Food Bites: celebrity chef Miguel Maestre on beer festival's menu

The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre.
He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day.
Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival.
At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs.
The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery.
Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day.
Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more.
The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at huntervalleywinefestival.com "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland.
The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge".
The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events.
"This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration."
The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at thewildernesschef.com.
Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services.
Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington.
"It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said.
"I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well.
"Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces."
Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more.
This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm).
Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival.
"Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said.
"Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between.
"We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016."
The Viral Food festival is something a little different.
"It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them."
The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions.
Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints.
Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham.
Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30.
The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.
The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre.
He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day.
Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival.
At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs.
The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery.
Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day.
Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more.
The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at huntervalleywinefestival.com "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland.
The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge".
The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events.
"This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration."
The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at thewildernesschef.com.
Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services.
Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington.
"It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said.
"I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well.
"Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces."
Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more.
This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm).
Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival.
"Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said.
"Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between.
"We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016."
The Viral Food festival is something a little different.
"It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them."
The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions.
Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints.
Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham.
Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30.
The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.
The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre.
He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day.
Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival.
At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs.
The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery.
Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day.
Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more.
The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at huntervalleywinefestival.com "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland.
The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge".
The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events.
"This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration."
The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at thewildernesschef.com.
Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services.
Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington.
"It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said.
"I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well.
"Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces."
Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more.
This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm).
Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival.
"Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said.
"Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between.
"We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016."
The Viral Food festival is something a little different.
"It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them."
The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions.
Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints.
Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham.
Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30.
The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.
The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre.
He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day.
Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival.
At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs.
The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery.
Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day.
Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more.
The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at huntervalleywinefestival.com "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland.
The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge".
The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events.
"This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration."
The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at thewildernesschef.com.
Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services.
Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington.
"It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said.
"I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well.
"Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces."
Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more.
This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm).
Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival.
"Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said.
"Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between.
"We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016."
The Viral Food festival is something a little different.
"It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them."
The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions.
Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints.
Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham.
Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30.
The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.

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3 days ago

• The Advertiser

Food Bites: celebrity chef Miguel Maestre on beer festival's menu

The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.

News.com.au

3 days ago

• News.com.au

Crucial update in Matthew Perry death as doctor who supplied Friends star Ketamine to plead guilty

One of the two doctors that was charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death has agreed to plead guilty, it's been revealed. Perry, who was best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in his hot tub in Los Angeles in October 2023. He was just 54 at the time of his death, and had struggled with addiction throughout his adult life. An autopsy report revealed he died from the acute effects of ketamine. After months of silence in the case, the Department of Justice said on Monday that Dr Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, reported New York Post. As a result of his plea, Plasencia could face up to 40 years behind bars if prosecutors hand down the maximum sentence. He originally pleaded not guilty in August 2024. Plasencia, who operated an urgent care clinic in Malibu, had originally been set to go on trial in August in the case. His plea agreement follows Dr Mark Chavez, the other doctor charged in the case, who pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine in October 2024. Perry had been receiving off-label doses of ketamine through his regular doctor to help treat depression but the former prime time star began looking for additional doses from Plasencia, who had asked Chavez to help him find the drug. According to text messages shared with prosecutors from Chavez, Plasencia called Perry a 'moron' and wondered how much he'd be willing to pay for the drugs. Plasencia personally injected Perry with the drug at his home and also in the carpark of Long Beach Aquarium. He also taught Perry's assistant to administer the drug. Perry paid Plasencia US$4,500 (A$5845) for individual doses of the drug, prompting Plasencia to ask Chavez to keep the supply coming so the pair of doctors could be Perry's 'go-to.' During one instance when Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry at the actor's home he was paid $12,000 for such a visit, according to the plea agreement. Plasencia is accused of supplying the bulk of Perry's ketamine in his final weeks. However, it's not believed he supplied the dose that killed the actor. Another defendant, Jasmine Sangha, known as 'the ketamine queen' who prosecutors claim was a major ketamine dealer, is alleged to have been the once responsible for supplying the deadly dose.

Courier-Mail

3 days ago

• Courier-Mail

Update in Matthew Perry death as doctor who supplied Friends star Ketamine to plead guilty

Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News. One of the two doctors that was charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death has agreed to plead guilty, it's been revealed. Perry, who was best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in his hot tub in Los Angeles in October 2023. He was just 54 at the time of his death, and had struggled with addiction throughout his adult life. An autopsy report revealed he died from the acute effects of ketamine. After months of silence in the case, the Department of Justice said on Monday that Dr Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, reported New York Post. As a result of his plea, Plasencia could face up to 40 years behind bars if prosecutors hand down the maximum sentence. He originally pleaded not guilty in August 2024. Matthew Perry was found dead in his hot tub in October 2023. Picture: Getty/Supplied Plasencia, who operated an urgent care clinic in Malibu, had originally been set to go on trial in August in the case. His plea agreement follows Dr Mark Chavez, the other doctor charged in the case, who pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine in October 2024. Perry had been receiving off-label doses of ketamine through his regular doctor to help treat depression but the former prime time star began looking for additional doses from Plasencia, who had asked Chavez to help him find the drug. According to text messages shared with prosecutors from Chavez, Plasencia called Perry a 'moron' and wondered how much he'd be willing to pay for the drugs. Dr Salvador Plascencia faces up to 40 years in prison. Picture: Supplied Californian physician Mark Chavez made a plea agreement last year after being charged. Picture: AFP Plasencia personally injected Perry with the drug at his home and also in the carpark of Long Beach Aquarium. He also taught Perry's assistant to administer the drug. Perry paid Plasencia US$4,500 (A$5845) for individual doses of the drug, prompting Plasencia to ask Chavez to keep the supply coming so the pair of doctors could be Perry's 'go-to.' During one instance when Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry at the actor's home he was paid $12,000 for such a visit, according to the plea agreement. Plasencia is accused of supplying the bulk of Perry's ketamine in his final weeks. However, it's not believed he supplied the dose that killed the actor. Another defendant, Jasmine Sangha, known as 'the ketamine queen' who prosecutors claim was a major ketamine dealer, is alleged to have been the once responsible for supplying the deadly dose. She has pleaded not guilty, making her the only one of five individuals charged in Perry's death who has not entered a plea agreement. Originally published as Crucial update in Matthew Perry death as doctor who supplied Friends star Ketamine to plead guilty