Category: FOOD & DRINK

Drinks from a drag queen: how to make it happen

Updated: 27/02/2021

This annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, you can have a drag queen bring you alcohol. And be happy about it. BWS Paddington South Dowling Street, BWS Paddington Oxford street and BWS Darlinghurst – have had store signs changed to BWS YASSS, complete in rainbow colours, as part of the celebrations which means that Miss Prada Clutch will hand deliver some very special party packages. “Yas darlings, I’m so excited to be part of BWS Mardi Gras celebrations. The BWS YASSS store signs are fabulous because ‘Yas’ has its origins in our glittering drag community and is a fierce expression of support,” Prada Clutch said. “And drinks delivered in one hour? How qween-venient. Certainly faster than it takes for me to get ready in the morning, darlings. I can’t wait to help deliver my special party packages and so speedily. Somebody hold my lipstick!” Prada Clutch added. How to get Prada to bring you booze? The party packages include a bottle of super star and Sydney Mardi Gras headliner Rita Ora’s premium tequila brand Próspero and Mishka Vodka as well as glitter props in the Mardi Gras vibe. Customers who entered a competition to win a Mardi Gras party pack personally delivered by Miss Prada Clutch have gone into the draw.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: BWS Sydney, Drinks from a drag queen how to make it happen, Prada Clutch Sydney

Get baked at Sydney’s newest pop-up event – The Big Bake

by Emi Berry

Updated: 22/10/2022

We’re all looking for interesting and fun events to get us out of the house, so here’s one for Sydneysiders who don’t mind getting their fingers sticky while enjoying a cocktail or two. From the team who brought us Floating Cinema, Bumper Cars on Ice, Beyond Cinema, and the Mad Hatters Tea Party, Viral Ventures has launched yet another innovative and fun pop-up event to keep us entertained. It’s called The Big Bake and it’s currently running in the Sydney CBD until the end of April. This baking-themed event is the perfect way to spend a fun night out with a friend, a group of friends, or even as part of a corporate challenge. It runs for 90 minutes and during this time, you’ll be rolling your sleeves up bake, create, design & whisk (while sipping your cocktail when you’re not whisking eggs whites or combining your dry ingredients). Before kicking off, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival. There is a bar conveniently located right next to your kitchen workspace, so you and your friends can start a tab and enjoy some come cocktails during the session. Also be prepared to participate in some hilarious games that will have your friends in stitches and grabbing their mobiles to capture the moment to unashamedly share on social. Each Big Bake session offers multiple recipes to choose from and recipes change each week. You could be making cupcakes or custard tart one week, and mouthwatering salted caramel brownies and cheesecakes the next. Tickets are… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

Tags: baking, cooking, cooking event, the big bake, viral ventures

Gordon’s Gin launches a new zesty flavour – Mediterranean Orange Distilled Gin

by Emi Berry

Updated: 16/03/2021

So it appears we won’t be heading to the Mediterranean any time soon, so good thing Gordon’s Gin is bringing the Med to us! Adding to their list of diverse and vibrant flavours – think, Gordon’s Pink, Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon, and now Mediterranean Orange – there’s something to suit everyone’s taste and great for any occasion. It’s available now in liquor stores across the country and online for $49.99. Here’s how to serve the perfect Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange and Tonic: What you need: 30 ml Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange Distilled Gin 120 ml Tonic Water Orange Wheel (to garnish) How to do it: Fill a chilled glass with ice cubes, pour 30ml of Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange over the ice and top up with 120ml chilled tonic water. Garnish with a wheel of orange, then give it a final stir. Enjoy! For those who prefer a ready-to-drink option, there is also a 330ml Orange Gin and Soda now available in liquor stores across the country for $21.99 (4-pack).

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Best Gordon's Gin, distilled gin, gin, gordon's, gordon's gin, Gordon's Gin cocktails, Gordons Gin, Gordon’s Gin launches a new zesty flavour - Mediterranean Orange Distilled Gin, How to make an orange cocktail, orange gin

Join a KitchenAid colour of the year masterclass this February with all proceeds going to charity

by Emi Berry

Updated: 19/02/2021

We’re all looking for a positive spin on 2021 and this is the perfect way to kick it off. KitchenAid first launched its iconic colour products in 1955. Ever since then, it has unveiled an annual KitchenAid ‘Colour of the Year’, with this year’s colour named Honey’ – a warm and rich hue with a golden-orange undertone, which radiates positivity and warmth. Sounds gorgeous, doesn’t it! And to showcase the new, stunning ‘Honey’ products, KitchenAid is running three super fun Masterclasses in Sydney that will appeal to the sweet tooth, the savoury lover and the stylist looking for inspiration for their next dinner party. For the sweet tooth: February 24 2021 This class is all about sweetness, with baking queen, Katherine Sabbath. Armed with Aussie icons Tim Tam and Choc Ripple, she’ll teach you how to pull together a Tim Tam and Choc Ripple dessert while you also learn how to master KitchenAid’s suite of kitchen appliances. For those who prefer savoury: February 25 2021 This masterclass is a savoury-themed session, presented by Harris Farm and KitchenAid In-House Maker, Belinda Gazzard. You’ll learn how to create easy to master savoury dishes that will nourish your body and bring joy to your taste buds whilst celebrating local produce. Plus of course, you’ll also learn how to master KitchenAid’s suite of kitchen appliances For the budding stylist: February 26 2021 This class is all about learning how to style your next dinner party. Interior Designer Steve Cordony and catering extraordinaire Amanda Cordony will teach you how to… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Best KitchenAid, colour of the year, Colour of the Year masterclass, cooking, Cooking masterclass Sydney, Join a KitchenAid colour of the year masterclass this February with all proceeds going to charity, kitchenaid, masterclass, Sydney cooking classes, Where to buy KitchenAid Sydney

Learn how to make a winning Chilcano cocktail recipe with an Aussie twist

by Emi Berry

Updated: 16/02/2021

Who doesn’t appreciate a refreshing and fruity cocktail on a warm summer day? And a winning cocktail recipe to boot! After a fierce competition featuring 26 original recipes to find the best Chilcano cocktail in the country, Alicia Clarke from Double Deuce Lounge in Sydney was crowned the Chilcano Champion in the first-ever Aussie Pisco Chilcano Competition. Alicia’s creation, named ‘The Queensland Yacht Club’, gives a refreshing Australian twist to the Chilcano with the use of tropical mango and pineapple cordial, Stone’s Ginger Wine and of course, Peru’s favourite spirit, Pisco. This mouth-watering cocktail is a simple recipe that brings together the bright citrus flavours of Pisco, spicy bite of ginger, complex bitters and zest of lime for the ideal summer cocktail. And the good news is, Double Deuce Lounge will be hosting a live demonstration on 16 February at 6:00pm on Instagram to show you how to make this winning cocktail! Just follow @DoubleDeuceLounge and tune in at 6pm for their live video. Make sure you grab the following ingredients beforehand so you can make the cocktail at home as you follow Alicia’s instructions during the live demonstration. Ingredients: 45ml Barsol Quebranta Pisco 25ml Mango and Pineapple Cordial 10ml Stone’s Ginger Wine 10ml Lime juice 5ml Sugar syrup Method: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake hard. Single strain into a frozen glass and garnish with a pineapple leaf. Don’t forget to share your creation (before you drink it!) by tagging @promperu.anz and use the hashtag #AussieChilcano on Instagram. If you want… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, RECIPES

Tags: chilcano, chilcano cocktails, cocktail recipes, cocktails, cocktails sydney, pisco

South Yarra Melbourne’s newest cafe: Norman

by James Banham

Updated: 16/02/2021

After the mess that was 2020, Norman is now open in South Yarra! A visually pleasing space to drop-in to or stay a while, it’s complete with a two-level tranquility, that can hold up to 100 guests. It’s a sleek and sophisticated joint with brushed brass tones, baby blue hues and leafy greens throughout. And the food? Think a mix of classic cafe dishes with a twist as well as entirely new creations, giving cafe goers every reason to try something new. Whether it be an all-Aussie breakfast dish like Norman’s Vegemite avo toast or something more left of field like zucchini and corn waffles, Norman really has something for every hungry tummy. The brekky board really does have it all with a variety of bite-size sweet and savoury dishes that feature on the menu, and if you’re still hungry, dig into the brekky burger. Find it at ?Shop 2/300 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141 Monday – Saturday – 7am-4pm Sunday – 8am-4pm

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Best cafes South Yarra, Melbourne cafe Norman, Norman cafe, Norman South Yarra, South Yarra cafes

11 Melbourne restaurants to celebrate Valentine’s Day at in 2021

by James Banham

Updated: 05/03/2021

So, Valentine’s Day as a concept is super divisive. Some love it, some not so much, others just use it as an excuse for dinner. That’s where this comes in handy. Here’s a list of 11 of Melbourne’s trendiest and top-notch places to smash a romantic dinner with a special someone – or group of them – you need to book before Sunday. Mejico Melbourne Spice things up this Valentine’s Day at Melbourne’s newest Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, Mejico. Sip on all kinds of margaritas and celebrate with a special set menu including oysters, Mejico’s signature tableside guac, salmon ceviche, Yucatan style BBQ empanadas, porterhouse steak with chimichurri and a margarita cheesecake to finish.Mejico’s Valentine’s Day set menu is available or dinner for $75 per person. Bookings online at Mejico’s website Chin Chin Melbourne Lock yourself and the one you love in at Chin Chin with its special ‘Love Me, Feed Me’ menu. The delicious set menu includes all the dishes you know and love from the CBD favourite including kingfish sashimi, grilled king prawns with Chin Chin papaya hot sauce and more. To finish with something sweet, lovers can indulge in a special Valentine’s Day heart-shaped chocolate and coconut mousse with chilli caramel and raspberry sorbet. Couplers can sit back and relax while they sip on liquid loving cocktails including the ‘Easy Lover’ with Aperol and elderflower and ‘Two’s Company’ with gin, raspberry and rhubarb flowers. The Love Me, Feed Me menu is available for $89 per person and bookings are available at Chin Chin’s site Bomba Treat your… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: melbourne restaurants, Valentine's Day restaurant guide, Valentine's Day restaurants, Where to eat Valentine's Day

Melbourne’s Hawthorn Hotel is back in 2021

by James Banham

Posted: 06/02/2021

The Australian Venue Co and Swinburne University of Technology have joined up with the Hawthorn Hotel in Melbourne to bring it back to life. Listen closely enough and you can hear every student of the nearby University cheering! After closing its doors in 2020 due to the impacts of the coronavirus, the 152-year-old venue will undergo a renovation to provide a mix of dining, socialising and event spaces for The Hawthorn Hotel regulars, as well as a dedicated space for Swinburne alumni, industry partners, staff and students. The University’s carved out a spot in the pub and licences the first floor of the venue, which will be transformed into a dedicated space for its alumni, industry partners, staff and students. Meanwhile, the ground floor will be operated by The Australian Venue Co, a world-class hospitality group delivering exceptional food, drink and entertainment experiences across more than 150 venues nationally. So you know it’ll be good.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Hawthorn Hotel, Melbourne Hawthorn Hotel, Melbourne pubs, Melbourne's Hawthorn Hotel is back in 2021, Pub guide Melbourne

3 watermelon cocktails to keep summer alive

by THE F

Posted: 15/01/2021

Summer in a weird lockdown-limbo can be hard. What’s the best way to get through it? Have a guess… Thankfully, Ciroc vodka’s intro’d a new mix for the season, making the most of the ripest watermelons the country’s got on offer. Here are the recipes. Cîroc Watermelon Le Twist 40ml Cîroc Summer Watermelon 20ml Lemonade 40ml Soda 10ml Splash of Cranberry Garnish with a lime wheel, fresh watermelon wheel & sprig of fresh mint. (1.2 standard drinks) Cîroc Summer Watermelon Sparkle 25ml Cîroc Summer Watermelon 10ml Cranberry Juice Topped with champagne (+ 5ml elderflower if desired) Garnish with a watermelon skin twist. (1.2 standard drinks) CÎROC Watermelon Frosé (Serves 4) 200ml Cîroc Summer Watermelon 3 cups ice cubes ½ bottle pink moscato 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice 625g watermelon flesh, seeds removed Mint garnish Prep: 10min Extra time: 4hr freezing Purée Watermelon Flesh & freeze into cubes. Blend frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, vodka & pink moscato. Serve in empty watermelon & garnish with mint. (2.5 standard drinks based on 12.5% wine)

Category: FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES

Tags: 3 watermelon cocktails to keep summer alive, Ciroc vodka cocktails, vodka cocktails

Summer just got hotter with Drumstick’s two latest ‘Mega Tip’ flavours

by Emi Berry

Updated: 12/01/2021

They’re as Aussie as the cricket during the summer, days at the beach over Christmas, and the sound of lawnmowers roaring in the distance on a hot summer afternoon. We’re talking about the Aussie Drumstick. Drumstick has always signified the arrival of summer in the hearts and minds of Aussies and their new brand platform ‘summer’s here’ celebrates this. And now summer just got a whole lot better with Drumstick’s two latest flavours – Choc, Peanut & Caramel and the very nutty, Honey Macadamia. But what’s even more exciting is the end game – the iconic Drumstick choccy tip – which is now double the chocolate! So first of all, let’s break down the Choc, Peanut & Caramel Drumstick. This delicious creation is a combination of chocolate and peanut with gooey caramel syrup and crushed peanuts swirled throughout. It’s topped off with more peanuts and caramel on top, with an extra-large choccy tip. The Honey Macadamia is just as glorious – with the cone filled with caramelised honey syrup swirled through frozen creamy macadamia, topped with crushed macadamia nuts on top and of course, the mega choccy tip. The brand has also had a bit of a refresh, with Australian artist James Gulliver Hancock collaborating with Drumstick to create an illustrative wallpaper, capturing the spirit of all things Aussie and summer. The illustration now features as the background of the new packaging, connecting Drumstick even closer to its summer roots. There’s also a shiny new all-gold logo on debut too. The new Mega Tip flavours… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK

Tags: drumstick, ice cream, james gulliver hancock, peters drumsticks

ARTS & CULTURE

Opera Australia doing 500 tickets for $35

10/05/2024

By THE F

Opera Australia is rolling out the red carpet for younger audiences with its innovative Opera for Under 35s program! A fresh initiative that aims to breathe new life into the traditional art form of opera. In a bold move to attract a younger demographic, OA is offering an enticing deal of 500 tickets priced at just $35 each. This special offer marks the launch of a program dedicated to making opera more accessible and appealing to the under-35 crowd, starting with the Australian premiere of Edward Dick’s acclaimed production of Tosca. Scheduled to mesmerise audiences firstly in Melbourne at the Margaret Court Arena on May 24, followed by a season at the iconic Sydney Opera House starting June 25, Tosca is set to be a landmark event. This initiative is not merely about offering discounted tickets; it’s a comprehensive program designed to cultivate a deeper appreciation for opera among young Australians. Registrants of the program can look forward to a 15% discount on tickets to most OA performances year-round, alongside exclusive further discounts for select shows, with some tickets available at the low price of $35. Additionally, members will receive invitations to special behind-the-scenes events including meet-and-greets with artists, all at no additional cost. Jo Davies, OA’s new Artistic Director, expresses her excitement about the program, highlighting it as a strategic move to lower financial barriers and make opera accessible to all, especially during tough economic times. This approach not only preserves but also propels the art form forward by ensuring it remains relevant and… Read More

National Portrait Prize in State Library of Queensland this winter

09/05/2024

By James Banham

The National Portrait Gallery’s esteemed National Photographic Portrait Prize of 2023 is set to grace the State Library of Queensland, marking a prestigious period from May 11 until July 7, 2024.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

07/05/2024

By James Banham

Led by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a specialist with extensive experience working in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art and Boris Cornelissen, former Contemporary Art Specialist at Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye was founded in 2020 with a focus on further developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia.

Ballet Flamenco – Sara Baras Voces Suite Flamenca cred Santana de Yepes I

Flamenco Festival London 2024 is back

05/05/2024

By James Banham

This year’s festival is brimming with anticipation, featuring ten UK premieres and showcasing a constellation of flamenco’s brightest stars.

Dutch piano virtuoso returns to the Sydney Opera House

30/04/2024

By James Banham

Mark your calendars and prepare to be enveloped in the soul-stirring sounds of Joep Beving, as the maestro makes his grand return to the Opera House this July. After mesmerising audiences in previous years, Beving is back with a bang, ready to unveil the mystical realms of Hermetism across two spellbinding shows on Monday, 22 July 2024. Each performance promises an experience akin to a spiritual odyssey, underscored by Beving’s deeply introspective, neoclassical sound that has captivated millions globally. This year, the enigmatic Dutch pianist is set to elevate his musical narrations to unprecedented heights, blending his artistry with an awe-inspiring audio-visual spectacle developed alongside the innovative minds of Boris Acket, Merijn Versnel, and Roxanne Percobic. Hermetism, drawing inspiration from Beving’s 2022 album, invites you on an enchanted voyage exploring the essence of spirituality, the elusive nature of time, and the depths of the inner self. This isn’t just a concert; it’s an invitation to transcend the ordinary, led by a masterful storyteller who’s rediscovered his love for the piano and transformed it into a source of universal connection and wonder. Joep Beving’s remarkable journey from personal loss to streaming stardom is a testament to the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire. With over 200 million streams on Spotify and a place among the giants of post-classical composition, Beving’s return to the Opera House isn’t just an event; it’s a pivotal moment in the world of contemporary music. As Ben Marshall, Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, aptly puts it, “Joep describes… Read More