We saw, social media conquered and you strapped yourselves in for the ride.
Firstly, thank you for trusting us with your heart in 2018, but we can't take all the credit. It's our SBS Food audience (yes, you!) that keeps us ticking and that means sleeping with one eye open so we don't miss a thing. #obsessed
Here at Food HQ, our entire team has loved pitching, researching, exploring, writing and sharing all of the stories over the past 12 months and we can only hope you've been digging what's been coming through to your screens. #eagertoplease
Now that we're in holiday mode and had a chance to stuff our faces (we love leftovers too), we thought it would only be fair to take a look back *cue nostalgic dream-like music* at what 2018 was all about.
Expect to cover off the good, the grr-ate, the "finally this is happening", the "have you tried it yet?", the colour therapy you didn't know you needed, the world-record-holders, the dream job offers, the tag-your-friends-and-demand-they-make-this-for-you post, the wide-mouth-open emoji and then the kick-back with your friends and family over a bowl of Hainanese chicken rice and a slice of orange and almond cake. #getsuseverytime
All the feels are welcome as we share what stories were loved, celebrated, eyebrow-raising and laughed-out-loud at in 2018. How many of these do you remember? Or perhaps, how many are hoping will trickle over in 2019?
When the federal government banned the import of all things dairy as a health precaution, popular gelato providore Gelato Messina was on the case to master the art of dulce de leche, so much so they even hired a true Argentinian dulce maker to fly to Australia with them to ensure a perfect recipe. Read it here.
Dulce de leche translates to ‘sweetness of milk’ or ‘milk jam’ or 'get in my belly'. Source: Messina
There's use for fish scales?
Find that sweet spot between the scale & the skin... then bring them to a boil, strain, dry and then deep-fry for a crispy snack! #FoodSafari
Good news if you dive on the red ones and throw out the black ones... Read it here.
Australia loves the red ones the most. Source: Goldcross
Prawn crackers have a glamorous side
It turns out wearing prawn crackers, shiitake mushrooms and jackfruit can be surprisingly sheike and, it turns out surprisingly practical too. Read it here.
*Insert wide-mouth-open emoji here*
Sine Benjaphorn's prawn cracker cosplay dress is everything. Source: Instagram | framsook_lek_lek
Being a great home chef is about backing yourself – even if your methods are a little unconventional. So who needs ovens when you have a Dyson Supersonic hair dryer? Read it here.
Do try this at home. Source: Twitter
This geode cake speaks to the stunning craftsmanship of its baker, but its 'labia pink' overtone is what got people talking. Read it here.
‘Labia pink’ is a colour now, and we’re here for it. Source: Nadia Cakes
South Korea invented ice-cream hangover cures
Is this the post-weekend popsicle you've been waiting for? Read it here.
Hangover popsicles? Source: Instagram
Plastic's relationship status: Single
Plastic straws suck. By changing how you order your drink, you could save marine life and this Australian campaign wants you to ditch your plastic straws in 2018. Read it here.
It's a small act that can drastically reduce pollution. Source: Getty Images
If you’re concerned about the amount of plastic you see on supermarket shelves, you may want to move to the Netherlands. More than 700 products will be available without plastic packaging at Ekoplaza a new metro-sized pilot store. Read it here.
More than 700 products will be available without plastic packaging at Ekoplaza new metro-sized pilot store. Source: Ekoplaza
If you have been using plastic bags from your supermarket shop to line your garbage bin or wrap up scraps to put into your bin, you might be wondering what to do now that more retailers are phasing out plastic bags. Here are some eco-friendly revelations. Read it here.
Erin Rhoads upcycles newspapers from cafes into bin liners. Source: Gavin Green / Hardie Grant
Turtle-friendly six-packs
Made from wheat and barley, turtles can eat these six-pack rings rather than getting caught in them!
Dream jobs were realised
This guy quit his job to pursue a career in "fruit doodling". If we were this good at drawing on banana peels, we’d probably leave our jobs as well. Read it here.
This is NOT a drill and yes, more than one! Remember this?
Hot dudes AND hummus
There is Hot Dudes and Kittens, Hot Dudes and Wine, Hot Dudes and Coffee and Hot Dudes and Dogs. But this time Hot Dudes account features one of our all-time favourite dips made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic and salt. True story...
While Jun Yoshizuki claims he’s no professional chef, his cats don’t seem to mind too much. They’re treated to spectacular home-made sushi and sashimi feasts – a few times a year, usually on their birthdays. Read it here.
#sbscolourtherapy
Who needs the store-bought pet stuff? Source: Jun's Kitchen
Blue, blue wine
A new bright blue wine, called Vindigo, is making a surprisingly good impression in southern France.
Pink lettuce took over the gram
Replace your greens with your pinks. #saladsofinstagram Check it out here.
What's pink and radicchio-lously beautiful? Source: Instagram
Flipbook-style dessert
As you cut into the chocolate and jelly log, a different image is revealed. Read it here.
Records were made to be broken
You won’t believe the detail that goes into these chocolates. Source: Instagram
Weighing over 500 kilos, the giant tray of syrupy gold was presented and served at a "Gastronomy Summit" in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Break us off a piece of that!
World's largest baklava Source: Instagram
The world's largest cinnamon bun also stretches almost 3-metres long. As a handy point of reference, this is more than the weight of an average fully grown moose. That is one big bun. Read it here.
You’ll never complain about the cost of an avocado again. Read how this played out.
The Louvre may need to watch out as Japan has once again proved that they never do things by halves. It's a cracker of a way to break a record and read it all here.
Afternoon tea still packs a punch
The Louvre may need to watch out. Source: AP
Express yourself through espresso
While we’re busy deciding between a cold drip or a flat white in the morning, 36-year-old Nigerian visual artist Ekene Ngige is pondering how best to use coffee to grapple with issues like terrorism, poverty and religion. Read it here. 
There's a buzz about Ekene Ngige's work. Source: Ekene Ngige
Would you eat an avo toast chocolate bar?
Was this a stroke of culinary genius, or taking the 'cado craze too far? And are we talking breakfast or dessert - or does it even matter? So many avo-nues such little time. Read it here.
A stroke of culinary genius, or taking the 'cado craze too far? (Instagram) Source: Instagram
We never knew scones could make people this upset, but Britain's great scone debate was bound to distress: to jam or cream first? This is how it went down.
The original post that sparked the debate had jam on top but plenty say that's the wrong order. Source: Pinterest
Exactly what it sounds like: a croissant filled with sushi and not all flavour combos are created equal. Read it here.
Can't talk, watching...
So wrong it's right? Source: Instagram
More than 10 million people have paused their day to watch a guy make Chinese noodles in a street food video. Read it here.
These Pasta Grannies are speaking our food language
The art of hand-making pasta may be disappearing in Italy - but these 'pasta grannies' are keeping the tradition alive.
Giant. Fererro.
Our most commented and liked video on Instagram goes to this chocolate beauty and sweet beast. We can't wait to see what more #sbscolourtherapy inspo lands on our screens for your viewing pleasure in 2019.
Sourdough (party) starter
We loaf you... and they're almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
2019 you've got some big shoes to fill. Keep up-to-date with all the SBS Food stories at From The Food Desk and Play With Your Food.
