Each week we bring you a hand-picked selection of food news.
A Feast For All The Senses
Art and culture are on the menu at Sofitel Brisbane Central with the launch of 7 Paintings, an immersive culinary journey through some of the world’s greatest masterpieces. This multi-sensory dining experience blends gastronomy, visual art, music and storytelling in Bistro Suzette’s private dining room, Privé.
Through state-of-the-art projection, each table becomes a living canvas. As guests move through the courses, they are transported across centuries of creative genius, from the Sistine Chapel, Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Van Gogh, to Banksy, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. Every dish is crafted by executive chef Alex Goyard to reflect the story and emotion of the artwork.
We first experienced this type of immersive dining on board the Discovery Princess cruise ship a few years ago. Far from it being gimmicky, we were blown away by what a thoughtfully designed and very special meal it was. We can’t wait to see how this one is presented.
7 Paintings is available as the classic menu, a plant-based vegan menu, and as a children’s menu. It runs until June 2026. Bookings here.
Sri Lanka Through A Photographer’s Lens
Photographer Alan Benson, whose work has featured in books by Luke Nguyen and Kylie Kwong (among others), will lead a small-group tour of Sri Lanka later this year. Part of World Expeditions’ Curated Adventures portfolio, the tour from 13 to 24 September 2026 will explore vibrant markets, tea country and wildlife reserves.
Travellers will capture stilt fishermen at sunrise, wander spice-scented kitchens and explore lush tea terraces, all while refining their photographic eye under Benson’s guidance. Open to all skill levels and camera types, the Sri Lanka Food & Photo Adventure costs from AUD $5990 per person twin share excluding flights.
Other tours in the portfolio include Benin and Togo with Lonely Planet photographer Richard I’Anson, and a Women’s Guided Walking Tour of South Africa’s Drakensberg wildflower trails. More information from World Expeditions.
Exciting Program For Newcastle Food Month
The program for this year’s Newcastle Food Month promises to be the most appetizing yet, with three exciting new Signature Events, more than 70 Feature Events and 50 venues offering Plate Dates throughout the month of April.
First Creek Wines returns as the presenting partner for Plate Date, offering perfectly matched meals at venues across the city, including for the first time some of their own events.
Official hotel partner, Crystalbrook Kingsley, elevates the visitor experience with its Foodie Sleepover and a suite of events, including a collaboration with Reece Hignell and his ever-popular Cake Boi High Tea. Hot ticket items include long lunches hosted by Hunter Valley restaurants EXP and Muse at Crystalbrook’s Roundhouse Restaurant.
Pukara Estate will host olive oil tastings at its Newcastle East store, while Newcastle Airport will collaborate with Harrisons restaurant to bring a Singaporean Chilli Crab Plate Date to the table in celebration of soon-to-be-launched direct flights from Newcastle to Singapore.
There’s so much on offer, you might want to spend the whole month in Newcastle (for the benefit of our overseas readers, that’s Newcastle, Australia). More information here.
Global Recognition For Thai Hospitality
Alumni of Dusit International’s hospitality education institutions are enjoying a winning streak.
In the most recent Michelin Guide, AKKEE and GOAT Bangkok received one Michelin star for the second consecutive year. M-O-K and Agave, in northeast Thailand, were awarded the Bib Gourmand, celebrating regional culinary identity. All are run by alumni of Dusit Thani College, which has provided a strong professional foundation for budding chefs in Thailand for more than three decades.
This success is echoed at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit – Culinary Arts School in Bangkok, whose graduates include chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024 and The World’s Best Female Chef 2025. She once again received a Michelin star for Potong, which ranked No. 13 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
John Chantarasak, awarded a Michelin star for his inventive interpretation of Thai flavours at AngloThai in London, also attended Le Cordon Bleu Dusit.
Food, Wine and Wildlife Experience
South Australia’s newest luxury stay, Safari Lodge, will host one of Tasting Australia’s signature experiences on May 14. Developed in partnership with Zoos SA and select South Australian wineries, the Sip, Savour, Safari experience is being promoted as an “intimate celebration of place”.
It will be one of the first experiences available to guests at Safari Lodge, which is due to open in April. A luxury addition to the Monarto Safari Resort, Safari Lodge is situated deep in Monarto Safari Park’s Wild Africa precinct, with guests in 20 luxury safari tents enjoying a front-row seat to the spectacle of wildlife just metres away.
Reservations are now open for all-inclusive stays which include all meals and beverages, ensuite bathrooms, private plunge pools, 4WD safari, and the touch of excellence that hospitality operator Journey Beyond is known for.
Feast Of The Senses Festival
Ever wanted to try a mangosteen? Perhaps a durian? Maybe even a soursop? If exotic fruits tempt you, start planning a visit to Tropical North Queensland’s Feast of the Senses Festival. The region’s premier food festival will be held in Innisfail, about an hour’s drive south of Cairns, from March 26 to 29.
As well as showcasing the region’s exotic fruit, seafood, meat and other local produce, the festival will host cooking competitions, food trails, live music, rides for kids, and a market-day extravaganza. As an interesting but non-food-related aside, Innisfail has a wealth of art deco buildings, the perfect attraction for art deco tragics (that’s us!)
