Category: FEATURES

Eat The Problem: MONA’s Kirsha Kaechele opens the new exhibiton

Mona Eat The Problem Kirsh Kaechele dining table

Everything you’d be loathed to see in your kitchen, presented in a striking contemporary compendium of graphic imagery, inspiring recipes, underpinned by social-political commentary: this is Eat The Problem. A book and exhibition by Kirsha Kaechele from MONA in Hobart – read more about the gallery here – Eat The Problem is a sensory experience of overloaded proportions, forcing its viewers to see, feel, smell and taste like never before. Or at least, insanely rarely. Fuelled by the reality that faces the Australian ecological system, that is invasive species, creatures and experiences, the Eat The problem exhibition startles visitors through dazzling light, permitting them to taste colour, feel sound vibrations and participate in movement and music. In a nutshell, Eat the Problem lets visitors engage in various acts of transformation as part of Kaechele’s surrealist exploration of turning flaw into feature using invasive species—including humans—in food and art. Heralded by a gigantic glockenspiel (like a xylophone), that assumes the role of a dining table that’s been illuminated in the full colour spectrum, MONA’s executive chef Vince Trim has designed a menu that uses invasive species such as deer, sea urchin and thistle and transforms them into sumptuous monochromatic dishes for visitors to eat. And if you’re not hungry or would like the full experience, the exhibition allows you to book a session to undergo a range of transformative healing sessions in the gallery, including sound baths, reflexology, massage and hot and cold treatments. “Eat the Problem brings to life the practice of transforming shit into… Read More

Dumplings and art: Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria joins with Hutong Dumpling Bar for winter Friday Nights series

NGAIIRE Photo by Emele Ugavule

The NGV’s Friday Night Series is back again and this time; they’re doing dumplings. Appropriate for a city like Melbourne to shine a light on its awesome cuisine and art, coming together in one culmination of sensational experience for locals and visitors alike. And only ’til 12 October. As part of the new collaboration, Melbourne’s Hutong Dumpling Bar takes over NGV’s Gallery Kitchen for the 2019 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces NGV Friday Nights series, transforming it into a Shanghai-inspired dumpling bar. It’ll all involve a Friday night feature headline act, showcasing the best of Australia’s vibrant and diverse musical talent.  This season’s headliners include performers such as self-made Melbourne performer Maribelle, soulful Sydney vocalist Thandi Phoenix, Brisbane’s Young Franco, Sydney’s NGAIIRE and songwriter and producer GRAACE. Here’s what’s on… NGV Friday Nights full line-up: Friday 31 May – Husky Friday 7 June – Amaya Laucirica Friday 14 June – NGAIIRE Friday 21 June – Approachable Members Of Your Local Community Friday 28 June – Sloan Peterson Friday 5 July – I Know Leopard Friday 12 July – Sui Zhen Friday 19 July – Adrian Eagle Friday 26 July – Rainbow Chan Friday 2 August – Kira Puru Friday 9 August – Hobsons Bay Coast Guard Friday 16 August – CLYPSO Friday 30 August – Slum Sociable Friday 6 September – The Audreys Friday 13 September – Maribelle Friday 20 September – LÂLKA Friday 27 September – GRAACE Friday 4 October – Thandi Phoenix Friday 11 October – Yumi Zouma Saturday 12 October – Young Franco Head to the NGV on any Friday of choice… Read More

5 major things to see and eat this Melbourne Good Food Month

Marco Pierre White - AGE - Epicure

Melbourne Good Food Month is back again from 1-30 June and if previous years have been anything to go by, it’s gonna be a big one. There’s a tonne of stuff on for it, as per usual, this year with some big names like Marco Pierre White, Matt Stone, and Andrew McConnell throwing their tea towels behind it all. Here’s what to see this year. An Evening with Marco Pierre White Wednesday, 5 June 6.30pm Time with MPW will start with a dinner featuring Phil Wood (Pt Leo Estate and Laura, Mornington Peninsula) who will take on Marco’s classics and create them as his own. Tickets include four courses with matching wines and beer supplied by James Squire. Osteria Marco Thursday, 6 June 6.30pm A conversation with Marco Pierre White while sharing pasta dishes by Andreas Papadakis (Tipo 00, Melbourne) and Joel Valvasori-Pereza (Lulu La Delizia, Perth). The New Vanguard Friday, 7 June 6.30pm Chefs Matt Stone (Oakridge, Yarra Valley) and Paul Iskov (Fervor, Perth) are part of the new chef vanguard putting hyper-local, sustainably sourced produce on the menu. Young Chefs Lunch with Marco Pierre White presented by Citi Saturday, 8 June I 1.30pm Mentored by the master himself Marco Pierre White, Melbourne’s next generation of culinary superstars present an extraordinary lunch. The Young Chefs Lunch showcases the impressive skills of the young guns of the country’s top kitchens, with a three-course lunch with matched wines in the chic surrounds of Good Food Month’s Restaurant at Canvas House.  Sunday Best with Marco Pierre White and Andrew McConnell Sunday, 9 June 1.30pm Marco Pierre White and Andrew McConnell will… Read More

7 Game of Thrones themed whiskies: The new collection of malts

The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection launch full collection

Game of Thrones final season (SAD!) is only 6 sleeps away and to celebrate, here’s a new range of whiskies to try (responsibly) each night until the grand unveiling. Get shopping. Named fittingly after each family house of Westeros, the Game of Thrones range is a nice taster back into the season we’ve been waiting over a year for. Each bottle is inspired by the fearlessness of the family it represents, bodied to-boot and with packaging that strikes as much fear into an observer, drinker or entertainer, as a cold, heartless stare from Cersei Lannister. Here’s what each bottle is about… Game of Thrones House Stark – Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost House Stark’s resiliency, strength and ability to thrive under the most intense situations are greatly shaped by Winterfell’s frigid temperatures. Dalwhinnie, known for being one of the highest distilleries in all of Scotland is cold and remote much like The North where House Stark calls home, making the two an iconic pairing.  Extreme conditions are responsible for shaping the signature Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost honeyed sweetness and spicy warmth. Naturally, it’s best served chilled or over ice. TASTE: Honey and fresh fig develop on the palate followed by a delicious maltiness and rich fruit cake. Game of Thrones House Tully – Singleton of Glendullan Select House Tully located at Riverrun, rules as the lord of the River lands. The power of water flows through both House Tully and The Singleton Glendullan Select as it is made on the banks of the River Fiddich in the wooded hills of… Read More

Celebrate Australia with food: South Australian dining series at MODE Kitchen and Bar

Francesco Mannelli Mode Kitchen 1

In the hotel lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, MODE Kitchen and Bar rules the roost – along with Grain Bar – in giving its guests and visitors one hell of a ride in gastronomy. A part of the hotel’s Celebrate Australia dining series, head chef Francesco Mannelli has played with some of the finest fare – and seasonally-based, geographically sourced goods from down under – the country has to offer. It hails from South Australia, really heroing a lot of what the state has to offer. And for an Italian, Mannelli really loves what it does; adding a lot of variety to food he knows well and loves to work with. For Mannelli, simplicity is key when working with such incredible produce. He notes that the best way to highlight an ingredient that is already special on its own, is to create a dish with a good balance of flavour, a contrast in texture and respects the produce. Guests dining on the new menu can experience dishes like sautee Coorong Pippies, served with spicy sausages from Calabria, karkalla and grilled focaccia; a grilled hard to source cut in the form of a Mayura Station Wagyu Tri Tip MB 9+ with roasted balsamic onions; Hiramasa kingfish sashimi with sweet and sour sauce, macadamia and pickled onion and a South Australian kangaroo loin, crusted with crushed Tasmanian pepper, warigal greens and beetroot. “It is one of Mode Kitchen & Bar’s key philosophy to work with local produce, showcasing to our International and domestic clientele…. Read More

Nespresso’s got a new flavour all the way from Costa Rica

Nespresso Costa Rica

One of the world’s finest coffee beans comes from Cosa Rica, so it’s no surprise that this month, Nespresso is going wild by launching its new Limited Edition Master Origin Costa Rica. The latest coffee from Nespresso’s Master Origin collection is all about Costa Rica’s lush green landscapes and bubbling natural volcanic spring water.  They make it with locally grown Arabica coffee bean that’ve been selectively handpicked from the Central Highlands, then soaked for 12 hours in natural hyper thermal mineral water at temperatures ranging from 65-70?C. It’s is a unique patented process that means the natural minerals thoroughly cleanse the beans and enhance their finest characteristics, creating a perfectly balanced taste. It’s a limited edition brew that showcases, for the first time, a rare and innovative soaking and fermenting process in hot spring water, used to highlight the malty sweet cereal character of this coffee. Edgar Salgado, a Costa Rican farmer and roaster, patented this technique which is local to the Central Highlands of Costa Rica and proudly produced by Nespresso.  It’s available now for a limited period from Nespresso Boutiques across Australia, online at nespresso.com.

Something new on Sydney Harbour: West Side Story by Opera Australia

Opera Australia West Side Story HOSH dance

It’s not often Opera Australia strays from the respite of centuries-old, well-loved scores by the likes of Puccini, Bizet and Verdi to try something more contemporary. But the latest production of West Side Story by Opera Australia that headlines this year’s annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour does just that, and has done so well. Complete with mid-way surprise fireworks as is now customary by the production company, and a range of 40-strong cast that can easily blur the lines between opera singer, dancer and actor, it’s a remade musical that pays homage to the original, the book and the tale; just makes it better. Directed by Jerome Robbins, the entire production of West Side Story is a shining testament to the classic story that’s given us some of the world’s most memorable show tunes. They were all there in the script. Think Maria, Tonight, America and Gee Officer Krupke to name a few. All of them just as hilarious as they are telling in the play about the horror to come. With OA names like Julie Lea Goodwin and Alexander Lewis as Maria and Tony; Mark Hill and Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva as Riff and Bernardo and Karli Dinardo as Anita, the musical adaptation is done wonders as the story of race hatred and a blossoming romance unfolds to the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Opera Australia’s artistic director, Lyndon Terracini has been wanting to produce West Side Story on the HOSH stage for years. Something about the backdrop and the… Read More

No1 Airport Lounges open The House in Melbourne and Sydney International Airports

No1 Melbourne Bar

No longer do you need to be basic find yourself sitting outside of the luxury of the the flight lounges at Melbourne and Sydney airports like the proverbial naughty puppy dog left out in the rain. No1 Lounges have opened in Sydney and Melbourne International Airports, giving all manner of travellers access to something to look forward to – other than duty-free shopping – before you board your long haul flight out of Oz. They’ve kicked off their terminal take over with their flagship brand, The House, opening its doors – provided you’ve got the dollars – to all travellers, regardless of the airline brand name on their ticket. From just $80 per person, you can relax in first-class comfort for up to three hours prior to departure, with the option to buy additional hours online in advance, or on arrival at the lounge. It’s $90 at the door per person, if you’re feeling a bit more lush and don’t have the foresight to plan ahead. No1 Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports offer a choice of seating areas, unrivalled airport views, showers, and unlimited Wi-Fi, as well as television, newspapers, glossy magazines and charging points as standard. If you’re feeling yourself a bit more, you can upgrade your experience and enjoy white-linen a la carte dining, a fully tended bar that offers premium wines, beers and spirits, champagne and classic cocktails and barista coffees. Where’s The House in Sydney? Inside Terminal 1 (Qantas), this 8000 square foot lounge has 120 seats, with immediate views… Read More

Sydney Dance Company is celebrating its 50th anniversary in a massive way with Mardi Gras and CINCO

Sydney Dance Company CINCO 4

Rafael Bonachela is the artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company and responsible for most of the epic dance pieces the troupe puts on in Australia and around the world. He does it well. So when his baby turns 50 and celebrates its birthday in quite an epic was as it has, you know he’s behind it, doing nothing but the best for the dance company responsible for Forever & Ever and ab intra just to name a few. In addition to the milestone in itself, the Sydney Dance Company participated for the first time in the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and is putting on a new double bill production, headlined by the new work, CINCO (you can win tickets here). “Mardi Gras was an incredible thrill, for me personally and for the Company. Believe it or not, it was the very first time that Sydney Dance Company had participated in the parade,” said Rafael. The entry of the Company signified 50 years as a diverse organisation that hires and is involved directly with many people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and their friends. “We employ a significant number of LGBTQI artists and staff and we have a long tradition of welcoming the LGBTQI community to participate and express themselves through dance,” he said. And they did it well. Rafael doesn’t even shy away from admitting their float was essentially one of the best ones out there on Oxford Street. “It was an explosion of gold glitter, complete with a ballet bar, mirrors, and… Read More

London’s National Gallery celebrates Sorolla Spanish Master of Light exhibition with new menus

Sorolla National Gallery 1

The National Dining Rooms and The National Café right in the middle of London are celebrating the Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light exhibition at The National Gallery with a special menu hailing all the way from Spain thanks to restauranteur, Oliver Peyton. It’s all going down from 18 March to 7 July, and has been inspired by the stunning work of Spanish painter, Joaquín Sorolla y Bastidas. Think tapas style starters of smoked ham, manchego croquettes with pimento aioli, for instance. Then you’d move onto the likes of hake fish in romesco sauce and almond olive dressing, vegetable paella with sprouting broccoli, asparagus, padron peppers and saffron. Dessert looks something like a bit of crema catalana or tarta de Santiago served with clotted cream and it all kicks off for £19 (about $40) for two courses or £24 ($50) for three. Complete with artwork by the artist themselves, comprised of vivid seascapes, garden views, and bathing scenes for which he is most renowned, the Sorolla exhibition features more than 60 works spanning Sorolla’s career. It – and the restaurants, obviously – are worth a visit. See more at the Peyton and Byrne website. Find them here: The National Dining Rooms Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN The National Café East Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN