Our Journalists

Kara MonssenFood and wine editor

Kara Monssen is the Herald Sun’s food and wine editor. She is a restaurant and wine critic, and reports food and hospitality news in Melbourne, Victoria. Kara also contributes lifestyle video content for the Herald Sun and delicious.

Kara Monssen

Latest

REVIEWFood

Art for Orlo restaurant review. Picture: Supplied.

Reinvented Orlo still finding its feet

After 18 months, a new restaurant by the Young’s Wine Room founder and a Guy Grossi alumni chef has finally opened in Collingwood— so was it worth the wait?

Food

Australia's best (and most expensive) bacon. Brendan Gamze, the maker of the bacon, Gamze Gold. Picture: David Caird

Would you spend $100 on Australia’s bougiest bacon?

A Wangaratta butcher is selling a luxe, limited-edition bacon for an eye-watering cost. Our food critic tried it — this is what she thought.

Food

L-R Romain Riesi - Production ManagerGaetan Chapon - General ManagerAlex Coutts - Quality ManagerDelicious Produce Award winner 2024 Victoria dairy farmer Long Paddock has taken out the 'Land' category for its suite of cheese and milk produced at its Castlemaine location. Picture: Jason Edwards

Castlemaine dairy ‘the big cheese’ after top award win

A dynamic dairy duo who want to put Aussie cheese on the map are one step closer to their dream after winning a prestigious national gong.

Food

Delicious 100 Tonka in the city chocolate cremeux with yoghurt ice creamPicture Andrew Tauber

Tonka, Coda restaurants call in experts to wipe debt

Two of the city’s top restaurants have called in restructuring experts to help wipe an overhanging debt. Here’s what it means for their future.

Food

A 'mystery floating bar' has popped up on the Yarra River, leading many to spectulate what will occupy the space this summer. Picture: Supplied.

What is the mystery floating bar on the Yarra River?

Works are well under way on a new bar that’s popped up on the Yarra River, leading many to speculate what will open in the space as the weather heats up.

ReviewFood

$90 fine dining experience putting Ballarat on the map

The regional city’s new hotel restaurant is behind a value for money fine dining experience unlike anywhere else in town.

ExclusiveFood

Founder David Vitale and Jane Dillon, packaging manager. Starward becomes 'most awarded' Australian distillery at San Fransisco International Spirits Awards 2024. This is the second time in two years the Port Melbourne whisky distillery has claimed the title of most medal wins on the international stage. Picture: Jason Edwards

Melbourne distillery named among world’s best at global comp

A Melbourne made whisky has again been crowned the world’s best in a prestigious global competition — and we can blame the city’s “four seasons in one day” for the honour.

Food

13/01/2022 Brooke McAuley choosing her wedding cake at Black Star Pastry.. Aaron Francis/Herald Sun

Black Star Pastry shuts all Melbourne stores

The rising cost of living, lack of staff and post-Covid shopping conditions have claimed another popular Melbourne hospitality venue.

REVIEWFood

Is this Carlton restaurant behind the city’s best fried chicken?

This unsuspecting Lygon Street eatery has been firing since 2019, but is home to quite possibly the city’s best fried chicken, among other things.

Food

Vlados 60th birthday. Richmonds iconic steak restaurant Vlados is celebrating 60 years in business. Please get a photo of three generations of owners: Nina Gregurek, 92, Phoenix Gregurek, 23 and Michael Gregurek, 69. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

‘60 years and no change’: Time capsule steakhouse still going strong

It served its first steak years before man first walked on the moon and outlasted the Dees premiership drought and Covid — and this iconic Richmond steakhouse has scarcely changed.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/kara-irving/page/9