Category: FEATURES

How to take-on a two-day fitness bender in Hobart with Bulk Nutrients – and survive

James Banham Bulk Nutrients

Sure there’s exercise and fitness, but doing it in Sydney on Bondi Beach, glistening under the southern sun in a balmy 25-degrees is nothing compared to doing it in the freezing cold in Hobart. Or up an even colder mountain. But, when you and a contingent of six other faces and folks in the Aussie fitness industry get on a plane and head south from Sydney to do just that as guests of Tasmanian born-and-raised protein supplement manufacturer Bulk Nutrients, you know you’re in for something quite unique. Bulk Nutrients and its founder, Ben Crowley were keen to show off the best that Tasmania – his home state and the home to his upwards of $27 million business based in Grove just out of Hobart – had to offer. And that they did. With a group of personal trainers, fitness writers, Instagrammers and bloggers in-tow, the Bulk team put themselves and their group through our paces to test the benefits of what Bulk Nutrients protein supplements can do. And after and two day assault on the bod, it seemed pretty unanimous – they work! Here’s what we took-on, what we recovered with and what we personally back. Day one with Bulk Nutrients: Arrive at Hobart airport. It’s cold. Super cold. Like, single digits cold. Coming from Sydney, it’s a shock to the system, but we all survive, order our green teas and coffee at the single cafe in the terminal before piling in to the seven-seater people mover to head to destination number one: Raw Challenge… Read More

Raise a fork for our farmers with Rockpool this drought season

Rockpool Raise Fork

We need food to live. And we get food from farmers. Without farmers there’s no food. Without food, we die. So you can see how this major drought that is affecting more than the livelihood of Australian farmers has a very real and very horrifying knock-on effect for all of us, yeah? That’s why the likes of hospitality group Rockpool Dining Gruop, directed by Australian chef Neil Perry, are putting on the first ‘Raise a Fork’ initiative to help Australian farmers and their rural communities. The Bavarian and The Bavarian Beerhaüs restaurants in the drought-affected states of NSW and Queensland will host the Raise a Fork For Our Farmers drought relief fundraisers on the last Sunday in August, ensuring all profits made are donated to Aussie Helpers, which supports Australian farming families in need of assistance. The Raise A Fork For Our Farmers campaign is part of an broader commitment by Rockpool Dining Group to support farmers struggling to cope with devastating drought conditions, with more fundraising to follow. Australian farmers are at the frontline of record dry conditions that have plunged the entire state of NSW and over 50 percent of Queensland into drought. Rockpool Dining Group’s affinity with and reliance on farmers and local producers is what is driving their commitment to the cause. Raise A Fork For Our Farmers drought relief fundraisers will be held here, if you want to participate: New South Wales The Bavarian Beerhaüs: York Street, Sydney The Bavarian: Bondi Beach, Castle Hill, Chatswood, Entertainment Quarter, Manly, Miranda, Parramatta,… Read More

Looking into the future: How Aida is changing the game for Opera Australia

Opera Australia Aida king

Going up against the traditionalist lovers of classic opera is no easy thing. You have to be one ballsy creative with a great vision and a lot of grunt. Good thing that the artistic director of Opera Australia, Lyndon Terracini is just that and has taken this month’s production of renowned opera Aida as the first stepping stone on the way to the future for the Australian opera company. Aida is the story of the enslaved Ethiopian princess in Egypt, who’s got a thing for a guy called Ramades. Ramades is sent off to conquer her homeland of Ethiopia and he returns with her Dad – the King – as a slave. Ramades is then given the Egyptian princess’ hand in marriage, but he doesn’t want it, so the two meet-up for one last hurrah on the banks of the Nile before it all comes crashing down. It’s a dramatic love story that, if any other productions of it around the world would indicate – is one hell of an effort by the costume and set design team, let alone the director and singers themselves. Just look at the production on Coolangatta beach by Opera Australia in 2017. But in 2018, Opera Australia is doing something different for now and for the future, working with a unique set, incredible cast and costumes and the world-class, ‘knee-weakeningly’ incredible voices of the singers – as per usual – and a production that is as much appealing to the younger generations of screen-addicted millennials as it is for the… Read More

The truffle menu at InterContinental Sydney’s 117 restaurant is incredible

Truffle degustation

Truffle season is upon us and Sydney’s InterContinental Hotel at Circular Quay is turning it on for those of us who’re as die-hard as the very providores that bring the little morsels to our plates. Senior sous chef Luke Fernley – and master of the sweets, Simon Veauvy – have developed a five course set menu degustation that showcases not only the desirable truffle, but the luxuriousness of the 117 dining room, tucked away in the secludes of the hotel. Subtle, rich and very much what you want from a degustation, the menu at 117 at the InterContinental has been created to the integrity of the truffle to really showcase what they are as a standalone thing, but primarily, how they work with such foods as simple as brie cheese, to the more robust wagyu short rib – and everything in-between.   Each course has truffle grated, shaved or infused with absolute finesse, in a way that only their expert chefs know how. What’s on the menu? You start with a truffle fettuccini, made with fresh pasta, which is arguably the best vessel to carry a truffle’s heady aroma. You then move on to a Piccolo Farm pastured quail, complete with fresh truffle shavings. Followed-by a wagyu short rib,because why not, with truffle shaved and permeated throughout a potato puree. Included are the likes of Simon Veauvy’s ‘Nutty Black Truffle’ brie which combines macadamia, malt and black truffle ice cream. Complete the meal with artful pairings of wine, all sourced from regions near and dear. With an… Read More

Good Food Month Sydney turned 20 and looks more delicious than ever

Good Food Month Sydney cake

Just after Melbourne was treated to its own Good Food Month Melbourne, and Canberra celebrated Good Food Month Canberra, at last it’s Sydney’s turn with the return for the 20th year, of Good Food Month Sydney! As usual, along with Citi, the city of Sydney will celebrate 20 years of unforgettable food events this October. The flavour-packed, talent-filled program shines a light on the influential chefs and restaurants that have helped shape Australia’s culinary landscape and the talent that will define its bright and exciting future. This year, they’re taking a retrospective look at how the local and international dining scene has developed over the last 20 years, celebrating the chefs, dishes and restaurants that paved the way and stood the test of time. Hyde Park Palms is a returning pop-up restaurant often associated with Good Food Month Sydney and can be found in the heart of Hyde Park North from 4-21 October. It’s a custom-made Palm Springs-inspired restaurant will play host to conversations with Australian culinary masters Neil Perry, Bill Granger, Christine Manfield, Stephanie Alexander and Ross Lusted. The renowned Sydney Night Noodle Markets will be back, too, starting on 4 October. It will be populated this year by the likes of Gelato Messina, Hoy Pinoy, The Original Korean Twist Potato, Mr Bao, Shallot Thai, Donburi Station, Waffleland, Wonderbao, Donut Papi, Eat Fuh, Puffle, Poklol, Chat Thai, Teppanyaki Noodle, The Wagyu, May’s Malaysian Hawker, Bangkok Street Food, Black Star Pastry, Satay Brothers McHenry Avenue, Grumpy G’s Kitchen, Chinese Dim Sum King, N2 Extreme Gelato,… Read More

Lonely Planet inspires a lifetime of travel on foot with Epic Hikes of the World

Hiking

Just because Lonely Planet clearly doesn’t stop, what with cruise guides amongst their myriad other things for itchy-footed travellers, they’re back this month with a reason to travel from now until forever with their Epic hikes of the World instalment. The latest book comes packed with 50 hiking routes in 30 countries along with 150 ideas to keep you putting one foot in front of the other for decades to come. It even has five amazing hikes from Australia included in there, too. There’s enough land after all… Hiking has become the number one most enjoyed activity for active travellers, according to a recent study on adventure tourism*, and Lonely Planet being the legends they are, know what we need to keep it up. The new book comes a part of the ‘Epic’ series, which gave us such pearlers as the Epic Bike Rides of the World (2016) and Epic Drives of the World (2017), offering challenge-after-challenge to the most gun-ho of travellers.   The Aussie hikes in this book they’ve included are Sydney’s Seven Bridges (27 km), The Great South West Walk (250 km), Tasmania’s Three Capes Track (46 km), Victoria’s Feathertop to Bogong Traverse (77 km) and Indiana Jones and the Gold Coast (54 km). The book is jam-packed with all the perks of true insight, like practical information on the best time of year to hike, how to get there, where to stay and what to eat. All hikes are coded according to difficulty, taking into account their duration, local conditions and possible inaccessibility. Get the new Lonely Planet book Epic Hikes of the World for $44.99 from… Read More

When you’re next in the French West Indies, visit Hotel Manapany by Francois Champsaur

Hotel Manapany 2

Francois Champsaur’s new luxury hotel, Hotel Manapany, hidden away in Saint Barthelemy, French West Indies is the rage at the moment, touting everything you love about luxury travel, right at the tip of South America. After the renovation of the Hotel Vernet in Paris, Francois Chamspaur and Anne Jousse – the President of the hotel and resort group B Signature – have taken it upon themselves to show the world what it means to open the first eco resort on the island of Saint Barthelemy It’s a ruggedly handsome spot of land north of the South American coastline, the natural beauty of which, really plays to the direction they’ve decided to take the new project. Interior designer Francois Champsaur saw the combination of the immense ocean, the white sandy beach, the coastal vegetation, and the silhouettes of islands in the distance as things to play with the atmosphere of the hotel, in addition to the interior style itself. To put it plainly, he was inspired by the presence of nature, and the natural balance between these elements. The resort is made-up of 43 cottages scattered on the beach and hillside of the island. Blending with the plants and landscape are wooden decks, pergolas, and small windows with shutters which catch the light and create the feeling of being nestled amongst the trees, whilst providing an exceptional view of the sea. The hotels pathways have been narrowed to blend in with the landscape and the beautiful beach that borders the cottages has regained its wild and lush vegetation…. Read More

Why Lucia Di Lamermoor by Opera Australia is the crazy chick you can’t help but love

Lucia Lamermoor Jessica Pratt singer murder

One of the most famous arias in the performance of Lucia Di Lamermoor was made huge thanks to its cameo in the 1997 smash hit The Fifth Element starring Bruce Willis where the blue alien gave her rendition. It was as poignant a moment in the movie as it is the on-stage production by Opera Australia in the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House in 2018, only brought to life by the inimitable soprano-cum-menu’s namesake, Australian singer Jessica Pratt. The story is that of a woman, so torn in love it drives her mad, leading to a demise that is as upsetting as it is unwarranted, highlighting the futility of what is considered ‘state of mind’ and the snarky ridiculousness of what we consider to be ‘love’. Despite the emotional toll it no doubt takes to play the part of the fragile and quick-to-fall Lucia, Jessica Pratt loves playing the role in the production, on at the Sydney Opera House until 27 July. “The music is so descriptive that it really guides my emotions throughout the role, the tough part is the morning afterward when the adrenaline has left my body and I feel the pain of being thrown on the floor continuously the night before and all the tension I hold in my body during the performance,” said Jessica. She takes it on well, working within the realms of the way Donizetti planned it all, with a uniquely contemporary take all Opera Australia’s own, that really let her talents shine. “I find that… Read More

The winners, grinners and who’s who of the 2018 Helpmann Awards in Sydney

Helpmann Sydney

On the set of this year’s production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, the 2018 Helpmann Awards Act II took place, celebrating the best talent Australia has to offer in the performance space. Hosted by Glenn A. Baker Am, Sydney Dance Company’s own Rafael Bonachela, TV host David Campbell and soprano Jacqueline Dark – and more – 23 awards were presented for the categories of comedy, cabaret, contemporary music, musicals, opera, classical music, theatre and ballet, dance and physical theatre. These Awards complement the 20 Awards announced yesterday at the Helpmann Awards Act I, of course. The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia and this year, president Andrew Kay AM, said, “We are proud to present the 18th Annual Helpmann Awards across two nights this year. The breadth and diversity of winners, nominees and performances at tonight’s and yesterday’s events shines a spotlight on Australia’s world class creative and artistic talent. Congratulations to all 2018 Helpmann Award nominees and winners!” It’s a dazzling time for anyone involved in stage production and the night of nights for those whose talents are to be admired and adored. The show closed with the biggest line up of Australia’s leading vocalists from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s concert production of Funny Girl. Divas and funny girls themselves Trevor Ashley (Hairspray), Michaela Banas (Upper Middle Bogan), Natalie Bassingthwaighte (The X Factor), Casey Donovan (Australian Idol), Virginia Gay (First Tuesday Book Club), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) Dami Im (Eurovision), Maggie McKenna (Muriel’s Wedding), Zahra Newman (Book of Mormon) and West end and Broadway star Caroline O’Connor had the audience standing in their seats and cheering for more. The Helpmann Awards 2018 will broadcast: ABC… Read More

Infinite Cycle is the spin class studio you’ve been screaming for in Sydney

Infinite Cycle spin Anna Heinrich

Everyone knows Soul Cycle, right? Let’s just put that out there. But, what you mightn’t know about in the world of spin and definitely need to, is its Australian competition that offers something a little more unique: Infinite Cycle. HQ’d in Waterloo, NSW and branching out all over the place at a rapid pace, Infinite Cycle is the wholly Australian and completely different offering to spin addicts with the same cult vibe we all know and love. For the die-hard, it has what you need; for the adventurous it has what you crave and for the new; well, it’s one helluva challenge lined-up ahead of you. Infinite Cycle takes the concepts that run throughout all spin operations around Sydney and Australia at the likes of Virgin Active Health Clubs and Cycology, and adds something new in the form of completely unstable, core-engaging, Real Ryder bikes that completely offset the centre of gravity and are sure to have you doing Ariana Grande proud with your own physical embodiment of ‘side-to-side’. It’s an insane workout that does the quads, hamstrings, obliques, lats and most of all – and most likely the reason you’re so into it – the glutes (your bum!). Founded by Alan Sacharowitz and Dani Carr, Infinite Cycle brings a healthy dose of innovation to the cardio exercise space. The bikes are exclusive in Australia to Infinite Cycle and offer riders the chance to learn to turn, tilt and lean as they ride as they sync-up with the large scenic screens ahead of them and the pumping tunes around… Read More