Category: FOOD & DRINK

The Baileys brownie recipe you need this Christmas

baileys brownie

Either enjoyed on the rocks or as a boozy hot chocolate top-up, Baileys never fails to make you feel festive.  That said, why not go the extra mile this holiday season and bake a batch of Bailey Brownies? Check out this delicious recipe from The Bottle Club.  Ingredients  For the brownies  220g (1 cup) caster sugar  150g (1 cup) plain flour  80g (? cup) Baileys Cream Liqueur 70g (? cup) dark chocolate  60g (¼ cup) butter  50g (½ cup) cocoa powder  2 eggs  1 tsp vanilla extract  ¼ ts bi-carbonate soda  Pinch of salt  For the chocolate frosting  150g (1 cup) icing sugar  45g Baileys Cream Liqueur 45g melted butter  25g (¼ cup) cocoa powder  Pinch of salt  Sea salt flakes  Method  Preheat your oven to 170 degrees.  In a saucepan, combine your butter and chocolate and heat until melted.  After allowing the mixture to cool slightly, transfer your melted ingredients to a bowl before adding and whisking through the eggs.  Add in your vanilla extract, sugar and Baileys and continue to whisk through.  Sift over the flour, cacao powder and bi-carbonate soda, before adding the salt and folding in the chocolate mixture.  Pour the mixture into your greased and lined baking tray and bake at 170 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Top tip: Allow your brownie mixture to cool for 20 minutes before frosting.  For the frosting, combine and whisk your vanilla extract, melted butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder, salt and Baileys Irish cream together in a bowl.  Spread the frosting over the brownies and… Read More

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb does drinks in an unusual way with Hendricks

burrawa climb

If top views and stunning blue skies have your name on it this January, then the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is where you should head. Especially because they’ve got a unique Burrawa Climb these days, which celebrates Australia’s roots and highlights aboriginal stories and landmarks across the Harbour. But particularly because they’ve partnered with Hendricks gin to establish a post-climb gin bar for weary legs and tired climbers. For the month of January, all 18+ climbers that scale the iconic arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge after 1:00 pm will receive a complimentary refreshing summer drink post-climb at the Celebration Bar. The perfect way to complete your journey with a Hendrick’s Gin and Fever-Tree Tonic, garnished with the iconic cucumber of course.   Here’s how to secure access to the Celebration Bar:   1.       Select a climb between the 3 – 31 January 2022   2.       Choose a climb that departs from 1pm onwards  3.       Book your climb  4.       Climb then cheers!   Book your climb to secure access at the Celebration Bar here.

11 foods that will help keep your energy up

Food salad flat lay

It is fair to say that most foods give you an energy boost, but they do it in different ways. For example, eating pastries, cakes, dairy-based desserts as well as drinking fizzy sodas – foods rich in sugar – will provide you with an instant but short-term energy boost. But soon enough, the following crash will leave you hungry and tired again. On the other hand, enriching your diet with slow-release carbs, healthy fats, and diverse protein sources will provide you with a slower, steadier energy stream. Below, you will find a list of eleven foods that will help you keep your energy levels up throughout the day. They include but are not limited to almonds, dark chocolate, matcha, avocados, brown rice, edamame beans, and many more. Continue reading to learn more about the foods that will keep you energized. Almonds Almonds are a great source of unsaturated fats and protein. Eating almonds regularly has been proven to increase your energy levels as well as keep your brain sharp. Almonds also contain vitamin E, which helps fight free radicals and prevents premature cell degeneration. Chia seeds Chia seeds are another great source of protein and fiber. They can help regulate your blood sugar levels, which in turn will help you avoid sugar crashes. Chia seeds are also very rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They provide the body with long-lasting energy and can boost your endurance during exercise. Matcha green tea Green tea is rich in antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a… Read More

Black Star Pastry reveals new cakes and brand refresh

Black star pastry dessert

Black Star Pastry has been super busy this month, with the reveal of a brand refresh, two new additions to its line-up of legendary cakes, its first international store opening in Shanghai in mid-December, and the launch of a Melbourne flagship store at Chadstone Shopping Centre. Melbourne’s newest store, created by architects March Studio, pays tribute to Chadstone’s standing as Australia’s fashion capital with a design concept celebrating one of high-end fashion’s enduring trends, logomania. A kiosk site with 360-degree frontage set among Chadstone’s luxury brands, this maximalist design aesthetic comes to life with a three-dimensional halo of jumbled letters that reveal elements of the brand as you circle the store exterior. “Since we first brought Black Star Pastry to Melbourne, with a Carlton pop up in 2017, this city hasembraced our cakes,” said Black Star Pastry’s General Manager, Josef Murray. “This Chadstone store brings our cake closer than ever to our fans and with over two million visitors to Chadstone each year, this promises to be Black Star Pastry’s busiest ever outpost.” The store will serve the full range of Black Star Pastry’s iconic cakes and pastry, plus ST. ALi coffee. It will also serve as a cake collection point for pre-ordered celebration sized cakes; perfect for Christmas, Black Star Pastry’s cakes are available in sizes from four portions to four tiers serving over 100 people. Black Star Pastry’s emerging base of Melbourne fans were the first in Australia to taste two new cakes, released to celebrate the Chadstone opening: Black Sesame Zen Cake… Read More

Limited edition desserts by Reynold Poernomo x Ferrero Rocher

Reynold Poernomo x Ferrero Rocher

Are you looking for some dessert wow factor this Christmas Day? Then look no further as acclaimed pastry chef, Reynold Poernomo has partnered with Ferrero Rocher to create limited-edition mouth-watering masterpieces that will be for sale at his KOI Dessert Bar in Sydney. The Ferrero Rocher ‘Bell’ ($17) dessert is a heavenly dark chocolate mousse, which hides a luxurious spiced raisin caramel filling inside, and is topped with a golden whole roasted hazelnut, delicate dark chocolate feathers and a Ferrero Rocher. Two limited-edition Celebration Cakes – the Golden Christmas ($130) and the Ferrero Rocher Bell ($65) – are now available for pre-order throughout December and is available for pickup and delivery until the 31st of December.  “These limited-edition recipes celebrate my favourite things about Ferrero Rocher – from the crisp wafer to the smooth centre, and the touch of luxury in the gold wrapping. Managing a family-run business over the last year of the pandemic has been a challenge, as it has for most people. The end of lockdown is an incredibly exciting chance to finally share those golden moments we’ve all missed with the people we love. I hope eating and recreating these recipes at home this Christmas will bring families together in the kitchen or around the dining table to make new, very special memories,” said Reynold Poernomo.   And now, let’s introduce you to these stunning desserts….. Ferrero Rocher ‘Bell’ Reynold’s signature Christmas creation is crafted in partnership with Ferrero Rocher, and is inspired by the delicious tastes and textures of the… Read More

Besserat de Bellefon’s world-famous champagne has landed in time for the festive season

Besserat de Bellefon champagne

There’s nothing more decadent than a beautifully boxed champagne straight from France. So much so, you’d be tempted to keep it for yourself after you had every intention of gifting it to a special someone for Christmas.  Besserat de Bellefon’s world-famous Champagne ticks all these boxes and is now available at Dan Murphy’s just in time for the holiday season. Stylishly packaged, it’s the perfect ready-to-go present to pop under the tree or add a touch of French finesse to any celebration.  “We are delighted to introduce this delicious champagne into Australia just in time for the party season.  Starting at just $74.99 and in its own beautiful gift-box, this divine champagne will add a magical sparkle to every special occasion this summer,” said Michelle Lush, brand manager, Imported Wine, Dan Murphy’s. Much-loved by French sophisticates, celebrities and South of France sunseekers, Besserat de Bellefon is a classic champagne that was first established by the historic Maison Besserat de Bellefon in the heart of the Champagne region in France, back in 1843.  It was the champagne of choice for the world-famous Moulin Rouge in the swinging sixties and was the premium Champagne for the world’s first supersonic passenger airliner, Concorde, in the late 1970s and early ’80s. And there’s also something very special about the house of Besserat de Bellefon. It’s the first champagne house to utilise lower than normal pressure under cork, which results in soft, effervescent bubbles.  It makes Besserat de Bellefon Champagne perfect with food – a fantastic choice to take along… Read More

Sparkling Sydney harbourside drinks this March 2022

Sparkling Sydney

As the city opens up again, the time has come to get excited and planning now! Sparkling Sydney; the major food and wine event celebrating all there is to love about Australian gastronomy, paired with the best of Australia’s and just a hint of International sparkling wines and much much more. The event celebrates all things effervescent with more than 60 sparkling wines to enjoy, from 20 local regional wineries to enjoy an array of varietals that includes; Blanc de Blanc, Petit Verdot and Moscato, Sparkling Malbec, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Sparkling Rose, Verscato, Prosecco, Sparkling Zibbibo, and Zinfandel Shiraz. There is plenty of local gourmet food on offer as well, meticulously paired with bubbles and other sparkling treats including Six String Brewing Co craft beers, a Fever Tree Garden Bar, Brix Distillery spiced rum cocktails and refreshing Sparkling spritz. We even have a range of non-alcoholic sparkling wines from Spain with Vinzero. Located on the water’s edge of Pirrama Park right in the heart of Sydney, you’ll be able to enjoy a sparkling wine matched with wild and fresh Signature Oysters, take part in wine and artisan sparkling wine bath soak or sugar scrub masterclasses, or just relax in the sun and enjoy live bands and DJ line up while sipping on a selection of the best bubbles Australia has to offer. There’s more, too. Head to the website for more info and to get tickets! WHEN: Saturday 12 March 2022, 11am – 6pmWHERE: Pirrama Park, Pirrama Rd, PyrmontTICKETS: Over 18yo. Pre-sale $29 +… Read More

Whitley Neill’s Gin transports you straight to an English country garden

whitley neill gin

With the heightened popularity of gin over the last few years, gin lovers have been spoilt for choice when it comes to quality gins. And Whitley Neill Gin is definitely among the top picks.  Distilled in the heart of the City of London – the only distillery located smack, bang, in the City of London – Whitley Neill Gin is lovingly handcrafted and inspired by the very best flavours and ingredients from around the world.  With an extensive range that includes Grapefruit Gin, Blood Orange Gin, Raspberry Gin, Blackberry Gin, Original and Quince Gin, there is something for everyone.  The Rhubarb and Ginger Gin is said to resemble the taste of an English country garden with a tart crisp edge. The essence of rhubarb adds a tart crispness to the smooth gin base whilst the ginger extract warms the palate for a full-bodied finish. Perfect with a good quality tonic, Whitley Neill’s Rhubarb and Ginger Gin is also an excellent base for some very refreshing, summery cocktails.  Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Soda Mix 60ml of Gin into glass, add lots of ice, top with soda water, add a slice of fresh ginger and fresh mint (and a strip of rhubarb if you want to get fancy!).  A Taste of Honeycomb 45mL Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin 15mL @monin_australia Honeycomb 15mL Lemon Juice Top with @FentimansLtd Ginger Beer Dash of Islay Malt Preparation: 1. Build all in order over ice 2. Garnish with rhubarb ribbons Rhurbarb and Ginger Ginsecco Ginsecco never tasted quite… Read More

There’s more to Heart Cafe at Bondi Beach than just incredibly fabulous food & coffee

Heart Cafe Bondi

If you’re looking for a cafe at Bondi that’s unique, offers awesome hospitality and serves up some of the best fish tacos this side of the bridge, then you should definitely slip into Wayside Chapel’s Heart Cafe, which is located a short walk from iconic Bondi Beach.  The most incredible part of Heart Cafe’s story is that it goes far beyond serving quality coffee and healthy food. It’s Bondi’s first social enterprise cafe where you can enjoy mouth-watering, wholesome food while supporting new employment opportunities for young people facing barriers to employment.  Whilst Wingspan participants receive employment and on-the-job training within a supportive workplace, conscious customers can feel good knowing that every dollar spent goes straight back into The Wingspan Project. By visiting Heart Cafe, you play a vital role in the community that offers these young people a helping hand into the workforce. About Wingspan Wingspan engages participants in a two-year-long comprehensive employment pathway taking its foundation from Wayside Chapel’s holistic case management framework, additionally giving participants opportunities to undertake training certificates, on the job learning, and then transition into mainstream work opportunities via a network of supportive employers. Participants, aged from 17-25 years, come from across Sydney – many of whom have faced substantial barriers to employment – mental health issues, addiction, unstable housing, family breakdown, and/or limited education.  The Menu The latest menu by Chef Pascale Rose (formerly of Byron Bay’s The Bay Leaf and St. Elmo) features modern Australian cuisine with highlights including the popular Heart Breakfast Bowl, Slow Cooked Persian… Read More

Christmas cannoli treats in Melbourne

Cannoli

Cannoleria, the cannoli royalty in Melbourne is ensuring that everyone will have a sweet December and Christmas this year with its limited edition Christmas range. From GIY (Garnish It Yourself) ricotta filled panettone that includes a gluten free version to a Christmas Tree Kit that’s perfect for kids and Panettone infused Flavour of the Week Cannoli throughout December, it ‘cannoli’ mean it’s time to be festive! Complete with two flavours this Christmas, the Panettone available, plus a delicious gluten free Pandoro. ·       Pistachio Panettone: traditional panettone layered with pistachio ricotta and coffee ricotta, comes with pistachio spread and cannoli shell crumbs ·       Rocher Panettone: traditional panettone layered with hazelnut ricotta and chocolate ricotta, comes with white gianduja spread and cannoli shell crumbs ·       Gluten Free Pandoro: gluten free traditional pandoro layered with traditional Sicilian ricotta, comes with a vegan chocolate and hazelnut spread and icing sugar For more and to buy some while you can, head to their website