The Australia Times

ROYAL STACKS EXPANDS TO CHINA

12 September 202214 November 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Melbourne’s Royal Stacks set for China in January 2018 Royal Stacks is set to give China a taste of its legendary burgers, desserts and shakes when it opens in Chongqing in January. Setting up shop on Ancient Street (Nan’an District), Royal Stacks will be located by a new riverside shopping and dining complex where locals will be able to enjoy … Read more

Melbourne Night Noodle Markets at Birrarung Marr until 26th November

12 September 202210 November 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Night Noodle Markets – Melbourne The highly-anticipated Night Noodle Markets presented by Citi returns to Birrarung Marr from 9th to 26th November, setting Melbourne alight with the smells, sights and sounds of more than 30 sizzling hawker-style stalls. The Asian market feast will see food-lovers indulge in the signature dishes and innovative tastes from Melbourne favourites … Read more

New Royal Stacks Food Truck Unveiled

12 September 20229 November 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Royal Stacks Food Truck – Melbourne

Words by Kate Taylor

Images Courtesy of Rosanna Faraci/Additional Images HRPR

You might know Royal Stacks burgers – they’ve been in Melbourne CBD and Brunswick for a little while now. What you might not know is that they’ve just launched their first food truck!

The Royal Stacks Food Truck launched last week. So I’ve just sorted your weekend, right?

Sitting loud and proud out the front of Whitehart up the back of Whitehart Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, the truck offers the entire Royal Stacks menu. They also have built-in augmented reality, but seriously, they don’t need it. It’s nearly summer, Meredith Music Festival is around the corner, and everyone loves a food truck. Pokémon Go, or no Pokémon Go.

There were loads of people, loads of burgers (and I mean trays and trays of free burgers), free drinks from the bar, live music, and cameras everywhere at the Royal Stacks official launch party. It really was a party! I’m not sure I’d expect much less from the fella behind Royal Stacks, Dani Zeini (he brought you Grand Trailer Park Taverna), and Whitehart owners Stephen Johnson and Sabrina Santucci. Fun fact – Stephen Johnson is an Australian writer, director and producer, best known for his work on Australian classic Yolngu Boy. Shout out my film degree. Just paid for itself.

Royal Stacks burgers are of the US Shake Shack, rather than your 8bit or Huxtaburger variety – more savoury than sweet. The simplest of the three tasty burgers I ate – yes I ate three – was the Single Stack (one patty, tomato, butter lettuce, American cheddar, special burger sauce, pickles). The pickles! Deliciously surprising. Get this one if you just can’t make a decision. There are nine burgers to choose from after all.

The Miss Elizabeth (one patty, swiss cheese, truffled mayo) was my next grab. It sounds simple and unassuming, but you just wait. She will impress, I promise. Pair this with one of their salty sides and you’ll wonder what to do with your life when you’re done. Did I mention the gems? Potato gems are coming back in a big way, and I’ve got to say, I’m very happy about it.

My third and final burger of the evening was the Kavorka (crispy fried chicken, tomato, coleslaw, American cheddar, chipotle mayo, spicy pickles), messy and super tasty, will definitely lure you in – the menu suggests adding a corn and cheese croquette. I suggest adding the mac and cheese croquette. Do it. Don’t think about it.

Get over there this weekend. Everyone loves a food truck.

**The Royal Stacks team revealed more exciting updates during the launch, soon for The Australia Times Gourmet News

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

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

MORE PICS…

SAY CHEESE FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY AT PRAHRAN MARKET

12 September 202227 October 2017 by Connie Lambeth

SUNDAY 29TH OCTOBER

PRAHRAN MARKET – MELBOURNE

TIME: 10am – 4pm

FREE ENTRY

Prahran Market will once again be transformed into a cheese lovers’ delight with delicious cheese offerings from Market traders (see below) and a number of quality external exhibitors including artisan cheese makers, popular eateries and a whole lot more.

Enjoy live tunes, vibrant zones to just chill out, tasty drinks and a whole lot of cheese. Prahran Market will once again be transformed into a cheese lovers’ delight with delicious cheese offerings from Market traders (see below) and a number of quality external exhibitors including artisan cheese makers, popular eateries and a whole lot more.

Learn something new in the Omega and Neil Perry Kitchen or watch mozarella master Giorgio from That’s Amore run three hands-on cheese workshops.

If you leave in anything less than a cheese coma, then you haven’t done Say Cheese right!

SAY CHEESE COOKING DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE

All MC’ed by Tobie Puttock.

10.30am:	Will Studd, International cheese specialist, author, presenter, and producer, with Bob Hart, BBQ extraordinaire. Recipes from Melt
11.30am:	Anthony Femia, Maker & Monger: Aligot with tomme frais. Sponsored by L’Artisan Cheese.
12.30pm	Tobie Puttock, Prahran Market ambassador, celebrity chef and culinary creator: Smoked ricotta and egg yolk ravioli. Spaghetti with parmesan, basil and lemon
1.30	Charlie Carrington, Atlas Dining: Knafeh. Mexican cheese dish. Sponsored by The Yarra Valley Dairy
2.30pm	Christy Tania, Glacé Frozen: Unbelievable ice cream cheeseboard
3.15pm	Clare Burden, The Humble Tumbler: Cheese and alcohol pairing. Sponsored by L’Artisan Cheese.

**Download the Prahran Market Events App on Itunes or google play for full menu offering

PRAHRAN MARKET

Visiting Prahran Market

Information & Images Courtesy of Prahran Market/Stefanie Reilly

————————————————————————————————–

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

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

READ ON TO SEE CHEESE EXHIBITORS, ARTISAN CHEESE MAKERS, MONGERS & LOCAL PRODUCERS AND OF COURSE, ENTERTAINMENT…

AFL FOOTY FESTIVAL: GRAND FINAL FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY FROM THIS WEDNESDAY!

13 September 202225 September 2017 by Connie Lambeth

MELBOURNE – GRAND FINAL FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY FROM THIS WEDNESDAY!

The AFL’s free Footy Festival brings together the best of Melbourne’s food with ‘Taste of Football’ food trucks and pop-ups, music, kids activities, and of course, footy in a four day celebration! Wednesday 27th September until Toyota AFL Grand Final Day, Saturday 30th September.

Located at Yarra Park, outside Gate 3 of the MCG, the festival will be packed full of some of Melbourne’s favourite food trucks, Australia’s first UberEATS restaurant, pop-up bars, local DJs and plenty of activities for the kids. Culminating in a live broadcast of the Grand Final on the big screen, this has to the best place to get amongst the action outside the MCG.

Members of the public are encouraged to buy a Premiership Cup Pin from the Ladder (with support of Public Transport Victoria (PTV)) stall, with all sale proceeds supporting Ladder’s work tackling youth homelessness.

FOOTY FESTIVAL 2017 PRECINCTS:

The Footy Festival will be held across three areas outside Gate 3 of MCG at Yarra Park.

FESTIVAL TIMES:

Wednesday 27th September 10am-6pm

Thursday 28th September 10am-6pm

Friday 29th September 9am-6pm

Saturday 30th September (Grand Final Day) 9am-6pm

TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL LIVE SITE

The entertainment hotspot and the heart of the Footy Festival site, the Toyota AFL Grand Final Live Site will host free activities for the whole family including interactive displays, prize giveaways and the chance to meet the players.

From Wednesday to Friday, past AFL matches will be shown on the Big Screen, along with award-winning AFL360, the ever-entertaining Bounce and the 2017 Toyota AFL.

Grand Final Parade

On Grand Final Day itself, things will really heat up. The atmosphere is sure to be electric when the 2017 Toyota AFL Grand Final and pre-match entertainment is broadcast live from the festival’s Big Screen. Fans will be able to hear the crowd roar, and join in, from their seat on the Yarra Park lawn. This is the place to head for anyone who doesn’t have tickets to the match.

At the 2016 Fox Footy Festival Live Site, Yarra Park, Melbourne. September 28th 2016. Photo: Daniel Pockett

____________________________________________________________________________

Information & Images Courtesy of Kate & Co – Claudia Hackworth

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

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

____________________________________________________________________________

READ ON FOR PROGRAM OF EVENTS INCLUDING TASTE OF FOOTBALL & KIDS ACTIVITIES…

Fratelli Fresh Brings Fresh Italian Flavours to the Entertainment Quarter

11 December 202218 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Sydney Food Lovers…

Fratelli Fresh brings fresh Italian flavours, hand-tossed pizzas and a craft beer garden to the Entertainment Quarter Saturday 19 August 11.30am!

Rockpool Dining Group will bring casual Italian dining, the city’s largest selection of Italian craft beers, and a spacious indoor-outdoor beer and wine garden to Sydney’s Eastern suburbs with the opening of Fratelli Fresh at the Entertainment Quarter.

On Saturday, 19 August, the latest Fratelli Fresh will unveil a magnificent al fresco drinking and dining experience at 11.30am. A lush and leafy indoor-outdoor Italian beer and wine garden, and an inviting open kitchen, are the heart and soul of this venue, which accommodates over 300 guests.

The menu is perfect for a swift, pre-game meal, a quick wood-fired pizza before a movie, or long lingering lunches and dinners with family and friends. In addition to authentic, hand-tossed pizzas, the menu features Fratelli classics, including its famous zucchini flowers, lamb ragu and gnocchi.

All Fratelli meals are best ended on a sweet note, with house-made tiramisu, signature banoffee torta, Fratelli rocher cannoli, plus a rainbow of gelato, including hazelnut and salted caramel, yoghurt and amarena, and chocolate crunch.

Fratelli Fresh Entertainment Quarter boasts the biggest line-up of beers of all the Fratelli restaurants, with 15 Italian craft beers available from Urban Craft Brewing Co, Birra del Borgo and Les Bieres Du Grand Saint Bernard.

Three bars will help keep the drinks flowing, with an emphasis on freshly made froze, as well as red, white and rose wines from the barrel, and Negronis on tap.

Happy hour kicks in every day from 4pm-6pm with $7.50 Negronis, $5 house wines and beer, and $10 selected cocktails. Kids under 12 eat free every Sunday and guests can enjoy a long lunch every Saturday and Sunday with 3 courses, plus bottomless wine, available for $59pp.

Customers across the Eastern suburbs can also indulge Fratelli-style at home or work, thanks to a delivery service by Deliveroo.

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 11.30am-midnight. https://www.fratellifresh.com.au/

Information & Image Courtesy of Fratelli Fresh/Rockpool Dining Group

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

www.theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@gmail.com

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

Read more on the new Fratelli Fresh from Rockpool Dining Group’s CEO, Thomas Pash…

Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks

13 September 20229 August 2017 by Connie Lambeth

The Rocks Sydney – Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th August 2017

10am to 6pm daily

The sweet cravings of chocolate lovers everywhere will be thoroughly tested this weekend at Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks! Chocolate indulgences will include gelato, popsicles, doughnuts, brownies, cheesecake, double choc cookie ice cream sandwiches, tiramisu, doughnuts, profiteroles, chocolatey desserts, nutella and salted caramel temptations, plus more treats at every turn! Then there’s the double choc cookie ice cream sandwiches…and the must try ‘smooth Chocolate Ale’, a collaboration by Endeavour Beer and Sydney Chocolate, crafted exclusively for the fest.

Exhibitors:

This year’s line-up includes amazing offerings from Black Star Pastry, Gelato Messina, Serendipity Ice Cream, Jasper & Myrtle, The Profiterole Project, The Dessert House, Dessert Jars by Rocco, The Vogue Café, Piazza D’Oro.

For the full exhibitor list, regularly updated: https://www.smooth.com.au/events/smooth-festival-chocolate-exhibitors

Highlights at this year’s festival include:

The Lindt Lounge, Cooking Demonstrations, The Baci Chocolatier’s Quarters featuring: a Pop Up Baci Chocolate Shop and over 10 artisan chocolatiers, Mr Black Espresso Martini Bar, The smooth Star’s Stage, The smooth Relaxation Station, Zumbo Ski Lodge, The Cellarmasters Touring Cellar Door, the ”Bone Shaker” moving chocolate masterpiece, and The Sydney Props Specialist Jungle Laneway.

Information & Images Courtesy of: Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks

www.smooth.com.au/smooth/festival-of-chocolate/

**Read Natalie Salvo’s article – 2016 Fest:

https://theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/gourmet/issue/411/#40

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

Email: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for Additional Information & Pics…

Share: ${share_title}