchini and mint pasta, marinated feta and a flourless chocolate cake. I’ll also be signing copies, which HarperCollins have generously air-freighted in for the day. There are only 200 available and it’s on a first come, first served basis so get in early. If you miss out, you’ll have to wait till the official launch on 17 November. You can find out more information at www.chadstoneshopping.com.au.
Hope to see you all there,
Donna

Welcome to the new-look donnahay.com!
You’ll find your favourite recipes and menus for every season, styling secrets, online shopping and live chat forums. I'll be posting regular updates about happenings at dhm headquarters via my diary so keep checking back as we've got lots of exciting things on the go. Don't forget to sign up to our e-newsletter, too - it's the best way to keep in touch, plus you'll receive an exclusive web recipe and special offers.
Have fun navigating the new site!
Donna