NEW CALLEBAUT CHOCOLATE PLUS GOLD CHOCOLATE MOUSSE RECIPE

Reinventing Glamour with Callebaut’s New range of Gold Chocolate Callebaut chocolate are taking Willy Wonka’s golden ticket quite literally with their brand new range of Gold chocolate. Reinventing glamour – and dessert, Gold is sure to add that extra bit of sparkle to desserts around the nation and right in time for the festive season. … Read more

MELBOURNE’S TUTTO BENE WINS BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

 TUTTO BENE – MELBOURNE

It’s been a big year for multi award-winning Italian restaurant and gelateria, Tutto Bene. Melbourne’s beloved risotteria has again won the respected Best Italian Restaurant at the 2017 Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) Awards for Excellence.

 This is the sixth time Tutto Bene has won this award, cementing its position as one of Melbourne’s most consistently applauded eateries. The award adds to a successful run for the restaurant, which launched a series of sell-out risotto masterclasses over winter and completed a major renovation and expansion in 2015.

 Owners Luis Pampliega and Tamara Volkoff have run Tutto Bene since it first opened in 2004.

 “We feel very lucky that we’re continuing to be recognised by our industry. After twelve years in business, it’s not easy to maintain this level of regard and we couldn’t be more proud of the entire team – a true reflection of the hard work and passion they bring on a daily basis,” says Luis.

 “But of course it’s what our customers think that matters most. We would not be successful without our amazingly loyal clientele.”

Tutto Bene’s menu, which is always an impressive mix of classic and seasonal Italian dishes, is full of new creations thanks to Head Chef, Nathan Scarfo’s, recent trip back to his family roots in Italy.

“I’ve returned from my trip inspired. My family have a little farm in the south of Italy. Cooking there is simple, raw and uncomplicated. Every piece of produce has a million uses,” he says.

This approach has brought about an array on new dishes that incorporate Tutto Bene’s no-wastage approach. New seasonal dishes are incorporating every element of produce, with highlights including freshly shucked oysters with peach Bellini granita, carrot arancini with edible soil, lemon spaghettini with blue swimmer crab, basil pesto and pistachio and fried zucchini flowers with roast pumpkin, peppitos and mustard fruit. Everyone’s favourite risotto dishes remain on the menu, with some varieties campaigned for by customers resulting in four risottos never leaving the menu since opening in November 2004.

The Italian summer cocktail menu includes a range of signature aperitifs such as the Tutto Bene Mule (vodka, lime juice, Nonnina grappa, ginger ale and mint) and Terrazza Campari (Campari, orange and pink grapefruit juice). These delicious cocktails are only $10 during happy hour (3pm-5:30pm daily) and $15 all other times.

Excitingly, Tutto Bene’s award winning gelato is transforming for the holidays with festive gelato flavours including ginger bread, pavlova and trifle, available from 1-27 December.

The Tutto Bene restaurant is open seven days, until late. Bookings can be made by calling the restaurant on 03 9696 3334. Bookings for Christmas and New Year’s functions are filling fast, call or email admin@tuttobene.com.au to ask for a function pack.

**information & Images Courtesy of Tutto Bene/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 info on Hosting End of Year Functions, New Year’s Eve etc…

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IT’S OFFICIAL – PIZZA IS A WORLD TREASURE!

Johnny Di Francesco (owner of 400 Gradi Group and Pizza World Champion) receives pizza-tossing statue…   Two million Italians signed a petition calling for the art of Neapolitan pizza* to be globally recognised as a world heritage and it’s paid off! Recently UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) announced its Intangible Cultural Heritage list … Read more

INTRODUCING CHEFS PASTRY

SYDNEY’S CHEFS PASTRY – A PATISSERIE WITH A PAN-ASIAN TWIST Chefs Pastry, an innovative new bakery combining centuries-old French pastry techniques with bursts of vibrant pan-Asian flavours, has recently launched on Sydney’s hippest eat street, Kensington St. Chefs Pastry flips notions of what patisseries can be – classic pies are packed with succulent Beef Rendang and … Read more

FRESH AND LOCAL AT SYDNEY’S BELLBIRD DINING + BAR

Bellbird Dining + Bar at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Review & Images by Daria Kill-Smith – Additional Images Supplied Concrete and steel. Industrial chic. The old Casula powerhouse, since converted to the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, the visual arts hub of Liverpool in Western Sydney, is home to the new Bellbird Dining + Bar. … Read more

Rockpool Dining Group and Qantas Frequent Flyer Make Dining More Rewarding

SYDNEY MELBOURNE BRISBANE PERTH

From 1 December 2017, Qantas Frequent Flyer members can use Qantas Points on their bill, and earn them at the same time, when they dine out at Rockpool Dining Group’s 60 restaurants and bars across Australia. 

Members can use their Qantas Points to cover the full cost of the bill, or use 4,000 Qantas Points for each $20 they take off their transaction.

As a special offer until 31 May 2018, members can also earn double points across all Rockpool Dining Group venues, including Rockpool Bar & Grill and Jade Temple, as well as Fratelli Fresh and Burger Project.

• Premium Dining – 4 Qantas Points per $1 spent (usually 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent)

• Casual –  4 Qantas Points per $1 spent (usually 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent)

• Fast Casual –  2 Qantas Points per $1 spent (usually 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent)

This is the first time Frequent Flyer members can earn and use their points at a national restaurant group.

Rockpool Dining Group restaurants include:

Premium Dining

• Saké Restaurant & Bar  (5 locations – Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane)

• Spice Temple  (2 locations – Sydney & Melbourne)

• Jade Temple  (1 location – Sydney)

• The Cut Bar & Grill  (1 location – Sydney)

• Rosetta Ristorante  (2 locations – Sydney & Melbourne)

• Rockpool Bar & Grill (3 locations – Sydney, Melbourne & Perth)

Casual

• Fratelli Fresh (9 locations – Sydney & Melbourne)

• The Argyle  (1 location – Sydney)

• El Camino Cantina (1 location – Sydney)

• Ananas  (1 location – Sydney)

• The Bavarian (5 locations – Sydney & Melbourne)

• Munich Brauhaus  (2 locations – Sydney & Melbourne)

• Bavarian Bier Café (8 locations – NSW & QLD)

Fast Casual

• Burger Project (10 locations – Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane)

• Fratelli Famous Pizzeria (4 locations – Sydney & Brisbane)

• Saké  Jr (2 locations – Sydney)

For more information on the partnership visit qantaspoints.com/rockpool-dining-group

**Information & Image Courtesy of Rockpool Dining Group/Rachel Lebihan

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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 MORE INFORMATION…

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COOKIE DOUGH DREAM POP UP TODAY TILL 10pm

Cookie Dough Dream Pop Up Melbourne … Finally it’s cool to eat raw cookie dough and there’s no need to scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl. Cookie Dough Dream  TODAY exclusively at The Strand Melbourne for the launch of Shop The City this Wednesday 6 December. Shoppers can get their FREE cookie dough available … Read more

QV Melbourne’s Wrap Party 6th to 22nd December

PARTY ON AT QV MELBOURNE’S WRAP / PARTY!

QV Melbourne Wrap Party The After Bar

That’s a wrap: new-school carols, dance battles, The After Bar pop-up, free rides on the Christmas Carousel and more in an all-out end of year party at QV Melbourne.

As production closes on 2017, the crew at QV Melbourne are hosting a 17-day Wrap / Party to celebrate the year that was. The program of tinsel-tastic entertainment and events will take over iconic QV Square and surrounding laneways from 6-22 December.

Kicking off with a glitter-bomb-bang at 5pm on Wednesday 6 December, the Wrap / Party launch event will feature new-school carols performed by some of Melbourne’s best voices. Main stage entertainment comes from a range of dance groups including internationally acclaimed hip-hop crew Superhoodz (Australia’s Got Talent) and leading break-dancers BreakHoodz. Joining them are MiniHoodz and JnrHoodz (aged 5-12), busting out advanced hip-hop, funk and break dance moves.

Hip Hop Crew - SuperHoodz
Hip Hop Crew –
SuperHoodz

Be one of the first to snap the perfect ‘Carouselfie’ on the free Christmas Carousel, strike a pose at the spectacular Christmas balloon installation and sip on free cocktails at The After Bar, all while enjoying roving entertainment throughout QV Melbourne’s many laneways. Host Kate Meade (radio host and Victorian Dance Festival founder) will oversee proceedings at the launch event, ensuring the maximum level of fun is achieved.

Free Christmas Carousel
Free Christmas Carousel

In striking pastels and summery hues, QV Melbourne’s FREE Christmas Carousel isn’t just for kids. Hop on the Insta-worthy horses and circle the square to the tunes of the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s, with some Christmas classics thrown in for good measure. The Christmas Carousel is open from 12pm to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm daily. Take a much-needed pit-stop at The After Bar pop-up in QV Square, open 6 and 15 December from 5pm until late. The After Bar serves up FREE fruity and flirty cocktails and mocktails: the perfect pick-me-up after a long day of shopping cardio.

Kick up your sneakers on Friday 15 December when Wrap / Party gets large with an epic Dance Battle at 6.30pm, when Superhoodz go head to head with their mini-me companions, youth hip-hop group Minihoodz. Breakhoodz and JnrHoodz will also compete. Cheer your favourites with free cocktails from 5pm at The After Bar.

Hip Hop Junior Crew - MiniHoodz
Hip Hop Junior Crew – MiniHoodz

On Wednesday 20 December DJ Chango Phat (Victorian Champion, Australian Turntable Championships) will set the scene for the silly season, spinning tunes from 4pm until 8pm while Schnitz will pop up with a bar serving craft beers and wine, plus some free cheeky Schnitz chips.

Dress your dog in their festive best and bring them along for a complimentary Pooch-mas Photography session on Saturday 9 December and Saturday 16 December between 11am – 4pm. Assemble your squad and get snap-happy as the Christmas Balloon Selfie Station sets up shop in the QV Square from 10am – 8pm daily. Tag @QVMelbourne on 6 December for the chance to win an awesome prize from Harvey Norman.

Pooch-mas Photography Session
Pooch-mas Photography Session

Wrap / Party is the third installation in QV Melbourne’s Laneway Series: a seasonal program of eclectic outdoor events, festivals and activations in the QV Square and surrounding laneways.

What: QV Melbourne’s Wrap / Party: celebrating 2017 with a range of entertainment and events

Where: QV Square, Level 2, QV Melbourne, corner Swanston and Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne

When: Wednesday 6 December to Friday 22 December.

Times vary, visit qv.com.au for details.

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**Information & Images Courtesy Of QV Melbourne/Fuller PR – Keshia Hutchens

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/

QV Melbourne Wrap _ Party Hero (2)

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PROJECT KARMA LAUNCHES AT GLASS MERCHANTS

Project Karma Launch at  Glass Merchants 

Balaclava Melbourne

Words by Amy Foyster

Images Courtesy of David Diep – That’s The Shot Photography

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New Melbourne charity fights child sex trafficking

Project Karma is a new, Melbourne-based charity fighting child exploitation across the globe.

At their recent launch event at Balaclava’s Glass Merchants, Project Karma’s founder Glen Hulley, spoke about his experiences working in the Victorian Police force and ultimately, how he came to found the charity. After a trip to Cambodia in 2013 when Hulley was offered a child for sexual services, he returned to Australia, sold everything he owned and formed Project Karma.

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Hulley’s background in the police force has enabled him to assist Australian and international law enforcement and government bodies, diplomats, consuls and ambassadors, in addressing child exploitation in South East Asia.

Project Karma aims to disrupt the organised crime networks that create and supply a market of children for sexual exploitation. These networks often get away with this illegal activity due to how dangerous they are, and because wealthy western paedophiles are their main customers. Project Karma are committed to taking the risks and means required to take on these networks and change the situation.

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Glass Merchants served an impressive array of finger food, wine and beer, including large cheese and charcuterie boards for guests to enjoy throughout the evening.

Further Information/Donations: www.projectkarma.com.au

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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/

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MORE GREAT PICS FROM PROJECT KARMA LAUNCH AT GLASS MERCHANTS…

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LILLIE’S Q Sauces Launch in Australia

LILLIE’S Q World’s best BBQ Chef launches sauces in Australia… With barbecue season upon us, laying claim to the best BBQ in the country is totally possible as Lillie’s Q award winning* BBQ sauces launch in Australia. Direct from Chicago, the Lillie’s Q range of sauces will become your secret cooking weapon, adding a depth … Read more