Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Gourmet Traveller

Winter is a strange concept in Australia. For the vast majority (and I’m generalising, so apologies to readers in Thredbo and Falls Creek), it means popping on a jacket and getting to spend a bit more time outdoors, thanks to less diabolical UV levels. Is that enough to qualify as winter? Having grown up in Wales, I don’t think so. But judging by the quantity of enormous cashmere scarves I see on the hot, crowded train to work, it’s clear Australians can’t bear to miss out. That’s why, for our August issue, we’ve turned our focus to all things wintry, running the gamut from produce that somehow thrives in icy fjords to the mindset shift required for successful off-season travel. We explore hidden gems in the Italian Alps, remote luxury…

HERE’S A RELIABLE PATHWAY to joy. First, find yourself a comfortable pub that you love, ideally one that’s been recently revamped with care and charm. Then, visit often enough that you know exactly which spots to snag before anyone else. The Dry Dock in Sydney’s Balmain ticks the first box for me, and those spots are a cosy little corner directly in front of the bar, bathed in buttermilk-yellow light and furnished with high-top tables, perfect for a quiet date or a solo White Bay Pilsner at the end of a workday. The other – the real prize – is the squashy weathered Chesterfield sofa in the Lounge Bar, right in front of the fireplace. Order a gooey-yolked Scotch egg, a splash of whisky and – contented sigh – it’s…

At night, Claydon and Jeoung delve deeper into Korean cuisine with a clever menu devoted to anju (dishes designed to pair with drinks). DINNER AT SNUG COMES with a few caveats. The space is true to its name, meaning groups of three or more might find themselves awkwardly positioned (perhaps all facing a wall). There’s a minimum of one dish and one drink per person, and bookings are only taken via Instagram. But look past the quirks and you’ll find some of the tastiest, most creative Korean-inspired food in town. Take the honey bread. Made in the style of shokupan, with a fluffy white interior and a golden-brown crust, it’s served warm with roasted garlic butter and the option of shaved black truffle. Sweet, salty and earthy, it’s a carb…

TO DESSERT OR NOT TO DESSERT? IT’S A DIVIDER among diners – but Anthony Burke, drinks director at Brisbane’s Central, offers a compromise. “I’m a big fan of dessert cocktails,” he says. “A Brandy Alexander is the perfect nightcap. This is the way to round out an evening, in place of coffee or Amaro.” It also comes with a garnish of mystery. One tale pins it to a Philadelphia baseball player, another on Troy Alexander, a bartender at New York’s pre-prohibition restaurant Rector’s, tasked with devising a drink to celebrate a railroad ad campaign. Another has it named after Russian tsar Alexander II. Regardless, its popularity is undeniable – the late John Lennon was a fan during his lost weekend period, claiming it tasted “like milkshakes”. Earlier on, gin and…

SCATTERED LIKE STEPPING STONES ALONG THE GREAT DIVIDING RANGE, OUR NATION’S cool-climate enclaves benefit from elevation, volcanic soils and the warm days and cool nights that are a feature of sharp diurnal shifts. The result? Wines that feel distinct and precise – bright acidity, fine structure and unwinding perfume that speaks of mountain air and clarity. These five regions remind us that great wine often begins above the clouds, from the citrus tension of Orange chardonnay to the earthy musk of Beechworth gamay. ALPINE VALLEYS, VIC ELEVATION: 300-600 METRES Nestled in the state’s northeast, this region lies in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, flanked by Beechworth and King Valley. The topography – rolling slopes, valleys and shifting microclimates – makes for an interesting wine map. With more than 30…

A HIGH-SEASON HOLIDAY COMES WITH corresponding high prices, high tourist numbers and – most challenging of all – high expectations. Travelling in low season, by contrast, is all about embracing the lows. Gleaned from decades of experience as a penny-pinching and crowd-phobic traveller, here is a list of golden rules for a fabulous low-season getaway. SLACK OFF The best thing about a low-season holiday is permission to lower expectations of yourself. Consider this a well-earned break from how you normally travel, when you’re sun-shamed into being outside every waking moment of the day, forced onto the beach or into fields, urged to eat every meal alfresco and pushed into queues of fellow travellers to see some “must-visit” attraction. Instead, look forward to lazy mornings reading in bed, ordering room service…

GF Pumpkin and vermouth risotto SERVES 4 // PREP 15 MINS // COOK 40 MINS 700 gm butternut pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut into 2cm thick wedges 2½ tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 60 gm unsalted butter, coarsely chopped 6 golden shallots, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 200 gm (1 cup) vialone nano rice (see note) 165 ml (2/3 cup) dry vermouth 1¼ litres (5 cups) hot chicken or vegetable stock 60 gm (¼ cup) mascarpone, plus extra to serve 25 gm finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve Basil and lemon wedges, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Place three-quarters of the pumpkin in a large bowl with half of the oil, season and toss to combine. Arrange on a large oven tray lined with…

A SWIRLING MIST HANGS OVER THE WINDING road ahead, forcing me to slow to a crawl. Just beyond the passenger window, the icy cold torrent of Furebergsfossen waterfall thunders down the fjordside. It’s not the first waterfall I’ve crossed here in Norway’s south-west. The scenic routes that connect Bergen and Stavanger are peppered with photo-worthy cascades, mountain-flanked fjords and tiny timber towns hosting hospitality heavyweights. My culinary discovery road trip, curated by Up Norway, began in Stavanger, the country’s oil and gas capital, just under an hour’s flight from Oslo. Characterised by a quaint, pub-lined harbour and cobbled streets, it has an unusually high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants. Re-Naa, the grandfather of fine-dining in Stavanger, is one of only two restaurants with three stars in all of Norway. “We’re a…

1 Celine oversized square-frame acetate sunglasses in Brown, $700, Net-A-Porter. 2 Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 Hydrating, $95, Ultraceuticals. 3 Technical Froissé trousers, $1180, Moncler. 4 Gabriela Hearst May wool, cashmere and silk turtleneck sweater, $1385, Mytheresa. 5 A.P.C. Jamie neck pouch in Hazelnut, $445, Incu. 6 Fair-Isle wool jumper in Ivory/Black, $225, Cos. 7 Stella McCartney double-breasted tweed-pattern coat, $4070, Farfetch. 8 Brunello Cucinelli shearling-lined leather ankle boots, $5320, Mytheresa. 9 Women’s cashmere lined leather gloves in Chocolate Nappa, $240, Aspinal of London. ABOVE Cervino, Valle d’Aosta. WORDS AND MERCHANDISING LANA TELFORD.…

1 Potter DS pendant, POA, Hub Furniture. 2 Sunbeam Origins Slimline coffee machine, $449, Harvey Norman. 3 Nicolazzi Molise Z3430 in Iron, $2560, Designer Tapware Co. 4 Chiaro Khaki Terrazzo Porcelain tile, $69.96 per box, Stone & Tile Projects. 5 Artisan Rust Subway satin tile, $146 per box, Perini. 6 Round French 26cm oven in Caviar, $799, Chasseur. 7 Ventura stool, $4535, Poliform Australia. 8 Trace vase by Ferm Living, $379, Mobel Design. 9 FUM-Series Concealed Range Hood, POA, Fulgor Kitchen. PHOTOGRAPHY TOM BLACHFORD. STYLING NICOLE BELL. MERCHANDISING SAM YATES.…

A byword for neutral territory, Switzerland is rich in pure air, precision technology and peaceful politics – three ingredients that almost certainly wouldn’t hurt in the pursuit of a youthful glow. For those of us who don’t reside in the Swiss Riviera, there is La Prairie. And while there’s nothing wrong with rambling at the foothills of the range, why not head direct to the summit with this, the brand’s masterpiece. Featuring La Prairie’s breakthrough Exclusive Matrix Complex, this decadent cream resets skin’s matrix to a younger state. No unsightly hiking boots required. La Prairie Life Matrix Haute Rejuvenation Cream, $2830, laprairie.com/en-au WORDS GUTTER CERI CREDIT DAVID. PHOTOGRAPHY ALANA LANDSBERRY. STYLING MAXWELL ADEY.…

Restaurant news THE LATEST FROM CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS AROUND AUSTRALIA SYDNEY Grecian-inspired seaside dining has docked at Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, with Akti taking over the prime position Manta once held. The family behind the Sydney Restaurant Group (Ormeggio at The Spit, The Nielsen and The Fenwick) are tapping into their Hellenic heritage at this harbourside hotspot, where chef Ntinos Fotinakis – who hails from Athens – has overseen the menu, while head chef Robert Judd (Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster) will man the pass. Old-school Greek dishes getting a seafoody Sydney spin include giouvarlakia – traditionally a meatball soup – remixed as a zesty raw fish dish; taramasalata jazzed up with smoked yuzu; and eggplant moussaka reimagined as a bite-sized croquette. Tableside service will make long lunches and dinners…

Marshmallow Club Handmade in NSW’s Blue Mountains, these delicate and squishy mallows are like a memory foam pillow to touch and an absolute delight to taste. The delicate hue is the result of natural riberry flavouring, a native pink berry reminiscent of a tart cranberry. $16.50 for 192gm, marshmallowclub.com.au Cloudy Confections Hailing from Western Australia, these artisanal treats come in an assortment of snazzy flavours. Our pick is the rich salted bourbon caramel, which sees malty notes balancing out the buttery sweetness of caramel. $12 for 90gm, cloudyconfections.com.au The Marsh Mallow Company These big and bouncy marshmallows sit at the sweeter end of the spectrum. Coated in a maple cinnamon pancake-flavoured sugar, the cubes are ideal for toasting over fire, thanks to their generous size and satisfying way the sugar…

BUTTERED TOAST Butter makes everything better – even cocktails. Until August 31, House Made Hospitality teams up with Pepe Saya to serve Sydney four butter-bathed creations across Lana, Apollonia, Baptist St Rec. Club and Grana. housemadehospitality. com.au JAPAN HUB Sydney’s Prefecture 48 plays host to the pop-up Suntory Bar, celebrating iconic Japanese spirits and international whiskies. The venue will be abuzz with events, featuring experimental cocktails and guest chefs – including an exclusive dish crafted by Tetsuya Wakuda. 8 August to 8 November. 230 Sussex St, Sydney, p48.com.au SPOTLIGHT ON Chris Thomson, master distiller at Lark Distillery, talks whisky pairings, winter tipples and why Tasmania has become a dark spirits destination. What’s your go-to winter cocktail? I’m a sucker for a Hot Toddy. It’s like a hug with a kick.…

COSY UP Cocoon yourself with a good book, soft throws, plump cushions and delicious snacks. Reading Inspirational memoirs, a supernatural tale and classic storytelling at its best, these tomes will captivate with drama, wit and plot twists. From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough Pan Macmillan, $18 This dual memoir, co-authored by Keough and her late mother, Lisa Marie Presley, delves into the almost inconceivable experience of growing up as the daughter and granddaughter of the King himself, Elvis Presley. Superstardom intersects with addiction, grief, redemption and motherhood in this raw and engaging reflection. Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle Bloomsbury, $33 If you could sit down for one more meal with a loved one who’s passed away, would you? Set in the gritty…

1 Form hoops in 18-karat yellow gold, $550, Sarah & Sebastian. 2 Elixir top, $350, Camilla and Marc. 3 The Row Half Moon shoulder bag in Raisin, $2895, Parlour X. 4 Claudie Pierlot belted midi trench coat, $899, Farfetch. 5 Issey Miyake Off-White chunky wool ACC gloves, $365, Ssense. 6 Byredo Blanche Rinse-free Hand Cleanser, $54 for 30ml, Mecca. 7 Idol pant in Dusty Olive, $350, Viktoria & Woods. 8 Hunter Commando Chelsea gloss boots, $230, The Iconic. 9 Barrie ribbed-knit cashmere beanie in Light Blue, $420, Farfetch. ABOVE Stavangar Harbour, Norway. WORDS & MERCHANDISING LANA TELFORD. PHOTOGRAPHY FREDRIK AHLSEN (STAVANGAR).…

1 Viabizzuno Royal Sospensione by David Chipperfield, from $3075, made to order, Vbo Sydney. 2 Georg Jensen Forma cheese board with cheese knife, $250, Peter’s of Kensington. 3 Large Rock jug, $280, Dinosaur Designs. 4 Ethnicraft PI dining table in Oak, $4995, Globewest. 5 Lee Broom Fulcrum small candlestick in Black marble, $700, Space Furniture. 6 Ethnicraft PI dining chair without armrest in Oak, $1085, Trit House. 7 Mrs. Alice Ava Ikat Green rug 305cm x 425cm, $1789, Ruggable. 8 Flared extra large bowl in Milk, $370, Mud Australia. PHOTOGRAPHY TOM BLACHFORD. STYLING NICOLE BELL., PHOTOGRAPHY TOM BLACHFORD. STYLING NICOLE BELL. MERCHANDISING SAM YATES.…

Maha Abdo’s courage and compassion embody the power of community and storytelling. Her leadership has shaped inclusive legislation, fostered interfaith understanding, and empowered women to find their voices – inspiring us all to build bridges together. IN THE 1980s, MAHA ABDO OAM WAS A MOTHER of four seeking to navigate her identity as a Muslim woman living in Sydney – something she had struggled with since migrating from Lebanon as a young girl. She visited the Muslim Women’s Association (which has since been renamed Muslim Women Australia) in the suburb of Lakemba hoping to find answers, and ended up staying on as a volunteer. Today, she leads the organisation as their CEO, a role she has held for 25 years. “I first came to the Association because I wanted to…

What led you to winemaking? It was all about finding the right block of land. Moving to Ballandean was our own version of Green Acres – that ridiculous ’60s sitcom in which a New York socialite is dragged to the countryside by her overly enthusiastic husband. In this case, I was the reluctant city slicker and my partner, Robert, was the enthusiastic dragger. But then we stumbled upon a breathtaking property – riverside frontage, a picturesque 30-megalitre weir, and prime Granite Belt grape-growing land. Did you inherit some existing vines? It was an absolute bare block. We planted every vine from scratch, starting with varieties popular at the time in the Granite Belt – shiraz and merlot for reds; semillon, sauvignon blanc and marsanne for whites. That’s a big project,…

Gourmet Traveller uses free-range pork supplied by Australian Pork in the GT Test Kitchen and in all our photo shoots. Apple and celeriac soup with cheese and bacon croûtons SERVES 4-6 // PREP 25 MINS // COOK 35 MINS The inclusion of apple brings a touch of sweetness to this dish, balancing the celeriac’s earthy flavours. The croûtons add a sharp textural contrast to the velvety soup while also providing a salty quality. 20 gm unsalted butter, diced 2 tbsp mild extra-virgin olive oil 1 large leek, white part only, halved, thinly sliced 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 large celeriac (800gm peeled weight), coarsely chopped 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped 1 floury potato (such as sebago;…

Tartiflette with bacon and sage SERVES 6-8 AS A SIDE // PREP 35 MINS // COOK 1 HR 45 MINS Tartiflette, a traditional après-ski dish from Savoy in the French Alps, comprises potatoes, onion, Reblochon cheese and lardons. Our version layers the potatoes into a spiral to add texture. 400 ml crème fraîche 1 onion, thinly sliced 4 garlic cloves, bruised with back of a knife 4 bay leaves 4 sage leaves, plus extra 1 cup for frying 3 kg large Desiree potatoes, peeled 250 gm Reblochon or other soft, washed-rind cheese (such as L’Artisan Le Rouge), chopped Butter, for greasing 180 gm dry-cured, cold-smoked bacon, rind removed 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 Combine crème fraîche, onion, garlic and herbs in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a…