Boydell’s eco-African Safari TentCredit: Dom Cherry
Luxury accommodation is taken to a new level at Boydell’s African Safari Tent in the picturesque Hunter Valley. Setagainst the backdrop of rolling vineyards and a vast rural landscape, the safari tent offers guests a private romanticgetaway and ‘off-grid’ glamping experience like no other.
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What's New in NSW
Boydell’s eco-African Safari Tent Credit: Dom Cherry
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NEW STAYS
Out of Africa
Hunter Valley vineyard Boydell’s Wine has launched a luxurious African safari tent for guests to experience an off-grid glamping experience complete with king-size canopy bed, a free-standing copper bath, an outdoor hot shower and immersive bush setting.
Coastal luxe
88South is a chic minimalist beach house located on Boomerang Beach, in the Barrington Coast region. Accommodating 10 guests, it has a 13-metre lap pool and is close to surf spots and national parks.
Mediterranean escape
Located in Kangaroo Valley, The Casa is a former art gallery transformed into a Mediterranean-inspired modern guesthouse. With room to sleep up to 20 people, the eco-focused property is designed with an earthy palette and raw textures to help guests unwind and reconnect with nature.
Heritage reimagining
Berrima Vault House is a new hospitality venue, accommodation and private members club in the Southern Highlands. Originally built in 1844, the new hospitality space will offer an all-day café, cocktail bar, restaurant, three-bedroom boutique residence, as well as seven distinct spaces for bespoke events.
Kylie Kwong, Lucky Kwong Credit: Destination NSW
Lucky Kwong is the new cafeteria-style eating house by adored Chinese chef Kylie Kwong, located at the growing South Eveleigh precinct in Sydney.
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Kylie Kwong, Lucky Kwong Credit: Destination NSW
Lucky Kwong is the new cafeteria-style eating house by adored Chinese chef Kylie Kwong, located at the growing South Eveleigh precinct in Sydney.
NEW FOOD, DRINK AND ENTERTAINMENT
Kylie Kwong’s new chapter
Lucky Kwong is the new cafeteria-style eating house by adored Chinese chef Kylie Kwong, located at the growing South Eveleigh precinct in Sydney. The modern menu will focus on native ingredients and hero ingredients from Australia’s best producers. Lucky Kwong will be dishing up delights during Sydney Solstice at the South Eveleigh Solstice Festival on 18th and 19th June.
Cocktails and city views
Dean & Nancy has opened on the 22nd floor of luxe new hotel A by Adina in Sydney’s CBD. From the team behind award-winning bar Maybe Sammy, this new cocktail bar boasts leather banquettes, city views, interactive cocktails and creative share plates.
Izakaya by the sea
Matt Moran’s eatery North Bondi Fish will be transformed into North Bondi Nami from June 18, a winter pop-up inspired by Japan’s izakayas. Serving up ramen, made-to-order tamaki and Tokyo-inspired cocktails, there will also be DJs playing every weekend.
Dining oasis in the city
The hospitality group behind The Dolphin and Icebergs Dining Room + Bar will open Shell House in Sydney’s CBD in July. The historic building has one of the tallest retained heritage facades in the world, and will house a ground-floor bar and bistro, an indoor/outdoor dining room and a sky bar on level 10.
An icon reborn
Merivale’s CBD dining and entertainment precinct, ivy, will relaunch as a super club with a focus on live music and entertainment. Two new weekly events include Lost Sundays, a mini festival by the creators of Lost Paradise and POOF DOOF Sydney, with drag performances and dance music.
Time for truffles
Redfern’s Three Williams cafe is celebrating truffle season with a new winter menu that utilises freshly foraged NSW truffles. The ‘Celebrating Truffles’ menu launches 4 June, featuring a confit duck leg with truffle jus and even a truffle-infused Espresso Martini Tiramisu.
Not your typical Indian
Acclaimed chef Jessi Singh (Don’t Tell Aunty in Sydney) is opening an ‘unauthentic’ Indian restaurant in Byron Bay in June. Daughter in Law will capture Byron’s laid-back lifestyle with a focus on seafood, vegan and gluten-free dishes and will create a party vibe with flamboyant furnishing and regular DJs.
Merivale moves North
Hospitality group Merivale has acquired its first venue on the North Coast. A restaurant and bar will open later this year in the old Cheeky Monkey’s space in Byron Bay.
Creative Juices: Arts, Wine and Food Festival at Contentious Character Vineyard Credit: Lorna Sim
Australian Dance Party will perform at Creative Juices: Arts, Wine and Food Festival in the Canberra Wine District.
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Creative Juices: Arts, Wine and Food Festival at Contentious Character Vineyard Credit: Lorna Sim
Australian Dance Party will perform at Creative Juices: Arts, Wine and Food Festival in the Canberra Wine District.
NEW EXPERIENCES
Lunchtime learning
The Australian Museum’s The Lunchtime Conversation Series returns through May and June to align with the new First Nations exhibition, Unsettled. The series will showcase ground-breaking work from leading activists, academics and creatives. Bookings are essential.
A taste of the Snowy Valleys
The inaugural Winter Bites Festival will combine the best produce and wine coming out of the Snowy Valleys with some of Australia’s most exciting musicians. Visit Tumbarumba on 5 June, Adelong on 17 July and Batlow on 28 August for food and wine tastings, workshops, farm tours, cooking demonstrations and live music.
Party among the vines
Creative Juices is a new arts, wine and food festival hosted by vineyard Contentious Character, in the Canberra District wine region, on the June long weekend. Attendees can enjoy a long table lunch, contemporary dance performances, a kid’s hip-hop workshop, and more.
New ways to walk
EcoWalks Tours has launched three new walks to examine different aspects of Sydney. Explore the historic Q-Station and natural sites around North Head; Picturesque Mosman Walk combines bushwalking, history, landscape sketching and dining; and be immersed in Aboriginal history and culture at Bradleys Headland, as part of the Gai-Mariagal Festival.
Come from Away Credit: Jeff Busby
Based on a true story, Come From Away is a must watch Tony® and Olivier Award winning musical.
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Come from Away Credit: Jeff Busby
Based on a true story, Come From Away is a must watch Tony® and Olivier Award winning musical.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Hunter Valley Food & Wine Festival | Hunter Valley
1-30 June
Winter is the perfect time to explore the best of wine country in the Hunter Valley. Cosy up by cellar door fireplaces, taste the valley’s hearty reds and fresh local produce, and tuck into farmhouse feasts and more at the Hunter Valley Food & Wine Festival next month.
Pie Time | Southern Highlands
1-30 June
The Southern Highlands will be celebrating the iconic Aussie pie throughout June, with hundreds of events, activities and festivals such as Pie Teas, the Pie Fest in Bowral, Pie-Cycle tours and Sweety Pie and Bubbles experiences.
Come From Away | Sydney Capitol Theatre
From 3 June
Opening in June at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, The Tony® and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of thousands of stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland, Canada that welcomed them all.
Sydney Solstice | Across Sydney
8-20 June
Sydney Solstice is a new winter event celebrating Sydney’s world-class cuisine, as well as the city’s vibrant cultural, entertainment and dining precincts. Across two weeks, enjoy headline events including live music and performances, culinary experiences, local art, comedy and immersive workshops.
WinterSun Festival | Merimbula
11-13 June
This South Coast town showcases the best of winter by the water, with the WinterSun Festival taking over the beachside locale over the long weekend. There will be street markets and all-day live music, cinema screenings and food trucks, barefoot bowls and go-go racing and more.
Bathurst Winter Festival | Bathurst
26 June-11 July
This 16-day family friendly event showcases the best of Bathurst with stunning light shows, boutique food events with local wines and craft ales, outdoor ice skating, carnival rides in the Winter Playground, live music and more.
LOVE Seafood | Port Stephens
1-31 August
Celebrating Port Stephens’ coastal cuisine, this month-long event offers seafood cooking classes, food trails, lunch and dinner specials at local eateries, and signature dining experiences showcasing the locally caught fish and shellfish prepared by passionate chefs.
Vivid Sydney | Across Sydney
6-28 August
Australia’s biggest and brightest festival of its kind, Vivid Sydney is back for its 12th year 6-28 August 2021, illuminating the CBD with an outdoor gallery of contemporary light installations and 3D art, a cutting-edge line-up of live music acts, as well as engaging conversations and inspiring talks with renowned thought leaders.
Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash | Mundi Mundi Plains
19-21 August
The endless Mundi Mundi Plains near Broken Hill will set the stage for this inaugural outback music festival, as some of Australia’s best country music stars descend on the region for three days of concerts and camping.
The Phantom of the Opera | Sydney Opera House
3 September-29 October
Be enchanted by The Phantom of the Opera in Sydney Opera House, coming to Joan Sutherland Theatre in September. Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic tale unfolds with new direction by Laurence Connor, as well as new scenic and lighting design.
Write Around the Murray | Albury Wodonga
15-19 September
This five-day writers festival brings lovers of the written word together in Albury Wodonga for a festival of storytelling unlike anywhere else. The full program launches 30 July.
Jagged Little Pill | Theatre Royal Sydney
From September 23
Tickets are now on sale for the Tony Award nominated Broadway rock musical, Jagged Little Pill, coming to Theatre Royal Sydney in September. Relive Alanis Morissette’s epic 1995 album and immerse yourself in 21st century America and beloved hits such as You Oughta Know and Ironic.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella | Capitol Theatre, Sydney
From 16 November 2021
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical bringing a contemporary take on the classic tale to Sydney audiences this November. Featuring incredible orchestrations, jaw-dropping transformations plus beautiful costumes, this romantic production is a must-watch.
More News
Dorian RestaurantCredit: Dorian Restaurant
Fred's x Max Coen, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
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A line-up of globally renowned chefs will feature across Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen as part of Vivid Sydney 2024
Tickets on sale from Friday 19 April at vividsydney.com
Imagery: here
From near and far, some of the hottest names in the culinary world will appear at Vivid Sydney this year as part of Vivid Food, embracing the festival’s 2024 theme, Humanity, and highlighting food as a fundamental part of the human experience, connecting us through the universal language of cuisine.
This year’s roster of renowned local and international culinary talent across Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen will craft diverse, innovative menus that celebrate our shared heritage and the rich tapestry of global cultures present in Sydney’s food scene, through a series of dynamic events spanning intimate fine dining experiences through to communal fire-cooked feasts.
Vivid Residence will bring Latin America’s best female chef 2022, Manoella ‘Manu’ Buffara of Manu Restaurant, to take over Peter Conistis’ waterside venue, Ploós, while hatted restaurants Fred’s, AALIA and The Charles Brasserie & Bar will be among the top dining spots hosting Vivid Chef Series events and unmissable foodie collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs including Max Coen, Sally Abé and Ivan Brehm.
Vivid Fire Kitchen returns to the Vivid Food program in a new home on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk with the world’s best pitmasters and BBQ heroes including Christine Manfield; Firedoor's Lennox Hastie; Texas' Jess Pryles; Michelin-starred Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt; LA’s Shalamar Lane and more, firing up The Goods Line with cooking demonstrations and tasty BBQ fare from tandoor and teppanyaki to First Nations tucker.
This announcement bolsters an already impressive Vivid Food 2024 program including the Our Shared Humanity series featuring leading Australian chefs; Atelier by Sofitel – A Culinary Connection; VividPlace Food Trail, A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez, the return of Aster Vivid 2024 and much more, all with a nod to Vivid Sydney, Humanity.
John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, said:
“After a successful launch last year, I am pleased to see Vivid Food returning for a second year. Food is a cultural cornerstone, a fundamental part of the human experience, something we can all share and through that shared experience, enjoy new flavours and perspectives.
“Sydney has a wonderful food scene and Vivid Food is a great chance to explore that local scene. The Vivid Food program will range from headline experiences including the free BBQ demonstrations at Vivid Fire Kitchen. We invite Sydneysiders and visitors from across the globe to join us and enjoy one of Sydney’s great strengths.”
Vivid Sydney Festival Director and Vivid Food curator Gill Minervini said:
“Vivid Food captures the essence of our shared humanity through the global language of food. It’s a celebration of how cuisine can mirror the diversity of cultures, while also being a bridge that connects us all. We’re thrilled to announce the incredible local and international culinary talent joining the Vivid Food program across Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen, who will bring to life the rich tapestry of Sydney’s food scene. Our diverse range of Vivid Food events, from intimate dining experiences to communal feasts, promises to bring people together and showcase the unique and collective culinary heritage that makes our city so special.”
Stephanie Calape, Vice President of Culinary Events at IMG, which produces Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen in collaboration with Vivid Sydney, said:
“Following the phenomenal popularity of last year’s inaugural Vivid Food experiences, which saw Vivid Residence sell out within 48 hours, we are excited to bring back another incredible, diverse array of experiences and chefs for 2024. From world-renowned Chef Manoella Buffara’s one-of-a-kind fine dining Vivid Residence experience at Sydney’s Ploós, to Vivid Chef Series’ unmissable mash-up of Sydney and the world’s most exciting chefs, and the star-studded, immersive Vivid Fire Kitchen festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Manoella Buffara Credit: Manoella Buffara
Manoella Buffara for Vivid Residence
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Manoella Buffara Credit: Manoella Buffara
Manoella Buffara for Vivid Residence
Vivid Residence
Culinary artistry meets social responsibility at Vivid Residence as Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2022, Manoella Buffara of Manu Restaurant, Brazil, which was awarded the The Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award 2023, graces Peter Conistis’ waterfront venue, Ploós, right in the heart of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk. Renowned for putting Curitiba on the global culinary map, Buffara’s approach integrates local produce with a commitment to environmental and social sustainability. During her Vivid Sydney residency, Buffara will showcase her pioneering approach to fine dining for the first time in Australia, celebrating New South Wales’ produce alongside her team and Ploós's esteemed chefs.
Chef Manoella Buffara said: “I’m incredibly excited to be part of Vivid Food in Sydney, an event that highlights the importance of cuisine in our culture. As the culinary capital of Australia, Sydney becomes a hub for vibrant flavour exchanges, bringing together top chefs and local producers to create memorable food experiences. In the heart of this bustling city, I will launch a pop-up that showcases my love for high-quality ingredients and authentic flavours. Sharing my cooking and stories with Sydney is a true honour, and I look forward to being part of this amazing food event that Vivid Food offers.”
Buffara and the team will create two menus, with a nine-course tasting menu for dinner, and a seven-course tasting menu for lunch. Tickets for the nine-course dinner menu are $420 per person, with the shorter lunch tasting menu costing $320, with bespoke beverage pairings also available. Vivid Residence will run from 24 May to 2 June 2024 offering a unique dining experience in the middle of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk. Tickets go on sale Friday 19 April at vividsydney.com/food.
Vivid Chef Series
The Vivid Chef Series will take over Sydney’s food scene, with the city’s best hatted restaurants and chefs pairing with some of the world’s most exciting culinary talent to bring the global contemporary culinary scene to Sydney for a limited number of nights.
The series of exclusive dinners will see local and international talent collaborate to create a never-to-be repeated menu that celebrates the best NSW produce and suppliers, imbued with global culinary sophistication.
London chef Sally Abé, who will take over The Charles Brasserie & Bar as part of Vivid Chef Series, said: “As a passionate chef, I am thrilled to be a part of the Vivid Food series in Sydney. It is an incredible platform that celebrates the intersection of art, culture, and gastronomy, allowing me to showcase my culinary skills in a vibrant and innovative setting. I am excited to immerse myself in the diverse food scene of Sydney and collaborate with talented chefs from around the world, creating unforgettable culinary experiences.”
Chef collaborations include:
- The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abé | Once comrades in arms on the other side of the globe whilst working at the three Michelin-starred restaurant The Ledbury in London, Sally Abé of The Pem will be reuniting with Billy Hannigan of Sydney’s hatted The Charles Brasserie & Bar, for three unmissable lunches and dinners. The menu will merge Hannigan’s European-inspired cooking style with Abe’s passion for nostalgic British cuisine. Joining them in the kitchen will be head pastry chef Rhiann Mead, who will add her signature sweet and innovative flair to the evening.
- AALIA x Ivan Brehm | Ivan Brehm of Michelin-starred Singapore restaurant, Nouri and Paul Farag of AALIA (two hatted Sydney restaurant, previously named Gourmet Traveller’s NSW restaurant of the year, 2023) will collaborate on two exclusive dinners that celebrate global food traditions. The dinners will blend AALIA’s expertise in Middle Eastern cuisine with Nouri’s celebration of global food traditions, for a menu that honours diversity of cultures paying tribute to the richness of our collective culinary heritage.
- Fred’s x Max Coen | Max Coen of London Michelin-starred Dorian and Ben Greeno of acclaimed Sydney restaurant, Fred’s will unite for four exclusive dinners that fuse their culinary philosophies. Chef Coen’s meticulous focus on ingredient-focussed wood-fired grilling will meet Greeno’s farm-to-table approach and hyper-seasonal cooking, for a menu that celebrates the beauty and artistry found in simplicity, all while utilising the best in local produce.
Tickets go on sale Friday 19 April at vividsydney.com/food.
The Charles Brasserie Credit: Steven Woodburn
The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abe, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
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The Charles Brasserie Credit: Steven Woodburn
The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abe, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
Fred's x Max Coen Credit: Steven Woodburn
Fred's x Max Coen, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
#feelnewsydney
Fred's x Max Coen Credit: Steven Woodburn
Fred's x Max Coen, as part of the Vivid Chef Series in Vivid Food.
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Vivid Fire Kitchen will light up its new home of The Goods Line across 23 nights, with the world’s best pitmasters and BBQ heroes joining forces with acclaimed local flame-focused restaurants for a festival of accessible fire demos, cooking sessions and exclusive BBQ dishes, with drinks, DJs and entertainment ablaze with Fire Sculptures, Flame Shooters and fire drums. Using the best NSW produce, a line-up of acclaimed local and international chefs will serve up a selection of flame-seared street food from around the globe, from tandoor and Argentinian Asado, First Nations tucker, alongside hearty sausages, tender brisket, charred eggplant, and aromatic satay, offering a nightly multicultural feast.
Guests will enjoy demonstrations combining local produce and raw-fire cooking from chef and restaurateur Lennox Hastie of Sydney’s two-hatted Firedoor who returns for Vivid Food 2024; one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and culinary ambassadors Christine Manfield; reigning Seafood Champion in the World Food Championships, John McFadden; chef, restaurateur, proud Bundjalung woman and owner of Karkalla restaurant, Mindy Woods; Michelin starred chef of Sweden’s Ekstedt at The Yard, Niklas Ekstedt; Texas-based live fire cook, author, TV personality Jess Pryles; Pitmaster of LA-based My Father’s Barbeque, Shalamar Lane and more.
Australian chef and restaurateur Lennox Hastie who will appear at Vivid Fire Kitchen, said: “For me, food is an integral part of my creative expression because it engages all my senses and allows me to connect with ingredients and people on a deeply personal level. Vivid Food celebrates the rich and diverse nature of our food culture of Australia, reminding us that food is not just about sustenance but a powerful form of connection supporting community, evoking emotions, and creating lasting memories.”
Alongside BBQ offerings and the blazing atmosphere on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk, Vivid Sydney audiences will also be able to enjoy dishes from a curated selection of Sydney’s hottest dining concepts at Vivid Fire Kitchen, from casual eateries to acclaimed restaurants, including Messina Milk Bar, a culinary time capsule that transforms beloved chocolate bars and classic sweets into modern gelato delights. A menu highlight: a warm Milo fudge sundae, specially developed to warm you up on cold winter nights.
Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen events are produced by IMG in collaboration with Vivid Sydney. IMG is the global events company behind the likes of Gourmet Escape, Taste Festivals, The Big Feastival, New York Fashion Week: The Shows and Frieze art fairs.
Vivid Food is part of Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, which will run from 24 May to 15 June 2024. Tickets for Vivid Residence and Vivid Chef Series will go on sale Friday 19 April via https://www.vividsydney.com/food. Vivid Fire Kitchen events, taking place at The Goods Line in Ultimo, are free for all to attend. Food and drink can be purchased on site.
For more information and tickets, visit vividsydney.com
Niklas Ekstedt Credit: Niklas Ekstedt
Niklas Ekstedt for Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024
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Niklas Ekstedt Credit: Niklas Ekstedt
Niklas Ekstedt for Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 as part of Vivid Food.
#feelnewsydney
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Vivid Fire Kitchen 2024 as part of Vivid Food.
Media contacts:
Hannah Fedeli, +61437166571 or hannah.f@thecru.agency
Shannon Blanchard, +61432543377 or shannon@thecru.agency
James Toovey, Vivid Sydney PR Manager, +61407828310 or james.toovey@dnsw.com.au
About Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, celebrating creativity, innovation and technology, and transforming Sydney into a kaleidoscope of colour and events for 23 nights. Staged for its 14th year in 2024, Vivid Sydney will bring together mesmerising displays from the world’s brightest light artists, exhilarating live music performances, deep-dive discussions with thought leaders, and innovative experiences from food creatives. Vivid Sydney attracts domestic and international visitors, fuelling economic growth while fostering a cultural celebration across Light, Music, Ideas and Food. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency. For more information and tickets, visit vividsydney.com
About Destination NSW
Destination NSW is the champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.
About IMG
IMG is a global sports, events and representation company. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.