Organisers of the Bartenders’ Weekender, which is taking place in Brisbane in June, have announced a scholarship for the event, which will see five bartenders from across the country flown to Brisbane to experience the Weekender. Along with the Weekender itself, the Scholarship aims to inspire the next generation of Australian bartenders and so will offer flights, three nights accommodation, passes to the Weekender sessions and events as well as $500 spending money to help fully experience everything the Weekender has to offer. The event is being organised by Penny Sippe and Sam Bygrave, and S ..read more

Sydney’s Vivid festival has announced its line-up of culinary events as part of Vivid Residence, the Vivid Chef Series, and the Vivid Fire Kitchen. Vivid is on from 24 May to 15 June, with the program featuring an impressive line-up of renowned chefs from both Australia and across the world. Vivid’s theme for 2024 is ‘humanity’ which will see the program showcase how food is a fundamental part of the human experience and is a universal language across the globe. As part of the Vivid Residence program, Manoella ‘Manu’ Buffara of Manu Restaurant in Brazil will take over Peter Conistis’ Ploós in ..read more

After expanding from Sydney to Japan back in 2014, Single O has grown to become a staple in the local landscape. Now, the coffee brand is gearing up to open the doors to a brand-new roastery and cafe in the historic area of Ryogoku, Tokyo, tomorrow. “Moving the roastery into a bigger and better space is really an opportunity to double down in support of partners and grow our offering,” says Co-Founder Dion Cohen. “We are now roasting for more than 130 wholesale partners across Japan.” The new roastery has replaced Single O’s existing operations in Japan and will enable the brand to quadruple i ..read more

Via Napoli is known for making some of the best wood-fired pizzas in Sydney, and now Owner Luigi Esposito is honing in on a different variation – la tonda Romana – at his new venue. 170 Grammi is slated to open on the corner of Crown and Foveaux streets in Surry Hills mid-May and is the fourth venue for Esposito. The restaurateur relocated sibling venue Pizza Fritta 180 further down Crown Street to make room for the new opening, with the store now operating next to Via Napoli. La tonda Romana pizza is known for its flat, round shape and thin crust, and while you often find rectangular slices ..read more

The iconic snow egg dessert crafted by Chef Peter Gilmore is set to make its return on the Quay menu for a limited run throughout May and June. The snow egg will be available in Quay’s Green Room from 25 May to 15 June as part of the Quay’s Return of the Snow Egg with American Express program. Guests can choose from three Charles Heidsieck Champagne pairing options: Brut Réserve NV, $98; Rosé Réserve NV, $136; or Blanc des Millénaires 2007, $175. There is also a non-alcoholic option for the offering which features the Bastic cocktail made with vanilla and cardamom-infused feijoa fizz. The snow ..read more

Renowned flame-kissed establishment Burnt Ends is coming to Australia to host a two-day pop-up at Perth’s Indigo Oscar on 10 & 11 May. Burnt Ends Head Chef and Co-founder Dave Pynt will be on the pans at the Latin American-inspired restaurant in Cottesloe for three seatings across the two days. Guests will be able to book in for either a 10-course set dinner ($350pp) on the Friday and Saturday, or a 8-course lunch ($295) on the Saturday. It’ll be a homecoming for the Perth-born Pynt, who will curate a special menu for the event featuring Western Australian produce. “Western Australia has s ..read more

American Express has announced the expansion of its Backing International Small Restaurants grant program, with all foodservice venues in Melbourne now eligible, as well as those in Sydney. The program covers all food service venues, so pubs and bars with food service can apply for the grants as well as restaurants and cafés. Run in partnership with the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation and supported by Mainstreet Australia, small food service venue owners are invited to apply for one of 10 grants each valued at $21,500 to put towards expenses or improving their business. Rob ..read more

Cooking has always been more than an everyday task for South Australian chef Trinh Richards — it’s a way of expressing love. Richards grew up in Adelaide with Vietnamese parents which saw her childhood filled with share-style feasts that brought the family together. “With Vietnamese culture, food is the love language — we don’t use words of affirmation like, ‘I love you’ or hug — I’m not kidding!” laughs the chef. Today, Richards and her partner Mike are sharing food-led affection with locals and tourists at The Little Rickshaw in Adelaide’s south. Richards runs a collaborative kitchen, where ..read more

If any Sydneysiders are looking for a new Friday night drinks spot to hit up this week, you’re in luck. Merivale has confirmed it will open the doors to surprise venue JAM in the Ivy Precinct on the 19th. The bar has been a secret passion project for Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes and his sister Bettina, who named the venue after their parents John and Merivale, who launched a clothing shop, jeans line, and record all titled JAM. The pint-sized pink-hued space has taken its cues from Tokyo listening bars and is home to a 15,000-strong record collection which will be played on a custom vintage JBL ..read more

Perched on level 22 of the Vibe Hotel Melbourne building, Fleet bar has opened its doors serving up a large collection of rum. Paul Kelly Design (Black Star, Crown Casino) worked to transform the hotel’s former penthouse apartments into the 90-pax rooftop bar. Mixologist Grant Collins has curated the rum offering which features more than 70 tipples from local producers such as JimmyRum and Boatrocker Distillery alongside international examples. The rum menu also features a vintage and rare bottle collection with tipples dating back to the 1930s. Cocktail-wise, guests can expect Fleet’s own rif ..read more