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Paul Best

November 2024

Would you eat bear salami?

Filled with umami, the cured meat is the brainchild of Slovenian small-goods producer David Lesar. It’s just one of many internationally lauded cured products he produces.

Ana Ros of Hisa Franko.

If it’s gourmet adventures you’re after, it’s time to visit Slovenia

This country of 2 million has 10 Michelin-starred restaurants. Here’s how to navigate them.

October 2024

Denver & Liely marlo wine glass

An Australian’s revolutionary wine glass has floored French experts

It looks intriguing and glassware designer Denver Cramer says it can “age” its contents by four to five years.

April 2024

Farmer Mark Foletta, left, and chef Stephen Nairn pictured amid Alpine gums on Foletta’s farm.

What happens when farmers and chefs partner in R&D

Mark Foletta and Stephen Nairn met over a box of foraged mushrooms in 2011. Thus began their endeavours to surprise and delight your tastebuds.

Culinary star Ana Roš has opened Jaz, a ‘young dining’ restaurant in Ljubljana.

Star chef swaps fine dining for ‘young dining’

Ana Roš has swapped fine dining for ‘young dining’ with her latest venture in Slovenia’s capital serving simple, seasonal shared dishes.

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March 2024

Peter Atkins and Dana Harris in their home and studio amongst their collection of Clement Meadmore’s iconic industrial designs.

Local Vinnies a treasure trove for early pieces by renowned sculptor

From Detroit to local markets, two Melbourne artists spent 25 years assembling an unrivalled collection of mid-century design pieces by Clement Meadmore.

From retro to romantic: wineries raise the luxury stay stakes

Two Victorian wineries – Polperro on the Mornington Peninsula and Carrajung Estate in Gippsland – give their accommodation offerings a luxe boost.

November 2023

Old-fashioned theatrics at Eau De Vie in Sydney: a Smokey Rob Roy, a cocktail you’ve likely never had before.

Smoke, bubbles and magic – meet the new cocktail experience

Table-side theatrics are back, with cocktails served in the time-honoured tradition of guéridon, or trolley-service. But they’re drinks with a twist.

October 2023

One of Laurent Gardinier’s picks: expect nouvelle cuisine at Restaurant Michel Guérard in Eugénie-les-Bains.

Where to dine in France: Tips from the president of Relais & Chateaux

Laurent Gardinier is well qualified to nominate his favourite eateries – after all, his own family business is focused on high-end hospitality and gastronomy.

August 2023

Freshly caught mussels just for you, courtesy of Portarlington Mussel Tours.

If you love mussels, you’ll love this tour. Just ask chef Ben Shewry

Lance Wiffen began growing the bivalves in Victoria’s Port Phillip in 1986. After hosting top cooks including Rene Redzepi, he’s now offering public tours.

June 2023

Chef Simon Rogan at his flagship restaurant L’Enclume in the village of Cartmel.

The Michelin-star chef machine is rolling back into town

Restaurant residencies are on the rise in Australia. It’s good for venues during low season, and for diners who can’t get a booking overseas.

May 2023

How this Melbourne chef made fine dining sustainable

Jason Staudt is a chef on a mission: he is always on the lookout for ways to do more for the planet while also producing fabulous food.

April 2023

Tippy-Tay might well be in Melbourne’s Garden State Hotel, but you’ll think the Italian Riviera.

Book a table, escape the everyday

It seems we all want to be transported to more carefree times and places – diners, the hospitality industry and interior designers too.

March 2023

Showing at ‘Vessels’ has fuelled Ohmu’s creativity: “I’m excited to see where I can take this,” she says.

From the humblest to the unique, vessels reveal much about us

Melbourne-based ceramicist Zhu Ohmu is among 15 artists, craftspeople and designers in a first-time collaboration between the National Gallery of Victoria and Craft Victoria.

Robin Wickens, executive chef at Victoria’s Royal Mail Hotel is “loving the challenge” of working with Château d’Yquem.

Château d’Yquem by the glass? Only at this restaurant

It’s not for nothing this truly great wine is known as the “nectar of the gods”. Just 45 top venues worldwide are allowed to serve it by the glass.

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November 2022

Lalomanu Beach on Upolu, Samoa, easily lives up to the saying “paradise on earth”.

Worried about over-tourism? Head to Samoa’s deserted beaches

At a time when the ultimate luxury is to be far from crowded places, this jewel of the South Pacific is having its moment in the sun.

The artist Rone amid a painting and objects in his installation ‘Time’ above Flinders Street station.

Time travelling with artist Rone in a fabled Melbourne ballroom

Like the era he’s conjured in his vast installation above Flinders Street Station, the transient nature of his work is never lost on the former street muralist.

October 2022

Model Montana Cox pops a cork of Mumm’s champagne in celebration. Chef de cave Laurent Fresnet will be at Mumm’s marquee this year to introduce a collection of limited-edition cuvées paired with appetisers.

Put on your party frocks: The Birdcage is back, bigger than ever

Victoria Racing Club has pulled out all the stops, adding a fine-dining marquee and other delights, while principal sponsor Lexus is going green.

August 2022

Delicious golden enoki mushrooms supplied by Unearthed Co. Mushrooms in Victoria’s Yarra Valley.

Why Australia’s chefs are going wild for exotic mushrooms

Lion’s mane, coral tooth, scaly flame caps... These are the names of just a few new fungi popping up on menus as growers and restaurants up their shroom game.

November 2021

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Q vs W. Which Melbourne hotel is the coolest?

Two recent CBD entrants have stepped into the ring to vie for the title of the city’s best boutique hotel.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/by/paul-best-gj67ud