Anyone for a kebab marinated in Guinness?

With an apparent target market of well-off bogans, a Guinness kebab, marinated in the famous Irish black stout, is being launched this week for the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament.

The Guinness kebab will be available for six weeks during the tournament in Box bar locations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham, industry website drinks business reports.

Priced from £12.95 (that's a stonking $25.50 in Aussie money), the beef kofta is marinated in Guinness, "giving the meat the deep, rich flavour," before being wrapped in a hand-made flatbread, drizzled with a sticky homemade Guinness chipotle glaze and topped with fresh mint yoghurt.

The snack is designed to look like a pint of Guinness.

“Our new Guinness kebab is a playful nod to our Irish friends ahead of the Six Nations, whilst also tapping into our favourite night out food as Brits – the kebab," says Tom Mayer-Jones, brand and marketing manager at Box.

"We’ve brought these two things together in a way that feels true to Box - bold, social, and a meal designed to be enjoyed alongside big sporting moments.”

Prices may vary across locations with the kebab being priced at £14.95 in Box Piccadilly.

“We’re inviting everyone down to Box to watch the rugby and enjoy our new menu item,” Mayer-Jones added.

Those indulging in the Guinness kebab are being encouraged to share their pictures, videos and experiences via Instagram and TikTok and tagging in the @theboxbaruk handle.

OK. We get it. It's a publicity stunt. But it has got some traction. 

Discover a new wave of excitement at Sydney Airport

A beachy Bondi vibe at Sydney domestic airport?

Icebergs Group, has landed at Sydney Airport’s Qantas Domestic Terminal, joining the original Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Bondi, and Icebergs Harbour Bar at Crown Sydney.

“We aim to bring Qantas customers the atmosphere and warmth that Icebergs Dining Room and Bar has been delivering for the past 24 years," says Tasso Della Noce, CEO of Icebergs Group with some masterful marketing speak.

"Our goal is to make every guest feel at ease, whether it’s their first visit or one of many for our frequent travellers.”

The new dining venue aims to "combine speed and convenience with the sophistication and warmth synonymous with the IDRB brand".

Located in the heart of the T3 terminal, the venue offers Icebergs Caffè To Go with takeaway coffees, drinks and pastries; and Icebergs Bar and Kitchen with a casual, flexible dining experience. Guests can order at the bar or via QR code (dontcha hate that!)

In the kitchen, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar’s culinary director Alex Prichard will oversee dishes including The Iceburger and Iceberg’s signature tiramisu with Whittaker’s chocolate and Vittoria coffee.

Icebergs Caffè To Go and Icebergs Bar and Kitchen at Sydney Airport’s Qantas Domestic Terminal is open Monday riday from 6am to 9pm and Saturday-Sunday from 7am to 8pm. 

Reservations can be made in advance via email idrb@idrb.com

Maximum exposure: It's Vinarchy in the AFL

AFL fans better get used to quaffing some new Barossa wine after the league announced a partnership with leading global wine company Vinarchy.

The deal will see prominent Australian wine brand Grant Burge Wines as the Official Wine Partner of the AFL, AFLW and AFL-owned Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

The four-year partnership, which starts immediately, will see widespread exposure for Barossa-born brand.

Grant Burge Wines will be poured at all AFL and AFLW-owned events, including the AFL Brownlow Medal and AFLW Awards, as well as across key hospitality and event spaces within Marvel Stadium.

AFL executive general manager customer, commercial and technology (what a job title!) Bec Haagsma said the partnership is built on shared values.

“There is a strong alignment between both organisations in creating memorable experiences and both share a passion for bringing people together - we can’t wait to work with the team at Vinarchy across the next four years,” she said.

Established in 2025 following the merger of Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Vinarchy combines Vin (the French word for wine), with Archy (from the Ancient Greek word for leadership). Together it means wine leadership.

The AFL’s previous wine deal was with Pepperjack. 
See www.vinarchy.com

 

Leading health resort celebrates Traditional Thai Medicine

 

One of Thailand's leading health resorts is focusing on Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM) as its guiding wellness philosophy for the coming year. 

Chiva-Som Hua Hin - a spot that has been on my "to do" list for some time - is to focus on indigenous treatments and wisdom. 

With a history spanning more than 2,500 years, Traditional Thai Medicine is a holistic healing system centered on harmony between the body, mind and environment. 

It has been embedded in Chiva-Som Hua Hin’s offering since the resort’s inception and remains fundamental to its approach to balancing physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Treatments including therapeutic bodywork, movement disciplines, and herbal remedies are delivered by an experienced and certified TTM practitioner. 

“Traditional Thai Medicine is a key part of Chiva-Som Hua Hin’s core philosophy upon which our approach to holistic health has been built for more than three decades,” says Vaipanya Kongkwanyuen, the general manager of Chiva-Som Hua Hin.

“As we welcome 2026, we honour this ancient wisdom not only through therapeutic practices, but by inviting guests to reconnect with nature, rhythm, and balance in everyday life. 

"By integrating time-honoured Thai healing traditions with modern wellness, we continue our commitment to nurturing mindfulness and sustainable wellbeing practices for long-term vitality and wellbeing, for both people and the planet.”

Influenced by Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, yet distinctly Thai in its emphasis on seasonal rhythms, environmental influences, and natural remedies, TTM continues to be practiced today. 

At its core is the concept of the Four Elements (Dhatu) - Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire - which influence individual constitution, health, and emotional balance. When these elements are in equilibrium, vitality and wellbeing naturally follow.

Guests booking in advance benefit from special rates valid for stays throughout 2026: Save 20% on retreat bookings made at least 120 days in advance with a minimum three-night stay, or save 15% on retreat bookings made 90 to 119 days in advance with a minimum five-night stay.

Book by March 31 for stays between June 1 and September 30 for 10% off retreat rates and a stay 5 nights, pay for 4 deal, as well as complimentary round-trip transfers between Bangkok and Hua Hin. 

Contact Chiva-Som Australia reservations team on 1300 857 037 or email res@traveltheworld.com.au.

Virgin Australia offers deal on extra legroom

Fancy some extra legroom next time you fly?

Virgin Australia has today launched a domestic sale on its premium extra-legroom Economy X seating, with upgrades from just $15 per person per sector).

The month-long ‘Extra Comfort, Zero Imitation’ Economy X sale is available to add to Virgin Australia domestic flight bookings here until Tuesday, March 3.

First launched in 2017 as part of the airline’s ongoing focus on innovation, Economy X offers up to 40% more legroom, priority boarding and dedicated overhead locker space.

The deal is $15 for shorter routes and $23 for longer sectors.

“We’ve always believed Australians want choice, value and a better experience in the air; Economy X has been delivering exactly that for years so it’s no surprise others are now taking notice,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson, mysteriously anonymous, said in the airline's media release.

“We’re continuing to showcase just how wonderful the Economy X experience is for travellers, from priority check-in and boarding to preferred overhead locker space, while offering the best-value extra-legroom economy seating in the market from just $15 per person.” 

Official: Australian wine industry is in crisis

 

The Australian wine industry is officially in crisis and appealing for more government assistance. 

Australian Grape & Wine’s 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission calls on the Federal Government to act decisively to stabilise Australia’s wine sector and protect regional communities from escalating economic and mental health impacts.

The submission, Securing the Future of Australia’s Wine Regions: A Targeted Crisis Intervention and Structural Adjustment Plan, outlines a $139.25 million, three-year package to address structural oversupply, rebuild demand, and support growers and winemakers facing prolonged financial distress.

Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean said the evidence was clear that the sector had moved beyond a normal market cycle and into a structural crisis that required government partnership. 

“This is not a short-term downturn, and it is not a problem the industry can solve alone,” McLean said in a media release.

“Australia’s wine sector is facing a structural crisis driven by collapsing global demand and the lasting impacts of the China trade disruption. Left unmanaged, the adjustment will be disorderly, prolonged and deeply damaging for regional communities.”

The submission highlights national wine inventories of 2.06 billion litres, with 262 million litres more wine in storage than is commercially sustainable, alongside rising financial distress and mounting pressure on rural mental health services.

“Behind these numbers are people - growers, winemakers and families - under levels of stress we have not seen in generations,” McLean said. 

“If government delays, the costs don’t disappear. They re-emerge as business failures, abandoned vineyards, mental health crises and long-term regional decline.”

The package proposes targeted, time-limited measures to support orderly transition, remove barriers to recovery and rebuild demand - including business transition support, concessional loans, export re-engagement, domestic tourism stimulus and expanded mental health services in affected regions.

McLean said the submission was designed as a preventative investment, not a subsidy. 

“This is about managing a necessary transition in a way that is economically responsible and socially humane,” he said.

“The cost of acting now is modest. The cost of inaction will be far greater and borne by regional Australians least able to absorb it.”

Australian Grape & Wine said the measures align directly with the government’s priorities on regional development, mental health, trade diversification, productivity and the Future Made in Australia agenda, and reflect long-standing precedents for government intervention following major external shocks.

“We are asking the government to heed the evidence, heed the warning signs, and work with us now,” McLean said.

“This is a fiscally responsible, preventative investment that supports regional economies and protects long-term industry capability.”

The full 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission is available at: 
https://www.agw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FINAL-AGW-2026-27-Pre-Budget-Submission-.pdf