Emirates remembers its roots during Ramadan

 

Emirates may be global airline brand but it still holds on to its Emirati traditions.

During the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan, Emirates will share thousands of iftar boxes for fasting customers both onboard and at boarding gates.

It will also offer complimentary Emirates prayer mats, screen a range of religious content and popular TV shows on ice, and present traditional Ramadan dishes in its lounges.

For the comfort of all fasting customers, complimentary iftar boxes to help break the fast containing water, laban (yoghurt-based drink), a banana, and dates are distributed at select Emirates boarding gates during iftar time.

For the month of Ramadan, customers breaking their fast across all cabin classes to select destinations will be offered nutritionally balanced Ramadan meal boxes.

Iftar meals are served in bespoke boxes designed by Emirates to represent the geometric design of traditional Islamic art.

The meal boxes include traditional dates, light bites of hummus, moutabel or muhammara with Arabic bread, a chicken mossakan sandwich or herbed chicken sandwich, sweet treats of chocolate almonds, baklawa pistachio mamoul or baklawa pine seed cashew, and laban.

Emirates’ Ramadan boxes are served in addition to the regular hot meal service.

To ensure the highest levels of accuracy for fasting Muslim passengers, Emirates uses a tool to calculate the correct timings for imsak (the time to commence fasting) and iftar while inflight, based on the times of the sunrise and sunset of the location the flight is passing by using the aircraft’s longitude, latitude, and altitude.

When the sun sets, passengers will be officially informed of the iftar time by the captain.

Emirates also has special keepsake prayer mats on all flights, which are available by request to cabin crew.

Across the seven Emirates lounges in Dubai International Airport (DXB), an array of Arabic sweets, dates and coffee will be offered during Ramadan.

How to combine Auckland city chic with Waiheke Island spirits

Fancy sampling a two-day experience that showcases some of the best of Auckland?

voco Auckland City Centre, an urban hotel in the heart of New Zealand's biggest city, recently launched its 'Sip, Stay & Sail' Package, a two-night experience that combines city style with the artisan flavours of lovely Waiheke Island.

The package includes ferry and bus transfers, world-class distillery dining, and gin tastings including the new and exclusive Bar Albert Gin, crafted in partnership with Waiheke Distilling Co.

Voco Auckland City Centre’s Sip, Stay & Sail package includes: 

# Two nights of contemporary comfort at voco Auckland City Centre.
# Return reserve ferry transfers with Fullers360 to Waiheke Island.
# Eastern Explorer Lunch Package for two at Waiheke Distilling Co., including coach/bus transport and culinary experience featuring a signature gin tasting board, choice of G&T or vodka soda welcome drink, starter, shared Napoli-style pizza, seasonal salad, and a signature cocktail.
# $50 Bar Albert voucher to enjoy two Bar Albert x Waiheke Distilling signature cocktails at the hotel's vaunted rooftop destination.
# Breakfast for two at the hotel’s Mozzarella & Co. trattoria both mornings.

The package is available Wednesday through Sunday until March 31 with a minimum two-night stay required.

The experience is priced from $599. Rooms are subject to availability and blackout dates apply.

For bookings and more information, visit auckland.vocohotels.com.

Red or white? Choose your month

Like chardonnay? Choose May. Prefer red wines? Select late July.

The Adelaide Hills Wine Region in South Australia has just released the highlights of its program for festival activities over the next few months.

CHARDONNAY MAY - May 1-31 2026
The month of May sees a focus on the cool-climate chardonnay wines crafted in the Adelaide Hills. During all of May, cellar doors across the region will hold a series of special tastings, themed dining experiences, new releases and aged wines from the cellar.

 
WINTER REDS - Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July 2026
This long-standing winter weekend festival attracts thousands of visitors every year in the last weekend of July. Winter Reds celebrates the many different red wines produced in Adelaide Hills. A weekend of open fires, live music, hearty meals, great wine and good company.

WINE SHOW LUNCHEON - Friday November 27
Each year, over a long lunch, the trophy winners from the Adelaide Hills Wine Show are announced and guests get the opportunity to taste each trophy winner over a sumptuous lunch and share the winemakers' delighted surprise as the winners are announced.

For details see www.adelaidehillswine.com.au

Image: Ben McMahon

 

Zema Estate unveils new winemaker

Coonawarra standout Zema Estate has named just the fourth winemaker in its 44-year history. 

Lewis White joins the family-owned producer from Rymill Coonawarra. 

White is described as "reinforcing its long-standing commitment to regional knowledge, continuity, and hands-on family involvement".

Since releasing its first vintage in 1982, Zema Estate has worked with just four winemakers - Tom Simons, Greg Clayfield, Joe Cory, and now White - all of whom have lived and worked locally. 

Lewis has more than a decade in Australian winemaking, most recently as head winemaker at Rymill Coonawarra, a role he had held since 2020.

He has a Bachelor of Wine Science degree from Charles Sturt University and has worked across Coonawarra, Tasmania, McLaren Vale, the Hunter Valley, the Adelaide Hills, and internationally in the UK. 

Lewis said he was drawn to Zema Estate’s clear sense of identity and long-term approach.

“Zema Estate has a strong reputation in Coonawarra, and I’ve always respected the quality and consistency of the wines,” he said. “It’s an exciting opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the 2026 vintage in a few months.”

Nick Zema (pictured with White) said the decision reflected the winery’s long-held belief in nurturing local expertise and maintaining strong ties to the region.

“In 44 years, Zema Estate has had just four winemakers, following the first 18 years of our family making the wines ourselves,” Nick said. “Each winemaker has been a local, deeply connected to Coonawarra." 

Salted Egg to offer a new take on vibrant Asian flavours

Salted Egg is a Melbourne eatery known for its buzzy vibe and vibrant Asian flavours. 

Now the Flinders Lane restaurant is undergoing a flavour re-shaping with the arrival of well-travelled Sean Thomas as executive chef. 

Thomas is aiming to take the restaurant into a new chapter, beginning with a new menu shaped by his training in both south-east Asian and Mediterranean culinary traditions.

Thomas has worked at Melbourne icons MoVida, Gingerboy, Sezar and Shukah and travelled through Asia before cooking at fast-paced Madame Hanoi in Adelaide. 

He will be overseeing food at both Salted Egg and The Q rooftop bar in the Quincy Hotel. 

“South-east Asian flavours and spices that made Salted Egg such a favourite remain at the heart of every dish, with exciting new dishes that highlight Australian produce also featured,” he says. 

“We’ve also introduced some Asian-fusion influences into the menu - modern interpretations that may not be traditional but stay true to the distinctive flavours of Asia.”

The chef recommends the Shark Bay scallops with fermented chilli butter and pickled fennel, and the Skull Island king prawns grilled in a dry laksa paste with rich coconut cream and crispy curry leaves (see below). 

In addition to the à la carte menu, the restaurant has added a set menu option for guests who’d like their tasting journey chosen for them across breakfast, lunch and dinner service.  

“The chilli scrambled egg (outstanding!) remains a favourite on the breakfast menu but the new eggs Florentine with yuzu hollandaise and our take on French toast are just too good not to try,” Thomas says. 

“Salted Egg is all about big flavours, vibrancy, and pace. “It’s a fun, fast-moving kitchen with a great team, and the food needs to deliver impact. Guests come here for an experience, and consistency and energy are everything.”

“Today, we’re also excited to announce that a flavour packed adventure is on the horizon as we take Salted Egg’s vibrant energy and bold flavours to the Top End, with Salted Egg Darwin set to spice up the local food scene later this year.”

The eatery's popularity will see it open a Darwin outlet later this year. Stay tuned.   

Salted Egg Melbourne is open seven days a week for breakfast. Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. Bookings via OpenTable.

Images: Kristoffer Paulsen

Discover a special gourmet tour of Asia

Looking to mark a special occasion in style? Or just feel like splurging?

H4U Travel, an Australian boutique luxury travel specialist, has announced the launch of Flavours of Asia by Private Jet, an eight-day, seven-night culinary journey designed for discerning travellers. 

If you are looking for special food, wine and travel experiences this might be up your runway. 

Departing in late April 2026, the fully hosted adventure combines private jet travel, Michelin-starred dining and Michelin key hotel experiences, along with behind-the-scenes chef activities. 

Travellers will board a chartered Gulfstream G550 private jet and explore some of Asia’s iconic culinary destinations, from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and on to Macau, with luxury accommodation and bespoke experiences at each destination. 

Highlights will include six Michelin-starred tasting menus designed exclusively for this journey, featuring intimate chef and sommelier interactions, market tours, wine tastings and private cocktail masterclasses.

There will be private jet transfers between destinations with gourmet inflight dining and premium beverages, along with stays at luxury properties including Fairmont Singapore, Hotel des Arts Saigon, Grand Lisboa Palace Macau (top image) and Raffles Hotel Sentosa.

“This is not just travel, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime culinary narrative woven through Asia’s most celebrated gourmet spaces,” said Adam Geneave, CEO, H4U Travel.

“Guests will enjoy privileged access to Michelin chefs, and sommeliers, all while travelling in the utmost comfort and privacy.” 

Bookings are open (maybe have your black Amex card handy) at https://www.h4utravel.com.au/flavoursofasia