Brisbane STYLE - SPRING 2010

brisbanestyle Spring 2010 $5.50 incl GST

HOMES, INTERIORS, LIFESTYLE, FASHION, FOOD, WINE, ART, MOTORING, REAL ESTATE & TRAVEL

Valentino Retrospective Platinum Edition PORT DOUGLAS - NOOSA - BRISBANE - GOLD COAST www.styleliving.com.au

Stockist enquiries & catalogue available 07 5597 1150 Available at selected boutiques nationally

welcome

Welcome to our fabulous Spring issue… hat a wonderful season to be alive. The gentle breezes of spring are heralding the summer heat to follow as they chase away the last vestiges of winter.

It has been an exciting time for lovers of fabulous food and high fashion and fun family times recently.

The 2010 Hilton Master Classes were an exceptional success; packed to the rafters with eager home cooks, chefs, apprentices, wine legends, produce suppliers and international luminaries of the culinary arts.

In our summer issue we will bring you a selection of great industry tips and recipes that you will be able to make in your own kitchen over the holiday period. Get ready to stock up at your local farmers market and put the dishes of award-winning local Australian and international chefs to the taste test.

The Brisbane Ekka was another recent highlight, when the country came to the city to capture the hearts of young and old alike. Where eager visitors could choose from all styles of carnival delights heart-thumping rides, must-have show bags, the chance to pet a baby piglet or cuddle a baby goat, see the wood choppers in action and of course, gaze at the mesmerising fireworks at night. No food desire was overlooked from traditional favourites like strawberry ice creams and fairy floss to big steak burgers and the new gourmet options now on the menu for the more refined clientele. What a wonderful time for families to

W

Kaylene Murray - Editor

Just to whet your appetite for our next issue which will feature Hamilton Island’s new delights.

Pictured is a special dish from Qualia’s chef for the recent Moet & Chandon lunch for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week

stylelivingMAGAZINES publishers since 1979

luxurystyle brisbanestyle noosastyle LIVING

contents 4, 44-45 RSVP Openings, Launches & Events

10 Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner When ‘Skroo’ hopped on a plane to London as a vet science graduate in the 70s, who’d have thought his dabble in tourism would net him position 25 on Queensland’s top 100 rich list?

14 Valentino Retrospective It’s all glam and glitz for the haute couture collection from über style-maestro Valentino’s exclusive showing.

22 Face 2 Face - Henry Roth We speak with the international fashion designer, stylist and critic of all things cool, chic and classy .... Henry Roth.

38 Food & wine Fabulous food and wine offerings around Brisbane & the Gold Coast. Our pick of new wines and spirits on offer and all good things to satisfy your cravings.

54 Sommeliers A wine list needs to be appropriate to the restaurant and its food. If it’s in the upper echelon as opposed to a cheap and cheerful, it’s inevitably chosen by a sommelier who understands the manifesto for good drinking.

58 Homes, Design & Property Time to dream and then make your dreams a reality.

70 Books/Movies/Arts A look at what’s new & here.

72 Travel We explore what makes Melbourne such an exciting place to visit. Then venture out in SEQld to discover the delights of the Scenic Rim.

Please read and enjoy...

78 Style Motoring A Jaguar to celebrate their 75th anniversary and the compact & sophisticated Volvo C30.

published by Style Living Magazines PO Box 1003 Paradise Point 4216 P: 07 5577 2886 F: 07 5577 3354

publisher Tom Murray tom@STYLEliving.com.au

e-mail: info@STYLEliving.com.au www.STYLEliving.com.au

noosa editor Helen Flanagan helen@STYLEliving.com.au

enquiries Ph (07) 5577 2886 fax (07) 5577 3354

fashion Rachel Syers rachel@STYLEliving.com.au

QUEENSLAND

sunshine coast &

get together and celebrate Queensland.

Brisbane also played host to the world-class Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival, where visitors and guests were offered the opportunity to view some of the finest fashion offerings available anywhere. With models - both male and female - strutting their stuff on the catwalks, many in the most unbelievably high shoes imaginable. And, yes - there were wardrobe malfunctions and topples from great heights. But - oh what fun!! The MBFF was also the chance for lucky guests to view the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gull Wing at a cool $464,000 plus on road costs. Beautiful!

Check out our stunning fashion feature bringing you all the brightest fashion trends, accessories and of course, beautiful new perfumes and body products to complement.

This issue we introduce you three socially conscious men who are living their dreams in different ways. Affable past Toowoomba Grammar boy, Graham Turner and wife Jude Turner are creating their very own empire of luxury retreats under the Spicers branding; Dean Merlo the father of coffee in Brisbane, who recently took to the streets in an effort to raise awareness for the homeless, and Peter Marchant a young man spreading his knowledge of wines and food matching to a new generation.

There have been several exciting new restaurant openings, parties and musical chairs - all on show in our RSVP feature.

Other special features this issue, include stunning homes, apartments, interior design, art and landscaping. Everything you need to give you new ideas and contacts for your renovation or new property requirements.

group editor Kaylene Murray kaylene@STYLEliving.com.au

production Joshua Murray art@STYLEliving.com.au sales Di Baxter di@STYLEliving.com.au mob: 0437 739 916

Whilst all efforts are made to ensure information and advertising material is correct, no responsibility is accepted for wrong or misleading information.

Copyright: All original material supplied by the publisher is copyright and cannot be used or reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and they are not necessarily those of the Publisher.

published Quarterly - distributed complimentary through exclusive locations, hotels, selected retailers, developers, and selected newsagents

what’s on in town?... read our online magEzines @ www.STYLEliving.com.au 2

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

ROCOCO Design

....bringing the hamptons to your home 93 ashmore road bundall tel: 07 5538 0830 www.rococodesign.com.au

RSVP

1.) An unbelievable book launch

When Lynn Santer does anything - she does it with style and panache.

So it was no surprise to find the who's who of the entertainment industry mingling with Gold Coast notables at her black tie dinner biography launch at Sheraton Mirage recently.

Guests were wined and dined then entertained by the illustrious Barry Crocker, The Caribbean Kings and Cosima de Vito.

2.) Queensland National Ballet for One Night Only

This talented, young company of 13yr-20yr old students thrilled audiences with their performance of the eternal love story of starcrossed lovers Romeo and Juliet at the Concert Hall in the Old Museum Building recently.

Choreographed by Martyn Fleming, former soloist and lead dancer with Australian Ballet, English National Ballet & Bejart Ballet Lausanne. His interpretation of the film and play by William Shakespeare, brought together the old and the new, the traditional and modern. A story of two young lovers caught in the middle of their families long-standing feud, encompassing fights, secret marriages, passion, hatred, prejudice and untimely deaths - this ballet was unforgettable. All to the delight of the packed audience.

1.

4.

1.

venue for a vertical tasting of 30 years of outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons and lunch with their winemaker Loic Le Calvez.

YALUMBA’S winemaker Louisa Rose was in Brisbane for a series of wine events as well as the Hilton Masterclasses.

During a very special dinner at Moo Moo Brisbane she was eager to share her wealth of knowledge with Margaret and Gary Dooley of Bellissima.

MOO MOO Brisbane

3.)

After a stellar opening of their new Brisbane restaurant, Steven & Autumn Adams have wasted no time in establishing their stylish grill as ‘the place’ to hold a fabulous event. Taltarni Wines chose the

2.

Welcome back to the heady, flower power days of the 70s

4.)

3.

When Brad and Angelica Jolly decided to celebrate the 4th birthday of their iconic Brisbane restaurant, Alchemy, and combine it with Brad's 40th birthday celebrations, they were keen to make it a memorable event.

What incurred was a rip roaring party with a 70's theme, which was more than relished by guests on the night. With fab food and lots of drinkies - a huge mirrored ball, hot tub (bikinis and budgee smugglers provided) and go go dancers, outrageously clothed guests danced the night away.

Everyone is looking forward to Brad's next milestone birthday!! Glam-rock 80s anyone?!

3.

4

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

4.

D I R E C T I M P O RT E R S FRENCH STYLE FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES

105 R OBERTSON S TREET, F ORTITUDE VALLEY, B RISBANE E MAIL :

PARISDESIGNLIVING @ GMAIL . COM

S KYPE : PARISDESIGNLIVING T EL : 07 3852 6626 FAX : 07 3041 6077 WWW. PARISDESIGNLIVING . COM Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

6

Luxury leather lounges at wholesale prices!

New styles arriving constantly...

The best service, care and attention is assured...

•Dining •Coffee tables •Chairs •Rugs •Paintings •Entertainment units •Lamp shades •Cinema room recliners •Lounges made to measure

The Leather Lounge Shop

3/65 Upton Street Bundall (behind Dry Cleaner) Ph: 5538 7363 email: leatherloungeshop@yahoo.com.au • www.renovatorsworld.net Open 7 days - Interest Free Finance available* conditions apply

whats on

Tourism Queensland

'The Gold Coast… a shining example of all that is glamorous'

Get Ready to feel the heat...

A

three-day

entertainment

SuperCarnivale

Friday 22nd October

of –

Sunday 24th October, The Armor All Gold Coast 600, the V8 Supercar Championship Series component as part of the SuperCarnivale which will take in the 18 international drivers and 16 Artists that will play across three big nights at Broadwater Parklands, as well as massively reduced ticket prices compared to last year.

Major artists performing each night include Empire of the Sun, London DJ Ian

The past decade of the new millennium has seen the Gold Coast evolve into a multifaceted luxury destination.

estate, the arts, music and entertainment, cultural pursuits, leisure, pampering and relaxation, education, and the list goes on and on.

In fact, choosing to holiday or live within the city limits has untold advantages – just ask anyone soaking up the sunshine on

ith the phenomenal population growth – the Gold

a morning walk - or indeed a moonlight evening stroll - along the

Coast is the sixth largest city in Australia and

almost-endless stretch of walkways through parks with

considered the nation's fastest growing large city –

beachfront views, or sophisticated cityscape stretching out into

W

the personality of the Gold Coast has expanded as well.

There is certainly the good life to be found here, if you are seeking it.

Carey from the Ministry of Sound, Kid Kenobe

For both tourists and residents, each day and every evening

and MC Shureshock, Richard Clapton, Hook N

offers endless experiences, indulgences, opportunities and

Sling, the Baby Animals, Sneaky Sound

adventures – depending on what takes your fancy.

the suburbs.

Just take a look at Millionaires Row as locals call it, otherwise famously known as Hedges Avenue at Mermaid Beach, with every few metres dishing out a new mansion creating some of the boldest and most exclusive real estate imagery in the country.

Stunning architecture is found throughout the Gold Coast,

System, Funkoars, Static Revenger featuring

The beachside holiday suburb 50 years ago now boasts a Gross

where there are choices of beachfront, canal front, valley acreage

Luciana, James Reyne, Mondo Rock, The

Regional Product of more than $15.6 billion, and almost half a

and spectacular panoramic views … not only from the hinterland

Angels, The Potbelleez, Noiseworks and The

million residents share the region's abundant beauty with almost

ranges and hilltop suburbs, but from the magnificent high rises

Only. They will perform Friday, Saturday and

10 million visitors each year.

sprouting up to create the world-famous coastal skyline.

Sunday nights in a massive line-up of

And there's a fair bit to cover - an area of 1400 square

There's the globally famous Q1 – the world's highest

Australian and international artists just 600m

kilometres, the city's boundaries extend from just south of

residential building at 80 floors - towering over all other buildings

from the circuit precinct.

Beenleigh to Coolangatta, taking in South Stradbroke Island and

that comprise the popular 'glitter strip', bringing with its height a

part of Moreton Bay and extending west to the hinterland of

character of superiority in luxury apartment living, and boasting a

Mount Tamborine and the Lamington and Darlington Ranges.

viewing deck 230 metres into the sky.

Tickets for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 can be purchased from Ticketek.com.au.

It's difficult to not want more when you see a sample of the

Or closer to the ground there are world-class hotels such as

100,000 hectares of nature reserves, 890km of constructed

Palazzo Versace, which offers hotel stays and condo living for the

residential waterfront, the 600 kilometres of canals, around 500

rich, famous and successful, or the uber-chic accommodation of

restaurants, 57 kilometres of coastline, 40 golf courses and six

the likes of the Sheraton Mirage with absolute beachfront, and the

major theme parks.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort with its own tropical fish-filled

These statistics translate into a real life wonderland, which means a sustainable luxury market is prevalent, stretching across all elements of business and pleasure.

Thanks to a diversification in the region's foundation of economic prosperity, there's no need to travel to a capital city for

8

the very best on offer in fashion, fine wining and dining, real

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

swimming and snorkelling lagoon.

Such a vibrant infrastructure brings with it all the freedoms of a culture bathed in the notion to enjoy life to its fullest, and soak up the style whilst doing so

Coffee man Dean Merlo

Brisbane The key thing to do is relax... aze in the lush riverside gardens of South Bank, then browse the markets and swim in its lagoon. Bike ride in the City Botanic Gardens and abseil the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. Glide down the river on a majestic paddlesteamer or take a high-speed ferry to vibrant inner-city villages like Bulimba and New Farm. Glide down the river and relax in the gardens Bike ride beneath macadamia trees and mangroves in the City Botanic Gardens or roller blade over a floating walkway. Then cruise down the river in a wooden paddlesteamer, spotting pelicans and eastern water dragons. Laze or picnic under the palms on South Bank’s 17 hectares of

L

Tourism Queensland

riverside gardens.

Some of the highlights of things to do in Brisbane.....

Soak up culture and architecture See the skeleton of a Queensland dinosaur in the Queensland Museum and the work of famous Australian artists in the Queensland Art Gallery.

Both sit in the sprawling Queensland Cultural Centre on South Bank. At night, visit the dress circle of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or catch a show by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra.

Embrace adventure Abseil or rock climb the Kangaroo Point Cliffs at sunrise or at night when the city is dancing with lights.

Climb the Story Bridge for

spectacular 360 degree views. Free fall on a tandem sky dive or float over the city in a hot air balloon.

Eat, drink and enjoy the urban villages Listen to live music, shop along the lively outdoor mall and feast on Chinatown dumplings in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane’s cultural core. Next door in New Farm, you can people watch from trendy cafes, buy gourmet delights from the famous deli and picnic in the riverside parklands. Dine in warehouse converted restaurants and explore the transformed industrial space of the Powerhouse, now a buzzing centre for the live arts.

Fresh produce the key to good dishes

Fashion at the forefront with Ed Harry

Sanctuary Cove Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

9

people in style

When Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner hopped on a plane to London as a vet science graduate in the 70s, who’d have thought as Helen Flanagan writes, his dabble in tourism would net him position 25 on Queensland’s top 100 rich list.

The turn of the Skr he quietly spoken, simply garbed, affable Aussie was raised on an apple orchard in Stanthorpe. He milked cows, attended Toowoomba Grammar and graduated as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Queensland. He and good mate Geoff Lomas headed to London and invested the equivalent of $A1300 in an ageing double-decker bus they’d found in an airfield in Yorkshire. Their aim? To see the world.

Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner’s empire building had begun. Well almost. He drove his prized possession down the M1 Motorway and parked it outside his house in Fulham. The neighbours were not happy, probably because the bus, within just two hours of arrival, had sunk through the pavement. The police were called and the bus moved to another parking spot.

“With18 thirsty passengers, a mixture of Aussies, Kiwis, South Africans and the odd Pom on board for the first trip to Morocco,” Graham says with a wry smile, “we managed to get lost in London, tried to squeeze the bus onto the ferry…failed due to its height…bought a ticket for a Combi van and then at the last minute drove the bus on, parking in the outside area.” The original company name Argas Persicus Ltd was a joke being the name for a tick that afflicts chickens and Topdeck Travel, involving frequent wild jaunts to Europe was finally born.

In 1980, Turner returned to Australia with wife Jude who he’d met when she was working for Topdeck, taking tours through Europe, Africa and Asia. He sold Topdeck and its 80 buses without having to borrow a penny, however retained an interest. Recognising a gap in the travel industry for discount airfares, Flight Centre was established.

Today the chief executive officer of the public company that grew from a small band of Flight Centre travel stores, presides over 2000 stores in 11 countries plus a group of other retail and corporate brands. The Turner’s 17 per cent stake in Flight Centre forms the bulk of their wealth which is estimated at $351 million.

The other side of the coin is the Turner’s interest – primarily Jude - in boutique retreats, hotels and lodges, with the Spicers brand being launched earlier this year. What started as a weekend escape with a property near Cunningham’s Gap, turned into a private business venture, once again exercising Graham’s entrepreneurial streak. There are seven properties, five owned by the Turners: Spicers Peak Lodge; Spicers Hidden Vale, a 4800 hectare working cattle property on 9000 hectares in the Scenic Rim; Clovelly Estate; Thai-inspired Tamarind; and Spicers Canopy, a safari-style camping experience.

They are also half owners of Spicers Vineyard Estate in the Hunter Valley and the soon-to-be opened, art deco-inspired Balfour Hotel with nine rooms, plus conference facilities as well as a dining room and library, housed in a classic Queenslander in New Farm. From the roof top bar it overlooks the Storey Bridge

T

Graham and Jude Turner

10

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Spicers properties are all luxurious, top-end restaurants are a common theme and except for signature property Spicers Peak Lodge, a mountain lodge, Jude says they are not reliant on architects: “Most are renovations and have add-ons to existing properties.

“My sister Ros and I designed, built and decorated Spicers Peak Lodge about eight ears ago. It was an empty paddock above Cunningham's Gap. Thinking that Skroo, the country boy, needed a bit of land, I bought it when he and I were moving from Brookfield to Chelmer. Little did I know what would grow out of this.

“Spicers Clovelly Estate in Balmoral Road Montville on nine hectares, was formerly a big family home, with a two storey garage and a cottage which we redesigned into a ten room European feel retreat. As it had a mansard roof, I felt it had similarities to a French chateau. It was opened last year.

“Spicers Tamarind in Maleny opened recently and was previously a well known Thai cooking school originally built and run by Paul Blain who is still there. We have refurbished the existing six pavilions, added to the restaurant and about to commence stage two. It has an Asian feel in an Australian way.”

Receiving high praises for exceptional fare are synonymous for Spices however lately it’s Clovelly Estate’s resident chef Cameron Matthews and Tamarind’s Paul Blain who has worked with the world famous exponent of Thai cuisine David Thompson, that are taking the accolades.

“Beverly Trivet is our partner in, and brainchild of the very chic Spicers Balfour, which is very different from all the other properties,” says Jude adding they are also keen supporters of Bush Heritage Australia which manages 32 reserves around the country and aims to protect native fauna, flora and habitat.

“Spicers Vineyards Estate in the Hunter Valley is co-owned with the couple who first opened the Peak for us and Spicers Hiddenvale is like going home to Grandmas except it has a contemporary facelift and is activity based.”

The Turners, whose children are 99 Bikes chain founder Matt, 29, and fashion designer Jo, are nonchalant about their wealth, however enjoy living in Brisbane, and love spending time at their residence in London or on the riverfront in Noosa. Jude says it’s “an inside outside house - where most of the walls slide away and you can sit by the fire – outside. Like camping but with a cover. Skroo thinks it's like Spicers Peak Lodge but I think it’s because of the use of stone and fireplaces. There’s also glass, stainless steel and hopefully a good sense of space - simple, timeless and quality using plenty of natural timber and materials.

“The hearth came from a paddock outside Noosa, was just split in half and placed on either side. I did have help from architect Tim Ditchfield as I was so busy with all the Spicers properties.”

Graham, who got his nickname at school from a brand of screwdriver called Turner says his favoured tipple is a Barossa shiraz. He prefers books on natural history and mountain bikes to fancy cars. He and Jude will compete in this year’s Noosa Triathlon, hoping for completion in under three hours. Given his drive, no doubt he will.

From humble fun to five-star finesse the Turners have certainly got what it takes.

oo...

…supporters of Bush Heritage Australia which manages 32 reserves around the country and aims to protect native fauna, flora and habitat.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

11

Living waterfalls EXQUISITE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR WATER FEATURES

BE LIMITED ONLY BY YOUR IMAGINATION!

Living Water Designs on the Gold Coast has set a new benchmark in Water Feature Design.

New and exciting materials coupled with experience and modern technologies, Living Water Designs is able to create any type of Water Feature to match your taste, whether it be: classic or modern, indoor or outdoor, subtle or bold.

FURNITURE SUPPLIED

BY DUNE

12

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Ask Living Water Designs about their huge range of water feature options: Waterwalls, Raincurtains, IAquas, Fountains, Water Tables, Bubble Bars, Bubble Panels, Spillways, Sheer Descents, Lamina Jets, and Outdoor Fountains.

Contact Living Water Designs by website, phone or email to start the conceptual design process with one of their qualified designers who will help you determine which best fits your needs.

• DYNAMIC • EXCITING • EYE-CATCHING • ATTRACTIVE • COMFORTING • SOOTHING AND RELAXING • TRANQUIL

2/9 Fremantle Street, Burleigh Heads. Phone: (07) 5593 7070 website www.livingwaterdesigns.com.au

Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007 Fashion Show, Paris Evening ensemble: strapless gown in printed silk and bolero in ivory tulle and lace Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images

14

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

style

Red hot and ravishing It’s all glam and glitz for the haute couture collection from über style-maestro Valentino’s exclusive showing. alentino Garavani was born in Italy, lauded in Paris, and his couture house was the first outside of Paris to be officially recognised by the French Government.

Retrospective: Past/Present/Future, the exhibition of the House of Valentino which is at the Gallery of Modern Art, incorporates a stunning array of Valentino’s haute couture designs from the late 1950s through to his final collection in January 2008, as well as recent creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli who were appointed creative directors for Valentino in 2008 thus highlighting the future direction of this most esteemed fashion house.

“The retrospective of 100 ensembles includes some of the most important haute couture creations originally shown in the exhibition ‘Valentino: Themes and Variations’ at Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, in 2008,” says Queensland Art Gallery director Tony Ellwood. “The exhibition explores Valentino’s techniques and recurring motifs such as ornamentation, the use of geometric and animal prints, frills, folds and pleats as well as the creative possibilities of volume, surface and line.

“Designs from the house of Valentino which have been coveted and worn by European royalty, Hollywood stars and high society figures such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and many others are displayed, along with the stunning black and white gown Julia Roberts wore to the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001.

“In addition to a number of ensembles from Valentino’s noted ‘White Collection’ from 1968, the exhibition features a selection of signature ‘Valentino red’ dresses, including one from the couturier’s first collection ‘Fiesta’, a strapless cocktail dress in draped tulle from Spring/Summer 1959.

The exquisite haute couture collection reveals Valentino's mastery of the elegant line, classic form and opulent detail.”

V

Left: Valentino Cocktail dress Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1960, ‘Sarabanda’ / Strapless cocktail dress of black faille with bouffant skirt and appliquéd with white silk roses; fabric: Taroni / Collection: Valentino Archives / Photograph: Jean Tholance

Valentino Evening gown Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008, Strapless evening gown made of silk voile appliquéd with silk voile ruffles and corollas in graduated shades of pink; fabric: ClericiTessuto / Collection: Valentino Archives / Photograph: Jean Tholance

Valentino

Retrospective

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

15

swim in style The exhibition explores Valentino's design approach across more than five decades: the recurrence of geometric patterns and graphic prints, the skilful use of fabric to create dramatic silhouettes, the creative possibilities of volume, surface and line and the distinctive palette of black, white and 'Valentino red'.

Curated by Pamela Golbin, curator-in-chief for the Fashion and Textiles collection of Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, the exhibition, which will be at GoMA until 14 November 2010, also considers the future design direction of the Valentino label with five recent creations from the House of Valentino’s new creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli.

The perfect complement to the Valentino Retrospective is a Valentino Minibreak at the Hilton Brisbane* which since opening its doors in 1986, has been regarded a true international hotel. Designed by award-winning Australian architect Harry Seidler, it features an eye-catching curved design, boasts the largest atrium in Australasia, stretching 83 metres high and is topped by a spectacular glass dome.

The recent $6 million refurbishment designed by Gillian Gray of Gillian Gray Design, has distinctive elements such as an European Arper lounge chair designed by Stylecraft, the first major installation of the chair in Australia, a striking Herman Miller Leaf Light, and a sculptural LED desk lamp, designed by Yves Behar in the executive-plus rooms, while in the king Hilton suites are an R. Earnshaw bedroom chaise lounge and ottoman, a Tangent Blauet lamp and the focal point in the lounge and dining area is a floor lamp from another über French designer Philipe Stark.

Writer: Helen Flanagan

The exquisite haute couture garments reveal Valentino's mastery of the elegant line, classic form and opulent detail Left: Valentino / Strapless cocktail dress / Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1960 Right: Valentino / Strapless cocktail dress / Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1959 Photograph © Jean Tholance

Production still from Dinner at Eight 1933 / Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Film Far right: Julia Roberts wearing Valentino Evening gown Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1992-93, Black velvet evening gown with appliqué white satin ribbons that pipe and stripe the black tulle bibs and train; fabrics: Taroni and BianchiniFerrier / Collection: Valentino Archives Photographer/Artist: Mirek Towski

16

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Above: Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007 Fashion Show, Paris Evening ensemble: blouse and skirt in pierced and pleated white silk taffeta Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images

Above: Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008 Fashion Show, Paris Asymmetrical evening gown made of pale blue tulle with silk ruffles and corollas Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images

Valentino Minibreak @ Hilton Brisbane Including deluxe accommodation for two, breakfast the following morning in The Atrium and two tickets to the exhibition from $267 per room per night* Heighten your experience and upgrade to our newly refurbished Executive Plus Rooms for an additional $140 including access to the lounge, breakfast the following morning, refreshments throughout the day and pre-dinner drinks and canapĂŠs.

To make your reservation phone 1300 445 866 and quote PR44VM Valid to14 November 2010 *Subject to availability

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

17

essential indulgences

looking good... inding time to get gorgeous skin can be a challenge for any woman; somehow it has to fit in between the family, work and the million tasks you have to do every day. Surprisingly, getting the skin you want doesn’t require down time or surgery. Treating your face right can be easy and means less make up and less time getting ready each day.

Feel confident and beautiful with the range of nonsurgical rejuvenation services available at Creare Clinic.

Renew and refresh your skin with microdermabrasion

F

18

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

treatments or chemical peels or try some of our luxurious and affordable skin care range. As for those stubborn lines and wrinkles, BotoxÂŽ and Dermal Filler treatments can erase that tired weary look, and rejuvenate your face so you look as young as you feel.

At Creare Clinic, we will revive your skin and enhance your natural elegance. For appointments (07) 3353 7088.

Gift Vouchers available.

G2 by George Gross Charlie Brown Moss & Spy Nicolangela Studibaker Sacha Drake Mr Rose Resort Report Carlopik The Clothing Company Nat-Sui Shoes

NEW LOCATION - NEW SEASON STOCK ARRIVING

Store Now n I n o i t llec ik Co p o l r Latest Ca Shop 19, 24-26 Queensland Ave. Broadbeach QLD 4218 Phone 07 5538 3311 • info@elegansfashion.com.au

shop 7 - 24 tedder avenue main beach phone 5571 1449 cheranshoes@bigpond.com

www.elegansfashion.com.au Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

19

shopping

Jump for Jypsiere Pure handbag indulgence from HermĂŠs stores nationally RRP $10,695

Francoise Esterhazy art & couture has a eclectic range of beautiful and elegant daywear, accessories, jewellery and homewares from around the world to delight.

20

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

beautiful Elegantly designed Australian opal jewellery.

Visit our showroom at Sunshine Coast or look online at: www.opalsdownun der.com.au

Tszyu’s limited edition In 2004 Moscow-born designer and prestige watch manufacturer Alexander Shorokhoff, founded his own company in Alzenau near Frankfort in Germany. His latest timepiece, a limited edition Kostya Tszyu, celebrates the 40th birthday of the Russian-born Aussie boxer and four-time world championship winner.

Shorokhoff has created 270 limited edition watches world-wide which corresponds to the number of fights during Kostya’s amateur career.

The watch boasts multiple functions including regular display of hours, minutes and seconds, an added stop-watch function including indication of the seconds, minutes and hours passed, as well as days of the week and date - a multi-functionality that in a way is representative of Kostya as a sportsman, sponsor, politician, and businessman. The sleek appearance is augmented by a steel case with vaulted sapphire glass, a screw-type glass back and a black guilloche dial features luminescent figures and appliqués. These components work together to give this watch a sporty yet elegant appearance. It retails for $9,900 and is available online at www.kostyatszyu.com Limited edition Kostya Tszyu watch

•elegant day-wear

•exclusive evening-wear

•jewellery

•shawls

•cashmere knitwear and lifestyle

Shop 8, Santa Cruz Village, 60 Santa Cruz Blvd, Clear Island Waters Telephone: 07 557 26222 Wholesale Inquiries: 07 5575 3338 ART

&

COUTURE

www.francoiseesterhazy.com.au

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

21

profile

face 2 face with

henry roth This issue Style's fashion editor Rachel Syers chats with the international fashion designer, stylist and critic of all things cool, chic and classy .... Henry Roth.

Q. Television pursuits for you have included Project Runway Australia with family in both a professional and personal sense?

Kristy Hinze, Style Court in the US, and now you will be regularly appearing on A. “I think that our family is a team and Henry Roth represents three the Today Show with expert fashion advice, as well as performing miracle generations of Australian family design. I am proud to say that my parent’s menswear makeovers on the upcoming series of Beauty and the Geek. What do company is possibly the longest running Australian fashion house, celebrating 56 years this year. It’s unusual, unique and I cherish it and we you love and loathe about working on TV? A. “I’m not sure that I loathe anything. I am fortunate to say that I love what actually have a tremendous laugh along the way. I work alongside my I do on a day to day basis. At times it's very hard work and, of course, at mother Aneta who is our head designer, my father Joseph is our overall times it's stressful, but it’s so exciting and it’s so humbling because it is a operations director for both our New York and Sydney design studios, I privilege and the things that I do on television are very close to my heart, design alongside my sister Michelle, and my sister Lilian is an architect who my profession and my loves. So on that level it’s a pleasure, a delight and also lives in New York City and provides great input and is our harshest an inspiration because I learn from the people I am mentoring, directing or critic.”

Q. How does Henry Roth unwind away from fashion … or can you never reporting on.”

Q. Your bridalwear brand is stocked in more than 120 stores across Australia escape its enticing grasp? and New Zealand, and is also in the top five best-selling brands at the world’s A. “I confess day and night it's my life, but I certainly have a rich social life. largest bridal couture store in New York, where your gowns hang alongside Karl I have a tremendous number of friends both in Australia and US. I love hip Lagerfeld and Oscar De La Renta. Does this status help you design with hop and dancing. I belong to a hip hop poetry society called Nuyorican Poets Cafe. With it all, I love the diversity in my life.” confidence, or are you still nervous bringing out each new collection?

A. “There’s always a sense of nerves, anticipation and an adrenalin rush Q. What's your fashion fetish? when thinking about the next collection. Bridal and bridesmaids gowns A. “Specs, specs, specs! I have at least 20 pairs and I keep them in their have become fashion garments and as well, as we all know in fashion, you original cases. They can be found in suitcases, my kitchen drawers in my are only as good as your last frock. It takes anticipation with a flourish of apartments and office desks in Sydney and New York.” inspiration to implement new designs. Just as well I’m a Gemini because Q. What's hot for brides with the new wedding season about to strike for Spring and Summer? And just as importantly, what's not? that suits my multi-faceted personality!”

Q. Your family has been in the wedding industry for more than 50 years so did A.“My top five tips for what’s hot would be mermaid shapes, super feminine flouncy and frilly, the return of the ball gown, white is the new you feel that bridal designing was your destiny?

A. “There’s no doubt about it, I was ensconced in frocks, flounces and frills white, and finally veils … and I love them – I am a veilologist. What’s not? from the very first day I can remember. From the age of 5, I was answering It’s all hot … it’s just about your attitude. Whatever you do, embrace your my parents' design studio phone and from the age of 6, I was helping my individuality once you own it – it really looks fabulous!” mother drape fabric, and from the age of 7, my sisters and I would alternate every other year and go with my parents on fabric and accessory buying Q. Do you have any style tips for brides who dare to be different and want to trips to Europe and New York City. However, as my parents are Holocaust steer away from the traditional white wedding? them from stolen education survivors they were adamant - as they had A. “I think style is that most brides are really personalising and displaying that I was to have a university degree to fall back on. I chose law and their individuality, not just in what they wear, but in the ceremony BBDO at worked I LLB. and BA finished at the University of Sydney with a location, flowers, menus, with fashion forward bridesmaids dresses and a Clemenger in advertising. I worked a top job in a subsidiary of Michael lot more. Below are my top 5 tips: to me took that concept Edgley in an extraordinary sports entertainment 1. Cool I do. Choose a ceremony and reception venue first that best Perth, France and finally, I landed in London. It is with all this experience reflects the kind of theme you have in mind. Being different is being you of beauty the and heritage that I realised that my passion lies in my family and your groom so embrace your 'inner fabulous'. being involved in people’s lives and their forward chapters of love, hope 2. Red Carpet gown. Wedding gowns today are fashion forward and take that thrilled certainly am I and and joy. So it was never a 'done deal' as such, their cues from celebrity red carpet fashions and runways in Milan, Paris, I bring to the picture diversity, whilst learning every single minute of my New York and Australia, so when shopping for your gown have a life.” completely open canvas and don’t be surprised if you end up with Q. You certainly have your fingers in a few pies, including your title as Style something that is nothing like you thought you were going to wear. how just … country the Ambassador for Specsavers eyewear stores around 3. Bridesmaids’ magic. Bridesmaids’ gowns are stylish, fashionable and fashionable are glasses these days? fun with amazing colours. Choose one colour and various styles to suit wearing when glasses, wearing A.“Considering the days when I was a kid the bridesmaid and maid of honour. spectacles was something that was admonished and often ridiculed, 4. Hot groom and groomsmen. Sometimes being different also means Justin about think you If spectacles have taken a giant step forward! re-visiting old school. Many brides today are choosing black tie for the Timberlake, Britney Spears, Jennifer Garner, Johnny Depp, Tina Fey and Julia men in their bridal party because it can’t be beaten. If you are in a hot fashion must-have a but Roberts, spectacles are not just fashion forward weather climate or on the beach, beautiful linen and seersucker suits are accessory. A recent trend that started in London and has moved to New in, in, in. they if even spectacles, York and Australia is that people are embracing 5. Bridezilla media hype. As I have a bit of an idea of behind the scenes don’t need to wear them. I am thrilled to be representing Specsavers on TV, I also believe that 'Bridezillas' is extremely well edited and makes because of their astonishingly excellent value packages, which encourages brides look like monsters. In my experience weddings are all about the spectacles to be fashion items and allows specs wearers to change their initiation of rites, bringing couples closer together, family closer together frames according to their mood, style and occasion.” and they have become a celebration of love, not of perfection. Smell the Q. We hear you're about to travel to New York again to begin collaboration roses along the way.” with working advantage an it with your sister, Michelle, on new designs – is

22

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

“If you think about Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Jennifer Garner, Johnny Depp, Tina Fey and Julia Roberts, spectacles are not just fashion forward but a must-have fashion accessory

“

QueenslandLuxuryStyleLiving LuxuryStyleLiving Queensland

23 23

indulge A timeless inspiration KATE MOSS Vintage Muse An enduring beauty with a distinct sense of style, Kate Moss is the ultimate muse. Vintage Muse, an alluring and elegant fragrance opens with a sparkle of plum and rhubarb embraced with a rich addiction of blackcurrant. At its heart, radiant blooms of peony, purple violet and tiger orchid unveil a refined sensuality that is exquisitely feminine. Finally, the floral tones give way to a velvety dry down of white musk, ambergris and a touch of chocolate, enhancing the fragrance’s sophisticated nature. Available from October.

Be seduced GUESS Seductive GUESS’s alluring new fragrance for women, GUESS Seductive. The sexy scent embodies the unique magnetism and playfully captivating style synonymous with the GUESS brand. GUESS Seductive is a sparkling, floriental woody fragrance evokes coy femininity and intoxicating seduction.

The scent teases the senses, captivates attention, and leaves a lingering sensation of addiction—a fatal floral attraction.

Bold top notes of zesty, dazzling Bergamot, vibrant Blackcurrant and crispy Pear evoke mouthwatering, mesmerizing desire. At the heart of the fragrance are feminine facets of Orange Flower, exotic touches of Jasmine and the noble allure of precious Florentine Orris, a legendary note harvested in Florence and used in perfumery for centuries to seduce the senses. At the base is a voluptuous trail of warm Vanilla and spicy Olibanum, finished with an intensely distinguished, musky essence of Cashmere Wood. Available from late September.

A celebration of love, happiness and modern femininity VERA WANG Anniversary Celebrating with a luscious floral bouquet. A sensuous woody floral, VERA WANG ANNIVERSARY is bright and lush.

It opens with radiant Sicilian bergamot, red apple leaves, mandarin oil and a sprinkle of cool dew drops. The heart is a rich bouquet of white gardenia, rose absolute and orange flowers. The dry-down envelopes with touches with silky musks, creamy orris, golden amber crystals, and warm cedarwood. Available now.

Certified by Thai Royalty...

Erb Princess Pa Earth Mineral Body Lotion The Erb Princess Pa range is specially sanctioned by Thai royalty - HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, with the aim of adding value to Thailand’s abundant natural earth, water and forest resources - and to create job opportunities within various self sufficient Thai communities.

A natural choice following a bath or shower, this lotion’s relaxed lotus essence will leave you with a feeling of utter tranquillity. The pure mineral water and the sacred lotus will treat your senses with a soft fragrance, resulting in an overall smoothness to delicate skin.

Available exclusively at Keerati and online www.keerati.com.au. RRP $47.95, 250ml

24

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Affordable Extravagance

Liz Clift International boutique situated at Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre, along with The International Shoe store next door, are a one-stop shop.

Liz travels overseas constantly sourcing new and exciting designer labels from Europe and U.S.A. Her labels express a unique attitude, modern and casual chic. The elegant and exquisite style of Liz Clift International attracts customers from all over Australia. Liz Clift holds exclusivity to all her labels, and her experienced stylists can work with you to create your individual style.

benowa gardens - ashmore road, benowa, gold coast phone 5597 0000 - open 7 days

in stores

One of the many new styles just in at Chevron Shoes Thomas Drive Chevron Island

Australian designer Riley Burnett is renown in style circles and by virtue of workmanship, reputation and price, for the iconic design of combining semiprecious stones with sterling silver. Available from About’e Jewellery, Chevron Island

A new addition to Chevron island retailers is AurAna Treasures of the World... A literal treasure of interesting and unusual pieces from jewellery & furniture to clothing and incense... AurAna Treasures of the World

26

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

See Brian at....

a bazaar of collectables from all over the world...

• CLOTHING • GLASSWARE • HOMEWARES • INCENSE • BATH PRODUCTS • GIFTS • ARTEFACTS

About’e Jewellery The only ON-SITE jeweller on Chevron!

RE-MODELLING & REPAIRS Jewellery today is forever changing, so let us update and redesign your pieces using your

gold and stones into a stunning unique design to suit you, or you can choose from a range of exquisite and exclusive jewellery pieces in store.

Guinot Age Logic Cellulaire Available at Paradise Beauty, Paradise Point

Just arrived

Our services include: •Design & remodelling •All jewellery repairs and gem settings •Watch repairs and battery replacements •Pearl & bead re-threading •Valuations •Insurance quotes •Mens and women’s gifts, pens and cuff links •A stylish range of handbags & wallets Stockists of: NAJO - Riley Burnett Look forward to seeing you!

New season shoes, bags and accessories...

Available from Cheran Shoes , Main Beach

54 Thomas Drive Chevron Island Phone 0400 900 069 e: aurana@ymail.com

About’e Jewellery Shop 3 46 Thomas Drive Chevron Island Tele: 07 55920 438

shoes to die for...

stylesinstore Elegáns Fashion – elegance – taste – grace Spring/Summer 2010 is looking like being another great season. The trends can be separated into two main categories minimalist and busier or eclectic styles that include lots of colour and patterns.

Also more classic tailored pieces and more elaborate styled pieces have made a comeback with the flattering version of horizontal stripes this SS10.

Feminine and romantic florals that are worn with washed out pastels, denim, and really bright, bold and graphic layered bright colours with clashing patterns for maximum wow factor mixing patterns and layering is another key comeback this SS10.

Chiffon and Nude Colours and dreamy dresses in nude, neutrals, creams and beiges made of sheer fabrics such as chiffons are also back this SS10.

A new range to see in store this season is Anthea. This new collection by Didier Parakian is a desire to make women look even more beautiful than they are. Based on a knowledge and style this collection with sizes from 42 to 54 showing the sensuality of a woman who flourishes, bringing her femininity forward in elegant, fluid outfits, exclusive prints, lively and colourful.

The Best Little Shoe Boutique In Town

Shoes on CHEVRON

Shop Eight, 49 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island Tel: 07 5539 8269 www.shoesonchevron.com.au

VERY CHIC FASHION

now

VERGE available from Bella Bella Boutique Chevron Island

Seafolly-Cinder... one of the many swimwear and casual wear labels available from Calypso Resort & Swimwear Sanctuary Cove.

Princess Yasmin

MOSAIC VERGE Specialist VSSP GABRIELLA FRATTINI BOO RADLEY DIDIER SHOUQ DAVID POND CARLOPIK

Offering a collection of the most intriguing internationally famed designer brands, Princess Yasmin is considered a ‘Shoe Heaven’ to the fashion elite. Located at Marina Mirage, this luxe boutique is befitting for the princess by will or princess by heart. Offering one of a kind pieces from labels to love, including Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Chanel, D&G, Chloe, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Roberto Cavalli and newly arrived Valentino. Upon entering the grand showroom you will fall head over heels for this concept store, being drawn to the exquisitely crafted leathers and fine detailing of your favourite designer shoes or handbag. This Princess Yasmin experience will leave you feeling like royalty.

Located level 1, Marina Mirage, Main Beach ph:55 280 786 or visit www.princessyasmin.com.au

2/49 Thomas Drv. Chevron Island

07 5538 4641

profile

Located in Noosa, Sunshine Beach and Ascot Brisbane, Walker & Beck carry a unique range of apparel, accessories, homewares and unique artifacts

walker&beck apparel homewares

accessories unique artefacts

122 racecourse rd, ascot 4007 28 duke st, sunshine beach 4567 bay village, 18 hastings street, noosa 4567

30

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Meegs Boutique located on the fashion level of Oasis Shopping Centre features Mela Purdie’s latest fashion range

New & Exciting Look for Mela Purdie In Store Now

• Mela Purdie • Gabriella Frattini • Walking Art • Joseph Ribkoff • Ravel • Juo • David Pond • Marco Polo • Gitane • Sequel • Vers • Philosophy

Oasis Shopping Centre Shop 35, Level 1, Broadbeach, Gold Coast p 07 5592 3099 f 07 5592 3901

infashion

Gina Kim

Nelson Molloy

it's frocktail hour...

Spring is in the air and that means it's time to flaunt your favourite little cocktail frock again.

Fashion editor Rachel Syers reports on the new looks for cocktail hour that walked the

32

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

runway of the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane ...

They can be glamorous and sexy, short and sassy, sweet and neat or shapely and sophisticated – cocktail dresses can suit any female figure if you choose what's right for you.

A short and sweet frock is simply perfect for the transitional weather with stockings or leggings, boots or strappy heels, light jackets or wraps, depending on the evening.

And this new season there are some total stunners on the fashion racks around town.

From sought after national labels to up-and-

coming designers, the Brisbane catwalks came alive with frocks in all kinds of fabrics breaking new ground to turn more heads than ever before.

For the bold and the beautiful there are super short hemlines, flirty strapless shapes and sheer or shiny fabrics that invite attention.

For the more demure cocktail event, choose a longer length to just below the knee so as to still flash a little leg, and play it safe with dainty capped sleeves, puffed short sleeves or wide straps.

Structure and draping are very directional at the moment, with delicate detail also a favourite for an extra dash of femininity.

Paul Hunt

Bettina Liano

Rich gemstone colours are back in vogue, as are subtle neutrals and dynamic prints and graphics, so basically anything goes.

Boost your style status with spectacular drop earrings and brooch or a statement necklace, shoes that won't outshine your dress, grab a cute clutch and you're ready to step out into the spotlight.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

33

health and fitness

Open Daily 9.00am-5.30pm Ph: 07 5577 8981

Shop 40, Quay St. Sanctuary Cove Kerrie Friend

•Gabriella Frattini •Ravel •Rarity •Sacha Drake •Hot Clothing also most popular swimwear labels

Open Daily 9.00am-5.30pm Ph: 07 5577 8288

Shop 41E, Quay St. Sanctuary Cove

•Joseph Ribkoff •MR K •Philosophy •Vers •7 Sisters •Ping Pong •Marco Polo •Charlie Brown … and more

Luxe to a

From her home in Las Vegas, favourite Queenslander, Kerrie Friend and her Hollywood pals, know all the tricks and tips to ensuring spirit, soul and inner health are the perfect complement to looking beautiful. he former co-host of TV’s Perfect Match and Wheel of Fortune Kerrie Friend hankers on returning down-under one day, however in the meantime she kicks up her heals, savours the good life in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Malibu and Beverly Hills and shares her thoughts via her books and magazine columns.

“I have spent several years developing what I label “image” which embodies our spirit, soul and body but it’s now time to take a step forward and add a lot of luxe,” says Kerrie whose husband has a media company and their friends include numerous Hollywood make-up artists, stylists, fashionistas and fitness gurus who make the stars shine bright.

“It’s all about living a sweeter, more peaceful, stress-free and beautiful life from the inside out, because beauty attained from within lasts a lifetime not a season. Fitness and health are also key ingredients to looking good and feeling even better. When you hear people say “LA is the land of pretty people”, you better believe it. Nowhere else in the country are people more focused on their fitness and how they look. At any time of the day you’ll see people jogging, power walking, doing pilates, boxing, kickboxing and yoga classes, tai chi in parks, running to the gym or up the famous Santa Monica stairs - a local’s favourite.

If you’re going to be in LA you better get fit.”

Shannan Friend, long time resident of Hollywood and New York and fitness trainer to stars such as Joni Mitchell, Nicolette Sheridan, Lou Gramm, Brendan Fraser, Michael Lewis, the head honcho of Real D, a 3D company responsible for movies such as Avatar, and of course his sister Kerrie, says: “Always incorporate a resistance training program that builds muscle whilst burning kilojoules throughout the day and find an aerobic activity such as swimming, running, power walking and elliptical machines, that you enjoy doing. Be sure to elevate your heart rate for at least 12 minutes for each cycle. The longer - the better.” He also recommends eating five smaller meals a day to ensure maximum burn off.

“Sandra Bullock’s trainer and nutritionist LA-based Eden Paul keeps it simple, allowing her one cheat day per week when she can eat anything,” reveals Kerrie. “The rest of her week consists of chicken, fish, lots of steamed vegetables and no junk food. Sandra mixes her workout routine with running, pilates, weight training and boxing. I personally include yoga into my fitness routine because I can do it almost anywhere and it helps sculpt my body.”

Kerrie’s five Hollywood live longer secrets are laughter, vitamin pills, volunteering, sleep and weight control: “People who laugh a lot or have

T

THE Beauty Centre of Paradise Point

looks add beautiful life... a good sense of humour increase their survival rate by 31 per cent. Not bad for just having a laugh.

“Pop some pills, five to be exact. One daily multivitamin, 600 mgs of fish oil for brain function, 1,000 IU vitamin D for bone and heart health, 600 mgs of calcium for bones and 200 mgs of magnesium to counteract bloating and constipation.

People who volunteer live longer and have fewer overall health problems, including depression and heart disease plus it’s a great way to make friends and build social networks.

“Hit the sack for seven/eight hours a night.

Sleep

deprivation increases the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes and weakens your immune system. Sleep in a dark, cool, peaceful sanctuary that encourages deep restful sleep. Follow Cameron Dias and Demi Moore and wear a sleep mask. Lastly stick as close as possible to your early 20’s weight because every 10 per cent of weight increase raises blood pressure. According to Dr Grossnam, co-author of LA celebrity must-read Transcend: 9 Steps to Living Well Forever”, lowering your kilojoule intake by 10/20 per cent is linked to longer life.”

On the make-up must-have list Kerrie suggests six brushes: lip brush for precise application; firm eye shadow brush to create bold looks; eye shadow blending brush to smudge; a rounded blush brush to give a natural looking flush plus a fluffy foundation brush to blend products for a flawless finish. “Other essentials include a liquid eye liner in pewter/metallic grey; a one shade lighter than foundation concealer; a rosy lip and cheek colour because it works on everyone; Hollywood’s favourite Maybelline mascara; a shimmer stick to highlight cheek bones; a pale lip liner for those barely there nude colours; a bronzer for face and body; a brow kit to transform eyebrows; L’Oreal’s Elnet hairspray; and the most popular foundation for flawless complexions as used by Michelle Pfeiffer, Kate Hudson, and Jennifer Anniston is Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk.”

For extra luxe check out Sex in the City says Kerrie who regards the girls’ style, flair for fashion and working the look, as second to none: “Spring and summer this year is filled with jewels, beads, baubles, boho tops and skirts, sparkling sandals and thongs, flowy tunics, long dresses, metal and beaded necklaces, embellished satin clutch bags, wedge heels and bazaar-inspired accessories. Jumpsuits complete the Hollywood vibe.”

…the most popular foundation for flawless complexions as used

by Michelle Pfeiffer, Kate Hudson, and Jennifer Anniston is Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk.”

Star Facial Treatments using Micro Current Buy 3 Get 1 Complimentary *conditions apply

All beauty and body treatments for men & women

12 Grice Avenue

PARADISE POINT 07 5529 6736

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

35

profile

Nolwenn Stephan STRIKING BLACK CHANDELIERS AND SENSUAL SHAG-PILE RUGS OFFSET GLITTERING SILVER ORNATE MIRRORS, RETRO BLACK AND WHITE LAMP SHADES AND RICHLY PAINTED FEATURE WALLS, AS NOLWENN STEPHAN LEADS STYLE MAGAZINE THROUGH HER LOUNGE ROOM OUT TO THE GARAGETURNED-STUDIO OF HER MIAMI HOME.

creating the bold Story: Rachel Syers Photo: Luke Sorensen

I

t's so obvious this attractive and petite French woman knows how to tap into her inner interior decorating mojo, that compliments and praise seem almost obligatory, yet at the same time could easily remain unspoken for the fact that it would be too uncool to comment.

That's because it's also obvious that Nolwenn seems to know exactly who she is, what she's capable of, and where she's headed.

In fact, her warm yet direct demeanour, sense of edgy dark décor and relaxed fashion mixed with street glam appeal, could all be boiled into a melting pot to cook up one of her artworks.

Both the artist and her work epitomise the bold and the beautiful, but with some street-wise tough love thrown in.

“My artwork is an extension of me - it does resemble me I think,” says Nolwenn, 36, in her oh-so French accent that's only slightly paled since growing up in Rufec, Angeloume, France, then living in London for 13 years, prior to moving to the Gold Coast in 2006.

It's only been since living on the Coast, that Nolwenn's been able to turn a past hobby into her full-time dream of a working artist.

She never had the time or money to fully indulge her passion in London … too flat out earning a living in other areas of makeup and fashion in order to pay the rent.

But London's loss has been the Gold Coast's gain, with Nolwenn contributing to a new pool of artists injecting an urban awareness into the city's culture.

You see, Nolwenn paints with spray-cans, and mediums like street graffiti influence her style.

She still has a crazy collection of brushes and pots mind you, but it's the spray cans that really give her a point of difference.

“I take my style from a combination of what's called new street graffiti and fine art and I've always done it with spraypaint. I've actually never done graffiti though,” she laughs.

“I love the effect the spray-paint gives me - that really urban twist.

“I believe it's a lot less academic than what you learn at art school, which I did in my 20s in Angouleme, at the College of Art. “But I branched off to this style a long time ago and it's what I enjoy doing most.”

Nolwenn believe's her combination of subject and style

36

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

doesn't isolate itself to the confines of youth, traditionally linked with graffiti art.

“I think it speaks to the older generation as well because it encompasses Pop Art in some respect, but it could also be labelled as Modern Expressionism, which feeds from the roots of Abstract Expressionism and German Expressionism, only it is combined with present day media, and urban culture.”

Nolwenn is also influenced by the Vanitas Movement from the 16th and 17th centuries, which explored the imagery of skulls, and with that, questions of life and death via pictorial messages with moral undertones relating to the futility of existence and the absurdity of all human endeavours.

The result is a little dark, a little moody, yet warm, topical and edgy with dashes of sexy glamour, and let's not forget an undercurrent of wit.

“I like Mickey Mouse a lot, I could paint him all day long … I think he's an amazing character from an artist's point of view,” reveals Nolwenn.

“Sometimes if I do a collage I will put Mickey in there … he lifts the mood.”

But a new collection of artwork is forcing Nolwenn to detour from her comfort zone.

For the first time she's painting portraits.

It's a challenge she's embracing for her first solo exhibition on the horizon at the 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace in Mermaid Beach, running from November 20 to December 18.

The idea came from 19 Karen gallery director Terri Lew, whom Nolwenn admires as a mentor.

“I'm doing portraits of people I like, famous people, like Brigitte Bardot, Catherine McNeil, Salma Hayek in her film role as Frida Kahlo, and I'm thinking of choosing a male like Mick Jagger, someone with a face I can be creative with.”

Whether people like her pieces or not isn't a problem for Nolwenn, who has had her work exhibited in the likes of the Gold Coast's Art Galleries Schubert, South Melbourne's Greenwood Gallery, and even had a joint exhibition planned in Melbourne with Dan Baldwin, one of the most successful collectable urban artists in London, until his plans changed due to impending fatherhood.

“The bottom line is that it's just a painting,” she says.

“It is going to move you or not - you are going to love it or hate it - and that's the way it should be because, after all, that’s what art is about.”

and the beautiful...

“I like Mickey Mouse a lot, I could paint him all day long …”

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

37

luxurydining gold coast dining

THE GOLD COAST IS FULL OF DINING POSSIBILITIES. he Gold Coast is better known for its attractions both natural and manmade - than its varied

T

dining options.

Our many fine restaurants are often overlooked by national food writers, who seem to think that a predominantly tourist based area couldn't possibly offer fine dining commensurate with the southern States.

How wrong they are.

Our award-winning chefs and restaurants are among the best in Australia. It's just that we don't have the time to garner the recognition of others. Our chefs are too busy creating culinary masterpieces.

38

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Make the time to venture out of your comfort zone. Don't just dine in the same area - same restaurant - every time you want to enjoy lunch or dinner. It is wonderful to support your favourite restaurant or cafĂŠ - but you can also be adventurous - try somewhere new.

Take the time to visit another suburb. Some of the best restaurants are hidden away in local suburbs. Ask your friends and acquaintances to tell you about their favourite restaurant.

It's all about destination dining.

There are so many wonderful possibilities out there. So many luscious surprises to find. So many new tastes to enjoy and share with friends and relatives.

The Gold Coast is full of exciting dining possibilities tailored to all budgets. Why not be a little more adventurous in 2010.

Marina Mirage With its close proximity to international hotels, apartment buildings, the newly refurbished Marina Mirage shopping centre, in Sea World Drive Main Beach is a perfect shopping and dining precinct as well as several top class restaurants - including Omeros Bros, Ristorante Fellini, Glass, Saks and chocolate heaven - Max Brenner, Marina Mirage is a must visit destination.

Next door you'll find the 6-star Palazzo Versace with its fine dining options; across the road the Sheraton Mirage smorgasbord is known worldwide, and just down the road is the popular Sea World Resort. All three offering fine restaurants and exciting dinning options for the holidaymaker or local.

Tedder Avenue Often referred to as the Hastings Street of the Gold Coast, Tedder Avenue in Main Beach is a mecca for those wishing to dine and be seen. With an impressive range of dining options to suit every budget - from friendly casual cafes, bakery, delicatessen, fruit shop.

Recommended dining, Chill & Bahia for starters then eat your way down the street.

Surfers Paradise The heart of the Gold Coast tourist region, where tourists love to congregate and experience all the fun and excitement our sun and surf culture. With restaurants and cafes featuring almost every ethnic background, whether you're searching for Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Turkish, Italian, Greek, a good Aussie steak or Thai noodles, Surfers Paradise has the restaurant for you. At night the town comes alive with a myriad of nightclubs beckoning the young and energetic.

Broadbeach In the heart of the prime tourist region of the Gold Coast, Broadbeach boasts an impressive array of dining options and late night entertainment. Popular with families on a budget, many of the cafes and pizza parlours etc offer early-bird dining specials. The Oasis Shopping Centre offers a veritable Aladdin's cave of shopping options for all tastes.

Try Moo Moo for a fantastic steak or Lauxes for a true dining experience.

Sanctuary Cove/Hope Island The marine village atmosphere of Sanctuary Cove beckons those looking for quality food in a picturesque waterfront surrounding. Restaurants such as Georges Paragon draw diners from far afield. The village also offers a vast array of boutiques, jewellery, antiques and art galleries to tantalise those wishing to while away the hours in pursuit of earthly desires. In May the village is home to the annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, where those with desires a little more nautical can gain their fill of luxury craft.

Paradise Point One of the Gold Coast's most intrinsic areas. Once a sleepy suburb with an older demographic, offering Broadwater views, calm water swimming area and foreshore parks; the area now abounds with busy cafes, varied shopping opportunities and new residents, The once quiet setting is

now bordered by multi-million dollar island homes, but still exudes the perfect feel for lazy day dreams and long, long lunches.

Robina Town Centre In the centre of one of the Gold Coast's largest suburbs sits one of the region's largest shopping complexes, with its lakeside dining precinct featuring restaurants offering wonderful al fresco dining facilities. You will need a day to take in all the shops and decide on which restaurant to choose.

Burleigh Heads An area renowned for its fantastic surf breaks and uninterrupted beach views. Lots of shopping and dining options available for those wishing to picnic in the park beside the exotic breaking waves.

For those looking for a fine dining options well there are plenty, check out Oscars on the Beach for fabulous seafood and the best view in Australia.

Tamborine Mountain Perched high above the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain lures visitors away from the beaches to experience the 'Green behind the Gold'. The tiny townships is home to a myriad of fine art galleries, studios, wineries and cafes. The newly opened Witches Chase at the end of Long Road is a must visit, with chef Romeo adding new dishes to the menu in the Liquid Amber restaurant.

International Hotels The Gold Coast is home to a traveller's smorgasbord of prestige hotels and apartment buildings, most offering fine dining choices and signature restaurants. With names that are recognised all over the world, Marriott, Sheraton, Versace, Holiday Inn, RACV Royal Pines Resort, Sofitel and Conrad Jupiters Casino at Broadbeach for a multitude of dining options.

With the new Hilton due to join their ranks in 2011 the sky’s the limit for qulaity accommodation on the Gold Coast.

Culinary adventures...

THE PERFECT PAIR ... pear and cheese AUSTRALIAN PEARS ARE READILY AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND ARE THE UNSUNG HERO OF THE FRUIT BOWL. There are endless possibilities when using pears in the kitchen but nothing is as simple and striking as a beautiful pear and cheese plate. Pears have a subtle, sweet flavour that impresses without stealing the show. Pears also marry perfectly with the rich and creamy flavours of cheese.

Why not invite a few friends over for drinks this weekend and tempt them with this little number.

My suggested wine match to complement would be a Brown Brothers decadent 2009 Orange Muscat & Flora; 2006 Patricia Noble Riesling; or sensational Seppeltsfield Cellar 6 Tokay..

Ingredients (Serves 4) 120g good quality brie 120g good quality camembert 120g good quality mature cheddar 120g good quality blue cheese A selection of four in season pears - Packham’s Triumph, BeurrÊ Bosc, Corella or Red Anjou Various crackers and/or bread to serve Method Wash pears, cut into quarters, core and slice thinly.

On four individual plates, place approximately 30g of each cheese. Divide and arrange a selection of pear slices onto each plate. Try tasting each pear with each cheese for a different flavour combination. Serve at room temperature with matching wines, crackers and bread.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

39

foodie events & news Sydneys Red Lantern owner Luke Nguyen

Whetting appetites

Hilton Masterclass a delicious success.... wo Michelin-starred Michael Caines from the Gidleigh Park Hotel in the UK’s Devon was the headline act at the 2010 Hilton Brisbane Masterclass Weekend and rightly so. Extraordinarily talented yet so humble.

Executing dishes with his cutting edge eastwest cuisine was Hong Kong-born, Canadian chef Susur Lee who owns acclaimed restaurants in the US, Canada and Singapore; Lindt‘s head chocolatier Thomas Schnetzler

T

had every chocoholic going gaga over his Absinthe “green fairy’; master baker Peter Reinhart gave away secrets to a good rise; Adriano Zumbo and his designer desserts called wagyu steak and schnitzel were amazing feats we’ve come to expect from the MasterChef patissier; let’s not forget the effervescent duos Marty Boetz with Luke Nguyen and Lyndey Milan with Ian Hemphill; Jacques Reymond worked magic with mushrooms; chefs from Hilton hotels in various countries took the mystique out dishes such as Peking duck; and local luminaries Nick Holloway and Russell Armstrong set Queensland seafood centre stage and took the much-maligned mullet up a notch or three.

Amongst the mega wine experiences, sommeliers chose stunning wines to complement the food, the Sherry session was sensational, but it was the champagne class with the queen of bubbles Bernadette O’Shea that was world class. Nine champagnes with exquisite matching canapés from P.J. McMillan in 90 minutes including a crab and white asparagus custard with Perrier-Jouet Belle Époque Rose 2002, and a Russian blini with caviar and fennel crème fraiche and chives, the perfect foil for Dom Perignon 2000.

After an estimated eighty mud crabs, 200 quail, 70kg of barramundi, a bounty of other ingredients and myriad wines consumed during classes, plus fresh shucked oysters, wheels of French cheeses and Spanish hams washed down with Mumm and Choisel at the Belle Époque party, the Spanish feast at Javier Codina’s Moda was a fitting albeit beltloosening finale.

Privé 249 victoire Parisian-styled restaurant, Privé 249, located at Sofitel Brisbane has been awarded Best New Restaurant at the 2010 Queensland Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence.

“This is wonderful acknowledgment and salutes the intimate dining style, superior service and elegant atmosphere that defines the Privé 249 experience,” says general manager Tony Chisholm.“We strive each day for quality, simplicity and authenticity. The amazing ability of our chef de cuisine Mathieu Astier and excellent service and leadership of our restaurant manager Francois Laran is an unbeatable combination.”

Astier, who credits his passion for cooking to inspirational teachers including the famed Regis Marcon and Joel Robuchon, and spent much of his life in Monte Carlo, working in one to three-starred

40

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Lyndey Milan & Ian Hemphill added a little spice

PJ McMillian, Peter Bourne and Bernadette O’Shea

Michelin restaurants, before relocating to Brisbane in 2007 and joining the Privé 249 launch team in September 2009, says: “This is a magnifique moment for Privé and the award is an early gift for us all as we prepare to celebrate our first anniversary.

“My focus has always been on using the absolute best product available in the market, so I am lucky to have South East Queensland and its bounty of fresh local produce available on my doorstep. This has been vitally important in allowing me the freedom to explore and create memorable menus that present distinct and palatable flavours for our guests.”

In celebration of Brisbane’s continuing love affair with French cuisine, Mathieu Astier opened his kitchen recently to visiting chef Alain Fabrègues for a four course dinner highlighting recipes from Fabrègues new cookbook. And if you been to Alain’s Loose Box restaurant in WA you know that everything was très lavish.

Left: London based chef Bruno Loubet & Freestyle’s Martin Duncan Below: Guests including Baguette’s Francis Domenech get their hands in

In harmony with nature...

THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO FREESTYLE ESCAPE THAN CUDDLING UP IN FRONT OF AN OPEN FIRE IN THE WINTER OR DRINKING IN THE 180 DEGREE VIEWS FROM THE YOUR POOL ON HOT, BALMY NIGHTS. ooderati and wannabe artists take note. Freestyle Escape, conceived by bon vivant and Brisbane chef/restaurateur Martin Duncan, is a must-do experience.

For starters, aficionados of the good life can savour a unique culinary rendezvous when international and nationally known chefs whip up wondrous fare in the outdoor kitchen. It’s all hands-on including picking ingredients from the herb and vegetable garden or from the orchard.

Choose from a melange of fruit such as lychees, longans, cumquats, pomegranates and grapes; savour the fragrance of cloves, cinnamon, bay and kaffir lime leaves; and if you’ve ever wondered what tea, coffee and carob plants look like, here’s your chance.

Bruno Loubet, who currently has the London food critics in a whirl and is remembered from his time at Brisbane’s Bruno’s Tables and Baguette Bistrot plus berardo’s in Noosa, starred recently and made beetroot ravioli, fish cassoulet with seafood sausage and a brioche and crème fraiche tart with local strawberries. With a vino or two everyone concurred it was a feast to remember.

The next class is a Taste of the Middle East with TV’s Ready Steady Cook maestro, Rolling Dolmadi catering company co-owner and Freestyle’s chef Matt Golinski, making preserved lemons, mezze and a tagine or two.

Other talents manning the stoves and imparting culinary wisdom in coming months will be Martin Boetz from Longrain who’s switching to his other passion of rustic Italian; travel through the wonderful world of bread with artisan breadmaker Richard Cotton from Brewbakers; Paddock to plate is with chef Cameron Mathews from Spicers Clovelly Estate and hopefully the pastry chef who’s put new meaning into V8 and macarons, Adriano Zumbo.

Martin Duncan, another dessert genius who will also share his secrets, says he adores working with the bounty of produce from local producers and from Freestyle’s garden: “To walk around the herb garden and harvest

F

edible flowers and assortment of herbs then come back to the kitchen and create something exquisite is nothing short of extraordinary.”

Completing the picture after a full day picking, prepping, wining and dining or maybe you’ve been engrossed in an outdoor art class using various mediums, is a stay at Freestyle Escape which given its almost eyrie location, views from the hinterland to the coast, stylish contemporary furnishings and lots of decadent extras, is unique.

The secluded location’s luxury accommodation consists of two private houses. The Escape is a contemporary deluxe three-bedroom house with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious open plan living with log fireplace, luxurious beds and quality linen and huge stone bathtubs. The Arthouse is a one bedroom studio with a king size bed, ensuite and living room with open fire. The large deck with outdoor dining and day bed is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

For more information visit: www.freestyleescape.com.au or phone 07 3262 3077.

Writer: Helen Flanagan Photos: Kaylene & Tom Murray

THE NEXT CLASS IS A TASTE OF THE MIDDLE EAST WITH TV’S READY STEADY COOK MAESTRO, ROLLING DOLMADI CATERING COMPANY CO-OWNER AND FREESTYLE’S CHEF MATT GOLINSKI, MAKING PRESERVED LEMONS, MEZZE AND A TAGINE OR TWO.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

41

foodie events & news

Match made in Bedarra ooking for a reason to visit the secluded luxurious hideaway of Bedarra Island? How about a guilt-free, quiet indulgence and the perfect gourmet marriage? Henschke wines of Eden Valley is pairing with the barefoot locale of Bedarra Island on17 and 18 September 2010 for two degustation dinners.

Prue Henschke says they are excited about the visit to the Great Barrier Reef: "I studied botany and zoology and am keenly interested in nature and Stephen has actually studied marine biology and is looking forward to fitting in some snorkeling”.

She believes guests attending the September Gourmet Weekend will experience a clear sense of a place that is identified both by the expression of the Henschke vineyards and an island that is quite a secret to the outside world.

"We're asking everyone to enjoy Henschke wines that have been created by 140 years of grape growing and winemaking experience, while immersed in the natural wonder of an island that’s all about peace, privacy and the ultimate in tropical style.

The Henschkes, one of the most highly lauded winemaking teams in the world, are mindful of their European roots, language, food and wine culture. Prue, a viticulturist and Stephen, a winemaker are often praised for their complete integration of vineyard and winery, and the innovation and talent they bring to the industry. They work with biodynamic and organic principles to protect and enrich the land, the environment and the future for the next generation.

Their portfolio boasts a strong focus on ultra-premium single-vineyard wines from the highly revered and much sought-after Hill of Grace, the pinnacle of the red wines, to other iconic wines Mount Edelstone and Cyril

L

42

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bedarra Island Resort's culinary team is lead by executive chef James Ward who has worked at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant and St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow in UK’s Cornwall as well as Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin starred restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxford.

“After a rather traditional start years ago when I was apprenticed at what is now Matt Moran’s Aria Restaurant in Brisbane, the UK experience was like doing a whole new apprenticeship,” says James who understands the importance of ingredients and how to respect food by keeping it uncomplicated. He has created seven course gourmet degustation menus using fresh local produce and ingredients to expertly complement the featured wine or champagne. For example: guinea fowl and lemon thyme pressed terrine, fresh date puree and lightly spiced Corella pear is paired with Henschke Lenswood Coralinga Sauvignon Blanc and Henschke Lenswood Littlehampton Innes Pinot Gris; South Australian Rock lobster, salted Lilliput capers, pain d'epice and vanilla, with Henschke Lenswood Green's Hill Riesling; organic New Zealand Red Cevena venison, baby turnip, Dutch carrot, fresh blackberries and cocoa nibs with Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium; and sous vide eye of Black Angus rib fillet, asparagus spears, pomme puree, fresh truffle sliced at the table with Henschke Tappa Pass Shiraz.

Two night packages are available from $3,468* per couple, including accommodation, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, selected alcoholic beverages and return flights Cairns to Dunk Island with transfer to Bedarra. www.bedarra.com.au

Champagne Tastes & Stylish Dining... at LAUXES ould there be a better time to enjoy the stylish ambience and glimmering chandeliers at Lauxes Lounge Bar & Restaurant at On The Park in Broadbeach, than Spring?

Perfectly positioned in this popular boutique dining precinct beside the park in Broadbeach, Lauxes offers quality, modern dining with an Asian influence - at realistic prices. With two styles of dining available, outside on the promenade overlooking the lush green parkland and inside under the chandeliers. Tables are dressed with crisp white damask tablecloths, and set with gold filigree-edged Noritake plateware, silver cutlery and crystal glasses.

Lauxes is perfect for any occasion - not just those 'special' ones.

In the daytime you can sit, relax and take in the passing Broadbeach lifestyle with casual dining alternatives, which provide a fabulous day out for groups during the lovely Spring weather.

And at night, you can sit at the glimmering cocktail bar sipping on one of the many champagnes and sparkling wines available by the glass or bottle, or choose a wine or boutique beer from the extensive list, whilst watching the flickering flames of the tall outside garden torches, Chef Akira Takagi shines in the kitchen where he adds an Asian influence to many dishes, but he isn't afraid to present a perfectly prepared steak, lamb or pork dish. Just ask the business group that were dining beside us.

Oysters are a speciality at Lauxes - and so it should be in a restaurant serving fine Champagne. On the evening that we dined I chose the natural oysters with champagne vinaigrette and the sashimi oysters served natural with pickled ginger, soy sauce and a hit of wasabi. They were fresh, plump and luscious - a perfect complement to the Lanson.

My dining partner chose the seared Hokkaido scallops and grilled Moreton Bay bugs. They were large, sweet and delicious.

For our mains, I chose the Tempura Moreton Bay bugs sauteed Asian vegetables, black beans presented with a chilli, ponzu and ginger sauce. This dish was sensational. Large bugs in light crisp tempura batter set in a sea of tantalising flavours.

My partner chose the slow-roasted duck with confit sweet potato, steamed bok choy, tomato & cranberry chutney with port, muscat and cranberry jus. He declared it a masterpiece.

Although we dared not venture onto dessert for fear of bursting, our Brazilian waiter Marcus enticed us with chocolate and banana brulĂŠe. How could we refuse?

Lauxes is a real gem!

C

For bookings Ph: 07 5531 5555 & for full menu details visit www.lauxes.com.au Writer: Kaylene Murray Photography: Tom Murray

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

43

RSVP

6.

5.)

SURF'S UP

Forget about surfing the menu - now executive chef come author and TV presenter, Ben O'Donoghue has set up camp at Brisbane's iconic South Bank's beach zone with his very own 'almost' traditional surf club. In association with the Katarzyna Group this very' beachy feel' restaurant - The South Bank Surf Club opened with a bang and a large cry of delight.

With lifeguards on patrol, fabulous seafood and gourmet delights on offer and bottles and bottles of Mumm Champagne and Coronas whetting everyone's whistle, it is no wonder that invited guests were keen to rinse off the sand, don their favourite beachwear or glamrags and party the night away.

Fabulous night was had by all and diners have been rushing back ever since, to sample the luscious Queensland seafood on offer in this casual yet stylish eatery.

Breakfast in Bed… no names - no recriminations

6.)

An exclusive 'Breakfast in Bed' event was held recently at Jupiter's Casino to launch the 2010 Tastes of the Gold Coast food festival. With a 'pyjamas only' dress code, guests were given complimentary Peter Alexander PJs upon arrival, sent to the change rooms and then invited to jump into a king-size bed, snuggle up under the covers with whomever!! - and then sip on champagne, peck at delectable

6.

BE FABULOUS AT MOOBAR BRISBANE 8.)

Moobar at Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill in Brisbane is a great place to enjoy a relaxing drink with friends and is home to the very popular bi-monthly Ladies Cocktail Lunches.

The next luncheon will be held on Thursday 9th September and for just $95 per person, ladies can indulge in an afternoon of all things fabulous, with a swimwear fashion parade

by Leah Madden and the team at White Sands; delicious Moo Moo canapés and free flowing Chandon champagne.

Hosted by Channel Ten personality Amanda McLeay there’ll also be raffles and entertainment. Proceeds from the afternoon will go to Make A Wish Foundation.

So, if you want to Be Fabulous at Moobar Brisbane on Thursday 9th September from 11.30am – 3pm, call (07) 3236 4500.

The next Be Fabulous lunches are scheduled for Thursday 2nd December and Thursday 10th February, 2011.

For more information on Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill visit www.moomoorestaurant.com

8.

breakfast goodies and, listen to the cool tunes of DJ Cat Kid. Seen in bed were Cr Susie Douglas, Cr Jan Grew, Jason Solmon (GCAC), Destry Puia (GM GCAC), Daniel Ridgeway (Little Truffle) and Angela Brown (Room81) - not to mention 2 ripped lads.

7.) Poseidon Rides a Wave of Success

The all new Poseidon Seafood & Grill restaurant is a new venture for high profile restauranteurs Max and Amanda Alfieri on Ephraim Island launched with lots of bubbles and enough seafood to make the mermaids cry.

Seafood is definitely the name of the game, with tanks of live oysters. lobsters and Mud crabs on offer.

Max's brother Julian is the host of this stylish waterfront restaurant.

9.) Divine Dining at

Ted E Bare’s Farewell Tour... ”The stress is too much” explained veteran performer, Ted E Bare With utter shock and sadness, the world is coming to terms with the news that one of their most loved perpormers is hanging up his fur coat and quitting the business. Ted E Bare has, admitted that he will miss the show unbearably (pun intended).

Here are the details for your chance for one last

44

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

RACV Royal Pines Resor t Legendary chef Cheong Liew was on hand to guide the kitchen at RPRs Restaurant recently, for a very special, thank you dinner for the Lexus of Southport Group, sponsors and supporters of the launch of Lexus Masters of the Kitchen event. Guests were treated to a fabulous dinner designed by the master himself.

After a long association with The Grange in Sth Australia, Cheong has moved to Melbourne where he will be guiding the Botanical Restaurant to further glory with his world-recognised style of cuisine.

10.) Hilton Hotel - Masters of the Masterclass

What a weekend. Packed with all conceivable goodies - fine food, fabulous chefs, exciting winemakers and experts to share their knowledge, based in one convenient location. The beautiful ballrooms of the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane.

Here was a wonderful opportunity for home cooks, apprentices - and yes, other chefs - to learn new skills and savour new ideas from around the globe.

Food goddess Alison Alexander and her dedicated committee have achieved the unachievable, by bringing international culinary luminaries to Brisbane to work beside Australia's own 'lords' of the kitchen.

This year was another huge success for the event, with attendees already booking their

longing look at the adorable, shy Ted E Bare and his human co-star David Strassman.

14th December Caloundra The Events Centre - Book on (07) 5491 4240 www.theeventscentre.com.au 15th December Nambour Civic Centre - Book on (07) 5475 7777 www.nambourcivicentre.com.au 16th December Toowoomba Empire Theatre - Book on 1300 655 299 www.empiretheatre.com.au 17th December Gold Coast The Arts Centre - Book on (07) 5588 4000 www.theartscentregc.com.au

spots for the next one in 2012.

Also in attendance was ex first series MasterChef contestant, Geni Papacostas and Jacques Reymond a presenter.

AUDI Race Week on Hamilton Island 11.)

Greg Willims, dealer principal of Audi in Brisbane had a lot to smile about at the Audi Race Week on Hamilton Island. He had managed to successfully transfer 50 new Audis onto the island and even have several positioned around the fantastic new Hamilton Island Golf Course on Dent Island.

Guests staying at the luxurious Qualia Resort and The Beach Club were transferred to all dinners and events in select prestige vehicles.

Chefs Pete Evans & Shannon Bennett ensured that guests dined on outstanding delights.

I think that the staff are hoping that one of the Audis might accidentally get left behind for them!

12.)

9.

11.

12.

5.

10.

11.

EuroMarque MASERATI When Brisbane played host to the exclusive reveal of Maserati's first true four-seater convertible recently there was a line-up for a chance to hop behind the wheel.

The evening was highlighted by personalised cocktails, canapes and tables resplendant with tasty nibbles, as well as lots of bubbles.

But nothing could detract from the beauty of the leather lined, bright and shiny, streamlined power machines!

7.

10.

7.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

45

foodie events & news

Spring into lamb!

Lets be honest. We're Australians and we all love our lamb (unless you're a vegetarian), especially a traditional roast lamb dinner. ust ask the girl who turned down a date with Tom Cruise, or Australia's exuberant 'Lambassador' Mr Sam Kekovich for pointing that out to us so successfully. But, we don't only eat lamb on Australia Day or special occasions!!

What would a fine dining menu be if it didn't include a tender rack of lamb or a perfectly prepared lamb rump or backstrap?

And how would we get through the week without some mouthwatering lamb chops with veges; or a lamb burger with minted yoghurt?

We recently had the pleasure of dining on some of the finest lamb available in Australia, prepared by the talented hands of chef/owner Stuart Webster at Rock Salt in Noosa.

The lamb was provided by Sovereign Five Star Lamb, and is all natural prime lamb raised in the pristine, high rainfall lush Goldfields region of Victoria. A region which has produced Australia’s finest pure meat lambs since the 1880’s. A group of select professional prime lamb producers supply the Sovereign Five Star brand and lambs are handselected at each stage of the production chain to meet the strict specifications. The pure lamb genetics of the brand and the natural feeding regime of lush pastures, clean water and air, give the lamb a tender texture and a mild rich flavour. And, most importantly, they are hormone growth promotant free.

This is gourmet lamb of the highest quality; every cut is outstanding, from the elegant rack of lamb to the boneless leg roast. Sovereign Five

J

46

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Star Lamb’s Export, ISO and HACCP certified packing facility maintains the highest sanitation standards and procedures. Sovereign Five Star Lamb is committed to preserving the land and sheep raising lifestyle for future generations.

For further information contact: Platinum Prime - 07 3256 6222 or www.sovereignlamb.com.au

LuxuryStyleliving

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

47

stylish recipes

Fresh apples Best of the big apple he world’s healthiest applegrowing environment is purported to be Australia and large or small, green or red, one a day keeps more than the doctor away.

T

Apples do not grow true to seed hence new varieties constantly appear and, including those developed by scientists, there’s believed to have been in excess of 7000 varieties with 100 grown commercially worldwide.

According to a range of recent studies apples and their nutritional components are beneficial on blood cholesterol levels, lipid metabolism, blood pressure, atherosclerosis (a precursor of cardiovascular disease) and various forms of heart disease.

There’s good evidence apple polyphenols reduce cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease. They may also have the potential to reduce visceral or “belly” fat and affect hormones involved in regulating metabolism. These results suggest apple polyphenols may help regulate fat metabolism in healthy subjects with a relatively high body mass index (BMI).

Eating whole apples help control hunger by making you feel fuller for longer and eating one just before a meal may reduce appetite and cut overall kilojoules intake at that meal by 15 per cent - the equivalent to reducing portion sizes by almost one sixth. Eating apples as a snack also has valuable satiety benefits that may help with weight reduction.

A large number of epidemiological studies have also reported that people who eat an apple a day have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes; eaten

48

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

during pregnancy may protect a child from developing asthma; help alleviate some of the symptoms of respiratory allergies, such as sneezing; plus there’s emerging evidence on the health benefits of apples across a range of areas from inflammatory bowel disease and certain cancers to gastrointestinal conditions.

An apple has more antioxidants than half a punnet of blueberries, a cup of strawberries, two cups of tea, three oranges

or eight bananas. They are low GI, a good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fibre, and phytonutrients including antioxidant compounds. They are grown in all Australian states; should be chosen for their firm and smooth skin; kept crisp by storing in the refrigerator; and are the perfect partners with cheese, nuts, dried fruit, pork, shellfish, duck and brandy.

Roast Muscovy duck with apple dashi, apple gallette, miso, enoki and apple pearls

Ingredients: 3 large Muscovy duck breast 1 litre water 100 gm raw sugar 100 gm course salt 1 bay leaf 1 sprig thyme 1 teaspoon white peppercorns 1 clove garlic Apple dashi 200 ml fresh

apple juice 50 gm bonito flakes 2gms xanthum gum Miso 150ml white miso (made according to makers instructions) 150 ml egg yolk 6 Fuji apples 100 gm trimmed enoki mushrooms 3 Granny Smith apples sea salt fresh ground white pepper Method: Bring the Water, sugar, salt, herbs, garlic & pepper to the boil for 5 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. Trim the duck breasts and add to the brine for two hours. Remove and

pat dry. Lightly score the skin then place skin side down into a nonstick pan. Cook until golden.

Remove the fat as it accumulates.

Turn & cook flesh side down for 5 minutes. Rest until required in a 60c oven.

For the dashi: bring the juice to the boil and add the bonito flakes. Keep warm until they sink.

Strain through muslin then use a wand blender to add the xanthum gum.

Blend until slightly thickened.

Reserve.

Whisk the miso with the egg yolk. Stand for ten minutes then skim any bubble from the

surface.

Place in a tray lined wit cling film & steam for15 minutes at 70c until just set.

Heat an oven to 160c. Slice the Fuji apples with a mandolin and place in over lapping patters on baking paper between heavy baking sheets. Bake until golden.

Use a small Parisian baller to scoop pearls of Granny Smith apple into vacuum bags. Vacuum with a little dashi to make translucent.

Place a slice of miso custard onto each plate. Slice each duck breast in half length wise and trim. Saute the enoke. Place a piece of breast on each plate and garnish with the enoke. Add the apple pearls to the warmed dashi and spoon a little over each breast. Add an apple gallette to each plate and a grind of white pepper.

An apple has more antioxidants than half a punnet of blueberries, a cup of strawberries, two cups of tea, three oranges or eight bananas

Corker of an idea

Caramelised apple with cream cheese sorbet Ingredients: 6 Gala Apples 200 ml dark caramel 200 gm castor sugar 100 ml mineral water Cream cheese ice-cream 800 ml water 200 gm castor sugar 50 gm invert sugar 5 gm stabiliser 200gms Philadelphia cream cheese 2 sheets gelatine Sable 300 gm plain flour 200 gm castor sugar 100 gm softened butter 100 gm roasted and crushed hazelnuts 1 egg yolk 1 pinch sea salt Method: For the dark caramel: place the

sugar and 50 ml of the mineral water into a heavy based pot.

Bring to the boil and reduce until it begins to colour. Continue until wisps of smoke appear. Swirl in the pan to mix evenly. Remove the pan from the heat and place the base into a pot of cold water. Add the remaining mineral water. Place back onto the heat to dissolve and lumps and reserve at room temperature.

Remove the cheeks from the apples leaving leaves and stalk attached.

Place each apple into a vacuum bag and add 40 gm caramel. Seal under vacuum and cook at 95c for 5 hours. Water bath is the best.

For the ice-cream: Bring the water, sugar and invert sugar to the boil for two minutes. Leave to cool then add the stabiliser and whisk in the cream cheese and softened gelatine. Leave to mature overnight. Churn in an ice-cream maker following the maker’s instruction.

For the sable: Beat the butter and sugar together with a wooden spoon. Add the salt and beat in the egg yolk. Fold in the

sieved flour and hazelnuts. Make a flattened mound of it and wrap in cling film. Refrigerate for two hours. Then roll between two sheets of baking paper to 5 mm thick. Rest for two hours then bake at 170c until golden. Cool then crush.

To serve: Cut a small “bite” from each apple with a 20mm fluted cutter. Square off the base of each with a sharp knife and stand in the middle of a plate. Add a little sable to each plate and then a quenelle of ice-cream.

When it comes to names, ‘FromWoopWoop’ is certainly up and out there as the clever alternative to the dearth of tasteful Aussie motifs and products.

Designed by multi-disciplinary Melbourne designers Claire Selby and Lisa Oaten of Studio Periscope, the interactive tablemat set features stylised Australian motifs in a unique form.

Highlighting vivid prints of Australian native plants such as Wattle, Bottlebrush and Gumnuts, the tablemats FromWoopWoop are screen printed on a 70 per cent recycled wine cork composite. This innovative material has a Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certification Together, as a completed puzzle, it forms a striking centrepiece, or simply pop out the pieces to form a heat mat, two tablemats and two coasters. This puzzle system is extremely efficient and also means there’s no material waste.

Claire and Lisa worked for three and four years respectively in Stockholm, one of the world’s leading design centres, and were struck by the range of nontacky, gorgeous designer Swedish gifts in contrast to the distinct lack of Australian equivalents. Exhibited at the 2009 Milan Furniture Fair, and launched recently in Melbourne, tablemats FromWoopWoop have gone from nowhere to somewhere in the blink of an eye as a truly practical and non-cringe-worthy gift.

One twinset unit of five parts contains a heat mat, two tablemats and two coasters. The RRP is $75 and for more details visit: www.fromwoopwoop.com FromWoopWoop

Recipes by Mark Best – Marque Restaurant Photography by Stuart Scott

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

49

profile

Dean Merlo Chief espresso officer

CHIEF ESPRESSO OFFICER AND DOTING DAD DEAN MERLO, AS HELEN FLANAGAN DISCOVERED, TRIED TO FORGET BUSINESS AND HOME COMFORTS WHEN HE BUNKED DOWN ON CARDBOARD AND CONCRETE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE HOMELESS.

C

“The guy sleeping two up from me was a dead-set chainsaw and I was thinking that he made the tunnelling for the CLEM7 sound soft.”

50

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Bean baron joins the homeless...

offee is in Dean Merlo’s blood and it’s easy to understand why.

Fed up with badly brewed versions made with equally bad beans, his Italian-born parents, owners of the up-market Milano restaurant, caused an upheaval in Queensland coffee circles when they introduced the first commercial espresso machine. It was 1958.

Dean was born in Brisbane and apart from numerous trips overseas, has always lived in New Farm. He studied law and used it as a stepping stone into the small family business – an obvious choice given his excellent mentors.

“The Milano was a massive success in Brisbane and in its early days caused a revolution among cappuccino drinkers,” recalls Dean who cannot remember ever starting to drink coffee - just always having done so. “But I do have a memory of swinging my legs on a chair in the Milano downstairs as a five year old sipping the froth off a cappuccino.”

The first Bar Merlo was established in Queen Street, Brisbane in 1992 and three years later, after frustrations with the consistency of roasted beans, Dean purchased his own roaster in Italy and set up the now famous Torrefazione or Italian coffee roasting house, in Fortitude Valley. “At our five Torrefaziones, we import the highest grade green beans from Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Kenya, Brazil and New Guinea and every 24 hours, these beans are roasted to release their flavour and blended to create a range of aromatic, enticing Merlo blends. The beans are packaged in our patented airlock bags and tins and stored in our purpose built humidity controlled cold room. This ensures maximum flavour and freshness is passed onto the customer.”

As the word of Merlo’s uniquely produced blends spread, so did the demand by today’s almost 1000 local and south-east Queensland restaurants and coffee shops. “Australians are now one of the largest consumers of coffee in the world. Consumers are also becoming more sophisticated as they gain access to better coffee.

And it’s not just about cappuccino or black coffee, it’s doppio,

ristretto, light soy lattes and more.

Coffee has become the new wine!”

Dean admits to being an all-round sports tragic loving golf and tennis but it’s the strategy and competitiveness of lawn bowls that’s had him hooked for ten years.

“Do you know the average age of the national men’s bowls team is younger than the average age of the national men’s cricket team,” the member of the Boonah bowls club says with a laugh. “I suppose Dad introduced me into the game and I often remember all of the

fun roll ups we would often have together.”

Fun is also key when it comes to family. He and “beautiful” wife Kath have two cheeky boys: Tom who just turned 4 and Nicky who is 18 months. “Relaxation to me is tinkering around on our family property at Boonah, where we love to entertain, cook up a storm on the barbie or slow cook dishes to serve with a great red.”

Family and coffee business aside, it’s the self-effacing side of Dean that deserves an honourable mention. Several months ago he joined 55 business leaders and politicians in the 2010 St Vinnies’ CEO Sleepout fundraiser and bunked down at Southbank Piazza to raise awareness for the plight of the homelessness.

Dean says he was inspired by his mother who has worked as a volunteer for Vinnies for over 10 years: “I’ve dished out food for them on the odd occasion and like them because they are local, do the tough stuff on the streets and mostly run with volunteers. They tackle the ‘unsexy’ charities such as homelessness and mental illness. I was on cardboard on the concrete and didn’t sleep much. What an eyeopening experience “The guy sleeping two up from me was a dead-set chainsaw and I was thinking that he made the tunnelling for the CLEM7 sound soft.”

"I was eternally grateful for the security,” says St Vinnies’ CEO Peter Maher who also joined the sleepout.“If you're sleeping in a homeless situation, then you don't have the security. The back's pretty sore so is the throat but to experience first-hand what 2000 people experience every night, we have to do something about it.

“The event captures a real concern in the community about social inequality and provides an avenue for businesses to make a real difference.”

As a result of the Vinnies’ sleepout, $2.8 million was raised across Australia. Dean, who calls himself the chief espresso officer for the Merlo company, raised a staggering $31,201.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

51

foodie news

Fellini co-owner Carlo Percuoco

FELLINI Gains Coveted Three Glasses...

ISTORANTE Fellini has again been rated among Australia’s most elite wine venues in Australian Gourmet Traveller’s Wine List of the Year awards. The iconic Marina Mirage restaurant was awarded a ‘three-glass’ rating for its fine selection of Italian reds, Australian and French wines, which is the highest possible rating in the competition. The win makes them one of only three Gold Coast venues to have received the prestigious award. Only eleven threeglass ratings were handed out in Queensland.

R

52

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Fellini has taken part in the awards for over 10 years, and co-owner Carlo Percuoco says the achievement speaks volumes for their wine list, especially given the high calibre of the field.

“It is one of the most exclusive competitions in the industry,” said Mr Percuoco. “With only 82 venues given the rating Australia-wide, this is a great achievement for us. We were listed up with the finest restaurants across the country, a testament to the selection of wines on offer at Fellini. “We are very honoured to be recognised nationally among our peers.”

Fellini’s comprehensive wine list includes more than 600 labels from Australia, France and Italy with some impressive verticals to tantalise.

“We put a lot of effort into selecting our wines to match each meal on the Fellini menu and to offer our customers a diverse range of quality options,” said Mr Percuoco.

A panel of wine aficionados including national and international wine reviewers, reporters and sommeliers made up the judging panel, led by the Chairman of Judges, respected wine writer Peter Forrestal.

Each wine list was assessed on five different criteria - content, balance, suitability, presentation and pricing.

CONGRATULATIONS to the other worthy Queensland recipients of the coveted 3 Glasses Award from Gourmet Traveller Australian Wine List Awards, Absynthe and Vanitas on the Gold Coast; Ortiga, the Brisbane Club, Cru Bar & Cellars, Era Bisto, e’cco, Aria and Restaurant Two in Brisbane.

Cauliflower Soup with smoked salmon Ingredients: 1 head of cauliflower 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 sprigs of Thyme 20ml Olive oil 1 Bay leaf 6 white peppercorns 2 medium sized onions, diced 50g butter, diced 300ml milk 200ml double cream 100ml good quality chicken stock Garnish: 4 tbsp Truffle oil 300g smoked salmon 2 tbsp chopped chives salt and pepper to taste Method: 1. ) Break the cauliflower down into florets 2.) Place medium sized pot onto medium heat and allow

warming, adding the olive oil, diced onion and crushed garlic, stir until softened without colouring.

3.) Add the bay leafs, butter, peppercorns and thyme and allow to sautĂŠ for a further minute, then add cauliflower.

4.) Pour in the chicken stock, milk then bring to the boil, add seasoning and allow to simmer for 12-15 minutes. Take off heat and let infuse for 20 minutes.

5.) Take out the bay leaf and thyme, using a bar blender process until smooth, pass through sieve, taste and season appropriately.

6.) To serve, bring back up to the boil and then add cream, garnish with julienne of smoked salmon, chopped chives and truffle oil.

Recipe courtesy of Brad Jolly Alchemy Restaurant, Brisbane

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

53

...a barrel to push Sommeliers are often underrated, misunderstood and perceived as snooty rather than approachable, fun and interesting.

A WINE LIST NEEDS TO BE APPROPRIATE TO THE RESTAURANT AND ITS FOOD. IF IT’S IN THE UPPER ECHELON AS OPPOSED TO A CHEAP AND CHEERFUL, IT’S INEVITABLY CHOSEN BY A SOMMELIER WHO UNDERSTANDS THE MANIFESTO FOR GOOD DRINKING, IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A CONSIDERABLE DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WINE AS WELL AS OTHER BEVERAGES AND OF COURSE FOOD.

S

o what is a sommelier or specialist in wine service, what hides behind the supposed veneer, who are some of the best in the business locally and what does it take to be recognised for an award-winning wine list?

Growing up was always about good food at Peter Marchant’s home, but more than not, it was hands-off. His mother was a caterer. Undeterred he cemented a love affair for hospitality whilst travelling overseas during university days. “I believe the best sommeliers understand food just as much as wine, have patience, excellent customer service and organisational skills plus the ability to know what a customer wants, even if they don’t,” explains Peter who has certification as a master sommelier, is currently the Queensland chairman for Sommeliers Australia, treasurer on the national executive and on-premise sales manager for Mezzanine Wines, which represents companies such as Mountadam, Cullen and Gemtree.

“I have been fortunate to experience many great wines, verticals and vintages however my favourite local

54

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

people in style

Matt Brooke and Peter Marchant

wine and food experience was working with David Pugh at Restaurant Two and catering at a private residence. He prepared butter poached red claw yabbies with angel hair pasta and a bisque cream - with a Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay - the perfect match,” says Peter adding Clare and Eden Valley rieslings, plus white burgundy and champagne are amongst his other favourites.

When Dan Clark moved with his family to London, his serious association with the good drop began when working in a Mayfair wine shop, followed by all things Italian on a trip to Rome. Later he became a wine consultant at The Grape Group before starting Addley Clark Fine Wines, a wine wholesaler specialising in some of the more outstanding Australian and Italian wines. In 2008 he and business partners opened 1889 Enoteca.

“As a sommelier I take care of our wine list and make sure that we have interesting wines to go with our great Italian food,” enthuses Dan, “also introducing people to different wines. Italy has over 1500 varieties, so there’s is something distinctive around every corner.

“The best wine tasting I’ve ever had was from the Yalumba Museum

including the 1945 and1955 Chateau d’Yquem, 1945 Chateau MoutonRothschild and 1982 Cheval Blanc.

“The Vini Naturali tasting in Rome showcasing artisan producers from Italy, France, Slovenia, Croatia who make their wines naturally, was also amazing. However I love a pizza margherita and a Livernano Chianti Classico at Beccofino with wife Lucy and daughter Lola. Kordel’s food and Paolo’s service make this a Brisbane gem.

“A great wine list is about balance and suitability to the style of food. It doesn’t need to long but has to be focused.”

Matt Brooke, head sommelier at Ortiga says it’s all about being able to read a guest, understand the product and think outside the square: “The one you turn to when Vouvray sounds more like a perfume by Gucci than something vinous and wonderful. Being a sommelier involves all aspects of beverage service not just table.

“I was involved in arguably one of Australia best wine lists at Circa, The Prince in Melbourne and for several years immersed myself in their wine culture and training,” recalls Matt who is on the committee for Sommelier Australia in Queensland, adding a recent wine and food experience was “perfectly executed” at Urbane with Yabby Lake.

“Other momentous moments include wine dinners in Melbourne with some of the country’s best drinkers such as James Halliday, Ben Edwards and Philip Rich. These guys have shown me more great wine than I could ever hope to own or drink.”

Matt’s arm had to be twisted when asked about favourite wines and regions: “Tempranillo - rioja, shiraz - Clonakilla, riesling – Germany…you can’t really ask a sommelier that question. And devising an award-winning wine list? The old cliché of balance and appropriateness.”

According to renowned wine writer Max Allen, Ortiga has one of the best wine lists for newish restaurants in Australia and Gourmet Traveller's chief critic Pat Nourse said:“Whether it was in New York or London, Sydney or Brunswick St, Ortiga is benchmarking excellent food, wine and service…1889 Enoteca has one of the most interesting lists you'll find anywhere in Australia. What's very interesting is that Brisbane restaurants have always punched above their weight for the quality of their wine.”

Praise indeed. No surprises that top sommeliers are highly sought after as they greatly enhance a restaurant's operation and reputation.

Writer: Helen Flanagan

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

55

Cheers...

Australian Wine Companion 2011

by James Halliday, Hardie Grant $34.95 Halliday's Australian Wine Companion is the number one bestselling guide to wineries and wine in Australia. Keenly anticipated by winemakers, faithful collectors and wine lovers alike, the latest edition has been completely revised and updated to bring you upto-the-minute information. He reveals his top scoring wines, Larry Cherubino Wines as the winery of the year plus shares his extensive knowledge via detailed tasting notes, each of which includes vintagespecific ratings and advice on optimal drinking, as well as alcohol content, price and a value rating. He provides important details on wineries - including opening times, contact details, vineyard sizes and web addresses - in addition to biographies and information about the winemakers. An indispensable reference for all enthusiasts of Australian wine, this is a must-have for anyone planning to visit a wine-growing region or to replenish a cellar.

The Beer Lovers Guide to Australia

cheers!

Published by: Scribal Publishing 34.95

56

For all the men who love a wine - but fancy a beer. Here is a book celebrating Australia's rich and vibrant beer culture.

Australia’s relationship with beer started when the first fleet dropped anchor in Botany Bay in 1788 and celebrated with mugs of Porter. Since then it has been a colourful journey that is now poised for a renaissance of beer appreciation in the mainstream Australian culture. The Beer Lovers Guide to Australia is a guide for anyone looking to explore the world of Australian Beer. Most Australians would be surprised to learn that we have over 150 different Australian beer brands with an average of around 3 beers each. A range of well respected Australian writers and beer connoisseurs will guide you through the world of beer: There’s never been a better time to drink Australian beer and there’s never been a more comprehensive guide to Australian beers - the people who make them and the best places to drink them.

Here is your guide to finding the ultimate brew, in the ultimate town. www.beerloversguide.com.au

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Beer by Greg Duncan Powell, Murdoch Books He’s a beer obsessive, champion imbiber, rollicking writer and has gone the hard yards with this one, bringing you 174 beers from across Australia and those washed up on our shores. He’s sniffed, sampled and scored, from boutique lovelies to massmarket brews.

An entertaining guide to the different species of amber liquid, Beer features a detailed explanation of how beer is made and a short history of brewing, followed by a survey of as many beers as Duncan Powell could lay his hands on. He also taps into the growing interest in boutique beers and breweries, while including the ever-increasing array of mass-market beers. Each beer profile is accompanied by supporting photography and classified according to the type and style of beer.

You’ll never look at beer with less than appreciation again.

Ant Moore Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 This wine displays the intense richness and backbone of the Central Otago region, which is slightly unusual for Pinot Noir.

Carefully handpicked and crafted in Alexandra in Central Otago, the Ant Moore Pinot Noir 2008 is a single vineyard wine that perfectly showcases the fruit characters that make Pinot a recognisable and instant success.

“This wine is really drinking well, and is only going to get better” says Ant Moore, owner and winemaker of Ant Moore wines.“Last year I was a bit scared, as it looked a little young, tight and oaky. But over time, it has become much more integrated, showing the unique layers and flavours this region can achieve, and which have even more potential as the wine ages further”.

Being a young winemaker, Ant fortunately has time on his side - and with this in mind, he has started off the three year process of converting several of his vineyards in New Zealand to be certified organic. This move to sustainable wine making is not only a result of the increasing awareness and demand for organically grown and made wines, but is something Ant truly believes in. “I feel that there is a growing demand in this market for wines that are not just organic, but are actually a quality product that you would buy alongside any other wine” says Ant. The move towards sustainable winemaking commenced just prior to the 2008 vintage, which in itself was an exceptional growing season in Central Otago, so this wine has benefited twofold. Optimal fruit ripeness, low yielding vineyards and 100% oak aging (in a selection of aged barrels from a range of coopers) has produced a Pinot Noir

of exceptional quality and balance given its price point. RRP $29.95

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot 2006 The Whalebone Vineyard terroir exerts its strength across all four of the varieties grown there and Merlot develops the smokey Eucalyptus, anise and fresh earth aromas and flavours that are the signature of this distinguished site.

The Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard 2006 Merlot has the ripe plum and exotic spice of Merlot from the warm 2006 vintage. The very sweet fruit middle palate is matched by a significant bulk of tannin providing a fine grained and savoury finish. 2006 is a vintage defined by its tannins. This is a rich and ripe wine, which will best accompany dishes based on braised ox cheeks or slow cooked veal shanks.

Winemaker Brian Croser Only 240 cases produced. RRP $75

Uplifting wines to savour...

Showcasing the very best, regionally-expressive fruit from the Cumulus vineyard estate in Orange, a region that has quickly made a name for itself as a producer of some of Australia’s finest wine grapes, due to their soils, high-elevation and coolclimate.

Cumulus’ sky-high dedication to quality and sustainability has enabled them to attain their vision of creating complex, layered and beautifully complete wines… ideal to up-lift any special occasion or celebration to cloud nine.

Cumulus wines are available at all good independent wine retailers or directly from the Cumulus website www.cumuluswines.com.au

Cumulus Chardonnay 2007 The wine reveals an elegant, tight structure which supports layered flavours of lemon meringue, grapefruit, quince and biscuit. A combination of wild and cultured yeasts, used during fermentation, creates complexity whilst still retaining a mineral-edged, acid structure RRP $29.99

Cumulus Shiraz 2007 This wine offers rich and intense fruit power with a classic structure.

Red berries, blueberries, cherries and cream overlay a refined, cool-climate Shiraz backbone. Matured in oak

barriques,the wine has great depth and finishes with warm, lingering exotic spices.

This Shiraz will reward careful cellaring for fifteen years. RRP $29.99

Tintilla Estate ‘John Basil’ Sparkling Red 2006 The magic of sparkling merlot... With its deep purple hue and fine, delicate bubbles, the Hunter Valley’s father and son winemaking team of Robert and James Lusby at Tintilla Estate know the perfect way to mark those special moments. Sparkling red wine has long been a tradition in Australian wine making history and Tintilla Estate has put their own stamp on this long standing style by creating a unique wine made predominantly from Merlot and named after the youngest of the Lusby boys – John Basil - reflecting his youthful, bubbly character.

Sparkling fruit thrives in slightly cooler climates and the south east aspect of the Tintilla Merlot vineyard ensures the vines avoid any extremes of afternoon warmth but ensuring fruit ripeness, allowing Tintilla to produce an elegant sparkling which still

holds the generous regional style. Positively brimming with colour, flavour and bubbling mousse, and designed to be drunk now, while fresh and young. .RRP $36.00 Distributors and sales visit www.tintilla.com.au

Tintilla Estate Four Marys Pinot Noir 2007 The winemaking team of Bob and his son James Lusby approach Pinot Noir to reflect its origins in Burgundy, from where cuttings came to the Hunter in the 1930s. The low yielding but early ripening grapes are harvested by hand when the flavour is optimal and the fruit is sourced from well established vines planted on a hillside with rich limestone soil just down the road from the Estate.

Once picked, the fruit is cold soaked for five days to maximise fruit and colour extraction, which is followed by temperature controlled fermentation. The wine is racked into French barrels to complete fermentation and aged for about a year prior to bottling. RRP $30.00

Did you know that Australia is home to the best rum maker in the world? tuart Gilbert, Master Distiller at Holey Dollar Rum has been making hugely popular rums for over 10 years, but it is his newest rum creations that have really caused a stir around the world. Last year ALL three of his rums won “Best in Class” Awards in their very first competition – the prestigious and highly competitive International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009.

The Holey Dollar ‘Overproof’ Rum (rrp $64.99) then went on to beat a vast array of respected Caribbean and West Indian rums to take the overall ‘World’s Best Rum’ Trophy in a unanimous panel vote.

Proving this is not just a flash in the ‘pot-still’, recently, the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010 announced its results in London and again all three of the Holey Dollar Rums were awarded “Best in Class”.

Gilbert started the Holey Dollar Rum Distilling Company in Sydney back in 2008. He was already well-known as an international rum judge and maker of successful rums and but this wasn’t quite enough for a man with a mission to produce superior quality rum.

So he starting putting all his skills and efforts into the art of making and blending small quantities of rum with complexity, flavour and diversity, that were still affordable luxuries for the everyday person in Australia - a country whose first currency of trade was rum.

Stuart says,“The Holey Dollar rums are unique, hand-crafted rums, made in pot-stills with extra ageing in oak barrels. We’re never going to be able to produce a lot - but we want to give consumers a better class of rum. Something that could offer high-quality flavour experiences to be savoured alone, or open up exciting food and rum pairing opportunities.

Rum-making is a living process, linking nature with human ingenuity: a melding of technology and artistry. It is created by taking molasses, adding yeast, distilling and maturation. The variables within the process are almost infinite - but by only using the finest natural raw materials, the best fermentation procedures, together with an experience and devoted Master Blender, you can create something that sets you aside from other rums. At Holey

S

Dollar nothing artificial is used, no expense is spared, and quality is never substituted, to create the ultimate range of rums.”

The judges at the IWSC obviously agree that the result is a set of three exceptional rums. There is still another few months to wait to see if Holey Dollar Rum will retain their title of ‘Worldwide Distiller of the Year Award” (to be announced in London at the Awards Dinner on 17th November 2010) but the company is on the announced shortlist, so the scene is set for another Australian victory. Stuart collected this award last year, making Holey Dollar Rum the first Australian company in the show’s 40 year history to claim the title.

Holey Dollar Rum is the only rum which is owned and distributed by wholly Australian owned companies and is available with the full range throughout Australia at 1st CHOICE LIQUOR stores and selected independent liquor retailers.

IWSC judging notes read: Holey Dollar ‘Premium’ Rum (40% A/V) - Medium depth of old gold colour. Attractive nose with good floral notes and some dark, brown sugar characters.

Good, rich mouth with flavours following the nose along with treacle, dark chocolate and some vanilla.

Raisin and prune are there and go into the full finish.

(RRP $39.99) Holey Dollar ‘Overproof’ Rum (57.2% A/V) - Medium to dark colour. Nose is filled with tropical fruits with floral backing and some rich vanilla. Mouth is big and demonstrative with all the flavours the nose had plus prune and treacle, with good, sweet vanilla. Long extended finish with lots of aromatics … a very attractive rum. (RRP $64.99) Holey Dollar ‘Cask Strength’ Rum (75.9% A/V) – …wonderful dark amber colour with aromas of raisins and chocolate, toasty almonds and a hint of dried banana…layer and layer of progressively drier and woodier oak flavours finishing long and warm on the palate…a fabulous drink. (RRP $84.99)

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

57

feature property... for sale

home feature

58

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

LuxuryStyleliving

A lifestyle of visual splendour...

84 Commodore Drive Paradise Waters This waterfront masterpiece is nestled on an 880sqm parcel and is dominated by seductive views over Main Beach and Surfer's skyline. continues over...

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

59

home feature

A lifestyle of visual splendour...

84 Commodore Drive Paradise Waters

feature property... for sale

two lavish master suites and an ultra-chic media room

60

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

LuxuryStyleliving

T

his waterfront masterpiece is nestled on an 880sqm parcel and is dominated by seductive views over Main Beach and Surfer's skyline. Its superb architectural Lach Henderson design pervades an understated contemporary appeal and spans over 80 squares. Only eight months old, it offers a stunning due east aspect, ducted air conditioning, video security and an electric fireplace. White walls and vitreous tiles exude a sleek aesthetic appeal and the stylish kitchen enjoys European appliances and butlers pantry. Comprising voluminous living spaces, generous bedrooms with ensuites and walk-in robes, two lavish master suites and an ultra-chic media room. Showcasing stunning alfresco areas, lap pool and fully serviced pontoon, it offers an exclusive lifestyle of visual splendour just off the Main River.

A lifestyle of visual splendour just off Main River · An immaculate eight month old home in an exclusive locale · A stunning due east aspect maximises views and sunlight · Voluminous open living spaces flow seamlessly outdoors · White walls and vitreous tiles exude a sleek aesthetic appeal · Ducted air conditioning, video security, electric fireplace · Stylish kitchen with European appliances and butlers pantry · Two lavish master suites and an ultra-chic media room · All generous bedrooms boast ensuites and walk-in robes · Stunning alfresco entertaining areas and a sleek lap pool · A boat enthusiasts delight with a fully serviced pontoon

McGrath Estate Agents Internet mcgrath.com.au/110278 Auction Sunday 26th September 11.00am

View Saturday 2.00pm - 2.30pm Tuesday 2.00pm - 2.30pm

Contact Tim Sutch 0404 004 940 or 5570 7002 Penelope Sutch 0424 429 315 or 5570 7003 Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

61

design

inspired design...

Illuminating designs

Stylefiles

English-born Michael Atkinson developed his art and engineering talents to win a major Young Engineer for Britain prize in the late seventies. In 1988 he moved to Sydney and temporarily shelved his artistic career to concentrate on high technology IT projects, such as Ozemail and Holly.

Eight years later after a move to the Sunshine Coast, he combined his formidable talents into creative lighting design, established Lumenico and has undertaken custom lighting projects for major enterprise clients all over Australia, including many fully engineered solar LED installations.

Michael’s latest focus has been on the development of a range of designer lighting pieces for domestic and commercial use based around the interplay of light and form, combined with a different take on everyday objects, such as sunlight and natural forms, especially water. He says each design also provides intense colour therapy to enhance ambience and mood:“For example sunlit red torch ginger flowers just after rain are amazing and the form and beauty of these flowers, which grow in my garden is truly inspirational”.

The Zelda series is based on the effect of bubbles in water and a polychromatic LED light source, all captured in a 200mm crystal glass ball. “The light that this throws directly and indirectly off walls and surfaces turns any space from the ordinary to the extraordinary”, adds Michael who proudly boasts interior designer and presenter of Network Ten’s Ready Steady Cook’s Peter Everett, is the owner of several of his pieces including the Zelda Tre design.

Lumenico designs ooze modernity and breathe energy, life and vibrancy into spaces. They even have a tidy slot to cleverly store and hide the remote control. For more details including commissions visit: www.lumenico.com/shop

62

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Seeing is believing The best thing since sliced bread? Maybe. After fifteen years in research and development, the new Magimix Vision toaster is quite literally a revolution in toasting.

Say goodbye to burnt toast and hello to perfect browning. The Magimix Vision lets you see when your toast is ready through unique clear, double insulated glass windows.

Voted by GQ magazine as “One of the 50 best things in the world right now” and winner of the grand Innovation prize at the Foire de Paris trade show, the Magimix Vision toaster sets new standards and is destined to be a design icon.

Extra wide slots allow for a variety of breads including bagels, crumpets, muffins or the freshest French baguette. An extra lift lever puts an end to retrieving small pieces of toast. One lift and voila.

The long life quartz elements ensure consistent browning, while the defrost function lets you toast frozen bread. And forget messy crumbs.

It also includes a slide out crumb tray and a one button, one function mechanism so the benefits are perfectly clear.

Join the new revolution in toasting with the Magimix Vision toaster, RRP $499, and available exclusively through David Jones stores nationally.

LuxuryStyleliving

Life+style Welcome to ‘The Oracle’ re-defining Broadbeach… re-defining luxury…

Niecon’s passion for architectural design and meticulous attention to detail results in pure opulence, style and sophistication. Your living opportunities include luxurious lifespaces, vibrant street scapes and a magnetic mix of cosmopolitan shopping and dining choices…

Your new luxury skyhome is accompanied by five star hotel services proudly presented by the prestigious management team from Peppers Broadbeach. Access services include; concierge, valet parking, 24hr in-room dining and cleaning services.

Enjoy active and passive lifespaces with exclusive membership to your state of the art health centre or relax and unwind in the privacy of the Zen and Thai Chi gardens. Indulge and entertain in the exclusive residential lounge with your own temperate wine lockers or simply enjoy the panoramic water views from your luxurious skyhome…

BROADBEACH LIVING...

Positioned in the heart of cosmopolitan Broadbeach...The Oracle is redefining luxury on the Gold Coast. Your lifestyle opportunity begins here… stroll along beautiful Kurrawa beach and enjoy a delicious alfresco breakfast at one of the many award winning restaurants and cafes… a true feast of the senses… experience shopping, beach culture, golfing or water sports all within a 5 min. radius of your stunning Oracle apartment… relax and unwind pool-side and watch the beautiful sunset as you prepare yourself to experience the fabulous Broadbeach night life...your two minute Monorail trip will deliver you to Jupiters Casino… experience a live show to compliment your pre-dining experience or relax at one of the premier wine and lounge bars and take the opportunity to meet the locals…

State of the art bathroom design

The Oracle cinema

Impressive skyline for Broadbeach

Welcome to your Community…

Conrad Jupiters Casino, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Convention Centre, Kurrawa Surf Club Secure your exclusive onsite inspection today tel 1300 768 208 Sales centre: Ground floor, Wave Building 89 Surf Parade Broadbeach, www.oraclerealestate.com.au Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

63

style file Windows on fashion New shutters, free fabric samples and a broader colour range are amongst new options from Luxaflex.

Colour is key to the look of every room in the house, with subtle accessories such as window treatments often making the difference.

Luxaflex Duette and Duette Architella Shades are at the forefront of innovation and design, offering a balance between functionality and energy efficiency.

“The new co-ordinating Headrail for Duette Shades is available in 22 colours, making it easy to find colour and fabric co-ordination,” explains Luxaflex’s Jenny Brown. “It makes the EasyRise operating system much smoother to operate, is mounted to either the wall or in the reveal and the retractable cord provides a quieter and smoother operation.

“New Basswood shutters are lightweight, as well as strong and durable. The smooth grain of Basswood allows for a superior paint finish while the minimal grain in the timber allows for a consistent stained finish. Choose from four paint finishes or an impressive 22 stained finishes for the ultimate choice when it comes to interior design.”

The superior paint finish is made possible by electrostatic finishing using state of the art equipment, ensuring the smoothest possible finish over the entire shutter. The final coats of paint on each shutter are sprayed after assembly, ensuring consistent colours across all profiles.

Two new Australian-made fabrics are Australian-made, 100 per cent polyester and are treated with Sanitized® Antimicrobial Protection which effectively reduces the development of bacteria, odour and mildew, so perfect for nurseries and children’s bedrooms with significant protection against common allergens.

The worldwide leading brand in window coverings, is also making it easier for DIYers to choose from over 160 fabrics by offering free A4sized samples simply by visiting www.luxaflexfabricsample.com.au.

Stylefiles

Finishing touch Scyon is an advanced lightweight cement composite with heavy-duty performance. The Axent trim is thick and versatile, the easy way to add finishing touches, ideal for edge treatment around windows, can also be used as a finishing touch to both internal and external corners, or as a design enhancer at butt joints. The thickness helps create the impression of solidness and the crisp, clean edges highlight openings.

A project home builder thought the clean edges and architectural reveals on all sides of the Matrix cladding added a distinctive architectural style to an Urbayne display home that had a strong horizontal theme, painted timber battens across window openings, cantilevered shades and featured panelling.

The range of thicknesses and sizes means Axent trim can be used with any James Hardie cladding and any domestic window, removing the need for special window orders to match different cladding. It’s also preprimed for fast paint application and will resist shrinking, swelling and cracking to hold paint longer than wood. It can be painted in dark or light colours.

Visit www.scyon.com.au for more information.

Left: Urbayne display home with Scyon Axent trim

64

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

DESIGN

Intelligent, attractive sunshades...

Since 1990, Issey Sun Shade Systems has been offering customised, versatile and aesthetic sun solutions for Australian property owners.

With years of engineering and dedicated research into the Australian climate, they develop, sell and install premium external sunshade solutions nationally.

A lack of effective solutions for specific sun problems has led Issey to design several globally unique products in-house and create original, considered solutions for large projects. With the ability to produce a headbox of up to 8 metres in one piece with no joins, no project is too large.

Many of their products and parts are self-designed and the sunshades combine the best Australian made content with the finest European components available.

Whether protecting floorboards or furniture, extending the living space for entertaining guests or to control the climate without compromising on style, Issey can offer a suitable design that uses fittings, fabrics and frames that are in a class of their own.

Their shades are intelligent, attractive, powerful, robust and shapely.

What more could you ask?

With Spring here and Summer fast approaching there couldn't be a better time to contact them.

For more styles and information visit: www.issey.com.au

•Curtains and

Your I n

terior

Des ign

Blinds •Bedsp •Accessories and reads feature i •Mo tems •Outd torised c oor f phone: 07 5 urnit urtain a 501 530 n ure 6 or 0 401 3 •Art d blind 49 83 wor s www 3 – k fr pecial om ist ema .your • cata il: m int r icha logu Furnitu el.yi re s e an io d d@ e d s gner orig lectio bigp n inal ond om.au piec s and de .com sign es • • – Pain Sho t col All soft fur nishings p 45 our s electi aM •Lighting and arina ons fo lamps r interi Qu a or and ex ys Sh terior finishes oppin g Villag e, 2 Sic kle Ave. H ope Island

er –

e r ei

.c

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

65

style file

Just intime for spring

Stylefiles

Deborah Hutton launches her new Living with Deborah Hutton collection... offering a contemporary and sophisticated range of styles which will blend seamlessly with any home's existing furnishings to create a new Spring feel for your interior.

Deborah Hutton says “I’m passionate about good design and making my everyday living environment a beautiful experience,” “It’s been very rewarding to work with the likeminded team at EziBuy homewares to bring the ideas and inspirations to life in a real and affordable way. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve.”

The first release of Living with Deborah Hutton will consist of seven stories, titled Hamptons, Ashley, Aman, Urban Forest, Opulence, Madrid and Identity. Each story will consist of separate designs in bedding and complementary homeware styles The range is available exclusively as part of EziBuy’s Spring homewares offering. Every season, the range will feature additional designs and new elements.

To view the entire collection or purchase visit www.ezibuy.com.au Urban Forest Collection Duvet Cover Set in White/Green (Queen) RRP $109.95 Cushion - white leaf/green leaf RRP $19.95 European Cover RRP $19.95

Bringing the Outdoor Inside...

If you don’t have a garden, or your idea of getting in touch with nature is watching the Lifestyle Gardening Channel - then the GARDEN ROOM from Jamie Durie Signature by The Rug Collection range of indoor rugs is everything you need to add a touch of outdoor splendour to your indoor spaces. Designed in collaboration with Jamie Durie, whose photographic work was the inspiration behind the six contemporary designs in this exquisite collection, is the perfect way to add style and colour to any floor space. Hand-tufted in a New Zealand wool blend, the rugs are soft and luxurious to touch and simply gorgeous.

Orchid Rug from Garden Room from Jamie Durie Signature by The Rug Collection RRP 160cm x 230cm = $1095.00 & 200cm x 290cm = $1695.00

66

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Power of paraffin The romantic notion of candlelight has been revolutionized.

Enjoy Lighting creates a warm and inviting ambiance without the unwanted fire risks or replacement costs of a wick candle, thanks to quality LED lights powered by household batteries, so the candles flicker and cast dancing shadows as per a real flame.

Meticulously crafted, Enjoy flameless candles are available in a variety of styles, colours and fragrances to match any décor and are the perfect addition to any room or setting.

Made from 100% paraffin wax the stunning collection includes a selection of pillars, tea lights and votives with fragrances such as vanilla, coconut, sweet basil or pomegranate and finishes with beeswax or distressed textures.

Economical, safe, environmentally friendly, the only flameless candles of its kind and calibre in Australia will light up dinner parties, bath time or just me-time. www.enjoylighting.com.au

The Leather Lounge Shop 3/65 Upton Street Bundall

Zen Collection Samsara Bundall presents this timeless - stylish furniture designed for the modern individual.

Old Wood New Life - No Waste

The collection consists of bedroom furniture, entertainment units, coffee tables, bookcases, dining and more. Zen is functional, affordable and in stock now.

Available from Samsara Bundall, Bundall Road

If you're looking for comfortable, indoor contemporary teak furniture designs that are also easy on the environment, you've come to the right place.

At Village we breathe new life into old wood using the texture and warmth of 100% FSC recycled, also called reclaimed teak wood. The small nail holes, cracks or old joints in the wood tell a story of your furniture's past. Discover the innovative ways we create products using the smallest scraps of wood‌ all the way down to the sawdust.

All our furniture is manufactured by hand, with the simplest of hand and power tools, backed by traditional craftsmanship passed down through generations. That makes each and every piece of Village furniture a unique treasure, built to last a lifetime.

Your Interior Designer Marina Quays Shopping Village Hope Island

Available from Village, Bundall Road

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

67

events

Eventful state of excitement

with the permanent stars of the V8 Supercar Championship Series for a 600km battle on the iconic streets of Surfers Paradise. www.goldcoast600.com.au

With a packed calendar of great events, celebrations are a way of life and fun in the sun.

Why not join in the festivities.

Birdsville Races 3 & 4 Sept 2010 It’s (almost) the race that stops a nation!

Harking back to 1882, the Birdsville Races is an internationally recognised iconic event that captures the spirit of Queensland’s Outback. The off-course entertainment program for 2010 includes a cabaret, novelty horse races, a campfire sing-along and myriad other activities that showcase Australia’s outback at its finest. www.birdsvilleraces.com Magnetic Island Race Week 3 to 7 Sept 2010 Feel yourself drawn to Magnetic Island for this five-day regatta off Nelly Beach. A series of day passage boat races and buoy courses are the perfect excuse and opportunity to explore the glorious North Queensland Coast. 2010 will bring a festival style atmosphere to Magnetic Island with activities such as food stalls, fireworks, live music and an overall vibrant environment. www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au Swell Sculpture Festival 10 to 19 Sept 2010 Immerse yourself in art when sixty of the world's leading artists showcase outdoor sculpture along the picturesque Currumbin Beach Ocean-Walkway. This unique festival celebrates new and innovative forms of public art, with all mediums including steel, glass, stone, timber and bronze on display. There’s plenty to do after you’ve taken in all the magnificent artworks, including twilight sculpture tours, meet the artist talks, children's interactive sculpture, gourmet barbecues and a live music stage. www.swellsculpture.com.au

events

Davis Cup - Australia vs Belgium17 Sept 2010 Australia will play Belgium in the Davis Cup World Group play-offs on the hard courts at the new Cairns Regional Tennis Centre.

The tie will be played from 17-19 September, and will give Australia the opportunity to progress to the World Group level for 2011. www.tennis.com.au

68

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 17 to 26 Sept 2010 From gerberas to geraniums, daffodils to daisies, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a ten day celebration of all things spring. Carnival highlights the best the Garden City has to offer in flowers, food, wine, entertainment and community spirit. Since1949, it has attracted 10s of thousands of visitors each year to the region. www.tcof.com.au Mission Beach Film Festival 17 to 19 Sept 2010

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Caloundra Music Festival 21 to 24 Oct 2010 Unwind and enjoy the sun, surf and soul of the Caloundra Music Festival. This not-for-profit community event celebrates the environment, cultural achievements and community pride of the Caloundra area. The beautiful Kings Beach and surrounds will come alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as famous international artists. www.caloundramusicfestival.com.au Visions come to life at the eco-friendly Mission Beach Film Festival. This two day event presents a diverse range of films that capture what our world could be, encouraging the consideration of alternative, sustainable solutions and perspectives on how we live, how we play, how we do business and how we function as a community. Guest filmmakers and industry experts will detail how we can live more compatibly with our environment through a series of short films and other sidebar programs. www.missionbeachfilmfestival.com.au Ballet Nacional de Cuba - Don Quixote 24 Sept – 3 Oct 2010 The international ballet sensation will bring their exuberant and highly individual style of classical ballet to Australia for an exclusive Brisbane season. The Company will present its acclaimed production of Don Quixote.

Choreographed by company founder Alicia Alonso and based on the original by Marius Petipa, this Cuban version of Don Quixote has been acclaimed by critics and audiences world wide. Of special note in this production is the serious and dignified treatment of the title character. In other versions of this three-act classic the character has been minimised, without demonstrating his true relevance as a title role. www.qpac.com.au Straddie Salute 10 Oct 2010 The Straddie Salute is a triathlon with a difference and set on one of Queensland’s iconic island destinations. In only its third year, it consists of a 600m ocean swim, 18km mountain bike ride and 8km coastal run plus a less challenging 7km Fun Run & Walk option and the Straddie 1000, a 1km ocean swim open to all competitors and the general public. www.weekendwarriorevents.com.au Armor All Gold Coast 600 22 to 24 Oct 2010 Queensland's beautiful Gold Coast will play host to the Greatest Show on Wheels when the V8 Supercar Championship Series launches the latest Rock 'N' Race event - the Armor All Gold Coast 600.The event will see 18 of motorsports biggest international names, including former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, paired

Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival 27 to 31 Oct 2010 The award-winning Noosa Multi Sport Festival has grown in stature to become one of the world's largest annual multi-sport events with more than 8,000 participants and many more thousands of spectators joining in for ‘as much fun as they can handle’ each year. It attracts elite athletes such as Emma Snowsill, Emma Moffat, Courtney Atkinson, Craig Walton and Lorretta Harrop. www.usmevents.com. au/ 2010 Pan Pacific Masters Games 6 to14 Nov 2010 More than 10,000 competitors will ‘Play it, Live it, Love it’ on the Gold Coast for the 7th Pan Pacific Masters Games, with participants from every Australian state and territory and more than 20 countries in over 35 different sports. www.mastersgames.com.au nib Coolangatta Gold 7Nov 2010 The nib Coolangatta Gold is Australia's premier Ironman and Ironwoman endurance race and brings together the top endurance athletes from around the country. www.coolangattagold.com.au World Professional Kitesurfing Tour – 5 to12 December 2010 The Gold Coast will host the final event of the 2010 PKRA World Tour and include includes Thailand, France, Dominican Republic, Greece, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil and New Caledonia. A visually exciting sport, a kite board is the fastest wind powered craft in the world. www.prokitetour.co m/ Australian PGA Championship 9 to12 Dec 2010 The Australian PGA Championship, Australia’s oldest and one of its most distinguished professional golf tournaments, is staged annually on the stunning Robert Trent Jones course at the Hyatt Regency Coolum. The tournament has been won by some of the greatest names in international golf such as Greg Norman, Steve Ballesteros, Craig Parry, Peter Lonard, Ian Baker-Finch and Nick O'Hern. www.championship.pga.org.au

events

LuxuryStyleliving

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

69

books

Prints Charming by Cath Derksema & Kirsten Junor.

Murdoch Books $45 Tapping into the handmade revival, here are 40 simple, contemporary and covetable sewing projects suitable for beginners sewing to experienced craftspeople wanting fresh inspiration. Also included are three pattern sheets with screen printing options. Cath Derksema and Kirsten Junor are the owners of Prints Charming, a Sydney-based fabric design studio which supplies prestigious New York-based fabric wholesaler Marcus Fabrics with their seasonal designs. With backgrounds in fabric design, product development and marketing, they met during the 1980s while working for John Kaldor Fabricmaker. Cath went on to found the very successful homewares brand Art Park, while Kirsten studied costumemaking for film and theatre at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain.

Allen & Unwin, $35 A lot has changed since Kitchen Confidential - for the subculture of chefs and cooks, for the restaurant business and for Anthony Bourdain.

Medium Raw explores these changes, moving back and forth from the author's bad old days to the present. Tracking his own strange and unexpected voyage from journeyman cook to globe traveling professional eater and drinker, Bourdain compares and contrasts what he's seen and what he's seeing, pausing for a series of confessions, rants, investigations, and interrogations of some of the most controversial figures in food. As always he returns to the question: 'Why cook?' Or the harder one to answer 'Why cook well?' Beginning with a secret and highly illegal afterhours gathering of powerful chefs he compares to a Mafia summit, Bourdain, in his distinctive, no holds barred style, cuts to the bone on every subject he tackles.

An Unbelievable Life...

Lynn Santer by Sandra L Rogers Published by Zeus Publications She counts Hollywood superstars and senior politicians among her closest friends. She's walked with wild lions in Africa and through the corridors of power in London's Houses of Parliament.

She's piloted light aircraft, acted as special consultant to the British Government on an 11 billion pound per annum legislative reform, planned covert missions with ex Special Forces commandos into Africa, and brought Saddam Hussein's personal pilot together with an ultra orthodox Israeli Rabbi in a peace initiative.

She's dated multi-millionaires, and written the authorised biography of Australia's most private man - the original wild man and wildlife warrior, Alby Mangels.

Lynn Santer has even survived the crazed assault of a 'fatal attraction'.

This is no ordinary woman - this is a woman of substance, determination and commitment.

Shoes for the Moscow Circus by Leta Keens, Murdoch Books, $59.95 Shoes for the Moscow Circus is an atmospheric, lyrical look behind the scenes and the trade secrets of a number of Australian trades and industries, many of which are fast disappearing in the modern world and concentrating on “those that produce usable items and are not directly involved with food, fashion or furniture�.

Arts writer Leta Keens, with photographer Oliver Strewe, visited more than 25 factories and workshops, including an umbrella maker and cricket ball factory, a taxidermist and a bicycle maker, a dolls' hospital and discovered far more than simply the history and processes involved in these trades.

With an engagingly readable style, she also tells the stories of the characters who inhabit these intriguing worlds and draw attention to an aspect of working life she believe is either undervalued or far too often ignored.

movies

DVD

The Last Song...

70

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

A film about first love, forgiveness - and the moments in life that really matter.

Miley Cyrus comes of age in this touching film based on a novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks. The story follows the plight of 17-year-old Veronica 'Ronnie' Miller (Cyrus) as she negotiates a summer in the Georgian home of her estranged father Steve (Greg Kinnear).

Having not spoken to her father since the painful divorce from her mother Kim (Kelly Preston), Ronnie and her younger brother Jonah (Bobby Coleman) make the journey to the quiet beachside town of Tybee Island to reconnect with their father over the summer.

And, along the way Ronnie discovers the joys, perils and pain of an adult awakening. Look out for Australian heartthrob Liam Hemsworth as Will, Ronnie's romantic interest.

Available on Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment DVD and Blu-ray now,.

CATS & DOGS: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore With the voices of James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Katt Williams, Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris & Roger Moore and Directed by Brad Peyton.

In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves and their humans.

In cinemas mid-September.

cooking the books movies/ dvds

Heston’s Fantastical Feasts

by Heston Blumenthal.

Allen & Unwin $55 This follows the hugely successful television series Feast, a mind-boggling and mouth-watering foray into the realms of the imagination. Each chapter charts the realisation of a feast, with its challenges and ideas, culminating with the final recipes. Themes range from the whimsical to the phantasmagorical: Willy Wonka Feast; Fairytale Feast; Edwardian Feast; Gothic Feast; 1970's Feast; and, Feast of the Future. Delving into the dark fairytales of the 'Brothers Grimm', Heston creates poison apples, transforming pumpkins and Edwardian gingerbread houses with sugar windows. Dr Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham would tempt even Sam, while Roald Dahl's Lickable Wallpaper is an interior designer's gastro dream. In the 'Feast of the Future', we are introduced to the Futurist Cookbook which advised 1930's housewives that they should be dishing up 'Italian breasts in the sunshine', a recipe which has been resuscitated in all its scandalous glory.

WALL STREET: Money Never Sleeps Starring Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, Charlie Sheen, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen and Frank Langella and Directed

by Oliver Stone.

Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf star in Oliver Stone's WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS. Douglas is back in his Oscar®-winning role as Gordon Gekko, whose iconic "Greed is good" mantra and daring corporate raids made

Eating In by Philip Johnson.

Murdoch Books $59.95 “When we invite friends and family to dine with us, although we go to a lot of effort to prepare delicious food, the rewards of seeing people come together at the table, to talk, laugh and indulge, make it worthwhile,” says Philip who opened Brisbane’s e’cco in 1995 and went on to win the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year Award only two years later.

His latest book reflects his signature style, the recipes are a celebration of the dishes which have been a constant favourite at his ever popular bistro, e’cco, and it also offers menu suggestions, party planning advice and more than 120 classic recipes such as carpaccio of beef, horseradish cream and chorizo oil; barbecue bug tails with a salad of green mango, chilli, coriander and lime; and dark chocolate dumplings with cinnamon ice cream, which make eating in, even more memorable.

So French by Dany Choubet with Trish Hobbs. Murdoch Books $69.95 From Dany’s childhood in post-war France, to her migration to Australia and rise to culinary success – this is truly a book to devour. The acclaimed restaurateur helped shape French cuisine in Australia throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Now back in southwest France, she and her partner are wooing international customers with gourmet tours and Dany’s quintessential country cooking.

It’s a fascinating life story which is interwoven with more than 60 timeless recipes and complemented by stunning images taken at her home.

From traditional garlic and onion soup to hearty salt cod and potato ragoût and sweet nectarine and raspberry gratin, browsing through the pages is sure to make your taste buds tingle especially fans who remember Upstairs, the first authentic French bistro in Sydney, Au Chabrol, Glenella and Cleopatra, a renowned restaurant and guesthouse in the Blue Mountains.

It Tastes Better by Kylie Kwong.

Penguin $69.95 With over 100 new recipes using favourite fresh, seasonal and sustainable produce Kylie says her commitment stems from her mother’s wisdom and the book “is a celebration of all the growers, farmers, fishermen, artisans and food providores I have met…a tribute to the people behind the food I love.”

Recipes include salad of poached squid with pickled cucumber, dill and chilli; red-braised lamb shoulder with roast garlic and tamari dressing; and an irresistible pavlova.

Embarking on a journey around Australia to meet the people behind the produce she is so passionate about, including Queensland’s turmeric, galangal, vegies, ginger and Barambah Dairy’s products, Kylie learns about the care they take to produce food that literally tastes better. She demonstrates that you don't need exotic ingredients to create magical dishes – just fresh, flavoursome food that has been produced in the most beneficial way for us and the planet.

TRON: Legacy him a rock star of financial titans.

Emerging from a lengthy prison stint, Gekko finds himself on the outside of a world he once dominated. He now has to play catch-up and redefine himself in a different era. He has to become relevant again. But a young, idealistic investment banker (LaBeouf ) learns the hard way that Gekko is still a master manipulator – and if there's one place where you can redefine yourself, one place where your relevance is a deal away, it's Wall Street.

In cinemas late-September.

Starring Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, Beau Garrett & James Frain and Directed by Joseph Kosinski.

Sam Flynn (Hedlund), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Bridges), a man once known as the world's leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn's Arcade -- a signal that could only come from his father-- he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (Wilde), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a cyber universe -- a universe created by Kevin himself that has become far more advanced with vehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape.

In cinemas mid-December.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

71

travel

All the charm & style of Melbourne SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS

Mirvac Treasury Hotel - Collins Street

What is it about Melbourne that thrills us so?

Is it the fabulous dining scene, the hidden treasures tucked away in tiny lanes - small restaurants, exciting bars; perhaps it's the thriving theatre scene or the intoxicating galleries; and don't get me started on the myriad of boutiques.

A weekend getaway to Melbourne is a great opportunity to savour the thrill of a big city - if only for a while, before jetting home to reality. Time to catch a new play, check out the new bars and restaurants, wander around the streets and take in the brisk early Spring air.

On a recent adventure south we stayed at the Sebel Melbourne in Collins Street, a property steeped in history. It is very exciting staying in what was once the Bank of Australasia. I was hoping to find a few 'old' notes hidden in the wardrobe!

Although the hotel has been masterfully renovated to 21st century standards, it still pays homage to its history - the tellers plaques in the entrance hall, polished timber floors and huge ceiling lights.

Our stylish 2-storey suite was finished in

a contemporary theme, with a fully equipped kitchen, lounge room, dining area, and upstairs the bedroom looked out over the constantly moving human tide of Melbourne. The huge ensuite featured a large spa, shower and washer/dryer combo.

Perfect for visiting business people or couples looking for a special retreat in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance of the theatres.

The hotel's signature restaurant, included a discreet upper private dining area with silk curtains for privacy from larger groups, and staff that were polished in the art of fine dining. The menu was not large but definitely ticked all the boxes as did the fine wine list, which included an excellent selection by the glass as well.

Our menu favourites were the grilled scallops in pancetta with radicchio, cauliflower glaze and truffle butter; and the Risotto of fresh peas, artichokes and pecorino with fried garlic and basil dressing.The chocolate brulee with pomegranate ice cream, rose syrup and pine nut crumble is to die for.

France Soir Restaurant Toorak

Contemporary styled suites in the Treasury Hotel

72

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Melbourne showing off it’s cultural best

Lezzet - owner Kamal (middle) adding a stylish twist to Turkish cuisine

the entire time - even with their own preferred table.

What can we tell you. The menu features all the favourites - Duck a l'aronge - Coquilles St Jacques; Escargots de Bourgogne a l'ail; Crepe Suzette and Mousse au chocolat.

Fabulous wine list and be sure to let Jean Noel make suggestions for your dining pleasure.

ACCOMMODATION Sebel Melbourne 394 Collins St, Melbourne www.mirvachotels.com/sebelmelbourne Hilton Melbourne South Wharf has Sotano

MUST SEES Mary Poppins Her Majesty's Theatre.

199 Exhibition St. Melbourne Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au or www.showbiz.com.au With a history spanning over 120 years, Her Majesty’s Theatre couldn’t be a better choice for Mary Poppins to play.

We saw it - loved it and were singing along with the rest of the audience at the finale. The young stars are simply amazing. Bravo!

Madame Brussels in Bourke Street, is boudoir fantasy

Liquid assets From intimate and hip bars to boho chic and boudoir fantasy, there’s something for all tastes in Melbourne, hey’re squeezed into laneways, propped on rooftops, attached to ritzy hotels and are popular magnets for those seeking company, serious sustenance or just a sparkling wine.

Matt McConnell’s Bar Lourinha in Little Collins Street, with tasty Spanish and Portuguese share plates using fine produce sourced from exemplary producers, and a European wine list, takes some beating. It is one of those spaces that are so wonderfully intimate you can barely get in the door.

Also in Little Collins Street, The Hairy Canary is an oldie but a goodie especially for the cocktail set who like Indy-electro tunes, pizzas and patatas bravas with tomato salsa - that’s the Spanish version of chips with sauce.

T

Whilst enjoying excellent Thai curries at Little Bourke Street’s Longrain is a knockout, why not order oysters, salt and pepper cashews and a sensational single mouthful of prawn betel leaf from the bar for much less.

Boasting Astroturf, wrought-iron benches, ostrich-head chandeliers, voluptuous overstuffed chesterfields and curly wurley chairs like grandmas, Madame Brussels in Bourke Street, is boudoir fantasy. Named after one of the most illustrious historical figures, the jewel in the city’s hush-hush bar scene serves treasures such as Pimms, cupcakes and is such a party.

The elegant Westin might have its ritzy Martini Bar however the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf has Sotano, the Catalan tapas bar. There’s soaring seven-metre ceilings and huge planks of timber on the floor, ceilings and in between plus a cellar that’s actually a mezzanine with nearly half of the hotel's collection of 5000 bottles stored in a rusted steel cage, suspended above the bar. At night it glows and by day you can watch the staff select wine. Sotano, meaning cellar, has a four-metre-high charcuterie tower, a cheese sommelier and is the epicentre of vibe.

trendy bars in melbourne

DINING ADVENTURES Lezzet Contemporary Turkish Cuisine 31 Brighton Rd. Elwood Breakfast & Lunch Fri, Sat & Sun Dinner Tue - Sun- 6 days Ph: 03 9531 7733 Lezzet is best visited in the evening when the moody darkened ‘Turkish village’ ambience is enhanced. The charismatic young owner Kemal Barut has created a sophisticated dining adventure for an experienced dining public. With a menu reflecting the Turkish and French training of his Cypriot chef Hamza Hamzali, he produces authentic Turkish flavours with a wood fired oven, which also roasts the spice blends before any cooking is done. Comprehensive wine list offering a good selection of regional and imported wines.

France-Soir Bar Brasserie Restaurant 11 Toorak Rd. South Yarra Lunch 12.00pm - 3.00pm - 7 days Dinner 6.00pm - Midnight - 7 days Ph: 03 9866 8569 Nearly 25 years of fabulous French dining tradition can't be wrong.

This restaurant is an institution and still packed 7 nights a week, with many of their regulars dining there weekly for

73

travel

scenic and Kaylene & Tom Murray find luxury accommodation, fine wines & fabulous food with views that go on forever... right on the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s doorstep.

Michael Ward co-owner of Mt Tamborine Distillery

Glorious views from the heights at Spicers Lodge

Spicers Peak luxury lodge

Albert River Winery has more than grapes growing

Just 1 of the 7 courses at Spicers Peak luxury lodge

Spicers Peak luxury lodge 1100 metres above sea level

For more information please visit www.scenicrim.com.au www.witcheschasecheese.com.au www.witchesfalls.com.au www.tamborinemountaindistillery.com

74

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

www.tamborinecookingschool.com.au. www.albertriverwines.com.au www.spicerspeaklodge.com.au www.bunjurgenestatevineyard.com.au www.albertriverwines.com.au

Bunjurgen Estate at Boonah a must drop in for the wine

luxurious...

t always amazes me that we have so many beautiful regions and possibilities for enlightenment right on our doorstep - so to speak, right here in S;E. Queensland.

When offered the opportunity recently to tour the Scenic Rim, a tantalising region full of unique communities with a history based on farming and timber, extending from Tamborine Mountain on the Gold Coast's hinterland to Boonah, Beaudesert, Mt Barney and Arutula to name a few. we were eager to accept and explore.

What we found was a tempting series of delights that sat no more than two hours drive from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

We started our journey in Brisbane traveling south to Mount Tamborine - a lush plateau above the Gold Coast offering a wonderland of things to do, places to eat, shops to explore - and best of all - wines, liqueurs and beers to taste.

At Witches Chase Cheese Factory we sampled some of the finest cheeses available in Australia today (many award-winning) and then ventured into the Mount Tamborine Brewery conveniently placed on the same property, where even though it was only 10.00am in the morning we happily tested the boutique beers.

Then on to the Witches Falls Winery for a sampling of their wines. Winemaker Jon Heslop has been producing some amazing award-winning wines with fruit sourced from the Granite Belt, Queensland’s most established wine region. Don’t miss the 2004 Solera

I

Granite Belt Classic Muscat and the Tawny - our favourites.

We then ventured on to The Mount Tamborine Distillery, where we were greeted by owner and local 'personality' Michael Ward and his international award-winning array of over 90 fabulous liqueurs and pure spirit masterpieces created from fresh fruit and native plants. All artfully presented in hand-painted bottles. Be sure to try the Turkish Delight Liqueur.

Then onto the new Tamborine Cooking School where owner/chef Terri Taylor impressed us with her culinary skills. Terry conducts classes for small groups in her beautiful old Queenslander surrounded by elegant mountain gardens and fabulous views over the valley.

With much aplomb our driver then ferried us through the typically Scenic Rim countryside over hills and dales - onwards to our overnight accommodation at the very exclusive, Spicer's Peak Lodge. After passing over 21 cattle grids ( we were counting) on the upward approach to the fabulous property set high on the peak, all worries seemed to float away. On arrival we were greeted by hosts Kurt and Sharlene Bailey before being whisked by 4-wheel-drive to the outer ridge where we sipped champagne, nibbled on strawberries and fine cheeses while watching the sun slowly set. Inspirational!

On returning to the lodge we were given the opportunity to change and freshen up in our ultra luxurious rooms before cocktails in front of the huge fireplace, and a seven course fine dining degustation dinner with perfectly matched wines.

With a late night tipple in front of the huge fireplace, it was time for bed as our departure time in the morning was straight after a gourmet breakfast personally prepared by the chef.

The lodge now offers visitors the option of visiting for luncheon or dinner by reservation. But we know that once you have been seduced by the location and fine dining - you won’t want to leave.

After being torn from the arms of hosts (we really didn’t want to leave!) we ventured on to the tiny township of Bunjurgen, and the Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard where a blazing fire awaited our arrival. Our host David McMaugh showed us his range of contemporary Shiraz and Chambourcin wines and his famous Bunyip fortified reds (ports) that grace his cellar door. Picnic tables are available and 10 acres of rolling lawns and forests are available for picnicking.

Then as we made our way back to Brisbane we visited Albert River Wines, where ‘Master of Wines’ Peter Scudamore Smith produces their signature labels. The property features the historic colonial homestead ‘Tamborine House’ as well as the restored Queenslander, ‘Auchenflower’ House and the original Kingaroy Lutheran Chapel. With fabulous dining facilities available the property has become a popular wedding venue. And, for those looking for a little country experience- you can purchase bags of food to feed the farm animals down the back paddock.

We definitely will be returning to savour more of the Scenic Rim and recommend the experience to everyone.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

75

travel Humpback mother and calf breaching Credit: ©Trish Franklin, The Oceania Project

There’s never been a better time to see whales en masse and come face to face with nature on Fraser Island.

Latest eye pods & beauty spots

S

pectacular. Watching these majestic gargantuan mammals slap their pecs and tails in perfect harmony over and over again, spy hop, breach or clear two-thirds of their mammoth bodies out of the water, showing off gleaming white underbellies before crashing with a thunderous splash, leaving behind a calm area of water or footprint on the surface, is truly amazing.

An hour away from Kingfisher Bay Resort on world heritage-listed Fraser Island, Quick Cat II skipper Brian Perry spots pods several kilometres away and yells excitedly “there’s a blow…and another”, referring to the adult baleen (toothless) humpback whales with two lungs the size of a small car, that can be emptied and refilled in less than two seconds. Once near the surface, they exhale forcefully through two blowholes on top of their heads at 40 kph with the distinctive cloud formed from vapour condensation.

A vanguard of wave-riding dolphins heralds their approach.

Exuberant vocal whale watchers are rewarded as six curious cetaceans shimmy under the boat, often just an arm’s length away, continually showing off by seemingly ‘lying’ on the water and slapping one or both fins, submerging themselves nearly vertically slapping tail flukes and rising out of the water so their eyes are just clear of the surface, before slipping back into their aquatic playground.

Strict regulations ensure boats and aircraft observe an exclusion zone of at least 100 metres from the whales and do not cause them to alter direction, speed, behaviour or split pods.

Much eye-balling reveals barnacle-covered heads and checking out tail flukes to see who’s who, confirms there’s no sign of Hervey Bay’s patron whale Nala, named after a character in the Lion King who has had eight calves in nine years, nor other faves Stumpy, Nemo, Caesar, Phantom and the famous white Migaloo, seen recently further north. Fingers crossed arrivals are imminent.

This is also a lesson in appreciating the sheer enormity of each warm-blooded adult, which weighs up to 40 tonnes - the equivalent of 600 people or 11 elephants. On average they’re 15 metres long and the tail with its unique pattern like a human finger-print, is about five metres across. A new born calf is around 4.5 metres long, weighs about 1.5 tonnes and suckles about 600 litres of cottage cheese-like milk each day.

The lifecycle of the southern humpback brings them to the calm safe waters of Platypus Bay. After leaving the rich feeding grounds of Antarctica, they journey 6000 kilometres north to the warm waters and breeding grounds of the Whitsundays. Some will give birth, others will mate. Next stop is Platypus Bay in the Harvey Bay Marine Park, for about five days of socialising and for the new born calves to grow stronger before they return home.

“Over the past 14 years there’s been a significant increase in larger pods,” say Trish and Wally Franklin of the Oceania Project. “This is related to changes in the behaviour, as the numbers and density of

76

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

whales in Hervey Bay have increased from approximately 2000 in 1992 to 7000 in 2005.

“Hervey Bay formed by Fraser Island, is sheltered, shallow and conveniently located just west of the main migratory pathway so is easily accessible. Whatever time of the season you visit, always expect something different at this unique whale watch destination”.

Multi-award-winning ecotourism resort Kingfisher Bay has teamed with the pioneers of whale watching in Hervey Bay, Brian and Jill Perry and daughter Sarah, who’s Hervey Bay’s only female skipper, to run half-day whale watching excursions, departing Fraser Island each day during the season, to stare and gasp in wonderment as pods come together in affiliations, then strut their stuff including the peduncle slap. “That occurs when the peduncle, the area from the dorsal fin to the tail, and flukes are thrown out of the water then slapped back down,” describes Brian who moved to Hervey Bay in 1986 to run fishing charters but changed his mind when he saw “big logs” which turned out to be whales. His bright idea of running whale watching tours was laughed at by everyone including the local paper.

“There were only around 200 whales on the east coast and no calves were seen in the first two years,” recalls Brian who remembers September 1, 1987 as being his first and best day.“I had no idea what to expect and it was such a surprise when three whales swanned around and under the boat for two hours. I jumped, clapped and yelled for hours and still do so today.

“We have been whale watching around Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii but Hervey Bay is by far the best place to see whales up close every day of the season. And when it comes to ‘whale soup’, this season has all the hallmarks of being the best ever,” enthuses Brian who maintains the perfect complement to whale watching is staying at Fraser Island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort which blends harmoniously with the sensitive ecological system of the world’ largest sand island.

Explore the island’s wilderness with experienced rangers’ whose vast natural and cultural history facts are second to none. Some of the not-to-be-missed beauty spots are Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek and seemingly sky-scraper tall Satinay trees; Seventy-Five Mile Beach's famous highway; and the crystal clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie with its glaringly white sandy beach. Float down the temperate, fresh waters of Eli Creek; take photos of the Maheno shipwreck and the coloured sands of the Pinnacles; watch in awe as dingoes wander the beach looking for a feed of fish; check out some of the 354 recorded bird species; and at night spot rare acid frogs, bats and sugar gliders.

If you go: Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island has a two-night Whale Watch package. Visit: www.kingfisherbay.com Toll-free: 1800 072 555

art in style

Anne Yang - Pt Cartwright pastel

RIMINI Holiday Apartments Noosa supports local artists Having such huge success last year, Rimini Holiday Apartments once again supported local artists with the Rimini Art Expo recently.

T

he expo was an exquisite display of some of the region’s finest female artists and a community project to encourage the celebration of all things local.The amazing talent of the selected artists was an indication why this expo gathers such huge numbers. Award Winning, Cooroy artist, Anne Yang, uses both pastels and oils and showcased some of her favourite coastal and country landscapes for the expo. Wendy Britton and Gail Roscoe are both ceramic artists who also displayed some of their finest collections. Wendy has been involved with ceramics since 2003 and works with white and terracotta clay. Her love is searching for organic matter to experiment with her different pieces and her crystalline glazes must be seen to appreciate their age old beauty.

Rimini Holiday Apartments manager, Cecilia Young enthused, “We have some of the most talented artists living right in our backyard of Noosa and surrounds and it is such a pleasure to be able to display their work. We have this wonderful space within our resort to truly showcase this incredible exhibition and give these artists another platform to raise their profile.”

The percentage of the gold coin entry donation will be donated towards the Red Cross. For further information on future exhibitions please call Cecilia Young on 5473 0000 Rimini Holiday Apartment 7-15 Edward Street, Noosaville (07) 5473 0000.

...Each unique piece of art comes with a certificate of authenticity...

Putipula Gallery proudly represents ten 100% owned and run Aboriginal Art Centres in remote desert communities.

T

hese art centres facilitate protection of artist intellectual and cultural property, provides employment, income earning and training opportunities. Each unique piece of art comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by the Art Centre, guaranteeing your investment in the artwork and the artist.

For further information please call Putipula Gallery 61 8 5449 2511. www.putipula.com.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

77

motoring

celebrating 75 years of Jaguar...

XKR 75 delivers outstanding performance... aguarLandRover’s new CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, initiated the challenge to the Jaguar engineering team to construct an XKR to celebrate Jaguar’s 75th anniversary, which would deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR’s capabilities.

Mike O’Driscoll, managing director, Jaguar Cars, said: "The XKR 75 will provide owners with exclusivity, excitement and a hint of Jaguar’s great heritage. This is a fitting way to celebrate the sporting credentials of the XK marque in the 75th year of the Jaguar name," he continued.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model’s top speed is electronically limited to 280km/h, the XKR 75’s 0 - 100km/h acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR. Using the rigid lightweight aluminium architecture of the XK as a solid foundation, the increased power of the XKR 75 is matched by an agile, dynamic chassis that handles supremely, rides exceptionally well and stops with surefooted reassurance time after time.

The Jaguar XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills

J

motoring

the XKR 75 produces a pulse-racing growl to match its performance.

78

extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

And with an improved acoustics package for the semi-active sports exhaust, the XKR 75 produces a pulse-racing growl to match its performance.

The XKR 75 features a all white body, red brake callipers contrast the eye-catching 20inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn.

Customers will have the option to apply a unique body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.

The XKR 75’s interior completes the driver-focussed performance environment finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch, piano black finish to facia and centre console and a Jet suedecloth headlining.

The XKR Special Edition is available to order now, with vehicles arriving in September/October.

Only ten XKR Special Editions will be coming to Australia and will be available in Coupe form only and available to order now.

The recommended retail price of the XKR Special Edition will be approximately $17,000 over and above the standard XKR Coupe RRP of $255,000.

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Sunshine Jaguar 179 Nerang Road Southport Tel: (07) 5509 7109 www.sunshinejaguar.com.au

LuxuryStyleliving

volvoC30

Sophisticated and unlike most other small cars THE 2010 VOLVO C30 IS, IN SOME RESPECTS, A TRUNCATED TWO-DOOR-HATCHBACK VARIANT OF THE S40 SEDAN AND V50 WAGON. THE SIMILARITIES TO THOSE OTHER MODELS REALLY ONLY HOLD FROM THE FRONT. dmunds reports that although the "front end is instantly recognizable" with contemporary Volvo styling, "the unusual hatchback draws inspiration from the classic 1800ES of the 1970s." Motor Trend calls the C30 the "wild child of the Volvo family," also noting that while the C’ 30’s front end resembles that of the S40 and V50, its rear end has Volvo's cult-classic shooting-brake signature all over it.

One of the keys to the C30's aggressive proportions is that the wheelbase is identical to the sedan, but Volvo designers chop off 8.8 inches from the back. Car and Driver compares the Volvo C30 to "an S40 sedan made over with a butt tuck...and allnew clothes." In addition to shaving off about 200 pounds, "chopping off the tail has the visual effect of exaggerating the front

E

overhang, amplifying the wedge shape created by the beltline rising as it seeps toward the tail."

In back, the neat, familiar Volvo look yields to a broad-shouldered, rakish silhouette, with a unique, blacked-out glass hatch. Large, flashy alloy wheels and lipped wheel wells with dark lower-body and window trim help give the whole design look more like a fastback coupe from the side. Automobile Magazine notes that "unlike the S40, the C30's front fenders swell slightly at the wheels, and the rear shoulder is deeper than on any other Volvo." The reviewer also raves about how the "taillights trace that shoulder shape, framing a very cool glass hatchback."

Sophisticated and unlike most other small cars inside as well, the C30 manages to wow with its interior design. There's a "floating" center stack, a thin panel where radio and climate system controls are located, allowing an open space with storage just behind.

Motor Trend points to the “now ubiquitous TTec upholstery and floating center console,” which have made their way into several other Volvo models at this point.

The 2010 Volvo C30 has a racier shape than just about any other small hatchback, and its interior styling doesn't disappoint.

”the unusual hatchback draws inspiration from the classic 1800ES of the 1970s."

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

79

whats on

Rimini by the River Your Ticket to Relaxation

Rimini By The River 7- 15 Edward Street, Noosaville P: +61 (0)7 5473 0000 Email: bookings@rimini.com.au

Only 50 metres from the picturesque Noosa river wine and dine precinct, Stylish, clean, well appointed self contained 1 & 2 bedroom holiday apartments

Very Central Location set in a quiet side street back from the traffic and noise Call us today for your quality family getaway or romantic couples escape.

www.rimini.com.au

Prestigious, Glamorous, Luxury at it's Best!!!

From our reservation specialists to our certified chauffeurs, your comfort, safety and satisfaction are always guaranteed with Vogue Limousines

Our services include, however are not limited to: Weddings - Formals - Airport Transfers - Corporate Transfers - Sight Seeing Tours - Dinner Transfers Anniversary Transfers - Theme Park Transfers Bucks and Hens Nights - Funerals - Sporting Events.

T: 1300 799 255 or 0449 600 019 E: bookings@voguelimousines.com.au

www.voguelimousines.com.au 80

Queensland LuxuryStyleLiving

Life + Style...

Welcome to ‘The Oracle’ re-defining Broadbeach… re-defining luxury…

Secure your exclusive onsite inspection today tel 1300 768 208 The Oracle residential lifestyle benefits…

• Swimming pool/lagoon • Indoor Spa, Steam Room and Sauna • Health Club, Private • Private Wine Lockers • Residents Executive Lounge • Tepanyaki Grill • Zen Gardens and Thai Chi Lawn • Peppers Broadbeach five star hotel services

EXCLUSIVE RESIDENTIAL RESALE OPPORTUNITIES…

c o l i n h e a n e y. c o m

Telephone 1300 768 208 Visit our sales centre: Ground floor, Wave Building 89 Surf Parade Broadbeach, Gold Coast Queensland, Australia www.oraclerealestate.com.au