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Saturday 24 September 2022

Sydney Dance Company: 'Dance Noir: Euphoric'

After a three-year hiatus, Sydney Dance Company’s Dance Noir returned to Sydney 

for a sensational evening of dining, dancing, fundraising and fun!



On Saturday 17 September, Sydney Dance Company made a triumphant return to The Hordern Pavilion with their gala fundraiser, 'Dance Noir: Euphoric'. 


The evening lived up to its reputation as the sparkliest party of the year, while also raising vital funds to ensure that Sydney Dance Company’s artists and audiences can continue to be supported and inspired by exceptional contemporary dance experiences.


The dress code was 'Glittering Glamour' and guests stunned in spectacular ensembles embracing the true Dance Noir spirit.


The 450 guests in attendance included:


Bianca Spender, Paris Neilson, Kerr Neilson, Hon Julie Bishop, Skye Leckie OAM, Ellie Aitken, Rebekah Giles, Taryn Williams, Marten Peck, Felicity McVay, Chris Wirasinha, David Hancock, Nadia Fairfax-Wayne, Nicky Oatley, Deborah Symond-O’Neil, Alyce Tran, Caroline Tran, Kate Bond, Hannah Gold, Tamie Ingham, Angus Logan, Faraz (Fuzz) Ali, Michael Lo Sordo, Richard and Jane Freudenstein, Don Harwin, Rebel Penfold-Russel OAM, Guy and Georgina Fergusson, Martin and Michelle Walsh, Andrew and Jane Clifford, Shemara Wikramanayake, Hayley Bailey, Pip Smith,  Kate Keane, Tory Archbold, Alex Smart, Peter Reeve, Mandy Foley, Alexa Haslingden, Sally Burleigh and more. 


The Company performed an excerpt from Rafael Bonachela’s critically acclaimed 'Impermanence', an intimate duet by Rafael Bonachela - originally created for a Cartier High Jewellery event - and Holly Doyle’s electric finale piece, Euphoric.








Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year students also dazzled in intricate neon costumes by the Enmore Design School.




The incomparable Matty Mills was the MC for the evening, with the event raising in excess of $600,000 to support Sydney Dance Company. What an incredible result!


These funds are instrumental in delivering Sydney Dance Company’s transformative artistic and touring programs (international and national), as well as supporting vital community outreach and advanced training.


There was friendly fierce competition for a suite of spectacular prizes at the live auction held by Romany Brooks of BresicWhitney.


Thee impressive prize list included:


- a pair of exquisite Jan Logan pearl and diamond earrings


- an unforgettable cruise for 30 people aboard custom-built luxury super yacht Quantum


- luxury stays at 5-star resorts, The Datai in Malaysia


- a 10-day getaway in a private retreat in Mexico


- a week in a luxury villa on Lake Annecy in France


- a sublime 7-nights on the privately-owned Turtle Island in Fiji complete with staff


- and an exclusive MasterChef dining experience at Sydney Dance Company with MasterChef Australia alumni Michelle Walsh (we love her!)


Beverage partners Champagne Henriot, Archie Rose, Capi and Cassegrain Wines provided refreshments throughout the evening to accompany a delicious array of canapés, mains, sides, charcuterie and cheese stations.


Roving desserts, cocktails and mocktails fuelled the guests as they hit the dancefloor while DJ Sveta got the party started.




Sydney Dance Company extended a huge thanks to the incredible Dance Noir committee for helping to make this unforgettable night possible:


Co-Chairs Peter Reeve and Mandy Foley, Sally Burleigh, Hilary Burton, Jane Clifford, Debbie Coffey, Georgie Fergusson, Alexa Haslingden, Jan Logan, Jane McCallum, Stephen Thatcher, Christina Voitenko, Michelle Walsh and Judy Wolf.


Sydney Dance Company is Australia’s leading contemporary dance company, presenting new works in Sydney, around Australia and internationally, under the Artistic Direction of Rafael Bonachela. Since 1985 the Company has been resident in purpose-built and recently refurbished studios at Wharf 4/5 in Sydney’s Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.


Its studios house the largest public in-studio and online dance class program in Australia, attracting nearly 100,000 attendances each year. A legendary force in contemporary dance in Australia, Sydney Dance Company celebrated its 50th year in 2019.


More information: www.sydneydancecompany.com


And, see the gorgeous guests in all their sparkly glory here:




































Wednesday 10 August 2022

Abode Bistro Bar: Truffle Night

You know truffle is THE most talked about seasonal ingredient right now, and Abode Bistro.Bar is about to bring it to your table.

For one night only.

Abode Bistro.Bar is celebrating winter’s hero ingredient with an exclusive one-night only event on Saturday, 13 August.

Chefs at the award-winning restaurant led by Executive Chef, Josh Askew, and Chef de Cuisine, Vico Betguen, have crafted a delicious four-course dinner menu, set to excite the most discerning truffle aficionado.




It's pretty special: only 50 tickets are available for this exclusive culinary experience which will begin with a cocktail upon arrival and a delicious selection of canapes followed by the star of the night – a carefully curated menu featuring black truffles.


Featured dishes which are sure to please the palate include the Vanella Stracciatella, consisting of heirloom root vegetables, saltbush, EVOO, black truffle and ciabatta.


Indulge in the QLD Coral Troutwith smoked roe and truffle emulsion, winter greens and black garlic or for the meat lovers the Waygu Flank with truffle and potato, black onion, and green peppercorn jus. The Yuzu sorbet will refresh the tastebuds before the decadent Find The Truffle, a perfect combination of choco truffle, cumquat, hazelnut, and honey ice cream for that finishing touch.


Diners will also have the chance to be purchase their own truffles to enjoy at home, following a special presentation from suppliers Elvesgate Organic Truffle Farms.


The four-course menu is $135 per adult, and you can enhance your dining experience with matching wines for an additional $45 per person.


Bookings are essential for this one-night only dining event.


To reserve your seat, call  +61 2 9260 2945 or to view the menu, visit: abodebistro.com


You can also make a reservation online at: https://bit.ly/3yBEcBj

 

Sydney-born and trained, Chef Joshua Askew started his career at the age of 15 at his local pub, where he fell in love with food and the fast pace of the kitchen. From there, Askew climbed the ranks through various fine dining restaurants and 5-star international hotel chains.


Askew studied at Ryde TAFE and at 29 became the youngest executive chef in the international hotel group, Swissotel. Throughout his career, working on Daydream Island was the most challenging with multiple outlets and battling natural elements like cyclones helped shape him to be the leader he is today.


Askew was brought up with a deep respect for the ocean and goes spearfishing and diving regularly. This led him to become a finalist twice in the Ora King awards for best salmon dish in Australia, taking him to Japan and New Zealand. Askew was a proud ambassador for Ora King Salmon three years running and currently mentors at TAFE NSW for upcoming chefs. 


Joshua now resides as Executive Chef at award winning Abode at Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney hotel.


Growing up in a small province of the Philippines, Vico moved to the city to pursue his passion for cooking and study a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Restaurant, and Institute Management – Major in Culinary Arts. From there he moved to North America to complete his

apprenticeship in various luxury hotels and resorts. To further improve his skills, he moved to

Australia and finished his apprenticeship in Park Hyatt Hotel, Canberra.


Vico fell in love with the lifestyle and broad cuisine of Australia.  He moved to North

Queensland and worked with fresh produce and local ingredients across casual and fine dining

restaurants.


Most recently Vico has joined Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Sydney as Head Chef of award-

winning Abode where he continues to create exciting dishes using local and seasonal produce.

Vico and his team achieved a chef hat from Australian Good Food Guide with his modern

approach to Australian cuisine.


Wednesday 3 August 2022

PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne: Ginger

PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne has just revealed its new in-house restaurant: Ginger.

In exciting Melbourne restaurant news, this new offering is a vibrant and welcome addition to the southeast Melbourne culinary scene.

Ginger’s layout has been cleverly designed around the restaurant’s open-concept kitchen, which serves as the venue’s key centrepiece. Look jaw airy and light filled this looks:


With stylish and subtle interiors and a beautiful minimalist décor, which incorporates sleek, modern marbled tables and soft lighting, it creates the perfect relaxed ambience for any dining experience.


Showcasing a European-influenced menu overlaid with traditional oriental flavours that pay homage to both the eclectic city of Melbourne as well as Ginger’s Southeast Asian roots, your tastebuds are about to go on a trip with dishes that beautifully reflect the region’s rich culinary heritage with a deliciously modern twist. Think: traditional Malaysian Rendang served on polenta (wow!), edamame risotto with crispy lotus root, and to finish, milk tea pannacotta.





The freshest local ingredients and produce are used throughout in every dish, and Australian sourced seafood including barramundi and clams, premium Aussie beef and lamb, and homegrown Asian greens and spices all come together in a
 marriage of flavours and aromas that just work. 

Put Ginger on the must dine at list: it's set to be a game changer on the Melbourne Southeast corridor dining precinct.

PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne's General Manager, Jason McGowan, says, "Monash and its surrounds form one of Melbourne's key technology, educational and manufacturing hubs. Ginger will support the area's growth and brings the vibrancy of CBD casual fine dining to the area for locals and visitors.

"Ginger adds something unique to Monash's dining landscape. The area is perfect for a restaurant of Ginger's calibre, and we have no doubt it will establish itself as a popular favourite with both locals and visitors alike.

"Located in within the vibrant M-City complex, Ginger welcomes hotel guests, corporate events as well as independent diners and local residents."

Why not try Ginger for a modern breakfast buffet, open Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 9.30am.

And, Saturday to Sunday and public holidays, 7am to 10am.

À La Carte dinners, Monday to Sunday: 6pm to 9.30pm.

To see more and book your dining experience, click HERE.

PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts are part of the Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

See my Pan Pacific Melbourne hotel review HERE.