When I was asked to read my favourite Roald Dahl short story at an evening of food and wine I cried, “YES!”. When I was then asked if I would like to join in eating the 12-hour-roasted lamb, I nearly fell over with the amount of "YES!!!" that I cried.

The Moat, a delicious restaurant and bar on Little Lonsdale in Melbourne, successfully held their first ever ‘Fiction in the Kitchen’ event this month, as part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Thrilled to be a part of it, I was eager to tickle audiences with the murderess tale Lamb to the Slaughter, while they dined on a Killara Rise lamb and a killer* Merricks Shiraz.

*“Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause, she swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head.*

First published in Harpers Magazine in 1953, Lamb to the Slaughter was adapted for an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (directed by Hitchcock himself!) and later for Dahl's own series Tales of the Unexpected. Eventually, the story ended up in a compilation by Dahl, Someone Like You.

Clever, witty, surprising and filled with likeable characters, Dahl’s story is a delight to read. Especially aloud to a crowd. And what a crowd! Two Tuesdays in a row, full houses overflowed with happy customers, commenting on the beautiful meal, as well as how much they enjoyed the readings.

The surprise ending for me was this incredible dessert: custard, berries and magic crumbly goodness meant my internal dialogue screamed, "I’m never leaving this heaven!".

Sad to see the finish of this successful event (but I'm so full that if it doesn't end now, you'll have to roll me home!) Thanks, The Moat for two fun nights of fiction!

Let’s do it again soon.

Bel x

* pun intended