New Saffire chef exploring Tasmania's gourmet bounty

It can be a daunting task taking over from a star chef - but that is the role Toby Raley has accepted at Tasmania’s leading luxury lodge Saffire Freycinet.

Raley has been named executive chef in a rise through the ranks from his previous role as sous chef under the property’s former executive chef Paddy Prenter, who built an outstanding reputation at Saffire.

Raley has also worked as sous chef at Sydney’s Quay Restaurant working alongside executive chef Peter Gilmore. A former winner of the Brett Graham culinary scholarship, he has worked in the UK at the Fat Duck and with Brett Graham at The Ledbury.

He is excited by the diverse bounty of local ingredients available to him, including Wagyu beef from Robbins Island, Springfield Farm venison, Long Name Farm ham, fresh vegetables, organic dairy items and fresh seafood.

“I love fishing and over my time here at Saffire I’ve started to learn more about the surrounding marine
environment, and how we can best work alongside it whilst also protecting its future,” Raley said.

“Guests at Saffire can expect beautiful seafood with oysters coming from Dolphin Sands, Tasmanian rock lobster from our surrounding waters, and octopus from the north of the state at Stanley.

“We’re also working with a new supplier of sustainably sourced abalone which is hand-dived by a small, local not-for-profit organisation with proceeds going back to support First Nations Tasmanians. And in season, we work with divers in Coles Bay to source sea urchins, which are a delicious delicacy on the plate but a threat to vitally important kelp forests in the region.”

A new kitchen garden at Saffire sees Raley working closely with local nursery Billy Blue House to source native edibles, fresh greens and herbs that are well suited to the Freycinet coast.

“I love the freshness and vibrancy of the produce available to us in Tasmania, literally on the doorstep," Raley says.

"Tasmania is a relatively small island, yet there is such a large variety and diversity of fresh produce, supplied by small-scale farmers and producers who are passionate about their craft and who each play a part in this close-knit community. I couldn’t think of a better place to be.”

Saffire Freycinet is a member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection.

Former excecutive chef Prenter is working on a new project in Tasmania.

See www.saffire-freycinet.com.au

Bali will never be the same again

Imagine zipping around Bali on a fast train system, completely avoiding the resort island's notorious traffic chaos.

That may soon be a reality with first stone turned earlier this month for the new Bali Urban Rail Network.t

The new railway is expected to welcome its first passengers in 2031 and will link several of the most popular destinations.

The system is expected to be free for locals, but tourists could pay up $50 per head for a one-week pass, the Bali Sun newspaper is reporting.

Local politicians, regional leaders and business developers attended the construction launch event in Kuta.

Initial construction work is supposed to be completed in the second quarter of 2028, and the Bali Urban Rail Network should be fully operational by 2031 with underground rail tracks and overground stations.

Ari Askhara, director of PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (SBDJ), which is the main contractor for the project, told the media: “We want local residents to [travel] for free as long as they have a Bali ID card."

The acting governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, said the majority of the train users will be foreign tourists.

In April 2025, 10 boring tunnel machines will be imported into Bali to start creating the underground train network.

Construction teams this month will start creating the corridors needed for the heavy machinery.

The first train line will connect Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai international Airport with Kuta, Seminyak, Berawa in Canggu and Cemagi.

Three further lines are being considered with the second stage to connect the airport with Jimbaran, Unud and Nusa Dua while the third stage will extend from Kuta Central Park to Sesetan, Renon and Sanur.

Discover Tokyo's new tourism hot spot

Tourists visiting Tokyo tend to hang in hip neighbourhoods like Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Toyosu is not yet on their radar, but locals are flocking there.

This Tokyo Bay suburb is the location of the wholesale Toyosu Market, which took on the role of the old Tsukiji fish market.

Opened earlier this year, new hotel Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club and the adjacent Senkyaku Banrai culinary precinct are pulling in curious locals.

Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club is a hot spring/hotel property that offers day visits or overnight stays. It has an imposing waterfront location and is just a 17-minute train ride from Ginza's secondary Itchome station.

The new Senkyaku Banrai complex next to the giant markets is designed to look like an old Edo town marketplace.

The name is an approximation of "thousands of people coming and going".

It is home to 65 restaurants and casual eateries overlooking Tokyo Bay.

Built on an island of reclaimed land, Toyosu was once purely an industrial area but is now busy and buzzy.

Many of the restaurants offer food direct from the neighbouring market (closed on Sundays). 

It's fun strolling around the outlets trying to work out what speciality is on offer. There is minimal English signage. 

Eel, sushi, and many other seafood dishes are on offer, but prices are pretty steep.

The Senkyaku Banrai foot bath garden on the eighth floor offers panoramic views of Toyosu, and is open to all visitors free of charge.

See https://www.toyosu-senkyakubanrai.jp/  

For more information about Tokyo visit the official Tokyo travel guide: www.gotokyo.org/en

The amusement park that's also an art collection

Imagine an amusement park with an art theme.

Where else would that work other than the good old US of Ay?

Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, billed as the world’s first art amusement park, will open for a limited time at The Shed in New York City on November 20, after a successful debut run in Los Angeles.

It is descrbed as "a colourful, riotous fun house of carnival rides and attractions by the 20th century’s most celebrated and innovative artists".

That doesn'y mean Banksy, it means folk I have never heard of.

Luna Luna features a ferris wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a carousel by Keith Haring, a wave swinger by Kenny Scharf, a wedding chapel by André Heller, immersive pavilions by David Hockney, Salvador Dalí and Roy Lichtenstein (OK, I have heard of them) alongside pieces from Arik Brauer, Sonia Delaunay, Monika Gil’sing (nope).

Originally brought to life by the Viennese artist, pop singer, cultural pioneer, and peace activist Heller, Luna Luna debuted in Hamburg, Germany, during the summer of 1987 where it hosted 300,00 visitors.

The park's rides were later abandoned in storage containers for more than 30 years before being hunted down by entrepreneur Michael Goldberg and then purchased by musician Drake.

“You can be art-obsessed or have never heard of Basquiat, and Luna Luna will put a smile on your face," says Goldberg, Chief Experience Officer for Luna Luna and founder of Something Special Studios.

"It’s one of those rare projects that has the power to bring together all walks of life - it’s a nostalgic format done in a totally new way.”

The resurrected Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy debuted in December 2023 in a studio in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles hosting more than 150,000 visitors.

Tickets for New York go on sale soon. See https://www.lunaluna.com

Dolly Parton has made a nice bottle of rosé for you

If Kylie Minogue can do it, so can Dolly Parton.

The American singer and actress recently launched her own wine range, which she describes as "easy-drinking, light-hearted and vibrant".

The initial Dolly Wines range features three styles: chardonnay, rosé and prosecco, with another  sparkling wine soon to be launched.

The wines have an Australian connection, too, with Parton teaming with Accolade Wines, owner of labels including Hardy's and St Hallett.

The singer's “down to earth” range goes is currently being launched in the UK.

Accolade marketing director for Europe, Tom Smith, talking to The Guardian, said: “Dolly herself was involved in creating this delicious and down-to-earth range of wines, and we think they capture her captivating sense of fun and sparkle perfectly.”

Yep, you can just imagine Dolly rolling up her trousers for a spot of pigeage.

Tom Priest, the buying manager for sparkling and rosé wine at Asda, said the launch of Dolly’s range “brings one of the most iconic global entertainers into the world of wine. Premium prosecco and French rosé are areas that are delivering healthy growth in the UK market, so we expect this new range to be incredibly popular.”

Well he would say that, wouldn't he?

Accor increases its footprint in Japan

Accor hotels generally offer reliably comfortable accommodation no matter where you are around the globe.

I recently spent four nights at the Mercure Tokyo Ginza (which has since sadly closed) and now Accor has launched a new hotel in Japan - in the popular tourist destination of Nara.

Novotel Nara is stuated along the Saho River, known for its stunning cherry blossom trees, and is just an eight-minute walk from Shin-Omiya Station and a five-minute cab ride from Nara Station.

It is being promoted as "offering a tranquil base for exploring Nara's rich cultural heritage". I like Nara. It is an interesting city but busy during peak times of the year. 

Novotel Nara has 264 guest rooms, including executive suites, and aims to offer" a blend of European modernity and traditional Japanese aesthetics".

Guests can easily access the city's UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

The property offers a variety of dining options, including the Italian-accented Trattoria Ponte Nara, an all-day dining restaurant embracing the "slow food" philosophy.

On the eighth floor, the Rooftop Terrace invites guests to unwind while taking in views of the cherry blossoms along the Saho River in spring.

"We are excited to welcome guests to Novotel Nara, where they can experience both the serenity of Nara and the modern comfort that Novotel offers," said hotel GM Makoto Kaita.

"Our commitment to sustainability, local engagement, and exceptional service will ensure a memorable stay for all visitors, whether they are here for business or leisure."

Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer of Accor's premium, midscale, and economy division in Asia, said: "The opening of Novotel Nara marks a significant milestone for Accor as we continue to expand our footprint in Japan, a country with a rich heritage and a growing demand for quality accommodations.

"Nara, with its historical significance and cultural depth, is an ideal location for Novotel to provide an experience that combines modern comfort with a deep respect for local traditions. This opening underscores our commitment to contributing to the growth of Japan's tourism sector and offering memorable stays to travellers from around the world."

The prices are good, too, starting from well under $200 a night.

For more info visit https://www.novotelnara.com/en/