Renaissance woman CC Sheffield is a traveler, musician, and creator as well as host of the series Take Meowt. She used to be your typical model-actress-whatever living in Hollywood and has been featured in several films, usually getting killed by vampires. You have probably seen her in television commercials drinking beer, eating a hamburger or a taco, or driving cars in the coveted airtime slots during The Simpsons or The Super Bowl. Remember that song Escape Me, by Tiesto that you couldn’t stop singing? Yeah, she wrote, sang and was virtually on tour with Tiesto for six years and has been nominated for a songwriting Grammy. But when she grew tired of all of the auditioning and DJing, her then boyfriend, now fiancee Andrew Mackinnon inspired her to pursue her dream of combining her passions of food, friends and good conversation into her own TV series, Take Meowt. Today, Take Meowt involves neither auditions nor casting couches, and enables CC to live in Melbourne, Australia with her husband-to-be.
If Melbourne were a song, what would it be? Why?
À tout à l'heure by Bibio comes to mind because it is a happy, folktronic song that anyone can cruise to. Melbourne has an edge like San Fransisco, filled with globally conscious people who are serious, but also a little quirky. British folk music and electronic are favorites in Australia, so I'd say this song has a retro, continental feel, just like Melbourne.
She might live and love in Melbourne, but CC still reps her little hometown, Los Angeles, CA.
Which is your go-to restaurant for #foodporn pics?
Saint Crispin is a totally over-the-top foodie place. I loved the food from the beginning to the end. A little ways into the meal, I remember expressing my desire to feel as satisfied as I did in that moment through to the end of dessert—and I was. It’s hard to pick a favorite dish because everything I had was spot on, but the snap crackle pop starters were fun and tasty, the quail curry entree was full of flavor, the chicken for my main course was tender and the espresso souffle was oh-so-light. We tried a lemon meringue special as well and decided it was the best we’ve ever had, and no, that’s not an exaggeration. The coffee to finish was just how I like it. I haven’t even mentioned the spot on service and location. At Saint Crispin, you’ll have a tough time coming up with something to complain about.
Meet all your food, coffee and flower needs at the Prahran Market.
Wake up and smell the roses
... with a cup of coffee in the world's coffee capital.
What must visitors do for a quintessential Melbourne experience?
If you come to Melbourne and don’t take a yoga class or have a perfect cup of coffee, have you really been to Melbourne at all? To get your downward dogs in, head to Humming Puppy in Prahran. Assume position and listen to the natural hum of the Earth. Pre-book your mat online to ensure a specific spot in the class. Afterwards head to Prahran Market, where the locals come to play. Start off with high quality espresso from Market Lane Coffee and stock up on fruit and veggies with Irene and John at Pino’s Fine Produce. Then, choose from the finest cheeses from Delicatess and fall for the range of treats at Sweet Greek.
Two Wrongs has completed mission impossible with perfect bar ambiance and perfect food.
Where do you go to shop for designer clothes and hip accessories?
If you’re dressing to impress, you must visit Green With Envy. Distinguished for carrying iconic, high-end brands, Green With Envy belongs in New York City or on 3rd Street in LA, with a great edit of well known designers. I love their selection of Acne, which is great for quality and design from Sweden. Green With Envy also carries designers that aren’t always available in Australia, like Alexander Wang. The owners of this boutique also carry their own home-grown line called Nicholas, which has the tailored refined look of Melbourne.
Laneways are the new art museums in Melbourne.
What's the best way to experience art in Melbourne?
Here in Melbourne, there are alleys, or “laneways” as the locals call them, and they’re loaded with great street art and pop-ups. All over Melbourne are tons of art happenings, pop-up galleries, pop-up shops, pop-up cafes … needless to say, the pop-up is popular. So if you wander around arty neighborhoods like Fitzroy, Brunswick and the CBD ("the downtown”), you are bound to run into some kind of pop-up art thing.
Two Wrongs in South Yarra has got it right.
Eat, Drink, Be Merry
1. Two Wrongs
2. Borsch Vodka & Tears
3. Din Tai Fung's Emporium Melbourne
4. Windsor Delicatessen
5. Oak & Steel Wine Bar
Try This
1. Making out at sunrise on Princes Bridge
2. Swimming naked in the ocean at St Kilda Beach
3. Showing up at Flinders Street Railway Station with no plans
4. Talking to elderly at The Pound Cafe and ask them what’s good?
5. Go somewhere with no internet, like the Royal Botanic Gardens
Play and Stay
1. Hotbox Yoga
2. Pillar of Salt
3. Blue Basement (opening Spring 2016)
4. Shujinko
5. Ponyfish Island
Follow CC on Instagram and Twitter at @ccsheffield, on YouTube at CCSheffield420, or you can check out her website at itsccsheffield.com.
