GET SET TO IMPRESS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY WITH A COOK-UP!

Try the Lilly’s Q Pork Taco Recipe – see link below Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day with a special partner or celebrating love with your friends, why not treat them (and yourself) to something a little different this year. Get your taste buds tingling and your imagination running wild with Lillie’s Q. Direct from America’s … Read more

Saké’s New Spring Dishes

Words by Connie Lambeth

Images Supplied/Dessert Image Connie Lambeth

If there’s such a thing as a ‘riff of dishes’, the tastebuds were fairly singing during our recent lunch at Saké Restaurant and Bar Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

With a reputation for creative Japanese food, this sophisticated, award-winning restaurant was set to showcase a selection of their new Spring dishes, designed by Saké Restaurants’ Executive Chef, Shaun Presland. Presland recently returned to the Rockpool Dining Group after travels in New York, London and Tokyo, where he won the silver prize at the Washoku World Challenge 2016, now leading the ‘culinary vision, innovation and execution for the whole Saké brand’.

www.theaustraliatimes.com/welcome-back-to-sake-shaun-presland

Executive Chef of Saké Restaurants
Shaun Presland, Executive Chef Saké Restaurants

The semi-private dining space with view of the restaurant, was the ideal spot to observe chefs calmly working their magic in the open kitchen, while guests sipped Lychee inspired cocktails, keen to take on ‘traditional Japanese food with a contemporary twist’.

Welcomed by Presland and the Executive Chefs of Saké Flinders Lane and Saké Hamer Hall, brothers Yosuke Hatanaka and Shimpei Hatanaka, it was time to settle down to some serious feasting.

Yosuke & Shimpei Hatanaka
Yosuke Hatanaka – Saké Flinders Lane & Shimpei Hatanaka – Saké Hamer Hall

Our Spring lunch turned out to be a feast of ten inspirational dishes, crafted with a depth and balance of flavours which can only be achieved through a high degree of technical expertise, along with the inclusion of several distinctive ingredients, some unique to Japanese cooking. Textural differences were significant, from ‘silk and velvet’ to ‘pop and crunch’ and all things in-between.

Agedashi Tofu
Agedashi Tofu

Selection of Saké Spring Dishes

so many palate pleasers, a bundle of personal highlights…no particular order!

  • king brown mushroom Totally hooked on this yakitori, with the firm fleshy texture of the ‘hero ingredient’ elevated with the sour hit of sudachi. Seriously good.
  • agedashi tofu – While tofu is often tagged as ‘bland’, the bean curd takes on a whole new dimension when a professional takes up the challenge. This dish was both tasty and delightfully textural. With silken tofu covered in sweet potato starch and seaweed, then lightly deep fried, the end result presented as delicate, pretty on the plate. The crunchiness, biting down to the creamy heart, was satisfying to say the least. Served with asian mushroom and tentsuyu dip.
  • chicken – Another awesome yakitori with all the gratification of edging succulent morsels off  a skewer! Meat marinaded in shio koji, the dish was accompanied by spicy daikon oroshi. The crunch of the Japanese radish, with a hint of sweet and slight note of spice, worked really well in this dish. 
  • octopus – So meaty, so succulent. A richness of flavour ramped up beautifully with the chili oil and konbu. Still thinking about this flavour-packed dish, while the kitchen team are likely still discussing the size of the tentacles of this whopping catch!
  • miso glazed ‘glacier 51’ toothfish – when Shaun Presland mentioned this fish was actually caught on a glacier, a ‘glacier to plate’ image sprang to mind, evoking thoughts of wild caught/pristine/fresh/icy. There was something quite special about this dish. A ‘sweetish’ white fish, delicate, with a degree of flavour complexity, served as the best fish should be…minus the interruption of bold flavours. Use of a traditional miso glaze was an excellent choice.

   **more info on glacier 51 toothfish: glacier51toothfish.com

  • chirashi salad – There was little chance of easing to a stop when the last savoury course presented as a pile of perfect salad greens…perhaps the deep fried chicken bites peeking through the leaves proved just too tempting! Either way the plate was (almost) wiped clean. The smack of crunchy chicken and tang from the yuzu vinaigrette splashed over leaves, turned out to be a real palate cleanser and quite the moreish little number. 
Chirashi Salad
Chirashi Salad

  **further savoury dishes included a sashimi chirashi salad, kingfish, 2 pork dishes, and a beef  tataki

  • chef’s choice dessert – What a treat when dessert was delivered in a traditional bowl with a lid; a surprise package exuding mystery, a definite conversation starter. Designed in part for special occasions, a lidded bowl certainly has the effect of making a diner feel special. Lid off, the visual appeal was striking. Though this deconstructed tofu cheesecake aroused plenty of comment, less than a mouthful later all had succumbed to the spell of the lush blend of silken tofu, marscapone, and cream cheese, shrouded in mandarin coulis with fresh fruit segments and edible flowers. As a guest noted: ‘nothing quite beats the light, fresh taste of a fruity dessert to finish off a meal’, with the tang of the citrus lifting this dish to another level.
Tofu Cheesecake
Tofu Cheesecake

A superb end to an impressive dining experience at Saké Flinders Lane.

With Saké Restaurant & Bars in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, kick a few of your ‘must try’ restaurant goals this Spring.

*Thank you to chefs and kitchen team, Nicole and wait staff for our wonderful day!

www.sakerestaurant.com.au

**Please Note: Menus vary in individual Saké Restaurants

Buta no kakuni - braised pork belly
Buta no kakuni – braised pork belly

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**Connie was a guest of Rockpool Dining Group

This is an independent account – Saké Restaurant & Bar Flinders Lane  – 22nd September 2017

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

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

Yakitori selection varies at individual Saké Restaurants
Yakitori selection varies at individual Saké Restaurants

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READ ON to see Yakitori Menu at Saké Flinders Lane and Saké Hamer Hall, Spring menus for Shaun Presland lunch, plus additional pics from Saké Restaurants…

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THE TEXAN BURGER RAISES $ FOR HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF EFFORT

The Texan Burger Raises $ for Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort Burger Project has introduced a new Limited Edition Burger to its menu, The Texan, which will help raise money for the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  The Texan is the first of a series of Limited Edition burgers that will change every six weeks. Until Sunday, … Read more

Pamper your Pooch at ‘Yappy Hour’ this Sunday!

Sydney Pooches ‘Paws for Yappy Hour’ at Fratelli Fresh

Pooches get ready to be pampered!

Yappy Hour launches at select Fratelli Fresh restaurants this Sunday 27th August from 3pm-5pm, and there will be free Yappitisers for you and your doggy friends.

If you’re in the vicinity of our Fratelli Fresh restaurants at Alexandria, Crows Nest, Potts Point, Walsh Bay, or the newly opened Fratelli at the Entertainment Quarter, stop for a sniff at their al fresco dining spots, and enjoy complimentary Aqua Panna water, and treats courtesy of dog food specialists Billy + Margot and Farmers Market.

During Yappy Hour, $1 from every beer, wine and cocktail sold will be donated to Furry Friends Forever Rescue*, helping pooches and other animals less fortunate than your pampered selves.

Your human companions can take advantage of their own Happy Hour from 4-6pm, and enjoy $5 wine and beer, $7.50 Negroni, and $10 select cocktails (Happy Hour is available at all Fratelli Fresh restaurants in Sydney).

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While they enjoy a range of authentic antipasti, pizzas, pasta and more, the canine contingent can dig into wholesome treats, including Billy + Margot nutritious, all-natural iced treats (think: dairy-free, dog-friendly ice cream), available in three likeable flavours, and newly launched in Australia. Other treats included Farmers Market soft and chewy Meaty Bars in beef with peanut butter, and beef with cheese flavours, which are made with natural ingredients.

Fratelli’s furry friends, Bear the brown Labrador, and Harlem the leggy Great Dane-cross, have already taste-tested the doggy treats and given them a big round of appaws.

“This is a bonafide Yappy Hour deal,” says Bear. “I devoured all the treats in the shortest amount of time imaginable and they are truly pawesome, irresistible treats.”

Harlem says: “Gluttonous labradors aside, there will be plenty of treats to go round thanks to our generous friends Billy + Margot and Farmers Market, and we encourage you to take advantage of our pawsitively lovely, pooch-friendly, al fresco dining spaces at Fratelli Fresh.”

Book your table: fratellifresh.com.au/reservations/

Fratelli Yappy Hour_Bear & Harlem

Information & Images Courtesy of Rockpool Dining Group – Rachel Lebihan/Fratelli Fresh

Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times GOURMET News – Food/Wine/Events

E: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram @tatgourmetmag

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Read on to find out participating Fratelli Fresh restaurants, plus info on Furry Friends Forever Rescue…

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Welcome Back to Saké Shaun Presland!

Rockpool Dining Group welcomes Shaun Presland back to the fold, as Saké Executive Chef, and Resident Chef at Saké The Rocks. Shaun was a key member of the launch team of the first Saké Restaurant & Bar in The Rocks in 2008, and oversaw the broader group of Saké restaurants in Double Bay, Hamer Hall … Read more

2017 DONUT & BEER FEST: WINTER EDITION – THIS WEEKEND!

Batman Royale, North Coburg

Melbourne – 19th & 20th August

 Australia’s first donut & beer festival is back: bigger, badder & hol(e)ier than ever!

Due to popular demand, Donut Fest returns to Melbourne this August with a brand new Winter Edition.

Inspired by the donut festivals of America, our Donut Fest has a local twist. How to make something more Australian? Just add beer! Aside from an official bar hosted by Manchuria, the festival welcomes a range of craft brewers to their local line-up of local and independent donut vendors. There will even be a doughnut-friendly beer made from sessional ale with a touch of caramel malt developed exclusively for the festival by Kooinda Brewery!

donut&beerplates

DONUT FEST: WINTER EDITION 2017 Line-up

Sweet Vendors: Doughnut Time / Lukumades / Nuts About Tella (Nutella donut burgers)

The Hungary Boy / Honey Dee / Ostrich and the Egg / Dip’d (mini donuts)

Ahhh, Donuts! / Dandee Donuts / (hot jam donuts)

Uncle Donut / Jamm’d / St Gerry’s / Goldelucks (gold croissant donuts/“dossants”)

Krumbs (glow in the dark donuts)

Penny for Pound / Jamm’d / Señor Churro / Simply Gluten Free and more…

Donutsinabox

Savoury Vendors: Giant Springs (spring rolls) / El Jefe (South American) / Hangi Boys (traditional New Zealand cuisine) / Gnocchi Bar (glutenfree vegan gnocchi donuts) / The Real Jerk (Carribean) / Twisted Mac (mac ’n’ cheese) and more…

Beverage Vendors: Kooinda Brewery / Square Keg / Gageroads / Stomping Ground / Odyssey Craft Brewing (beer)

Those Girls (hot apple cider) / Wimmera Hills (mulled wine) / Welshman’s Reef (wine) / Manchuria (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails)

Koffee Kartel (coffee) and more…

Yet Donut Fest is not just another food market; they take the festival part of the name to their fried food-laden hearts by showcasing varied entertainment all weekend long.

THIS HOLEY EPIRENCE INCLUDES:

  • Live music
  • Donut eating competitions with prizes
  • Best Donut Award judged by a panel of experts
  • People’s Choice Best Donut Award
  • Miniature Donut Museum with a Donut Wall and art installations that take after L.A.’s wildly popular Museum of Ice-cream
  • Savoury Food Vendors experimenting with a homage to the donut shape
  • Beer and cocktails exclusively developed to complement donuts
  • Donut styles from around the world: Argentina, Greece, Hungary, South Africa, America, Denmark, Australia, and even Nutella donut burgers to Glow in the Dark donuts!

Donut Fest likes their donuts iced, but there’s no need for festival-goers to be. Winter warmers on-site include hot chocolate, mulled wine, plenty of outdoor heating and cheery festoon lighting. The huge new venue – the industrial warehouse of Batman Royale – means Donut Fest will be housed partially inside and undercover. Also kids under 12 can join in the fun with free entry.

Girleating

Donut Fest: Winter Edition is on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August 2017 at Batman Royale, 14 Gaffney Street, North Coburg.

Two sessions each day – 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 8pm both days.

Early Bird Tickets (just $10) are on sale now, full price $15 (kids under 12 free).

Tickets include fast entry and a taster of the official festival beer.

BOOK TICKETS NOW:  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/     

**read below re: cashless payment system if buying tickets on the day 

Information & Images Courtesy of Donut Fest/Inka Creative – Dee McNamara

facebook: facebook.com/donutfestau

instagram: @donutfestau

twitter: @donutfestau

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

Enquiries: literallyconnie@gmail.com

Follow TAT Gourmet News on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Read on for info on the fest’s cashless payment system, chosen charity FairShare, founder Ngoc Le and more pics…

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Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks

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. 

endeavour_tap_rooms_-_paddle (1)

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.

gluten_free

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

pure_melt

Read on for Additional Information & Pics…

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BEN’S SUPERNATURAL Turns Melbourne’s Fast Food Scene on its Head!

BEN’s Supernatural puts a healthy spin on Melbourne’s fast food offering with the Chapel Street store now open…

Born through founder, Casey George-Jolson’s personal mission to provide her family with good, wholesome and ultimately, delicious food. BEN’S Supernatural offers uncompromising, unprocessed and unbelievably good food – fast.

BEN’S – which stands for Balance, Energy, Nutrition and Sustenance, not only serves nutritionally balanced food, it sets to revolutionise the healthy food offering in Australia. Every menu item developed by Executive Chef David Selex (formerly of Melbourne’s Florentino and London’s Nobu, Vong, The Mews of Mayfair and Kensington Palace) has been approved by Head Nutritionist, Bannie Williams of The Healthy Ingredient.

BEN'S Supernatural_Pearl cous cous, butternut squash, pine nuts, parsley, coriander, tahini dressing_Gareth Sobey Photograph

Led by Selex, the BEN’S team have developed their extensive menus around five key pillars – 1. Whole, Natural and Unprocessed Foods, 2. Nutrient Dense, 3. Balance and Moderation, 4. Transparency and 5. Ethical and Socially Conscious.

From topped English muffins and protein packed vanilla pancakes for breakfast, to pizzas and unique burgers including the Ivan Lentil (spiced lentil patty, hummus, lettuce tomato and herbed yoghurt) for lunch and dinner – now the carb- conscious community can enjoy a range of historically carb-dense dishes, without having to settle on taste or quality.

The Grab-and-Go menu is sure to satisfy those who are little time poor. Breakfast and lunch options are on offer throughout the day including breakfast bowls, salads and ten home-made wrap options including the Cauliflower Rice and Beef (sliced 100% grass fed beef, spiced cauliflower, coconut, chives, red onion and herbed yoghurt).

For the carb-conscious, BEN’S master baker, David Flukes, spent 18 months perfecting the best tasting low-carb burger buns, wraps, pizza bases and English muffins. By choosing BEN’S low-carb burger buns or wraps, on average customers will be consuming 59% less carbs, in comparison to a regular slice of white bread, which contains between 12-15g of carbs.

Chicken Schnitzel Burger_Ben's Supernatural Fast Food_ Gareth Sobey Photography

BEN’S vegan, pescatarian, paleo and gluten-free friends certainly haven’t been forgotten, with an array of alternative options to tickle the tastebuds, including toasted coconut tofu, grilled or herb-crumbed fish and a tasty gluten-free range that may trick patrons into thinking it’s the fully-loaded relative.

BEN’S Supernatural is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 7.30am Monday – Friday and 8.30am Saturday & Sunday.

BEN’S Supernatural Fast Food 670 Chapel Street
South Yarra, VIC 3141
03 9826 1106

www.benssupernatural.com | Social: @benssupernatural

Information Courtesy of Ben’s Supernatural/Kayla Baggio – Kate & Co

Images Courtesy of Gareth Sobey Photography

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

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

BEN'S Supernatural_Interior_Gareth Sobey Photography

Read on for Further Information…

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New Culinary Hub for Melbourne’s Outer North East

Eastridge Entertainment Precinct opens new gateway to the Yarra Valley

Eastridge Entertainment Precinct (EEP) is the first premium culinary hub in the outer-north east area, with the precinct housing three new venues – Carne Grill, The Precinct Bar and The Bosses Boots Café.

Located at the door to the Yarra Valley, the precinct as a whole will act as a gateway to the area, not only for local residents, but for the millions who travel to and from the Yarra Valley annually. 

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Carne Grill, seating up to 240 guests, is the jewel in the precinct crown, where stylish dining meets rambunctious feasting. The premium feasting style menu focuses on the finest local pork, beef, lamb, poultry and seafood, flame and charcoal grilled to perfection. The hero ‘Let Us Create the Feast’ set menus are available for four people or more, from $25 per person, and include carnivore and seafood options. ‘The Big Board’ allows guests to choose from three of 11 main options, and comes with two sauces and hand cut chips. If sharing isn’t your thing, try the pasture fed dry aged rib eye, 1kg T-bone, whole crayfish, or a pasta dish, with sides of course. The wine list is proudly 7/8 Australian, with a third of the varietals sourced from the local Yarra Valley region.

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The Precinct Bar is an oasis for drinks, no matter what the time of day, with an extensive list of cocktails, local craft beer, and wine, served with a side of bar snacks for those who are peckish.

At The Bosses Boots Café, open for breakfast and lunch seven days per week, home baked breads are hero, sandwiching gourmet ingredients like miso glazed pork belly, pickled cucumber, shaved carrot, and watercress; and New York deli ciabatta with mortadella, sopressa, smoked ham, cheddar and green pickle. For breakfast think wild mushrooms on brioche, wilted kale, smoked ricotta, and fried eggs. Salads, burgers and grazing platters are also available, plus cold spun juices and smoothies. A rustic picnic pack is also available to grab and go.

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Eastridge Entertainment Precinct 1 East Ridge Drive
Chirnside Park VIC 3116

Information & Images Courtesy Eastridge Entertainment Precinct/Carne Grill/Kayla Baggio – Kate & Co

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

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

READ ON FOR EEP CONTACT DETAILS & FURTHER INFORMATION…

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Holy Duck!

Holy Duck!

by CHEFS GALLERY

Words by Daria Kill-Smith

Images Courtesy of Holy Duck!/Cardinal Spin & Daria Kill-Smith.

Les petits was the theme for the night, beginning in the little lanes of Chippendale – once a grungy centre of Sydney, now a trendy hub for inner city occupants, uni students, and hipsters too hip to eat at home. L’etiole accompanied me on this tasting and she was warned – leave your inner vegan at the door for there will be no room at the table for edible-consciousness – the bounty of the Holy Duck! promised meat, meat, and more meat, and it did not disappoint. Duck, steamed in a dumpling, roasted whole (sans bone if desired), or crisply filling a pancake, joined short-ribbed roast beef and stir fried wagyu, alongside double-cooked, roasted or barbecued pork – which included two types of crispy crackling for the true adventurers. For those preferring the white-meat option, there was the choice of whole spring or Sichuan-style chicken; crustacea in the form of spanner crab, steamed scallops or butterflied king prawns; and two types of fish – steamed orange roughy or fish of the day.

Roast beef short ribs 2

L’etoile and I decided to try our hands at as many taste dishes as we could and started with, what else, duck – encased in light and crispy spring rolls with the shining balance of mushroom and vegetable; that perfectly offset the special entree of the day, deep-fried spanner crab wontons with dipping sauce. We were mindful not to forget the lighter option of steamed scallops, although each of our dishes maintained the healthy food pyramid with the inclusion of micro-greens: alfalfa sprouts with sesame seeds, snow-pea shoots, and zucchini discs with smooth golden garlic and crunchy fried millet! We finished with crispy rice balls heaped with what else – duck – plus rocket, radish and red cabbage salad which was drenched in a sweet dressing; and fiery Sichuan Hot & Numbing Chicken – fat little pieces of wings with hidden heat bombs of Sichuan peppercorns and whole dried chilli. But L’etoile required a non-meat protein and we ordered a serving of Handmade Salt & Pepper Egg & Spinach Tofu – AMAZINGLY smooth and creamy and topped with coriander leaves and fresh chilli – and unanimously voted as the dish of the evening.

Crispy rice balls 2

Sadly, we missed full platters of barbeque and roasted meats, and were loathe to order a dessert neither of us could finish, but the sight of those dishes being served to fellow diners didn’t need tasting to know the verdict would be none other than delicious. Les petits morsels and a reasonably priced menu – little wonder the Holy Duck! is a popular venue.

Steamed duck & pork dumpling 3

**Daria is a Sydney writer with a palate for tempting food and tasty events!

Holy Duck!

The Old Rum Store

2-10 Kensington St

Chippendale NSW 2008

holyduck.com.au

Instagram: @holyduck.au

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

Follow us on Instagram: @tatgourmetmag

Check out more tempting photos from Holy Duck!…

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