NewsBite

Food culture

This Month

This restaurant is one of the world’s best (and one of the weirdest)

Zuckerberg, silicon brains and space bread – step inside Alchemist in Copenhagen, the world’s most challenging restaurant.

February

Martinis and bikinis at Melbourne’s hot new restaurant

Melbourne didn’t need a high-end Portuguese restaurant. But it will want this one.

The annual award of stars still has chefs on edge.

Why we need simple signals of elite status more than ever

The more information there is in the world, the more we need simple signals of elite status to cut through it all.

How an ancient technique became a hot new wine trend

The use of terracotta and ceramic vessels in the winemaking process is making a comeback – and it’s producing some distinctively earthy drops.

Paola Toppi leaves court on Monday. The Toppi siblings, from the family behind Sydney institution Machiavelli, are at war over their mother’s will.

Machiavelli’s Toppi family fight over doyenne’s will

With intrigue befitting the family restaurant’s name, Sydney restaurateur Paola Toppi is accusing her brother of mismanagement.

Advertisement

January

Maggie Beer has been one of the most recognised cooks in the country for decades. But her food products business has struggled to replicate that success.

Maggie Beer ponders how to save an empire built on verjuice

The food producer named after the country’s best-known cook has had a dismal two years. Will chairwoman Sue Thomas’ turnaround plan save the iconic brand?

Fanda Group wine director Peter Marchant says Chinese-made wines offer something a little different for drinkers.

Why Chinese-made wine could be coming to a bar or restaurant near you

Top bars and restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide are selling Chinese wines produced by both major players and smaller independent outfits.

December 2024

Christmas meals in France are often fresh, locally sourced and avoid ultra-processed foods.

Don’t want to get fat at Christmas? Do what the French do

They don’t start stuffing themselves with mince pies as soon as the supermarkets begin playing festive music in September, for one thing.

Christmas recipes from some of Melbourne’s best restaurants

Capture the festive spirit with a spectacular celebratory Christmas menu from Lucas Restaurants’ top chefs, who know what people want to eat.

Why you’ll be eating KFC for Christmas in Japan

A finger-lickin’ good bucket of fried chicken and strawberry shortcake were not what our former foreign correspondent was counting on.

Balinese roast pork for Christmas lunch.

Complete Christmas menu sorted – from three new cookbooks

Your turn to host? Do not panic. These three recipes are easy and delicious, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to host again next year.

Debbi Fields and Wade Shealy celebrate Christmas on their Nashville Tennessee farm.

This is how we celebrate Christmas

From rural NSW to Nashville, Tennessee and a luxury game lodge in South Africa, there’s a thread that runs through festivities everywhere.

Michele O’Neill, standing in the centre in front of the fireplace, is Co-owner, La Chapelle, a 10th-century chapel restored as boutique accommodation in Provence, France

How Aussie expats celebrate Christmas with foreign flourish

Boxing Day might not include beach cricket for these five living abroad, but some customs from home can be honoured.

November 2024

Someone’s gotta do it - our intrepid drinks editor Max Allen has chosen his top drops for the year.

Max Allen’s top 20 drinks of the year

After 12 months of tasting, our expert reveals his picks of 2024: a diverse bunch of white and red wines, and a couple of non-alcoholic stunners.

At Africola, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

How to make perfect barbecue ribs – no restaurant required

Duncan Welgemoed, of Adelaide’s cult diner Africola, loves the thrill of the grill.

Advertisement
Carne deim … Dario Cecchini’s motto.

Meet the humble Tuscan butcher with books, plates and a sock line

If two hours in beefy reverie sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon, you’d better head to Dario Cecchini’s butcher shop in Panzano.

October 2024

Dan Hunter and Danielle Alvarez are collaborating on a Sydney Opera House pop-up restaurant.

Two rock star chefs, one unique Sydney Opera House ‘performance’

Dan Hunter and Danielle Alvarez are combining for a culinary class act over four nights in January.

How to make Supernormal’s famous lobster roll

Let the good times roll as Andrew McConnell shares one of his restaurant’s most popular menu items.

Ben Shewry

How one of Australia’s top chefs turned anger into change

In his new memoir, Attica’s Ben Shewry hits out at rude customers, misbehaving chefs and uninformed food critics, while proposing an inclusive industry with more integrity.

Where a Greek restaurant owner eats when he’s in Athens

Jonathan Barthelmess, the top chef behind Sydney’s The Apollo, reveals his favourite spots for dining and drinks in the Greek capital.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/food-culture-1mn1