Welcome to the AU review's Food and Lifestyle Fortnightly! In this weeks issue: Gluten free cake mixes, Vivid Sydney, The Rocks Windmill, Peter Pan Op Shop, Vodka O and the Sydney Film Festival, Lovedale Long Lunch, The Light in Winter Fed Square, and more...
WORLD’S BEST FEMALE CHEF AWARD WINNER
Nadia Santini, matriarch and head chef at Dal Pescatore in Mantova, Italy, has been named the 2013 Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef, part of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. Nadia had never cooked professionally before entering her husband’s family business, and 22 years later she was the first Italian woman to be awarded three Michelin stars. Her aim is provide each diner with an enriching culinary experience and in the past 10 years, Dal Pescatore has appeared eight times on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
GLUTEN FREE GRAIN FREE COMPANY NEW ALLERGY FRIENDLY CAKE MIXES
The launch of the new Gluten Free Grain Free Company bake@home and Café mixes took place during Coeliac Awareness week in March. The mixes mean it’s even easier to cook tasty gluten and grain free goods in your own home. The Café range will provide selected cafes throughout Australia the opportunity to bake the exclusive range onsite giving customers a range of gluten, grain, nut and dairy free cakes. For a complete list of stockists or to purchase the bake@home range, visit www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.
CHANNEL [V]’s THE RIFF CELEBRATES 100TH EPISODE
Channel [V] has celebrated it’s flagship show and most successful local production, The Riff, upon reaching its 100th episode. The Riff is Australia’s only live weekly music and pop culture show, airing on Saturday mornings since 2010. Presenters Billy Russell, Danny Clayton, Carissa Walford and Marty Smiley (pictured below) took a look at the best of The Riff, with the episode launched last Saturday April 6.
BEATING THE BLUES: A SELF-HELP APPROACH TO OVERCOMING DEPRESSION UPDATED EDITION
In the fully updated edition of the best-selling book Beating the Blues, NSW psychologists Susan Tanner and Jillian Ball introduce a step by step programme for overcoming depression. The book is applicable to men, women and teens, with a special chapter for families and advice on seeking professional help. The previous edition sold over 150 000 copies in Australia and New Zealand.
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE LIGHTS UP FOR VIVID
It’s almost that time of year again where the city of Sydney lights up in ways you never thought possible. The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the centerpiece of a new interactive light installation for Vivid Sydney this year. From 6pm to midnight between 24 May and 10 June spectators can choose the scene and colour of the projection beamed on the bridge from an interactive touch screen on the Luna Park boardwalk. This year will also see Vivid Sydney expand to Darling Harbour precinct for the first time with water fountains, water screen projection performances and light and water shows.
BAR100 TO SHOWCASE SYDNEY’S TOP EMERGING FASHION DESIGNERS AND MUSICIANS
On Thursday April 4, BAR100 will present ‘Avant Garde Nights’, showcasing Sydney's top emerging fashion designers and will also include a performance by beat boxing sensation Genesis (Australia's Got Talent Finalist). The catwalk show will start at 9pm with both female and male models. Head to www.bar100.com.au for more info.
EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS FOR ICONIC GUILLAUME AT BENNELONG (Sydney)
Iconic Sydney fine-dining restaurant Guillaume at Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House has announced some important developments in the lead up to its 12th anniversary in November this year. After 11 years, Guillaume Brahimi has worked with head chef Jose Silva on a new menu format. The highly awarded restaurant now offers diners a selection of four dishes across four courses, with 20 dishes on offer across the menu. It will also include a number of new dishes.
THE ROCKS WINDMILL (Sydney)
From Friday 12 April to Sunday 12 May 2013, a four-storey windmill will stage a series of events exploring the history and culture of The Rocks through art and science. This will include Sketch the Rhyme (pictured below), a Pictionary inspired game show, with artists speed-sketching then MCs rapping their response. Other artists include landscape architect Costa Georgiadis, sound artist and creative radio programmer Jane Ulman and artists Tessa Zettel and Jennifer Hamilton.
UPCOMING INTIMATE MASTERCLASSES WITH EMMA SUTHERLAND (Sydney)
Leading Sydney naturopath Emma Sutherland is leading a series of upcoming Masterclass workshops, launching this June. Topics include health for kids, detoxing, summer health and festive season eating and more. All workshop participants will receive an apron, recipe booklet, Emma’s top selling eBook (Top Ten Menu Plans), plus a 20% discount on an initial naturopathic consultation with Emma (or 10% off a subsequent consultation). One class will cost $120 with deals for multiple classes.
PETER PAN OP SHOP WINTER SALE (Sydney)
The 2013 Peter Pan Op Shop Winter Sale will take place on Wednesday 29th May – Friday 31st May in Paddington Town Hall, Sydney. The event annually raises money for children in the care of Barnardos Australia who are at risk or suffering abuse and neglect. The first Peter Pan Op Shop sale occurred in 1941, and have been going strong for over 70 years, with clothing donations coming from big name brands.
VODKA O AND THE SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
As the official spirit sponsor of the 60th Sydney Film Festival, Vodka O is again giving up –and-coming filmmakers a chance to be on the program. To enter the Vodka O Scholarship, entrants must make a 30, 45 or 60 second film following a brief provided by Vodka O. The winning film will be screened through the Sydney Film Festival. They’ll also win $5000 and a private party. Head to Vodka O’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/vodkao) for more info and check out last year’s winner here:
WILLIAM ANGLISS INSTITUTE LICENCE 4 PROGRAM (Sydney)
From Jully, William Angliss Institute’s Industry Training Centre Sydney will launch William Licence 4 Work. This is a program that covers basic skills required for employment within the hospitality industry, including Responsible Conduct of Gaming (RCG), Café/Barista Skills, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), Introduction to Bar Skills* and Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures. Participants can choose as many courses as they like. Courses are in July, September, October and December, for more information head to http://www.angliss.edu.au/sydney/
BISHOP SESSA MONTHLY DINNERS: APRIL (Sydney)
Bishop Sessa in Surry Hills will be hosting monthly dinners from now on, and this month’s theme is ‘Swine and Wine’. On Thursday 18 April 7pm, the event will feature a five course menu using Melanda Park Free Range Pork. Each dish will be match with A.Retief wines. It will cost you $115 for five courses and the matched wines, call : (02) 8065 7223 or email eat@bishopsessa.com.au
ALLPHONES ARENA AND BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN HELP RAISE FOR FOODBANK NSW (Sydney)
Thanks to Bruce Springsteen, Frontier Touring and Allphones Arena, Foodbank NSW have raised $37 000 during Springsteen’s concerts on 18, 20 and 22 March this year. Bruce Springsteen provided Foodbank with two VIP tickets per show, which were auctioned off with all proceeds going to Foodbank to help feed Australians in need.
NEW LUXURY SUITES AT THE SEBEL PIER ONE SYDNEY
The Sebel Pier One Sydney in Walsh Bay, has unveiled seven over-water suites with views of Australia’s most iconic landmarks including Luna Park, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, making them pretty sought after! The suites were designed by internationally renowned firm Bates Smart Architects. With the open plan spaces, eclectic art pieces, Nespresso coffee machines and more, this is a fancy way to spend a night in the city.Rates start from $299 in a standard Heritage King room and $3000 for a Harbour View Suite.
NEW AUTUMN MENU CITY HOTEL (Sydney)
To celebrate the launch of their new Autumn menu, City Hotel in Sydney will have their entire menu for only $10 with a drink purchase on Thursday 18th April, 11am – 9pm. With acoustic live music from 7pm, it sounds like a pretty good Thursday night!
SAMOA VS TONGA TEST (Sydney)
Some of the NRL’s most exciting Pacific Island stars will play for the pride of their country on Saturday, April 20 in the Samoa vs Tonga Test at Centrebet Stadium, Penrith. The program across the day will also feature the stars of the future in the annual interstate battle between NSW and QLD in the Holden Under 20s State of Origin, along with two NSW VB Cup games commencing from 1:00pm. Tickets for the family will cost $35, head to www.proticket.com.au
LOVEDALE LONG LUNCH AT THE HUNTER VALLEY
The Lovedale Long Lunch is a festival held on 18-19 May, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Foodies can choose from a whole host of gourmet food and fine wine. Packages are available for purchase now, $85, for the Saturday and $65 for the Sunday. To celebrate the Lovedale Long Lunch over the weekend of 18-19 May, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is offering accommodation in a deluxe hotel room from AU$315 per night, a two bedroom villa from AU$479 per night or a three bedroom villa from AU$585 per night for stays of two nights or more. Head here www.crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au for more info on accommodation and here www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au for more info on the long lunch.
PEPPERS GUEST HOUSE ‘WINE WARS’ (Hunter Valley)
Peppers Guest House Hunter Valley is hosting a showdown between local winemaker Iain Riggs from Brokenwood Wines and Tim Kirk from the Canberra District based Clonakilla winery on Saturday, 20 April. Guests will enjoy a five-course menu while being asked to vote on their favourite wine for each course. Commencing at 6:30pm, the night will cost $90 per person, with the winning ‘Wine Wars’ winemaker to be revealed at the end of the night. Visit www.peppers.com.au for further information.
CROWN’S SUPER BOX FOOTY FEVER AT THE WEST END (Melbourne)
Every weekend at The West End at the Crown Hotel, Crown’s Super Box will be showing the game live, with an expert football panel discussing the highs and lows of the AFL. The themed room will screen all the games and play host to a Friday night Footy Panel. Footy Fever will run the entire season kicking off Friday 19 April through until the Grand Final.
THE LIGHT IN WINTER AT FED SQUARE (Melbourne)
The month of June this year will see The Light in Winter (bringing together artists, designers, and multicultural groups) once again in Fed Square, featuring new work from renowned light artist Bruces Ramus. A huge steel and light structure, The Helix Tree, will be activated each night at dusk. The structure responds by lighting up to the voices that sing near, and a succession of community choirs will sing each night during June to produce this affect.
MISS BURLESQUE AND MR BOYLESQUE AUSTRALIA 2013 – GRAND FINAL (Melbourne)
Tickets are now on sale for the Miss Burlesque Australia Grand Final to be held at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on Saturday May 25, the competition now its fourth year. A Miss Burlesque from seven states will compete for the title, with over $10, 000 worth in cash and prizes up fro grabs. For the second year, six male finalists will battle for the Mr Boylesque title. Tickets are $97.90, head to www.ticketek.com.au