Annie’s Take on the Perfect Summer Menu
Summer at home has its own rhythm - long, sun-drenched afternoons, tables that spill into the garden, and meals that celebrate fresh produce and simple, generous flavours. At Cable, we’ve always gravitated toward a style of living that’s relaxed yet refined, and nothing captures that better than a beautifully considered summer menu.
This season, we’ve taken inspiration from Chef Annie Smithers - a cook whose philosophy of honest, confident, heartfelt food feels perfectly aligned with the way we love to live and entertain.
As Annie says:
“I love Christmas entertaining. In the past I have been a bit stressed about it, but now, I embrace it wholeheartedly… From a cooking point of view I like to cook all the things that I am really good at… recipes that I can cook confidently that speak of the love I have for those around me and the joy of festive cooking.”
While Annie is reflecting on the festive season, her approach translates seamlessly into summer entertaining: keep things simple, choose dishes you love, and create an atmosphere that invites people to relax.
The ease of a beautifully styled summer table
Much like a thoughtfully curated wardrobe, a summer table doesn’t need to be elaborate to feel special. We love layering natural textures - crisp linens, classic white plates, timber boards, a scattering of garden greenery. We source ours from Provincial Home Living; it’s informal but intentional, elegant without the fuss.
This style of entertaining embraces spontaneity: guests dropping by for a long lunch, an early evening drink that turns into dinner, the kind of gatherings that feel effortless because every element is anchored in warmth and ease.
The perfect hero dish: a glazed ham made for summer
A standout summer menu often begins with a single, generous dish at its centre -something that feels celebratory without demanding hours of preparation. Annie shared her glazed ham recipe with us, and it’s everything we love: bright, citrus-driven flavours; minimal fuss; maximum impact. We had the pleasure of joining Provincial Home Living for a beautiful long lunch & sharing Annie’s spectacular glazed ham.
Whether it’s served warm from the oven or enjoyed cold the next day, it’s a classic that brings everyone together.
Annie’s Glazed Christmas Ham
Ingredients:
• 1 cup orange marmalade
• 1 TBL Dijon mustard
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 5–6kg ham leg
• Cloves, to decorate
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 200 °C (400 °F). In a saucepan combine the marmalade, mustard, orange juice and sugar over high heat. Whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cook for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
2. Gently remove the skin from the ham and trim any excess fat.
3. Score the ham in a diamond pattern and cover the hock with foil to prevent it burning.
4. Place the ham on a greased wire rack over a lined baking dish. Press a clove into each diamond and brush generously with the glaze.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until golden and caramelised.
Hosting with confidence
What we love about Annie’s approach - and what inspired this menu - is the reminder that entertaining doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. In fact, simplicity often sets the most beautiful tone.
Her words resonate with us:
“The key to it all is a good plan and not making it too hard.”
When the food is familiar, the setting welcoming and the atmosphere unhurried, everything else falls naturally into place. It’s the kind of hosting we champion at Cable - thoughtful, relaxed, and rooted in the pleasure of sharing time with those you love.
Bringing it all together
As you plan your summer gatherings, think of a table filled with easy abundance: chilled drinks, fresh salads, bowls of ripe stone fruit, and a hero dish like Annie’s glazed ham taking centre stage. Pair it with unhurried conversations, unpolished moments, and the simple joy of being together.
That’s the essence of a perfect Australian summer - and the inspiration behind Annie’s take on the ideal summer menu.