Spring beckons and blooms with holiday plans

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globeshop
(Affordable Luxe):
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All rise: where to find the best baked goods in Canberra

Given the current obsession with all things pastry, Canberra is delivering the (baked) goods and making a name for itself as home to some of the tastiest, flakiest, buttery layers of pastry in the country.
Expect artisanal sourdough, laminated pastries, iced brioche buns and delicately flavoured macarons from our curated selection of bakeries and patisseries scattered across the city without the hour-long queues! Get ready for a pastry coma.

UNDER
under-bakery.com
This suburban bakery has a cult following and for good reason!

Silo Bakery + Cafe
silobakery.com.au
Described by the New York Times as 'part Brooklyn, part wartime Parisian bakery' this aesthetically pleasing bakery and cafe has long been regarded as one of Canberra's best bakeries.

Three Mills
threemillsbakery.com.au
Having recently welcomed another outpost in Woden, Three Mills is fast becoming a Canberra institution for delicious artisan breads, pastries and hot baked goods.

Flute
theflutebakery.com.au
One peek at Flute's Instagram feed filled with macarons, rich gateaux of every flavour, and freshly iced brioche buns, you'll be jumping in your car to drive to their Fyshwick store.

For more information on Canberra's F&B offering, please visit https://visitcanberra.com.au/food-and-drink

Torrish Restaurant at Ness Walk Introduces Inverness' First Seasonal Tasting Menus

Ness Walk’s Torrish restaurant in Inverness is introducing two exquisite tasting menus from January through spring, offering a refined dining experience that celebrates seasonality and the finest local ingredients. The award-winning restaurant’s new direction, led by Chef Gerard Chouet, blends locally sourced Scottish produce with European influences, reflecting his Burgundy heritage and passion for foraging.

The menus will alternate weekly, each designed to showcase Scotland’s rich larder. One menu features Orkney scallops, heritage carrots, venison, and dishes like Gruyère gougère, nduja & Minger ravioli, and tandoori-spiced monkfish, integrating international flavors. The second menu focuses on classical French techniques, offering refined dishes such as beetroot meringue with goat cheese chantilly and juniper ash with pheasant terrine, delivering depth, warmth, and texture.

For plant-based diners, an innovative vegan tasting menu will also be available, exploring seasonal ingredients with global inspiration. To complement the dining experience, the restaurant is offering expertly curated wine pairings from an extensive selection of over 110 fine wines.

This launch coincides with Inverness’s largest-ever Food & Drink Festival, organized by Visit Inverness Loch Ness, celebrating the region’s culinary excellence with restaurant deals and exclusive experiences. Festival highlights include the Shortbread Showdown and Taste of Inverness, showcasing the best local ingredients and talent.

The Torrish tasting menu will be available daily from 6 PM, welcoming both residents and non-residents. Guests looking for a more relaxed dining experience can enjoy an enhanced lounge menu featuring both small and large plates.

Reservations are now open, with the first tasting menu launching on January 24. Guests can book a table online or call the hotel at 01463 215215. This exciting culinary experience promises to delight food lovers and highlight the best of Scotland’s seasonal produce.
Our Bar and Restaurant in Inverness | Ness Walk Hotel

Kita Food Festival Returns to Singapore with its biggest programme yet | 12 - 17 MARCH, 2025

Chefs from Australia, UAE, Malaysia, Thailand, Bali, Spain and Japan will join Singapore's best chefs
The Singapore Weekender by Kita Food Festival will return from 12 to 17 March 2025, featuring an expanded lineup of over 50 participants and 12 events. Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, this year’s festival focuses on Southeast Asia’s rich culinary diversity, sustainability, and collaboration. The event includes a range of dinners, kitchen takeovers, and a grand barbecue finale, with world-class chefs such as Kelvin Cheung, Syrco Bakker, and Keiko Kuwakino participating.

Notable highlights include Chef Kelvin Cheung joining Eugene See for a four-hands dinner and Chef Syrco Bakker’s takeover at 1880. The Big Barbecue at Gourmet Park Kampong Bugis will showcase chefs like Ricardo Allen, Adam Penney, and Waymann Cheong, emphasizing bold flavors and sustainability.

A key part of the festival is the Future of Food series, exploring food sustainability through seminars and the Future of Food Symposium. Thought leaders like Joxe Mari Aizega, Eelke Plasmeijer, and Matthew Evans will discuss critical food security and sustainability issues, driving meaningful conversations for the future of the food industry.

This year’s program includes new features such as pop-up menus, large-format events celebrating Southeast Asian flavors, and seminars on innovative sourcing solutions. Co-founder Darren Teoh emphasized the festival’s focus on community and sustainability, aiming to foster fresh perspectives, inspire change, and bridge the gap between food producers and consumers. The festival positions itself as both a culinary event and a movement for a more inclusive, sustainable food future.
For more details, visit www.kitafoodfestival.com.

Jia He Ushers in the Year of the Snake with Bountiful Lunar New Year Feasts

Flourish with abundance in the Year of the Snake with Jia He's delectable Lunar New Year offerings. Celebrations started from January 5th and would wrap on Chap Goh Mei on February 12th, 2025. There were early bird promos on December 15th, 2024.

Jia He is open throughout the period ready to serve the guests for the Chinese New Year (CNY) feasting, catering and banqueting needs.

Indulge in a variety of options, for dine in at Jia He Chinese Restaurant @ Connexion and Jia He Grand at One Farrer Hotel. There are set menus for Lunar New Year (LNY), ala carte, to special set menus. During the more than month long 39-day celebrations, Jia He eshop at shop.jiahe.com.sg has takeaway sets and festive goodies to Jia He's all-new Blissful Harvest Buffet Box for the diners' feasting be it at home or in the office.

Abundant Feasts at Jia He Chinese Restaurant and Jia He Grand:

Savor traditional favorites like Yusheng (prosperity salad) and Pen Cai (treasure pot), alongside innovative dishes symbolizing abundance and prosperity. For private celebrations at home or in the office, Jia He's takeaway sets, festive goodies, and the exquisite Blissful Harvest Buffet Box are ideal.

The Blissful Harvest Buffet Box by Jia He is hand-made from Jia He's kitchen by our Master Chefs, carefully packed and served warm with

Steamed Rice with Chinese Sausage in Claypot, Roasted Crispy Duck (1 ½ duck), 20 pieces each of Steamed hand-crafted dim sum such as Steamed Prawn Dumpling with Asparagus, Steamed Crystal Dumpling with Tomato and more. Jia He's Blissful Harvest Buffet Box also includes 20 pieces each of fried dim sum such as Baked Mini Egg Custard Tartlets, Crisp-fried Crabmeat with Black Truffle and Avocado Boule and more. Guests get to receive a Complimentary Platter of Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng to make a prosperous start with a refreshing and auspicious dish. Priced at $688+ for 15 to 20 persons and is suitable for self-collection or deliveries.

Indulge in New Culinary Highlights:

Luo Xuan San Bao Yusheng: This Yusheng features a luxurious trio of abalone, salmon, and geoduck for an auspicious start to the celebrations.

Double-boiled Collagen Soup with Shrimp and Pork Dumpling served with Sea Urchin, Stuffed Fried Shark's Fin in Spring Roll.

Steamed Red Garoupa with Beetroot infused Silky Beancurd.

Braised 3-Head Australia Abalone with Sea Cucumber in Premium Abalone Sauce.

Baked Whole Suckling Pig with Hakka Suan Pan Zi.

Chilled Medley of Melons and Berries with Bird's Nest.

Jia He Grand Menus (Lunar New Year period 5^th Jan to 12 Feb 2025)

Special Set menu at $2688++ for 10 persons, from $118++ min. 2 persons available. CNY Set Menu Lunch only at $1188++ for 10 persons, CNY Set Menu A from $1388++ for 10 persons available to CNY Set Menu C at $1888++ for 10 persons.

Jia He Chinese Restaurant Menus (Lunar New Year period 5^th Jan to 12 Feb 2025)

Special Set menu at $2688++ for 10 persons, from $118++ min. 2 persons available. CNY Set Menu Lunch only at $988++ for 10 persons, CNY Set Menu A from $1188++ for 10 persons available to CNY Set Menu C at $1688++ for 10 persons.

Dine-In, Takeaway, and Online Ordering:

Jia He restaurants will remain open throughout the festive period, offering a variety of options to suit the requirements. Enjoy a delightful dine-in experience, savor thoughtfully curated takeaway set menus and ala carte menus for self-collection or delivery or browse Jia He's selection of festive goodies available for online purchase at shop.jiahe.com.sg.

Rebates are available for self-collection if customers choose the option, instead of delivery, please refer to shop.jiahe.com.sg for details.

Experience the Essence of Lunar New Year:

Both Jia He Chinese Restaurant and Jia He Grand boast distinctive menus featuring a diverse array of flavors and textures that capture the essence of Lunar New Year. Await a truly memorable dining experience!

Jia He Chinese Restaurant @ Connexion
For reservations, please contact 6694 8988 / 6694 9466 Email: enquiries@jiahe.com.sg
1 Farrer Park Station Road, #01-14/15/16 Connexion, Singapore 217562

Jia He Grand @ One Farrer Hotel
For Reservations, please contact 6538 9688 / 6538 2788 Email: jiahegrand@jiahe.com.sg
One Farrer Hotel, Level 1 #01-01
1 Farrer Park Station Rd, Singapore 217562
For enquiries:
• WhatsApp: 9067 0828 / 8870 8988 / 9170 2682
• Email: enquiries@jiahe.com.sg
• Website: https://jiahe.com.sg
• eShop: https://shop.jiahe.com.sg

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Accor Unveils Japan's Hidden Gems with Grand Mercure and Mercure Hotels

Accor invites travelers to discover the lesser-known wonders of Japan through enriching stays at Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels, offering access to hidden treasures across the country. From Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, these hotels provide gateways to local traditions, natural beauty, and hospitality. Regional destinations such as Beppu in Oita Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, and Matsushiro in Nagano have become increasingly popular, with a 36.1% rise in international visitors since 2019.

In 2024, Accor expanded its presence in Japan, opening over 20 new hotels in strategic locations near these hidden gems. Grand Mercure hotels focus on celebrating local heritage, while Mercure properties highlight the vibrancy of their surrounding neighborhoods. Accor’s #HanareTabi initiative emphasizes regional exploration, with Musubi-Bito guides offering immersive experiences that connect travelers to local culture and traditions.

Notable experiences include exploring Kannawa Onsen Town in Beppu with a “spring hunter,” walking the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route in Wakayama, tasting local delicacies and visiting healing baths in Nagano, and enjoying regional specialties in Zao. These experiences are designed to foster deeper connections with Japan’s culture and offer a more authentic travel experience. By combining cultural immersion with tranquil retreats, Accor’s regional properties cater to travelers seeking a meaningful and unique adventure in Japan.
Experience the Essence of Japan with Mercure and Grand Mercure

Sofitel and MGallery Restaurants Celebrate Prestigious Chef's Hats

Hotel restaurants are experiencing a resurgence, with several Accor properties earning prestigious Chef's Hats from the Australian Good Food Guide. In 2025, five Sofitel and MGallery hotels in Australia were honored for exceptional culinary talent, with Atelier by Sofitel in Sydney receiving two hats for its refined French-inspired menu and stunning harbor views. Other notable recipients include Newmarket Restaurant at The William Inglis Hotel, No.1 Sublime Pt at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Garcon Bleu at Sofitel Adelaide, and Luma Restaurant at The Playford Adelaide, each earning one hat for their dedication to local and seasonal ingredients.

This recognition reflects Accor’s strategic focus on elevating food and beverage offerings across its luxury and lifestyle hotels, aligning with the growing trend of travelers seeking unique gastronomic experiences. The recent renovation of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, with its four new bars and restaurants, exemplifies this shift, blending classic glamour with modern trends.

Accor's renewed emphasis on culinary excellence highlights the importance of food in creating memorable travel experiences. As hotels increasingly become destinations in their own right, culinary experiences rival those of standalone restaurants, offering guests authentic regional flavors and unique dining experiences.
In addition to these accolades, Accor is expanding its hotel network, with new Sofitel and MGallery properties in locations like Prague, India, and Egypt, while continuing renovations across its existing hotels. This focus on dining excellence and expansion reinforces Accor’s commitment to providing exceptional culinary and travel experiences.

ALL - Accor Live Limitless | Hotels Stays & Exclusive Deals