Scoop: Simon Gloftis, Madeline Twyford book out Calile Hotel for wedding
Imagine completely booking out one of the world’s top hotels for your wedding. That’s the dream that came true for well-known Brisbane hospitality guru Simon Gloftis and his fiancee. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP
Lifestyle
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Imagine booking out the entirety of one of the world’s top hotels for your wedding.
That’s the luxurious dream that came true for Brisbane hospitality entrepreneur and long-time bachelor Simon Gloftis when he tied the knot with fiancee Madeline Twyford in an event worthy of Hollywood royalty.
The couple took over The Calile in Fortitude Valley’s James St – crowned 25th best hotel in the world and known for hosting superstars including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, U2 and the Hemsworths – on April 6, booking out all 175 rooms for their 350 guests.
“Everyone was on their balconies waving to each other, it was really lovely,” said Gloftis, revealing it as one of the highlights of the day.
The elaborate affair began with the ceremony at Fortitude Valley furniture store Eco Outdoor. The warehouse space was cleared out, then filled with thousands of white garden roses and plenty of draped fabric.
Gloftis, 44, who is behind coveted Brisbane restaurants including Hellenika, SK Steak and Oyster and Sunshine, revealed he was more nervous during the ceremony than any of his eatery openings, and shed a tear as his wife, 29, walked down the aisle in a stunning Parisian silk chiffon dress she’d made herself.
“I’d only ever seen her mend a skirt before so it was incredible. She’s just one of those people who can do anything,” Gloftis said, revealing his florist wife had toiled away for months in the spare room on the gown.
After the vows, guests, including local singing sensations The Veronicas, spilt out on to Wandoo St, closing off the busy thoroughfare to walk the 100m to The Calile.
From there it was up to the hotel’s rooftop for sushi and champagne, with head chef of Gloftis’s Japanese Sushi Room restaurant, Shimpei Raikuni, preparing spicy tuna crispy rice, nigiri and oysters for guests, before they headed down to the hotel’s pool deck for speeches and the main feast.
Catered by Hellenika, the dinner included the couple’s favourite dishes such as roast lamb, taramasalata, wedding rice and a special version of the salad the couple has at Gloftis’s Monday family dinners.
It was then on to the hotel’s ballroom for traditional Greek dancing and dessert, with tables filled with fruit, cream and 12 different cakes prepared by one of Gloftis’s pastry chefs. And despite there being more food than Gloftis thinks The Calile has ever seen, the couple ordered 1000 pieces of KFC at midnight to keep the party going.
The newlyweds are now enjoying a two-week honeymoon in Los Angeles.
BURT’S APOLOGY FAILS TO WIN FRIENDS
Veteran weatherman Paul Burt is facing a fresh storm – this time from the court of public opinion.
The former Channel 7 personality, who was sacked last year amid widespread network redundancies, has drawn backlash for an apology many have labelled tone-deaf after misogynistic remarks aired on his fishing and adventure show Step Outside with Paul Burt. Though the vile comments were made by a guest and not Burt himself, viewers were outraged that the footage made it to air at all.
During a cooking segment, the guest joked: “Beat the egg like you beat the missus … that’s what I do. Tie her to a tree and beat her with fencing wire.”
Burt issued a statement expressing that he was “appalled” by what went to broadcast. But instead of taking full responsibility, he blamed the mishap on a former show editor who allegedly quit mid-production.
“I had thought the offensive comments had been removed,” Burt said, adding that he’d put structures in place to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.
However, many fans weren’t buying it.
CASSAR-DALY HITS OUT AT QANTAS SERVICE
Qantas has hit a sour note with Queensland country music star Troy Cassar-Daley.
Cassar-Daley, who is married to former Brisbane radio personality Laurel Edwards, took to social media to slam the carrier last week after losing his bags on a flight from country NSW to the river city.
“Hey Qantas, many thanks for losing our bags after a long travel day from Hay-Griffith-Sydney-Brisbane,” he said in the post. “My sound man waited two hours for the bags to arrive on another flight, so I didn’t see my work road case for four days. I open it up, it’s damaged and you say if it’s not reported in three days, you wipe your hands of it. These are the tools of our trade and your care factor is zero.”
He also posted a response from Qantas customer service: “We are sorry that this outcome cannot be more favourable and trust that you will understand our position on this issue.”
GONSALVES GOES BRIDGERTON
Only Ellie Gonsalves could outdo a two-day wedding celebration – by throwing an even more extravagant Bridgerton-themed vow renewal.
Arriving at the Valley Estate in Currumbin Valley astride a white horse, she surprised husband Ross Scutts on their two-year wedding anniversary with a spectacle straight from the pages of the Netflix hit.
Draped in a Steven Khalil corsetted gown with a floor-length lace veil, Gonsalves transformed the venue into a dreamy Regency-era fantasy.
“I NEVER thought I’d be able to get away with surprising my husband with a Bridgerton vow renewal wedding – BUT WE DID IT,” Ellie posted on Instagram.
TRIO DINE OUT ON INSTA POWER
It’s the kind of dinner most of us could only dream of – spiced Moreton Bay bugs, crab bisque linguine and lamb cutlets at one of Brisbane’s sleekest supper clubs.
But for a visiting trio of porn stars, the banquet reportedly came free of charge … in exchange for a single Instagram post.
OnlyFans creator and sex worker Kayla Jade East revealed on TikTok she and fellow adult content creators Aussie Girthmasterr and US performer Ari Kytsya were treated to a lavish dinner at a “jazz bar/restaurant” while in Brisbane filming their much-hyped collaboration.
While the trio didn’t mention the venue by name or tag it on social media – arguably defeating the point of the promotion – images show it was TAMA Supper Club in Fortitude Valley. Industry sources questioned the optics of the partnership.
“This kind of collaboration might get clicks,” one insider said, “but it can also damage credibility overnight.”
DJ BRINGS IN BROTHER FOR LUXE COAST DEVELOPMENT
Gold Coast-based international DJ Paul ‘The Fish’ Fisher has some “muscle” behind him in his new plans to build a $50m luxury beachfront apartment project at Palm Beach on the southern Glitter Strip – his buff big brother.
Fisher and wife Chloe took the wraps off plans for the designer development, called Pescado (Spanish for “fish”), this week.
To be built in Jefferson Lane – one of the Gold Coast’s two “millionaires’ rows”, where surfing legend Kelly Slater also has a home – the project will feature seven ultra-luxurious apartments priced from $5.25m. The Fishers plan to keep the two-level penthouse for themselves.
Pescado is being carried out by YLB Property Development, which company records reveal is solely directed by Fisher’s older brother, Tom, 44. Paul, 39, is listed as the sole shareholder.
Heavily tattooed Tom is a powerlifter, pilates coach and team athlete for energy product brand Kamikaze.
YLB is believed to be an abbreviation for one of DJ Fisher’s biggest hits, You Little Beauty.
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