For the Foodies Special Feature 2019

FOR THE

FOODIES!

Special Feature IMAGE: Flotilla Restaurant, Wickham

18 & 19 MAY 2019 Round up your friends. Come and join in the celebration that is The Hunter’s BIGGEST Wine & Food Festival 22 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au

Grab the Gang And Head to the Vineyards for the Lovedale Long Lunch!

The Lovedale Long Lunch is celebrating fine wine, fabulous food and friendship on the 18 + 19 May with seven of Lovedale’s best boutique cellar doors and vineyards paired up to celebrated local restaurants and great live entertainment. The iconic progressive-style lunch is like no other – celebrating the food and wine treasures of the Hunter Valley.

Set in the grounds of seven of the area’s most elegant and exciting cellar doors and vineyards, the iconic event serves up a weekend of premium wine tasting, accompanied by a mouth-watering menu put together by some of the finest chefs in the Hunter Valley.

Saturday is the big day, lots of fun and enjoyment with many loyal long lunchers – groups of family and friends, big and small. The weekend sees everything from themed attire to elegant day wear. From the charming men, young and mature, in smart shirts, trousers and sometimes jackets to the lovely ladies of all ages in attire which would not look out of place at the polo or a garden party. No matter what you wear, or your style, we want you to look your best.

For those of you that like your days tasting wine and food a bit more chilled, Sundays are alot less busy and a little more laid back. Grab your ticket, spend a relaxing day visiting

your favourite Lovedale Long Lunch destinations, take advantage of the tasting tents, sample the extensive range of wonderful wines and sit back and enjoy a drink with your friends. You’ll experience casual al fresco dining with food from the best and enjoy the laid-back music, reminiscent of days past of the Lovedale Long Lunch. Fewer people, great wine, great food and great music make Sunday Session the best day for Novocastrians and locals.

Live entertainment is on offer at each venue on both days, with music from some of the region’s most popular bands and solo acts guaranteed to keep the party atmosphere pumping for the thousands of visitors who flock to the annual event.

Celebrating its 26th year in 2019, the Lovedale Long Lunch will be held across the following wineries: Allandale Winery, Emma’s Cottage Vineyard, Gartelmann Wines, Saltire Estate, Sandalyn Wilderness Estate, Tatler Wines and Wandin Estate.

Event tickets can be purchased for either the Saturday or Sunday, or as a weekend package, which includes entry to three wineries each day, vouchers for three main meals, and two dessert or cheese tokens.

An institution on the Hunter tourism calendar, tickets for the event always sell quickly, so make sure you secure yours early.

A number of bus tour companies offer combined ticket and transport packages, while other visitors prefer to arrange their own private charter to allow them to select their preferred itinerary.

For the sake of your fellow long-lunchers, please remember to check entry conditions, bring your ID and ticket, leave your alcohol at home and arrive at your last venue before 3pm as there will be an event-wide lock-out. As always – there will be no exceptions and no tolerance for disorderly or aggressive behaviour.

For those who have never been to the Lovedale Long Lunch, the weekend offers a wine and food tasting experience not to be missed, with the Saturday known for its big, party vibe and the Sunday perfect for those looking for a more laidback affair.

WHAT 2019 Lovedale Long Lunch WHEN 18 + 19 May 2019, 10am to 4pm daily TICKETS & INFO www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 23

incarnations as a picture theatre, a restaurant and even a roller rink. It was once filled with laughter and sound, but then in 2009 it stood silent.

A DECADE OF FINE FOOD AND FABULOUS ENTERTAINMENT WORDS MEL MURRAY

Ten years ago the bones of a beautiful old art deco theatre stood dormant in Morehead Street, Lambton.

For decades prior, generations of people had passed through its doors. Through the spaces many

Meanwhile, 90 mins down the freeway was a legendary music venue called Lizotte’s. It was the kind of place that as a music fan, even if you hadn’t been there, you had heard about it. There were numerous stories of moments that you wished you had been there, times when a huge name artist had played an intimate show to just over 100 people. It was the place owned by Brian and Jo Lizotte and frequented by the who’s who of the music industry, including brother Diesel.

Sometimes the stars collide. The Lizotte’s team became aware that the theatre was up for sale and not long after they had the keys in their hands.

With only ten days between picking up the keys and opening the venue, it was all-hands-on-deck to turn Brian and Jo’s vision of a space where Newcastle music fans could come and really listen to music, into a reality. A space the artist is not just in the background but is the feature of the night.

With a mouth-watering menu and a huge line-up of talent, the doors to Lizotte’s opened for the first time on June 2, 2009.

In the ten years that have followed, there have been some huge milestones and some moments that will stay with people for a lifetime. Perhaps it was the joy of seeing artists like Mick Fleetwood, Macy Gray and Jimmy Barnes in an intimate setting. Or maybe it was the night ‘The Hoff’ recorded a charity cover of Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again in the courtyard to raise money for Doc Neeson.

People have shared their first meal as a married couple, kids have performed for the first time on a stage with proud

Scratchley’s is an absolute waterfront restaurant on Newcastle Harbour, specialising in Seafood but catering for all tastes. Fabulous food, wine and views, you bring the company! We also have a fish and chipper/ice creamery out the front for family picnics on the Foreshore.

Battlesticks Bar is the shining jewel of the Harbour. The cocktails are superb, the tapas are tasty and the view is stunning. An over 18 venue, Battlesticks is ideal for a relaxing afternoon/night out – complete with live local music. We take bookings for large groups only.

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Visit us at 200 Wharf Road, Newcastle 24 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

parents in the audience, partners have proposed, and dreams have come true. There are so many unforgettable moments in the decade since Jo and Brian transformed this space and none of these moments would have been possible without their vision. The fact that they hand pick staff who share that vision and a passion for music, the amazing talent of every artist that has set foot on the Lizottes stage and of course every customer who has ever come to the King's castle has made most of Newcastle part of that journey too.

As of June second, Lizotte’s will have hosted 2381 shows, served over 120,000 meals and hosted 260 dedicated Live and Local Night where young talents take the stage and share the profits. There have been countless school showcases and sell out shows headlined by well-known local musos such as Morgan Evans, Lyn Bowtell, Amy Vee, Bob Corbett, Marissa Saroca, Mark Well, Justin Ngariki, Ty Penshorn, Adam Miller, Grant Walmsley and Mark Tinson.

To everyone who has been part of the journey, Brian and Jo and the Lizotte’s team invite you to celebrate with them at the Lizotte’s Open Day on June 2. There will be free entertainment thanks to a long list of our favourites including Piper Butcher, Rehab Brass Band, Dexter Moore, Avalon Circus and more to be announced. The doors and the kitchen will be open from 11am till 3pm to help celebrate the milestone 10th Birthday with as many of you as possible.

There will be plenty of amazing entertainment and great food from the new Winter menu.

Later in the evening, Lizottes will host a ticketed birthday bash with Doug Parkinson and Glenn Shorrock and support act Ty Penshorn. Tickets are selling fast so jump onto www.lizottes.com.au and reserve your spot now – this is one birthday bash you will not want to miss!

FOOD REVIEW

"The kind of restaurant that breeds an instant following and is a must visit"

Flotilla

Unexpected Flavour in an Intimate Setting WORDS QUENTIN VON ESSEN

Wickham has a new and stylish restaurant, and it’s well worth a visit. intouch Magazine was invited to be guest of Flotilla before it was opened to the public and it proved to be everything we expected and more.

The brainchild of Chris Joannou and Zach Scholtz, who in 2014 also opened one of Newcastle's most exciting venues – The Edwards, brought in chef Jess Brooks and bar manager Simon Nicholas from The Edwards to Flotilla to create a menu catering for "from vegans to carnivores" with quality produce sourced locally.

The restaurant itself has a very warm and welcoming feel with seating for just 48 diners inside and serving up a refined and yet casual dining experience.

Once shown to our table, we were presented with a sample menu of what was to be available to the public when it launched later in April, and we were not disappointed.

First up was an entree of Butter Poached King Prawn with sweet corn, cucumber, sunflower and green onion. This dish was truly superb as was the other entrée – Glazed Butternut with fried enoki, chestnut caramel and shitake, which came with an amazing boost of flavour from the miso sauce infusing the butternut.

For the mains, we were served the Wagyu MBS 8+ Sirloin and Little Hill Farm Chicken. Both dishes arrived beautifully presented with the Wagyu Sirloin accompanied by young carrots and burnt celeriac – full of flavour, wonderful texture and cooked to perfection. The Little Farm Chicken was true premium organic chicken from the foothills of the Watagan Mountains in the Hunter Valley. Served nestled in a roast nashi pear puree, steamed leek and roasted grapes, it delivered a delicious combination with an unexpected flavour explosion.

This is simple, honest and high-quality food – prepared and cooked with care and respect for the food and the ingredients.

To round off what could only be described as a true culinary experience, we were then presented with two delicious desserts. The Chocolate Mousse with whipped coconut, rhubarb caramel and cocoa nib was the perfect dessert for the serious chocolate lover. The silky-smooth feel from the coconut together with the melted chocolate delivered that extra-rich flavour which left us wanting more.

The second dessert was Burnt Mandarin consisting of juicy mandarins baked in custard and topped with a mandarin scented caramelised cream. A wonderful end to the meal with the dried mandarin and salted caramel providing a wonderful crunchy contrast.

The drinks menu provided a range of beer and cocktail options and a wine list wine consisting of wines mostly originating from Australia with a nice selection from the Hunter Valley. Half of the mostly Australian wines are natural or made with minimal chemical intervention.

What makes Flotilla so different to so many other restaurants is that everything prepared and served from the kitchen is either organically grown, sustainably farmed or ethically sourced from local growers.

Flotilla is the kind of restaurant that breeds an instant following and is a must visit for anyone who loves wellcoordinated food and excellent service enjoyed in a chilled and yet refined atmosphere.

Find Flotilla at 9 Albert Street in Wickham, open Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm till late, with plans to offer weekend brunches in the near future.

Taste the best of authentic Thai cuisine in the heart of Newcastle!

Made with an aim to make you feel like you’re taking a trip to Thailand.

PH (02) 4031 4750 or 0434 653 635 Open Tuesday–Sunday Lunch 11:30am–3pm Dinner 5:30pm–9pm 2/15 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle

Dine in | Takeaway | Uber Eats | Deliveroo www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 25

THE CHOCOLATE

ROOM

Indulge yourself in a world of delicious chocolates!

High quality cooking chocolate • Imported boxed chocolates Liqueur chocolates • Bulk chocolates • Chocolate bars and treats

FREE

gs astin T e t ola y Choc ry Frida e y Ev g Ma durin m

–2p

10am

Callebaut • Pauls • Cadbury • Bibina • Hershey’s • Perugina • Belcolade THE FOODIES WAREHOUSE • 355 Hillsborough Road Warners Bay

OPEN Weekdays 8am - 5pm, Thurs till 6pm, Sat 8.30am - 4pm, Closed Sun & Holidays • Ph 4954 6044

www.bibina.com.au

Ruby Chocolate

Chocolate

Not Just for Mother’s Day! People have been consuming chocolate for centuries, enjoying the rich flavour of the cocoa bean originally as a bitter drink.

By the mid-19th century solid chocolate was coming onto the market, and developments in the late 19th century saw massive improvements in quality, consistency and the texture of chocolate available world wide.

Today we are truly spoilt for choice, with high quality International and Australian chocolates available in huge range of shapes, sizes, styles, colours and flavours.

European chocolate is still considered the best in the world, although Australian chocolate – from Australia’s most popular Cadbury, to many others including Bibina’s own 1kg bags in a huge variety of flavours – are all popular.

Making Chocolate The primary ingredient of chocolate is the cacao bean, which are fermented, dried, and roasted to develop their flavour. Then the cacao nibs (the meat inside the large pod-like beans) are extracted and ground before being liquefied, which is effectively chocolate in its pure form.

This is where we get the percentage figures you’ll see on some chocolates – the higher the percentage of cacao, the darker, richer and ‘chocolatier’ it will taste.

For cooking, dark chocolate is often preferred, because the intense flavours contrast with the other ingredients in a recipe to make the chocolate flavour stand out.

Milk chocolate By far the most popular form of prepared chocolate, milk chocolate is usually 30-40% cacao blended with cocoa butter, sugar and other ingredients. Sweet and delicious, milk chocolate is often made into chocolate bars with nuts, caramel and many other ingredients.

Launching at Bibina on May 17, Swiss Chocolatier Callebaut’s new Ruby chocolate is set to become a favourite for professional pastry cooks and home cooks with it’s new berry-like chocolate, Ruby RB1.

It’s not flavoured or cured white chocolate, but is naturally occuring in a special strain of ruby cocoa beans, with Callebaut saying “it owes its colour and specific taste solely to the expert selection and meticulous processing of the ruby beans – no fruit flavouring or colourants are added to the chocolate”.

“It’s flavours are more berry-like than you’d expect, tasting fresh with a hint of sour tones,” one early tester told Intouch.

Kirsten Tibballs, Australia’s ‘Queen of Chocolate’, is enthusiastic about Ruby chocolate. “It opens up a whole new world of ideas and makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about chocolate.”

Callebaut will be presenting Ruby RB1 at Bibina on May 17, with tips on how to cook with Ruby and free tastings.

White chocolate White chocolate doesn’t contain cocoa solids, but does include cocoa butter. It’s usually quite sweet and milky and is often popular with kids.

Cooking chocolate Although you can buy bags and bars of cooking chocolate, it often contains a low proportion of cocoa, and substitutes vegetable oil for cocoa butter, which means the texture and flavour simply won’t match a better quality product.

Bibina stocks a variety of cooking chocolate, from high quality Callebaut to inexpensive lines which still meet Bibina’s high standards.

Dark Chocolate Strong, rich and bitter, dark chocolate lovers often shun other tyres of chocolate: for them the rich taste is where the pleasure of chocolate really comes from. www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 27