ROCKPOOL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES SWEET TREAT PROJECT TODAY

Rockpool Foundation launches Sweet Treat Project to deliver gifts to children in foster care

Rockpool Bar & Grill Passionfruit Pavlova
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Passionfruit Pavlova

Rockpool Foundation, the official charity arm of Rockpool Dining Group, has today launched the Sweet Treat Project, which aims to raise at least $75,000 over the festive season to provide children in foster care with personalised gifts.

From Wednesday, 15 November to midnight on Tuesday, 26 December, $1 from every dessert sold across all 58 Rockpool Dining Group restaurants in NSW, Victoria and Queensland will be donated to the Rockpool Foundation’s Sweet Treat Project.

Rockpool Foundation will work with foster care agencies in each state to tailor 250 gifts, each to the value of $300, to every child’s specific needs and circumstances. Gifts could be anything from music lessons, to art supplies and sporting equipment.

Saké The Rocks Dragon Egg Dessert
Saké The Rocks
Dragon Egg Dessert

From Rockpool Bar & Grill’s famous Passionfruit Pavlova and Saké Restaurant & Bar’s decadent Dragon Egg, to the much-loved Fratelli Fresh Banoffee Torta, El Camino Cantina’s cinnamon-dusted Churros with salted caramel sauce and Burger Project’s irresistible soft serve desserts, everyday sweet treats for diners will be converted into meaningful treats for disadvantaged kids.

Spice Temple - Three Milk Cake with dried raspberries, pistachio & almond
Spice Temple – Three Milk Cake with dried raspberries, pistachio & almond

Other Rockpool Dining Group restaurants participating in the Sweet Treat Project are Rosetta Ristorante, Spice Temple, Jade Temple, Ananas, Munich Brauhaus, Bavarian Bier Café, The Bavarian, Saké Jr and Fratelli Famous.

Saké Restaurant Flinders Lane - Tofu Cheesecake
Saké Restaurant Flinders Lane – Tofu Cheesecake
Rosetta Melbourne Baked Chocolate Mouse with caramelised pears
Rosetta Melbourne
Baked Chocolate Mouse
with caramelised pears

Every dessert on every menu is included in the Sweet Treat Project.

Diners who purchase a dessert at one of the Group’s restaurants in NSW, Victoria and Queensland during this period will receive a complimentary entry into the draw to win ‘The Ultimate Summer Dining Experience’, which recognises Rockpool Dining Group as an official restaurant partner of the 2018 Australian Open.

The Ultimate Summer Dining Experience includes :

• 4 x day-session tickets for the 2018 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena for two consecutive days (valued at $3600)

•  $5000 Qantas voucher to use on flights and accommodation

• $1000 voucher for Rockpool Bar & Grill at the Australian Open

• $150 meal voucher for Burger Project at the Australian Open

• 2 x $750 dining vouchers for Rockpool Dining Group’s premium Melbourne restaurants: Saké, Spice Temple or Rosetta Ristorante

• Meet & greet with Rockpool Dining Group Culinary Director, Neil Perry

Burger Project Christmas Soft Serve
Burger Project
Christmas Soft Serve

**Information and Images Courtesy of Rockpool Dining Group/Rockpool Foundation  – Rachel Lebihan

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

W: editorcsl.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatgourmetmag/

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Here Comes the Sun: Southgate Restaurants Showcase Summer Delights

Melbourne’s Southgate Restaurants Warming up with a Season of Foodie Feasts & Events

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With Summer around the corner there’s a feast of  foodie events with new seasonal produce, riverside alfresco dining, a festive dessert workshop and end of year celebrations at Southgate Melbourne  

Summer means longer days and warmer nights with a refreshing cocktail and seasonal share plate in hand, taking in scenic city views along the banks of the Yarra River. To make it all the more enticing, Southgate Melbourne’s slew of riverside restaurants and bars has a range of events and specials from November-January.

Alfresco dining is back in a big way with the newly refurbished and expanded riverside diner BearBrass primed to welcome the warmer months. With 350 breakfasts turning over every hour each weekend, the venue is preparing for their busiest time of year. The new look venue features an open bar where you can watch the chefs preparing your food while the bartender mixes your favourite cocktail. BearBrass venue manager Michael Singleton says “Our new bright burnt orange colour scheme has brought a vibrant, fresh feel to the venue.”

Dessert bar Damon Bradley is set to host their first summer pastry workshop for sweet treat lovers on Saturday 2 December. Masterchefs-in-the-making will have the chance to work alongside the Damon Bradley pastry chefs and learn to plate up like a pro just in time for Christmas. You’ll also get to sample some of their new season desserts bursting with summery flavours, like the Devonshire crepe filled with the award-winning Damon Bradley lemon curd topped with fresh berries.

Melbourne’s multi award winning Italian restaurant and gelateria Tutto Bene, took out yet another award this year, winning Best Italian Restaurant in Victoria at the 2017 Restaurant & Catering Savour Awards. Head Chef Nathan Scarfo looks for vibrancy in the colour of his produce and counts asparagus, snap peas and zucchini flowers to be among his favourites for the warmer months.

“Our new dishes all have a focus on using the whole ingredient. We are focusing on traditional Italian cooking – simple, no wastage, with every ingredient having multiple uses,” says Nathan. One of his summer menu highlights is the Fiori di Zucchini: fried zucchini flowers, roast pumpkin, peppitos and mustard fruits, best enjoyed on the Tutto Bene Terrazza with a crisp glass of Chardonnay.

Following its recent expansion over two levels and the launch of the more casual PS Bar + Kitchen, the new Pure South Dining continues to make the most out of the best produce of the season with Executive Chef David Hall highlighting pears, asparagus, broad beans and broad bean leaves as his ingredients of choice.

“We keep our dishes simple and allow the amazing spring and summer produce to be the hero. Our house cured line-caught Kingfish with dashi, meyer lemon, wakame and quail egg is proving to be very popular and a great simple dish heading into the warmer months,” says David.

Family favourite La Camera Southgate has one of the best Aperitivo Hour deals in Southbank, accompanied by sweeping balcony views over the Yarra River. Sip on a complimentary Italian cocktail (choose from Negroni, Sbagliato, Aperol Spritz and more) with any antipasti plate.

ENA Greek Street Food puts an authentic Greek spin on the most important meal of the day with the launch of their new breakfast menu. Think Spanakopita, Tyropita (layered buttery filo with cheesy egg) and Strapatsada (Greek style scrambled eggs with tomato and fetta) and for the sweet tooths, Bougatsa (semolina custard filled pastry).

One of Southgate’s favourite watering holes, Waterslide Bar, has reinvented the spritz with their signature “Tinder Date” cocktail, the perfect accompaniment for flirtations on their leafy riverside balcony. The refreshing drink combines delectable French Loire Valley Cremant Sparkling with fresh berries and yuzu.

Southgate’s stable of riverside restaurants will come alive throughout the festive season with Christmas lunches hosted by iconic Irish pub P.J.O’Brien’s and German Bier Bar Grill Hophaus. The silly season continues with an array of New Year’s Eve celebrations including Waterslide Bar, ENA Greek Street Food, BearBrass, P.J.O’Brien’s and Hophaus, each boasting some of the best firework-viewing vantage points.

 

Southgate is home to fifteen diverse restaurants, bars and eateries, with cuisines ranging from German to Tasmanian to modern European. A range of boutique retailers including vintage fashion, books and stationery can also be found within the precinct.

 

www.southgatemelbourne.com.au

**Information & Images Courtesy of Southgate Restaurants/Fuller PR

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Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

W: editorcsl.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatgourmetmag/

READ ON FOR THE FULL PROGRAM OF FOODIE FEASTS & EVENTS RIGHT THROUGH TO NEW YEAR’S

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Tea Lovers Rejoice!

Sydney Tea Festival Serves Up the Best Sunday 20th August

The ultimate celebration of speciality loose leaf tea, the Sydney Tea Festival will sweep the city this Sunday 20th August. Discover, experience and connect with speciality teas from Australia and beyond.

Returning to Carriageworks, the one-day event will feature a new do-it-yourself tea blending station, and an interactive tea ceremony performance, together with a fresh program of workshops and talks hosted by leading industry experts.

STF 81 - Alana Dimou Photography

THE TEA MARKET

Festival-goers can wander the tea market and taste a huge range of speciality loose teas and tisanes including premium, single origin, organic and rare teas; healthy herbal blends, chocolate, chai, and iced teas; and a range of locally grown and globally sourced teas.

Tasting tea will be a breeze with the festival’s signature porcelain cup appearing again. Valued at $5 and included in every adult ticket, this cup will allow visitors to taste their way through the day.

In addition, food on offer will cater to those seeking both sweet and savoury bites, with a range of food purveyors and trucks boasting global cuisine and tea inspired creations.

STF 5 - Alana Dimou Photography

Also on the day, visitors can participate in the ‘Tea with a Stranger’ tea ceremony performance, hosted by members of Ueda Sōko Ryū Australia. Festival co-founder, Corinne Smith, describes the interactive experience as a way of facilitating deep connection, openness and communication.

“Tea with a Stranger encourages people to leave their digital self behind and step into the vulnerability of face-to-face human connection facilitated by the sharing of tea,” Smith said.

STF 61 - Alana Dimou Photography

DETAILS

Date & Time: Sunday 20 August 2017 9.00am – 4.00pm

Location:       Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Cost:                Pre-sale adult entry $15.50 (including all fees and charges)

                          Door-sale entry $20.00 (plus credit card processing fees)

                           Workshop tickets $48.00 and Talks $15 (including all fees and charges)

                           Kids Under 12 Free

                          All tickets include a festival tasting up (valued at $5)

Visit:               http://www.sydneyteafestival.com.au/

Social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sydneyteafestival/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sydneyteafestival/

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/teafestivalsaus

Youtube:    https://www.youtube.com/user/sydneyteafestival

Information & Images Courtesy of Nicole Warwick – Liquid Ideas/Renee Creer – Tea Festivals Australia – Photographer: Alana Dimou

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times Gourmet News – Food/Wine/Hospitality/Events

Enquiries: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Gourmet News Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for More Pics, Additional Info on Workshops with the Tea Experts, plus Festival co-founder Renee Creer…

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