newsletter thirteen july 2009

Welcome to our thirteenth newsletter
What senior South Australian restaurateur or chef would not have read John Lethlean’s review of the Adelaide Hilton’s Grange with a sinking saddened heart? However sad it makes me feel, it is hard to dispute the truth of Lethlean’s review. As a still–practicing restaurant consultant I know that it is impossible to institute the same standard of food as a part–time consultant that I can in a full–time hands–on creative Head Chef position, putting in the 60–80 hour weeks that drives and bonds a kitchen team to the highest possible standard. It should never be the part–time consultant’s name on the door, but the chef who runs the kitchen on a daily basis. If they cannot properly execute the consultant’s instructions it is them and not the consultant who should get it in the neck.
In our first and only hard copy Galaxy Guides 2006, the Grange drew an editor’s note “The Grange does not receive a three snail rating because of the restaurant venue. Cooking, accoutrements and service are very good, but the location is totally inappropriate for price and fame. On a raised platform, the Grange looks out over a busy brasserie and on Friday and Saturday nights live and intrusive music can be heard. Going to the toilets is a trek, and they are not well maintained on weekends. Regardless the Grange is a hallowed hall of gastronomy and a restaurant we have great respect for.”
Since 06 the Hilton management have pared back Liew’s hours, spent miniscule amounts of money maintaining the restaurant and there have even been long periods without a sommelier, and those employed (mainly briefly) had insufficient knowledge and experience for a restaurant of such acclaim. The truth is the Grange restaurant is tatty and tired and the management has failed to consider the improvements and advancements of their interstate and overseas competitors. If you are charging a price equivalent to a two Michelin star restaurant you need to ensure you deliver the promise over all facets of a restaurant. Lethlean is not complaining about the price, but what he got for the price.
Compare any of Adelaide’s top restaurants to, for instance, Melbourne’s Vue de Monde and the differences are glaringly obvious. Stylish, a theatrical environment, spotlessly clean, beautiful flowers, gorgeous commissioned plates and incidental crockery, exquisite glassware, real sommeliers, outstanding wine list, impeccable service and great food — a complete package! It may not be everyone’s favourite, and not everyone will like some of the more experimental food, but like Sydney’s Tetsuyas, Quay Restaurant and Pier it delivers a world–class experience. These restaurants deliver a total restaurant experience from the toilets to the food. If you love food and the total dining experience and want to encourage inspired chefs (young or old), as diners I don’t think we should expect to like everything we pay for. What we do have the right to expect with each visit, is sufficient memorable, utterly outstanding food and wine and a combined restaurant experience appropriate to the money we pay.
South Australian restaurants should understand that they are no longer compared with their city peers, but their national and international peers at the same price point. When you can get $38 flights to just about any Australian city and $100 rooms just about anywhere, small wonder that so many South Australians are choosing to save their dining dollars for elsewhere.
John Lethlean is a highly regarded professional restaurant reviewer with an excellent understanding of what the delivery should be for the price (regardless of that price) and his reviews have been the only Australian restaurant reviews we have followed with any success. Thus far all but one of the restaurants visited on the basis of his reviews have been reviewed in Galaxy Guides. We held to our policy of not reviewing a restaurant with insufficient to recommend it and that was Melbourne’s Press Club. Many of the criticisms laid against the Grange and Liew could have been leveled at The Press Club, in particular the absence of chef.
What South Australian restaurants have been given is a wake up call to take stock of the current offering and do something about improving it. There should be a lot of South Australian restaurateurs and chefs grateful that they were not the ones reviewed. They should also be considering how rapidly they can improve their offering before Lethlean returns to Adelaide to review again. His recent review of Sparrow Kitchen and Bar seemed unusually inarticulate (it might have been badly subbed), but his experiences in Adelaide thus far have clearly been less than satisfactory.
Over the years I have eaten sublime, utterly unforgettable dishes created by Cheong Liew in particular his sea cucumber with sun–dried scallops and carrot and chilli oil, and shark fin ravioli in venison consommé. Add to that I am ever grateful for Liew’s generous sharing of knowledge that often solved complexities that eluded me in my early cooking days, and his unlimited passion for food and food culture. I hope that this single bad review in a long and celebrated career is a positive rather than a negative and brings a renaissance in Liew’s creative passion for total immersion in the kitchen. Perhaps a gorgeous little 30 seater on the top floor, serious money spent on kitchen, accoutrements and wine list, a room with a view of Adelaide’s twinkling lights and consummate obsessed front of house and kitchen staff to execute perfectly his creations. Further it is necessary to remind everyone, both the trade and the general public, that it was Cheong Liew who in the 80s turned Australian cuisine on its head and put Australia on the world map as a dining destination. We should all remember that with great gratitude.

Our first offcial Galaxy Guides event Cassoulet & Caramel went well. The stylish new dining/function room at Bird in Hand wines made a perfect setting and their fabulous wines perfectly complimented the food see pictures. Their beautiful Chardonnay and Riesling with our complex entrée salad, their Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo pronounced perfect matches with the cassoulet and their fortified Merlot with it’s rich toffee notes was brilliant with the crème caramel. It was a perfect setting looking out over the terrace to the hills and emerald green vineyards punctuated with the black sticks of pruned vines and unweildy high treliss vines still waiting to be pruned. As for the people who wanted to know where they could buy the sausages, slap, of course I made them myself all 20 kilos of them.
The in–house caterers at Bird in Hand do an excellent job and we appreciate Bird in Hand allowing us to hire their lovely stylish facility. To visit their web site www.birdinhand.com.au or to contact their functions coordinator Hayley Conolly click here
We have to admit our event sounds rather dull against Melbourne’s Sorry Grandma! Bastille Ball that finished at 10.00am the following morning. Moet magnums for just $150 did much to keep the party going.
In July and August we are re–reviewing our ten favourite Adelaide restaurants. In a year of restaurant reviewing there can be a lot of truly dreadful meals and we want to remind our readers of those restaurants who reliably deliver a good experience. Their diversity of price range is virtually the sum of Australia’s migration, modest little restaurants like Fino or our favourite African Addis Ababa. South Australian regional dining, with a very few exceptions remains depressing. How can so many great wines and so much excellent regional produce not find an expression in the kitchens of the regions’s chefs. McLaren Vale must have something special in their wine because there more than any other region in South Australia, are examples of intelligent simple seasonal cooking and excellent wine lists. We don’t want tricked up food we just want some well cooked intelligent use of local ingredients. Is that so much to ask? One of the good things happening in South Australia is that Pristine Bay Oysters refuse to sell their oysters shucked. Sure getting them shucked to absolute order still poses something of a problem for just about every restaurant in Adelaide apart from Jolleys Boathouse but it has lifted the standard. Their small Kumamotos are exquisite and the meat to shell ratio state of the art!
COOKS’S CLUB class program for August till November is now available click here to go to the full information including brochure and booking form.
Yesterday we did a beef, lamb and sausage tasting for Channel 7, today tonight. A great reminder of how lucky I am to only buy the best. However, who knows I may yet have avery red face because I keep thinking the nasty tasting beef was probably grass fed, fed on something really nasty. Did give one sausage 9/10 for a Bunnings sausage sizzle! My tasting colleagues were Peter Milosovic (the Stag Hotel) who has 21 steaks of varying grades on his menu and Fitzy (Nova Radio) who is too tall, too slim and too funny, who actually preferred medium well–done and tomato or barby sauce. Having been a chef who refused to cook well–done (yes those were the days!) frankly I suspect they really want well–done and are too scared to ask because they are always so ecstatic when it is incinerated. Anthony Bourdain is right about well–done and fish on Mondays and if you haven’t read Kitchen Confidential you should! We don't review pubs but I have to say Milosovic’s rib eye (served to about 70 peaople at a wine dinner) was pretty bloody good.
What many of you will not know is that before I started cooking for a living I was a technical/graphic illustrator specialising in the sciences and electronics and have continued to paint, draw and take photographs over many years. During the years of my restaurant Mistress Augustine’s (1981—1992) my art was mainly devoted to special menus and staff coerced by a variety of means(some not really mentionable) and copious quantities of red wine they were active participants in their production, colouring and tinting original drawings. Many of these menus have been given to the State Library of South Australia and apparently also the National Library. Even today finding time to paint is an issue and the opportunity for a small exhibition with my friends at Rockford Wines was perfect. click here to see more about the exhibition and to see some of my artwork and exhibtiion history.

Other publications by Ann Oliver Southern Rocklobster Limited CHEF NEWS focusing on the development of the export market in America and recipe and technique development for the group and weekly restaurant reviews and food for the Independent Weekly
Ann’s resume can be viewed by clicking here

less than half a mile
Oils, water colours and photographs by the chef Ann Oliver

august 7 to 23 2009
Rockford Wines
Krondorf Road, Barossa Valley South Australia
an official SALA exhibtiion

Paintings and photographs of food, plants and animals from the Rockford Wines Krondorf Garden less than half a mile is the philosophy behind the Rockford Wines Krondorf Garden and Stonewall Table where food and art, seasonality and conviviality are the conclusion of the journey from the garden to the plate. The Exhibition “less than half a mile” is the celebration of that journey.

figs in a purple bowl — oil on canvas 2009

food and/or reviews are now lodged on Galaxy Guides every Friday by end of day (a restaurant day, so more likely midnight than 5.00pm). To enjoy this up to the minute information bookmark the front of Galaxy Guides which will always take you directly to the new articles and recipes on the Galaxy Guides site www.galaxyguides.com
email me

Please bookmark the front of our site and return on a regular basis it helps our statistics! www.galaxyguides.com
and please send a link to all of yours friends and colleagues.

august and september tastings and events 30 champagne houses represented — national tastings fabulous value! THE CHAMPAGNE BUREAU PRESENTS 2009 TRADE TASTING AND NATIONAL MASTER CLASS SERIES The Champagne Bureau will celebrate Spring with a series of Champagne master classes across Australia during the month of September, commencing with the biennial Trade Tasting in Sydney on Monday 31 August. Thirty Champagne houses will be represented at the Trade Tasting, showing a variety of cuvées from the Grand Marques to lesser known houses. Past winners of the prestigious Vin de Champagne Award will present the master classes in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth in a forum to taste and discuss a selection of non–vintage, vintage and other unique styles of Champagne wines. TRADE TASTING — Sydney Monday 31 August 2009 The Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street Sydney Press tasting 9.30am to 11.30am — Trade tasting 12.30pm to 5pm NATIONAL MASTER CLASSES SYDNEY – Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 August Restaurant 09 (trade only), Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park Monday 10 to 4pm, Tuesday 11to– 3pm PRESENTERS Huon Hooke & Peter Bourne MELBOURNE – Monday 7 September The Prince Deck at Circa The Prince, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda 5.30 to 7.30pm PRESENTERS Kate McIntyre & Martin Williams ADELAIDE – Tuesday 8 September The Apothecary, 118 Hindley Street, Adelaide 5 to 7pm PRESENTERS Jim Smith & Dr Patrick Iland BRISBANE – Tuesday 15 September James St Cooking School, Mezzanine Level, James St Market 22 James Street, Fortitude Valley 5.30 to 7.30pm PRESENTERS Bernadette O’Shea & Martin McAdam PERTH – Wednesday 16 September Must Wine Bar, 519 Beaufort Street, Highgate 5 to 7pm PRESENTERS Peter Forrestal & Lexie Thompson Bookings Lucy Nash 02 9555 8891 or email lucy@drysdalecommunications.com.au Payment is required to secure bookings and all classes are $60 per person including GST www.champagne-cic.com.au adelaide we like the sound of this dinner young chef’s dinner at The Wine Underground Friday August 14th 2009 — 7.15pm start — $150 food and wine Adam Liston (27 years Wine Underground) Ayhan Erkoc (27 years The Manse Restaurant and Bar) who recently did estage at Noma rated number three in the world in the highly regarded S Pellegrino ratings , and Thomas Robinson (26 years Auge Ristorante) will present a six course degustation dinner with matched wines. reservation details please contact The Wine Underground on (08) 8232 1222 or info@wineunderground.com.au editor’s note The Wine Underground is not reviewed in Galaxy Guides. Since our visit some months ago management has changed and the requisite three months has passed. Auge Ristorante has been on hold after a number of rapid changes of chef, however we highly regard Ayhan Erkoc’s cooking and are certain he would not risk his good reputation on a dinner that did not deliver. We celebrate young chefs with the passion to share their knowledge and work together and will be reviewing The Wine Underground and Auge Ristorante in the near future. Bird in Hand gallery and terrace Bird in Hand Wines Saturday August 8 MasterChef Australia Top 4 contestant Andre Ursini the Adelaide based budding chef will share his experience on the Channel 10 hit reality show in a Masterclass to be held in The Gallery Art and Event Space at the winery. Ursini will be assisted by his friends from Martini Ristorante. Guests will be treated to an Italian influenced canapé degustation carefully matched by the Bird in Hand winemaking team who will guide guests through food and wine matching tips. The 2007 Nest Egg Joy Sparkling Pinot Noir officially launched and guests will be the first to taste this new vintage of this highly sought after, limited release wine. $55 gst inclusive numbers are strictly limited — contact Hayley Conolly, Bird in Hand Events Manager on 8389 9488 or email finally the wineries are coming to the city and the Hyatt Wine Week is offering loads of terrific events at such reasonable prices one can attend more than one event without breaking the bank adelaide details listed in this newsletter, for booking information for Adelaide and Melbourne and Canberra events visit their web site www.hyattwineweek.com Jansz Tasmania Uncorks Hyatt Wine Week 2009! Sunday 23 August, 02.30 pm – 5pm Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide Atrium Cocktail Lounge, $ 55 per person Join Jansz Tasmania winemaker, Natalie Fryar for benchmark Australian sparkling wine, gourmet canapés and the musical fusion of Adelaide’s hottest jazz band. $ 55 per person$ 55 per person Free flowing Jansz Premium Cuvée and Rosé and uncover the freshest look of the season, as glamorous designer Liza Emanuele brings a sneak peek of her new collection to the runway with a Spring fashion parade. The cool climate finesse of the Methode Tasmenoise is a flavour that is sure to resonate into the night! Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadsho Monday 24 August, 5.30pm – 8.30pm Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide Hyatt Regency Hotel Lobby, $ 25 per person The famous Coonawarra wineries under the banner of the Coonawarra Vignerons Association, pack their bags to showcase their wares at this very popular and celebrated event. With over 100 wines to enjoy from 26 individual Coonawarra wineries, you will have the opportunity to taste the wines and meet the winemakers and owners behind these famous Coonawarra brands, in your own city! Balnaves of Coonawarra, Banks Thargo, Blok Estate, Bowen Estate, Brands Laira Coonawarra, DiGiorgio Family Wines, Flints of Coonawarra, Hollick Wines, Katnook Estate, Koonara Wines, Ladbroke Grove, Leconfield Coonawarra, Lindemans, Majella Wines, Parker Coonawarra Estate, Patrick T Wines, Penley Estate, Petaluma, Raidus Estate, Redman Wines, Rymill Coonawarra, S. Kidman Wines, The Poplars, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Yalumba Coonawarra Estate The Menzies, and Zema Estate! Bookings via Coonawarra Vignerons on 08 8737 2392 or via email to enquiries@coonawarra.org Adelaide Hills Wine Region Tasting Tuesday 25 August, 04.30 pm – 8.30pm Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide Regency Ballroom, $20 per person ADELAIDE HILLS – DISCOVER YOUR NEW LOCAL Taste exquisite wine styles, savour the regions flavours and get intimate with Australias most beautiful and vibrant wine region. Come and meet our winemakers and food producers, find some great places to visit and discover the region that has it all. Dont miss this Adelaide Hills Showcase Event! Adelaide Hills Magazine,Adelaide Hills Tourism, Alta Wines, Amadio Wines, Arranmore Wines, Adelaide Hills Market, Ashwood Estate, Barratt Wines, Barristers Block, Bierhaus, Bird in Hand, Bowe Lees Wines, Bremerton Wines, Chain of Ponds, d’Arenberg, Fox Gordon, Fruit Growers Association SA, Fruitwise, Golding Wines, Griffin Wines, Hahndorf Hill Winery, Henschke Cellars, Honeymoon Vineyard, Howard Vineyard, Johnston Wines, K1 Wines by Geoff Hardy, Leabrook Estate, Lobethal Road Wines, Longview, Malcolm Creek Vineyard, Michael Hill Wines, Murdoch Hill Wines, Nepenthe, Nova Vita, OLeary Walker Wines, Paracombe Wines, Paris Creek , Protero Wines, Robert Johnson Vineyards, Setanta Wines, Starve Dog Lane, Ten Miles East, The Lane, The Pawn Wine Co, Tilbrook Estate, Tomich Hill, Totino Wines, Whisson Lake Vineyard, Wicks Estate, Willabrand Figs, Wirra Wirra and many more! Bookings via Adelaide Hills Wine Region on 1300 305 577 or via www.adelaidehillswine.com.au Clarendon Hills Icon Masterclass with Alex Bratasiuk Tuesday 25 August, 06.00 pm Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide Venue Banksia Room, $65 per person Join Alex Bratasiuk for a tasting of single vineyard Clarendon Hills wines which capture the essence of their origins to gain the purest expression of vintage and place. Featuring the Astralis Vineyard Syrah which rated amongst the top 100 wines of the century, this retrospective tasting will showcase the principal varieties of the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux – shiraz, grenache, cabernet sauvignon and merlot from across their nineteen specially selected, dry grown ancient vineyards of intense concentration and cataclysmic vitality. Taste the balance of old World elegance with the depth of new world Australia from the soils of Blewitt Srings, Kangarilla and Onkaparinga in McLaren Vale. Join in and ask questions as you explore an astounding set of wine and graze on a regional food platter. Langmeil Freedom 1843 Vineyard Degustation at Shiki Wednesday 26 August, 06.30 pm Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide Shiki Restaurant, $165 per person Discover the heart and soul of the Barossa Valley at this landmark dinner event celebrating one of the oldest shiraz vineyards in the world. The penultimate experience for lovers of rare, handcrafted wine and spectacular live cooking in Shiki restaurant, this opulent evening will feature a sumptuous eight course degustation menu including teppanyaki wagyu beef and the freshest seafood from Samtass Bros. First planted by Prussian migrant Christian Auricht in1843, the Freedom vineyard was resurrected on the banks of the Para river by fifth generation Barossans, the Lindner and Bitter families. Chief Winemaker Paul Lindner will be your host as we explore this sacred Australian site alongside a spectacular range of Langmeil wines from dry grown, old vine vineyards across the landscape of the Barossa. The Advertiser Sunday Mail Foundation Presents Grant Burge Wine, Food & Fashion Lunch Featuring Alexis George Wednesday 26 August, 12.00 pm Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide Venue Regency Ballroom, $99 per person Hosted by Channel Nine media personality Kelly Nestor, this wine inspired charity lunch promises to be a lot of fun! A glamorous parade by Adelaide couturier Alexis George will showcase stunning creations and celebrate the personality of wine through fashion. Featuring a sumptuous three course menu with a host of wines, from Grant Burge sparkling bubbles to sizzling Moscato and much more. Proceeds will go to the Advertiser Sunday Mail Foundation who do wonderful work supporting South Australian charities. Enjoy a live performance by the talented stars of the musical ’Buddy’. Bookings via ASMF on 08 8206 2530 or vantellingenm@adv.newsltd.com.au read more

exceptional august tastings in australia click here

ooh! la! la!
Bastille day celebrations in Melbourne
Our Melbourne contributor Marian Clarkin had a lot of fun at the Sorry Grandma! Bastille Ball. Our kind of party – it finished at 10.00am the next day!

We’ve decided to keep the a Rockford Steam Powered Dinner information on Galaxy Guides. The cruises are a unique South Australian gastro tourism experience and we have been delighted wth the response to our first inclusion. Not only did we manage to fill the cancellation be we have unearthed some readers who can genuinely claim to be part of the history. Henry Martin realised that AH Landseer was his great great granfather and Richard Gunner (Feast Fine Foods) laid claim to more history realising that one his ancestors had built the PS Marion. His mother was a Fowler and her father was the last Fowler to run D&J Fowler before it was taken over in the early 80’s.
for more details about the trips t +61 8 8563 2720 or email Pam O’Donnell.
Chefs wishing to express an interest in doing a trip and pitting their skills against esse should email their CV to
Brett Lanthois or Pam O’Donnell

Ann Oliver’s COOKS’ CLUB click here

Ann Oliver’s COOKS’ CLUB is supported by the Independent Weekly

melbourne
our Melbourne list offers really great recommendations for food obsessed individuals click here

Want to make a suggestion for food email our food editor

Toying with opening a business in Shanghai or Beijing
We know and trust these people to deliver their promise and all have essential market knowledge and between them cover all aspects.

Campbell Thompson,
The Wine Republic
David Laris, Laris Creates
Simon Tan, The Wine Centre
Walter Zahner, walternative

it’s the australian truffle season
read our last newsletter

Single Vineyard Icon Masterclass with Stephen Henschke
Thursday 27 August, 06.00 pm
Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Banksia Room, $65 per person
A rare opportunity to join former International Red Winemaker of the Year, Stephen Henschke in this intimate and interactive tasting of some of Australia’s greatest wines.
Explore the terroir and provenance of unique and special sites in the Eden Valley, featuring the spectacular 2005 vintage of Henschke Hill of Grace, Australia’s most iconic single vineyard wine. Stephen will also share the secrets behind his Cyril, Mt Edelstone and Julius vineyards, as well as uncovering the unreleased Hill of Roses. Join in and ask questions as you taste through an astounding set of wine and graze on a regional food platter.

Sumptuous Magazine Celebrates 75 Years of Wolfgang Blass AM at the Wolf Blass Milestone Dinner
Thursday 27 August, 06.30 pm
Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Blake’s, $120 (includes a copy of Wolfgang Blass AM’s recent release biography) per person
Toward the eve of his 75th Birthday, join with Hyatt Regency Adelaide in celebrating the inspiring, entrepreneurial and charismatic founder of Wolf Blass wines – Wolfgang Blass AM.
This year marks a series of milestones for the Wolf Blass winery with its 33rd consecutive release of the flagship Black Label as well as being honoured as 2008 International Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge in London. Known for his colourful bow–tie and engaging tales, the Golden Boy of the Australian wine industry, Wolf led the way in revolutionizing winemaking and the sociability of wine with the introduction of Pearl and sparkling wines, all the whilst putting Wolf Blass on the map as four time winner of Australia’s most prestigious wine award – The Jimmy Watson Trophy for the Black Label blend in 1974, 1975, 1976 and later in 1999.
This spectacular wine dinner will provide insight into one of Australia’s most noted wine legends and showcase an impressive line up of award winning wines within the latest Wolf Blass super premium collection, including the distinctive Platinum Label Shiraz, Black Label and Grey Label wines. In a fitting tribute, Hyatt Executive Chef Laurent Pommey has created a stunning six–course matching menu inspired by the authentic regional produce of the Barossa Valley.

Hyatt Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year Awards 2009
Friday 28 August, 06.30 pm
Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Regency Ballroo, $165 per person
A very limited number of places have been especially reserved for the vine loving public to join the South Australian Wine Industry on their Night of Nights.
A glamorous black tie evening shrouded in mystery, you will be the first to learn and sample the 2009 Hyatt Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year and all the winning wines at this prestigious gala awards dinner and presentation.

Gran Pranzo (The Big Lunch) in Association with Festival City Wines & Foods
Friday 28 August, 12.00 pm
Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Riverside Terrace, $75 per person
In Italy, lunch is the biggest meal of the day – join soccer star Aurelio Vidmar, former captain of the Australian national team and coach of Adelaide United for a great Italian style celebration of Mediterranean food with the new vintage of Totino Estate wines.
Founded by Don Totino, OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) for service to the Italian community, Totino Estate wines speak of passion, determination, family and a love of Australia. Try the new release 2009 sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio as well as cool climate sangiovese, shiraz and much more.
Enjoy the friendly atmosphere and pass around trattoria style share platters piled high with the freshest produce from Festival City wines and foods. Enjoy live cooking by renowned local chef Chris Jarmer and Riverside Chef de Cuisine, Praveen Pall. Feast on fine cheese, local jamon, seafood, porcini mushroom risotto and much more.

Wine Australia Regional Heroes Dinner
Saturday 29 August, 07.00 pm
Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Blake’s, $145 per person
Guess who’s coming to dinner? The run away hit event of last year.
Get an insider’s view into the barrel room of Australian wine with this adventurous night of wine, food and fun. Presented by leading wine industry figures, you will join the luminaries, icons and young guns of the Australian wine scene for an extraordinary and uproarious evening.
A unique opportunity to engage at close quarters, each table will be partnered with a mystery wine legend as your host. Each legend will bring their favourite Regional Hero wines for your enjoyment – paired with their own brand of storytelling – and matched to a fantastic five course menu designed by award–winning Executive Chef, Laurent Pommey and Chef de Cuisine, Frederic Boussard for the evening. Regional Hero wines speak of the region in which they are grown – distinctive, authentic expressions of Australian terroir.
Are you dining with Grant Burge, Louisa Rose or Bruce Tyrrell tonight?
read more

Quality Indonesian Bourbon Vanilla Paste
$50AUD 500g contact
Jason Davis
0435 177 036 Australia
+61 435 177 036 international
Ann Page
(08) 8379 5585 Australia
+61 8 8379 5585 international

visit the Red Gate Beijing web site for full exhibition details

Galaxy Guides Policy
We support our suppliers for their integrity. We need them to care as much as we do, it makes the food we cook better. When you buy your ham this Christmas support your local producers and, where ever you are buy local

Senior wine editor
Dr Alexandra Burridge reviews
1999 Piper Heidsieck ’Rare’
Our wine editors Dr Alexandra Burridge and Duane Coates come with impeccable credentials and contribute their time and advice for the love and passion for their craft. Duane is fully absorbed with vintage for both his own company and the many other companies he consults to. Duane’s wines have consistently won first–rate accolades and have never rated below 90 points - www.coates-wines.com

try this recipe
Our version of Claudia Roden’s Mandarin and Almond cake (circa 1976) click here and gorgeous glacé mandarin slices click here

august recipes — we’ve been doing a lot of work with isomalt and will be sharing some great new sugar garnishes that don’t wilt at the first sign of humidity, have a great shelf life and taste delicious. Recipes like our pistachio tissue a paper thin nutty crisp toffee disk that is divine with crème caramel. especially good the roasted walnut praline ice cream we have been serving with the mandarin and almond cake.

restaurant reviewing
for july and august
We are revisiting our favourite Adelaide (South Australia) restaurants for their annual review. These are the handful or restaurants with a price range from as little as $10 AUD to the max who always deliver a good experience. Click on the image to go to their review.

The Sumptuous Hyatt Wine Trail
Sunday 30 August, 11.00 am – 6pm
Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
Regency Ballroom and Surrounds, $25 per person
The grand public tasting event for Hyatt Wine Week 2009.
An exciting opportunity to spend a Sunday winding your way through the best of Australian wine. Proudlly supported by Sumptuous magazine, this day–long wine trail will take you on a sampling journey of hundreds of wines, with showcase stalls from wineries throughout Australia, coupled with a wonderful market day range of specialty foods from regional producers.
This event will also feature a grand tasting of 2009 Hyatt Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year Award winners. Be amongst the first to try all the trophy winning wines. Do you agree with the experts, or did the consumer judges get it right?
Vote for your favourite award winning wine and go into the draw for a luxurious night at the Hyatt!
Bookings via Ticketek on 13 28 49 or www.ticketek.com.au
Tickets will also be available at the door on the day.

still in Adelaide
The inaugural Coorong Angus Lunch at Cos
Thursday 13 August, 12.00 pm start, $110 per person food and wine
Chef and owner Peter Burrows and winemaker Colin Kay, Kay Brothers Wines Est., presenting a lunch showcasing cuts of Coorong Angus with matched wines.
reservations contact Vanessa or Peter (08) 8231 7611 or email cos@justcos.com.au payment required on booking.

read our review of Cos, summer 2009.