Renowned chef to lead a dance into the future

 

Food and dance are not natural bedfellows but I am told that a renowned chef is set to link up with the Queensland Ballet.

The Thomas Dixon Centre in West End, home of Queensland Ballet, the Van Norton Li Community Health Institute and Ausdance Queensland, ise set to name a famous chef to oversee its culinary offerings. 

VenuesLive, the new hospitality partner for the Thomas Dizon Centre, says it is "ready to create an exciting new dining, function and event destination in Brisbane".

Managing director Daryl Kerry said VenuesLive was committed to delivering world-class culinary experiences in Thomas Dixon Centre’s dining and event settings.

“Our vision is to curate immersive experiences across all spaces, elevating the overall ambiance and creating lasting memories for all who visit,” he said.

VenuesLive says it will partner with "a celebrated Australian chef"  to create "a stunning new restaurant experience" for Brisbane. 

The centre’s café will feature innovative menus in line with culinary trends while prioritising locally sourced, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. Additionally, a market section will offer artisanal products, baked goods, take-home meals, and high-end grab-and-go items.

VenuesLive also aims to bring Thomas Dixon Centre to life as a venue for a variety of events, from corporate functions to private celebrations, with a new function and events menu offering. 

“Our approach very much focuses on customisation and collaboration to suit our clients’ specific needs and preferences," says Kerry. 

"But the creative foundations of Thomas Dixon Centre, with its spectacular rooftop terrace with city views, a dramatic theatre and unique event spaces gives us the opportunity to create unforgettable experiences along with culinary excellence.” 

Queensland Ballet chair Brett Clark said the partnership will enable Thomas Dixon Centre to be activated as a cultural, lifestyle and foodie destination, offering a distinct and memorable experience. 

“When we designed Thomas Dixon Centre, we placed people at its core. Yes, our artists and arts workers but also others who might be interested in a living, breathing home where creativity thrives,” he said.

“In the arts, we’re all about connecting with emotion and experience. Welcoming VenuesLive now means that we can deepen that experience within our own home. This immersive experience is what we hoped to be able to provide for as many people as possible.”

A building that started its life as a shoe factory in 1908, the Thomas Dixon Centre has been transformed into a world-class performing arts destination and cultural precinct. It features a state-of-the-art 350-seat theatre, rooftop terrace, public art and multiple function spaces, as well as dance studios, a wardrobe workshop and arts’ workers spaces.

I’m assured the chef will be named soon.

Calling all lovers of artisan gins

World Gin and Tonic Day is fast approaching - as I'm sure you all knew. It will be held this Saturday, October 19.

To coincide with the big day Garden Street Gin Club’s October Box features the award-wining Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin.

Crafted by local Tassie distillers Damian and Madeleine Mackey, it is made "to evoke the essence of Tasmania’s wild landscapes and starry nights". Apart from that it is also a bloody good gin.

Garden Street Gin Club is an online subscription-based service offering a curated selection of small-batch, artisan gins delivered directly to subscribers' doorsteps.

The club aims to provide Australians with quality craft gins from across the country. A membership might mike a nice present for the spirit lover in your life.

Premium craft gins are delivered every one or two months featuring a different full-sized 700ml bottle of Australian craft gin along with matched tonic waters, tasty snacks, a bag of matched garnishes and a magazine showcasing the featured gin.

New subscribers also receive a welcome pack featuring two Plumm stemmed gin glasses, two coasters and a Garden Street Gin Club jigger.

Members also get invitations to online gin masterclasses, giveaways, recipes and members-only releases.

"We're excited to provide Australians with a convenient and enjoyable way to discover new flavours and expand their gin horizons," said Lauren Smith, co-founder of Garden Street Gin Club.

"Our team is passionate about gin and dedicated to sourcing rare and exclusive varieties from distilleries across Australia to deliver a truly unique experience to our members."

There are also no commitments required. Subscriptions are flexible, allowing members to cancel or skip a delivery at any time. Plus, the club offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee on every box.

The Bright Night Gift Box is also part of the Garden Street Gin Club Christmas collection, which is available right now for $110 and designed for early festive shoppers.

How to enjoy business class without spending a fortune

Flying business class without spending a fortune?

What wizardry is this?

Budget carrier Vietjet, known for its cheap fares from Australian airports to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, also offers business class fares in lie-flat seats from just over $1,000.

I just flew each way between Melbourne and Hanoi as a guest of Vietjet and both flights were super comfortable and on time. 

On the overnight flight between Hanoi and Melbourne I managed seven hours of uninterrupted snooze. That's a rare treat.

You have to make some compromises. First, Vietjet does not offer entertainment; you'll need to load some movies, books and music to your phone or device before flying. And there was no wifi on the two Airbus A330 flights that I took.

But there was pre-flight lounge access at both ends: at The House in Melbourne and the chic Song Hong lounge in Hanoi. Drinks, snacks, wifi and comfortable chairs that take a lot of the stress out of flying.

There is also priority boarding and disembarkation from the cosy business cabins, which comprise just two rows with a 2-2-2 business configuration.

Attentive and smartly attirex crew help you stow your baggage, and business class ticket holders are allowed a massive 18kg of hand luggage - a huge win. That's in addition to your checked baggage allowance.

There's a pillow and blanket waiting for you in your seat, along with a little amenities bag with slippers, eye mask and some Occitane d'Provence goodies.

Once on board there are pre-flight drinks and nibbles (water, juice or wine), and dedicated business cabin staff.

The food is good, too, with a choice of either the business menu or dishes from economy included in your fare.

Business choices include the likes of fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese baked fish, and chicken and vermicelli soup. The red and white wine options were Portuguese and serviceable if not stellar.

Throughout the flight you are offered nuts, or some cheese and biscuits, before a second meal is served (I slept through breakfast on the return leg).

There are dedicated business class toilets that were kept immaculate during both my flights. Flight time between Melbourne and Hanoi is around 19 to 10/12 hours.

Vietjet flies from Ho Chi Minh City to major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, and also connects Hanoi to Sydney and Melbourne. Economy fares start at around $250, while business class fares begin at $1,100, with frequent seat sales on offer.

Current deals from Vietjet start from $199, available to purchase until this Thursday. The discounted tickets are available between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for travel between November 15 and May 22, 2025.

Travellers from Australia can also enjoy a 20% discount on business class fares by using the code LEADER20 when booking on Vietjet’s website, app or via authorised travel agents.

If you have a longer time before needing to book, Vietjet is offering up to 50% off on deluxe tickets for bookings made now until November 20.

Passengers flying deluxe can enjoy up to 40kg of free checked baggage, free seat selection, and free flight schedule changes. Deluxe passengers get 10kg of carry-on luggage and a meal combo with a drink.

Check out the current deals - they change all the time - at www.vietjetair.com.

The airline's newest route connects Da Nang to Ahmedabad in India and it also has increased flight frequencies from Vietnamese ports to Busan (South Korea), Hong Kong (China), Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung (Taiwan).

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. It is Vietnam’s largest private carrier.

# The writer was hosted by Vietjet

Wine producer agrees to cough up millions

Treasury Wine Estates, which owns brands including Penfolds and Seppelt, has just suffered a legal whopping.

A $65 million settlement has been reached between Slater and Gordon Lawyers, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and Treasury Wine Estates on behalf of shareholders who sustained losses due to Treasury’s conduct when it downgraded its forecast earnings for 2020.

The plaintiffs alleged that Treasury had engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct in breach of Australian Consumer Law and breached its continuous disclosure obligations under the ASX Listing Rules.

Slater and Gordon and Maurice Blackburn filed class actions against Treasury in relation to that contravening conduct that were consolidated in late 2020 and have since then jointly represented the joint plaintiffs, and investors, who lost money when Treasury downgraded its earnings guidance for 2020 on January 28, 2020.

The class action alleged Treasury engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and breached its continuous disclosure obligations based on the earnings guidance it provided the market in 2018 and 2019.

A seven-week trial was due to commence this week before Justice Waller in Victoria’s Supreme Court, to consider those issues and ultimately determine Treasury’s liability to affected Treasury shareholders.

Slater and Gordon’s lead plaintiff Brett Stallard said he was “pleased that a settlement had been reached on behalf of investors who lost money as a result of result of Treasury’s earnings downgrade in 2020”.

Slater and Gordon Class Actions Principal Lawyer Mitchell Coidan said: “We are pleased to have been able to reach this outcome for group members on the eve of a trial listed for seven weeks, following hard-fought litigation with Treasury.

"The outcome means that group members who sustained losses as a result of Treasury’s allegedly contravening conduct, will receive compensation in the short term. We are glad to have achieved this result for affected group members, without the need for a protracted court process.”

The settlement remains subject to court approval and Treasury has made no admission of liability.

One man's sweet dream hits the big time

It began as a dream with one store selling artisan gelato. Today, 22 years later, Gelato Messina is celebrating a nationwide deal with Woolworths.

Over the past two decades, Gelato Messina has opened stores across Australia - and now its gelati and ice cream cakes will have a national canvas.

The point of difference here is that Messina never use pre-made bases or mass-produced flavour pastes. Every recipe is created from scratch and toppings and additions are made by Messina chefs at their in-house bakery.

Each Messina store has 40 freshly churned flavours, with 35 traditional flavours and five rotating weekly specials.

A new range of pints and frozen ice cream cakes will be available at Woolworths supermarkets, including Super Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, Pistachio Praline, Hazelnut Praline, Robert Brownie Jr. (great name) and Tiramisu.

The cake range will showcase Tiramisu, Iced Coco and Choc Malt.

“At Gelato Messina we’ve always been pushing boundaries to create products that surprise and delight, and after years of bringing unique flavours to our stores, we’re excited to finally make that experience more accessible to even more Australians through our first, exclusive supermarket range,” says founder Nick Palumbo.

“After expanding from our first Darlinghurst store in 2002 to now having 31 stores across Australia and internationally - the next step for us was to find a way to make our products accessible to everyone across the country, without compromising on quality.

“By working closely with Woolworths, we’ve developed a range that still has the honest quality, the delicious Messina magic, but can now be enjoyed from the comfort of your own freezer - no matter where you are.

"We’re proud of what we’ve created and can’t wait for people to start trying our pints and cakes from their local stores.”

The sweet treats are available in Woolworths stores across Australia from today, for RRP $14.50 each for pints and RRP $30.00 for cakes.

Oxford Landing underlines its sustainability credentials

Oxford Landing, a brand known for offering decent drinking at sensible prices, has just unveiled a new range to mark World Sustainability Day later this month.

Regenerate is the name of the new Oxford Landing wine collection, which it says "reflects the winery’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and offers wine lovers the chance to embrace a more sustainable approach to enjoying wine".

As an early adopter of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) practices, the Riverland winery says it integrates sustainable practices at every stage of winemaking.

"From vineyard to bottle, Regenerate highlights the winery’s dedication to preserving ecosystems, improving biodiversity, and minimising environmental impact," says senior winemaker Andy La Nauze.

“We walk the talk of sustainable winemaking. Through the Regenerate collection, we connect with like-minded wine lovers by ensuring that each bottle we produce contributes to a healthier planet.”

Which may be a bit of stretch, but every little bit helps.

At the heart of Oxford Landing is its 1:1 Plantings Project: an initiative that aims to restore native flora and fauna across the Riverland region.

In 2007, the winery purchased 600 hectares of farmland next to its vineyard and has since planted more than 200,000 native trees and shrubs, enriching biodiversity to reduce the need for artificial inputs, and improving soil health for better water efficiency.

This regenerative approach not only protects the environment but enhances the natural character of the wines, creating vibrant, flavourful expressions of the land.

Beyond the health of the vineyard, La Nauze says packaging is the biggest contributor to the carbon footprint of the wine industry.

Regenerate’s eco-friendly packaging underscores Oxford Landing’s approach to sustainability, making use of lightweight glass bottles that reduce carbon emissions by approximately 170 tonnes annually through production and transport efficiencies.

“Glass is our biggest contributor to carbon emissions, which we audit every year. Lighter glass bottles and sustainable materials are tangible steps towards a greener future across our industry.” says La Nauze.

Aside from glass, Regenerate utilises 100% recycled cardboard and FSC-certified paper for its cartons and labels, which I must say are a little underwhelming.

“The Regenerate collection is an easy way for consumers to make better-for-the-planet decisions when buying wine, which in turn helps us to continue innovating and taking small steps to lower emissions in the winery,” La Nauze adds.

“We believe that small, thoughtful decisions - like choosing wines with eco-friendly packaging - can collectively make a significant difference.”

The collection features four wines, each with labels adorned with illustrations of Riverland flora and fauna, reflecting the region’s biodiversity.

The Regenerate wines: a shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from 2023 and a pinot grigio and chardonnay from 2024. All  retail for $15 and are available through Coles Liquor (Liquorland and First Choice) and on the Oxford Landing website at https://www.oxfordlanding.com/

All are solid, well-made wines ideal for midweek enjoyment. The juicy, flavoursome and varietally impressive shiraz was my personal favourite but all do the job.

# World Sustainability Day is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of October