A little slice of Australiana

Dagwood dogs, carnival rides, farm animals, woodchopping and politicians shaking hands in a bid for votes. 

It doesn't get much more small town Australia than this: the annual Huon Show in Tasmania, the southernmost region of Australia. 

Held at the Ranelagh Showgrounds, outside Huonville, this where the whole region comes together for one day; from dairy farmers to fish farmers; the unemployed to the over-tattooed. 

I hope you enjoy the images.

 

  

Get to the bottom of your sleep disorders in luxury surroundings

Have you ever felt strangely sluggish over a prolonged period of time?

Are you constantly nodding off for a second, or falling asleep at inappropriate moments?

A lot of people with sleep disorders (I used to be one of them) are unaware of their issues - as well as possible solutions to them.

The Australian Institute of Health says getting too much, or too little, sleep is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, obesity, and death.

And nearly half of Australian adults have reported at least two sleep problems.

Chiva-Som, a pioneering international health and wellness resort since 1995, has recently introduced its Sleep Enhancement Specialisation, which includes two advanced sleep tests.

Guests at the resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, can sign up for a sleep hormone test that looks specifically at the melatonin and cortisol hormone levels at four key points throughout the day to assess any potential imbalances that may be affect sleep, or for sleep apnea screening, which takes place in the comfort of the guest’s room and focuses on several physiological parameters during sleep, including airflow, oxygen saturation, heart rate and brain activity.

After I underwent sleep apnea screening here in Australia, it was discovered that I needed to be on a CPAP machine every night to resolve my loud snoring and multiple sleep issues.

The tests are intended to provide comprehensive evaluations of sleep patterns to identify any disorders.

From the results, a personalised program can be developed including nutrition consultations and supportive wellness treatments to improve sleep quality.

Chiva-Som has a variety of in-room sleep support measures such as blackout curtains, chamomile and lavender teas, essential oils and mist diffusers to help create a soothing environment.

Supportive wellness treatments to help with sleep include Seiketsu Shiraku Acupuncture, Mien Acupressure, Soothing Back Brush, Signature Herbal Massage and Jet Lag Therapy.

There is a video here: https://www.instagram.com/chivasomhuahin/reel/C9ADfiWRVmV/

Taking to Brunswick Heads like ducks to water

The Three Blue Ducks restaurant empire keeps growing apace. 

The Three Blue Ducks team and Hotel Brunswick, on the north coast of NSW, today announced a new collaboration, unveiling The Ducks at Hotel Brunswick from next month.

The collab aims to combine the relaxed atmosphere of an Australian pub with the Ducks’ culinary ethos and style, a media release tells me. 

A menu from Three Blue Ducks chefs Darren Robertson and Andy Allen will offer their twist on pub classics "paired with cool, coastal Cali-inspired bites".

Robertson and Allen have collaborated with Hotel Brunswick’s head chef, Loki Lynch, and group general manager of food, Ben Turner, to develop a menu featuring local and sustainable ingredients from the Northern Rivers region. 

So think casual dishes like humble schnitzels and parmys, fish and chips, burgers, and pizzas, alongside vibrant, citrus-infused plates and spice-driven dishes like ceviche and tacos. 

Seafood will also play a starring role, giving a nod to Brunswick’s fishing and surf-side community. 

“We’re really excited about this one, we've put together dishes that we love to eat, in a quintessential Aussie pub (that we've been going to for years) across from the Brunswick River and the ocean.” Robertson said. 

“Think Australian bay lobster rolls (above); pickled octopus; prawn toast with nam jim; old school prawns with Marie Rose sauce; chilli chicken wings; and even fried apple pie for something sweet. 

"There's also a brand new pizza oven going in so we're going to be serving epic pizzas, flatbreads and of course there'll be a couple of cheeky salads too.”

The wine list will also undergo a refresh, featuring an expanded offering of 30 wines, 17 of which will be on offer by the glass. The list highlights Australian winemakers and regions with a nod to local cult favourite Jilly Wines. The cocktail list features three styles of margaritas alongside other classics such as a mojito, lychee martini, amaretto sour and Japanese slipper.

“We see The Bruns as one of the most iconic pubs out there and we're super pumped to bring our food to the venue.” Allen said. “Personally, I can't wait to sit back in the beer garden, listen to some live music and sample what we've done.”

Starting in seaside Bronte, Sydney, Three Blue Ducks has grown with locations in Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, rural Nimbo and Bellingen. 

Located on the banks of the Brunswick River, Hotel Brunswick is a quintessential Aussie pub that has been serving locals and visitors alike for generations. It is open from 10am daily. 

See www.hotelbrunswick.com.au 

Cocktail in a can innovators shine on global stage

A small Melbourne business that dared to be different found its name up in lights in London this week.

Aussie-owned cocktail in a can company Curatif achieved a world-first three-peat as the best RTD producer at the seriously competitive International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The award is even more noteworthy given Curatif was only founded five years ago.

I've tried the cocktails - and they are seriously good.

Matt Sanger (above), managing director and co-founder of Curatif ,was in London to receive the award.

“We were proud as punch with one producer trophy back in 2022, and absolutely stoked to go back-to-back in 2023, but this - to be the first producer in any category in 55 years to win three-in-a-row, is amazing," Sanger said.

"I’m so proud of our team and their relentless pursuit in cocktail making. I’m on top of the world and could not be happier for our team.”

The IWSC is regarded as the world’s leading competition across wine, spirits, and RTD.

It has been in existence since 1969 with judging conducted by a panel of global experts, including master distillers and sommeliers.

“Cocktails are fun," Sanger said. "They’re moments of frivolity and indulgence that tend to evolve and adapt. So as trends ebb and flow, we have the great indulgence of being able to ebb and flow with them. Making new drinks every other day - it’s a tough gig!”

The latest triumph has sparked plans for major expansion.

“It’s time for the rest of the world to enjoy Curatif’s world-class cocktails,” Sanger says. “We’re in discussions with distributors in Japan, Korea, and China at the moment and while we are in London we are meeting with a few very well-known retailers to see how we can elevate the next English
summer.

"A couple of Curatif tins on the Thames sounds like just the thing to me!”

Jolly good news for lovers of Christmas markets

Christmas markets are hugely popular all over Europe.

In Australia they remain something of a rarity.

You have to be prepared to swap a warming cup of mulled wine for a glass of ice-cold rosé and change the vibe a little.

One Christmas night market that has created a niche for itself is the Le Jolly Market, which will return to Sydney from December 13-22.

It will be taking over Belmore Park next to Central Station and Haymarket to offer visitors a holiday experience complete with wooden huts, artisanal products, gourmet food, fine wines, and live music under the trees and fairy lights.

And the good news is that entry is free.

Over 35 stalls will showcase a selection of hand-made, locally-sourced products with a focus on items priced under $20.

"This year, we’re focused on showcasing the craftsmanship and affordability of local businesses," says event director Vincent Hernandez.

"As event organisers, we see it as our mission to support small artisans and makers who stand out for their quality and creativity, while ensuring a range of price points so that everyone can take home something memorable.”

Food offerings will include lobster rolls, fresh Sydney rock oysters, gingerbread baked on-site, grilled scallops, melty cheese dishes and pasta served in a cheese wheel.

There will be five wine bars and over 40 specialty food vendors.

Le Jolly Market will be open from 5pm to 10:30pm each evening.

Sorry, you'll have to pay more for your beer. It is after 10pm.

Are you ready to pay more for your pint of beer, or glass of wine, because it is late at night?

It's already happening in London.

O’Neill’s, an Irish-themed pub on Wardour Street in Soho, has introduced a surcharge which will add an extra £2 to the price of drinks purchased after 10pm.

To be fair, O'Neill's does offer late-night music, but is this the start of a trend?

O'Neills says on a sign that it operates a “a variable price list”. What that means is that after 10pm, the price it charges for drinks increases, news portal the drinks business reports.

This apparently results in the price of a pint of Brewdog IPA going from £7.40 during the rest of the day to £9.40, while a 500ml bottle of Budweiser {god forbid!) goes up from £6.05 to £8.05. Even a tonic water goes up by £1 under the system, with the price rising to £3.15.

Drinks purchased late in the evening are also served in plastic cups, rather than glass, which makes sense.

O’Neill’s is operated by Mitchells & Butlers, which has several London venues.

A spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers sent the following statement on its controversial pricing policy to The Independent newspaper: “Most hospitality businesses and retailers deploy a form of dynamic pricing, but this means that prices can both rise as well as fall through tactical discounts being offered in the form of time-limited promotions and fixed price menus.

"Dynamic pricing varies on a site-by-site basis as it reflects the local market conditions, but temporary price increases tend to reflect the need to offset additional costs such as at times when door security is required.”

Complete bollocks, of course.

The BBC and the Daily Mail reported backlash against the policy.