Posts Tagged ‘drinks’

Taste of Sydney 11-14th March 2010 Centennial Park

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Taste of Sydney, the foodie event of the summer, is returning to Sydney this March 11-14, 2010 even bigger and better than last year. Sydney’s top chefs, the finest artisan producers and discerning gourmands will be mingling in the beautiful surrounds of Centennial Parklands.

The hardest decisions at Taste of Sydney will be what to eat and where to head! Where else can you sample an entrĂ©e from Marque, a main from Aria and a dessert from BĂ©casse? At Taste of Sydney, discover a tasting menu of 50 dishes from the city’s finest restaurants. Over 4 days, Centennial Parklands is transformed into a culinary haven where visitors will have the opportunity to dream up their ultimate degustation menu while discovering fine wines and specialty food and drink at the Taste Producers Market.

Taste Kitchen

Watch the professionals in action. Sydney’s award-winning chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations, sharing the secrets of their favourite dishes and offering tips and advice for those who are serious about food.

Want to know the tricks of the trade from the experts? This is where to do it.

Purveyors will also be on hand to unveil the latest food trends and talk about where to source the best produce. 

Taste Sydney 2009

Join one of the many featured chefs for a chat over a glass of wine and canapes. Find out how Mark Best of Marque Restaurant began his career and quiz Giovanni Pilu of Pilu at Freshwater on where he finds the best seafood. Perhaps Miguel Maestre of El Toro Loco will reveal the secret to a good sangria.

Taste Wine

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced wine connoisseur, polish your palate with the wine experts, wine producers and sommeliers at this showcase of the best red, white, sparkling and dessert wines.

Sessions include a Chandon sparkling masterclass, pinot at 10 paces and sommelier showdown.

Producers’ Market

More than 100 food and drink stalls will be dotted around the park showcasing wine, beer, meats and many other speciality foods. Suppliers include McGuigan Wines, Pukara Estate Olive Oil, Movenpick of Switzerland, Bultarra Saltbush Lamb, Yarra Valley Dairy and Sparkle Cupcakery.

World-class cuisine

Mini kitchens from 16 restaurants will serve miniature versions of their award-winning dishes, some traditional favourites and enticing new offerings.

Celebrity chefs

Many chefs wear more than one hat these days, spreading their talents to television shows and writing books. Among the famous faces will be Aria’s Matt Moran and Guillaume Brahimi, who heads up Guillaume at Bennelong.


Birthday Week at Hostec

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Last week, was an especially joyous one at Hostec. We celebrated the birthdays of Niz and Jemma. On Thursday  afternoon, the Hostec crew sauntered over to The Office Hotel on Kent Street where we had a nice birthday lunch for Niz. The menu had classic favourites, and I had my usual the steak sandwich and chips.

That evening, the celebration continued with drinks at Establishment Bar. It worked out perfectly because it was ladies night, which entitled women to two free glasses of champagne. We exchanged jovial conversation over drinks. The ambiance was very sophisticated with the cool sounds of light jazz and house music. People were dressed from all walks to corporate to nightlife glamour. It was such a great day to celebrate with the Hostec crew.

The celebration continues. That Saturday, a few of us went out for Jemma’s birthday. We had a pre clubbing dinner at the Ivy Bar and made our way over to Club Retro. The floors had different themes ranging from 80s to 90s music. My favourite was the 80s floor, as most songs in this decade were great. We danced the night away and that was the end to such a festive week.

Yours truly,

Yewande


Spills and Thrills of Hospitality

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

My parents recently went to a beautiful wedding at a well known 4 and a half star hotel, which for their own dignity shall remain nameless. The evening and location was amazing however there was one slight problem
 My parents table [of 10!] somehow was completely overlooked and the whole table missed out on their main meal! Crazy and almost incomprehendable how a hotel, which would have catered for many more weddings before this, lost organisation and missed a whole tables main meal! According to mum and dad however, the hotels compensation and impeccable service to quickly make amends for their mistake saved the day.

Whilst we shake our head, it does make you smile when you consider the unavoidable hiccups customers and guests encounter when dining at a restaurant or even staying at a hotel. Considering my experience within hospitality hasn’t been long, mistakes and embarrassment [to me and the guest!] is bound to happen. My first shock mistake was offcourse, spilling a beer down a guest back. I think I kept my sanity as he was not as upset as I expected. To point out my abilities as an amateur a guest even commented saying ‘Is she new? Yeah you can tell.’ Even further I’ve dropped glasses, walked in on ‘busy’ couples and even offered dessert to guests who had just finished their entrĂ©es! My work colleagues and even family and friends have filled me in on many colourful stories during their time at work or out socialising. I’ve heard stories of seeing apprentice chefs run off to hospital during service, attendants embarrassingly walking in on guests in compromising positions and even guests throwing meals on the ground if not serviced efficiently. They’ve had guests steal from the bar, been served alcohol when they’ve been designated driver, experienced very messy wedding parties, had red wine spilled all over their table and even encountered rooms as messy as a tip! And I doubt that’s even the beginning!

Weather your front or back of house or on the receiving side of hospitality there is always chance that our service will run into a bump in the road. I have no doubt that even you reading this blog have smiled and remembered a moment at work or socialising somewhere where things just don’t go to plan.

We’re all human, mistakes happen.

Danielle
X


Day in Sydney City

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Chocolate Souffle at Max BrennerI have not explored Sydney much but this Saturday, I decided to be a little more adventurous and see what the city has to offer. A few co-workers and I headed to the city to catch up over food and beverage. Amanda, a former intern for Hostec, also from the United States suggested we go to the Bavarian Bier Café for a Saturday afternoon lunch.

The ambiance of the restaurant was wood deco and unlike most restaurants had long wooden tables with up to forty guests at one table. I was confused as to where we would sit but then I looked up and saw some booths. We sat there and I peeked through the menu. There were so many specialties straight from Bavaria, but I was not so daring and just took the lunch special which was a “Poached Chicken Breast” with a side of chips. It was delicious and had a colourful platter surrounded with so many vegetables (tomatoes, celery, and even vegetables I did not know the name of.)

After our lunch, two other co-workers came down to join us. One happened to be another Amanda and the other was Nick. Unfortunately, Nick could not stay too long and left after one drink. After our stint at Bavarian, I felt like having chocolate. Both Amandas suggested we go to Max Brenner, a popular chocolate bar in Sydney. I know that there is one in SoHo too, but I never really thought about going there. When we went in it was a chocolate paradise, there was chocolate in tubs, and just chocolate everywhere. I wanted everything on the menu, but just settled for a chocolate soufflé with ice cream on the side. It was filled with rich chocolate goodness inside, and I enjoyed it so much.

After, our day ended early because of the heavy rain outside. I felt like I was in London instead of the Sydney.  It was quite an enjoyable day and I am looking forward to frequenting Max Brenner when I return to New York.


Hostec celebrates the End of Year at the Slip Inn

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Last Friday 11th December, 2009 saw the Hostec team come together to celebrate the end of the year. With plenty of festive cheer, CEO Ian Wilson and Managing Director Raman Namiar treated us all to a delicious lunch and drinks at the Slip Inn. At the beautiful Tuscanstyled courtyard, the team enjoyed a mixture of food from the pub and Thai menus that was available. Among the favourites were the salt + pepper calamari with garden salad, classic pad that chicken and the fillet of beef. It was a beautiful day as Hostec spent the afternoon smiling and catching up as a team. A big thanks to Ian and Raman for a terrific day.

Hostec would like to wish you a very safe and happy holiday over the silly season. May you  have a great end of year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2010.

Amanda G, Luci + Andrea

Amanda G, Luci + Andrea


The Quest is On!

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Don’t forget Trainees are all meeting at Opera Bar at 6pm tomorrow night!

Opera Bar

Traineeships will be there and to make it fun look for the girl in the pink wig!  We’ll also have a flower on our table in case you can’t find me.

It’s like Open Day but on a Friday night at Opera Bar.  Come with your friends, and all your questions. As a Trainee who works in Traineeships, I’d really love to hear what’s on your mind.  If you have some improvement ideas or if you want to know more about what we have to offer, please don’t be shy.

Opera Bar at 6pm tomorrow night and I’ll see you all there!


Trainees Quest SmallBar

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
SmallBar

SmallBar: Rated 6 drinks by our Traineeship Team

Traineeships are embarking on a quest to visit the unusual & quirky and the elite 5 star bar venues in Sydney’s CBD.

We’ll rate them according to atmosphere, service and the good time we have. One (1) drink is not worth a second drink and ten (10) drinks means a fabulous venue.

Last night a few trainees got together at SmallBar.

SmallBar is as it’s name describes, a small bar. The atmosphere is intimate, warm & cosy. If you’re anything like me ladies and carry a big hand bag, I guarantee you will bump into someone and make friends :)

Smallbar is located at 48 Erskine Street, Sydney 2000.

It has two level, both with a quaint balcony. We had a blast last night! Defiantly worth a drink.

Our trainees will be meeting once every two weeks and venture onward with our quest!
Where do you suggest?

Next week we’ll be at Blue Horizon. All Trainees are welcome to join us!!

 SmallBar: 6 Drinks

Estee at SmallBar being Fab

Estee, Kelly and Daniel enjoying drinks at SmallBar


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