With seven judges peering over his shoulder, Melbourne barista David Makin whipped up espressos and cappuccinos. While they noted the coffee’s colour, body, and flavour, and his technique, presentation and cleanliness, he chatted, also remembering to top up their water glasses as he laboured through the event. The 33-year-old yesterday wrested the National Barista Championship from NSW—which has dominated in the competition’s eight-year-history—for the second time. A NSW competitor, Hazel de Ios Reyes, came up with a creation that included chopped raisins, syrup, citrus zest, black truffles, Baileys and porcini mushrooms. The savoury flavour impressed judges. But it was Mr Makin’s drink - layers of espresso, almond, cream and black cherry - that achieved the perfect score. It was, however, the swan-song for Mr Makin, 33, who is retiring from national competition. The Age (Melbourne), May 5.
Kogarah last week became the first Australian council to ban trans fats from new cafes and takeaway outlets. The motion to place conditions on all new development applications for food outlets in the area was passed at council last Monday. Councillor John Mikelsons said the matter would now go to a working party meeting where the wording would be drafted and the new rules could take effect this month. Trans fats, found mostly in fried, baked and processed foods, are known to increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol in the blood. Sunday Telegraph (Sydney), May 4.
July 1 marks the first year anniversary of the Victorian Government’s legislation to make enclosed licensed premises smoke-free and Sustainability Victoria’s ‘Don’t be a Tosser - Bin Your Butts’ Campaign.
Due to the collaborative efforts of industry (which R&C Vic was involved) and government, the campaign succeeded in counteracting the expected increase in butt litter as a result of more smokers being outdoors.
The latest research from Community Change shows that butt litter prevention has been sustained and that licensed premises are keen to continue to avoid the negative environmental impacts from butts.
Butt littering behaviour decreased from 58% before the campaign to 33% at the campaign’s peak in August last year. Further evaluation in February 2008 showed that six months after the campaign responsible behaviours are continuing with butt littering rates at just 37%.
To mark the anniversary of the “Don’t be a Tosser” - Bin Your Butts campaign and to report on its success, Sustainability Victoria will be sharing the campaign’s good news and results with licensed premises and local government as well as providing additional copies of promotional materials. Our activities will include a media publicity campaign, a final mail out to licensed venues, consisting of an information sheet, posters and stickers, and an information sheet and template media release for use by local government.
Recently, APRA and the Music Council of Australia (MCA) conducted a survey to find out what venue operators currently think about live music.
Sixty nine hotels, clubs and restaurants responded to the survey which was distributed through the various industry associations. The largest group of respondents were Clubs (49%) followed by Restaurants (27%) and Hotels (24%).
Over 70% of respondents said they present live music in some format in their venues throughout the year. Of these, 44% presented at least three live performances a week. 17% presented less than 10 performances a year and about 7% presented more than four a week.
Venues that did host live music were re enthusiastic about the benefits of providing live music. The benefits cited most frequently included:
more traffic,
a more enjoyable ambience/atmosphere in the venue,
drawing new clientele,
music providing a critical point of difference in a competitive market-place,
creation of customer loyalty and return business
contributing to the cultural life of the community, and
supporting local talent.
Venues that didn’t host live music (29% of respondents) said that the key obstacles were overhead costs, government regulations, noise regulations and concerns about security. They also cited difficulties with sourcing artists and promoting gigs and were concerned about generating support from patrons and about ensuring a decent return on investment.
When asked what would make it easier to host live music, they said simpler regulation (46%) would be helpful, along with more encouragement from Government. Just over 41% agreed that a guide to hosting live music would be welcome, along with more education on the topic generally for venue owners.
The Restaurant & Catering Association applauds the Government on a budget that carefully balances the need for fiscal restraint with the need to maintain spending in areas that support jobs - hospitality services. R&C Vic supports the RCA’s stance that to further dampen demand (through spending cuts) would have been dangerous in an economy supported by services.
R&CA President, Con Castrisos said that ‘now that the services economy supports 82% of employment in Australia, deep slashing budgets are too dangerous an instrument. As the Government has achieved in this budget, careful management is the key to keeping the Australian economy strong’.
The Association expressed its support for the closing of the loop-hole that allows for FBT free meals for big business.
In contrast the Association expressed concern over the lack of inclusion of service businesses in the Climate Change initiative. R&CA CEO John Hart suggested that ‘every business needs to do its bit if we are to reduce omissions.’ ‘It is disappointing that some sectors will receive help to do this and others will not.’
The Association was very pleased to see the realisation of commitments to training and immigration places that will ease labour and skills constraints in the hospitality industry.
Hi Lauren,
Everything was great on Saturday. Thank you. Thanks also to Julie, Caroline and Bev. They did a fantastic job. Also stayed behind another half an hour so send me the invoice for that.
Thanks again.
Cheers
Kind regards,
Arjuna.
Arjuna Ratnachandra
Senior Account Executive
Telstra Business
Lauren,
how are you? I wanted to say that we loved your services when we had our function at Xavier College. The food was wonderful and the staff member (Penny, I think it was) was delightful and communicated very well.
thanks,
Michael Vandenberg
Head of Bellarmine House
TIC Cricket Xavier College
Assistant Co-ordinator Awards Night
Six young Victorian apprentice chefs have been announced as finalists in the 2008 Thierry Marx Career Development Award. This year has seen over double the number of entrants following the success of the 2007 inaugural event.
Entrants were received from across regional Victoria and Melbourne restaurants and caterers. The competition, now in its second year, is offering two Victorian cookery apprentices the chance to spend a month in France working with Thierry Marx - the 2006 Relais Gourmands French Chef of the Year.
2008 Thierry Marx Career Development Award finalists include:
Petros Dellidis - The Press Club, Melbourne
Ryan Spurrell - Vue de Monde, Melbourne
Adrian Smith - Gingerboy, Melbourne
Kate Niewenhuizen- Pettavel Winery and Restaurant, Waurn Ponds
Natalie Watkins - Waddingtons at Kergunyah, Kergunyah
Robert Tucker - Emeu Inn Restaurant, Heathcote
As part of the judging process, finalists can now expect a workplace visit from the judging panel who, will interview and observe their performance under the normal rigors of their daily working conditions. Finalists will be assessed and scored on areas including motivation, attitude, presentation and teamwork.
The two winners will be named on May 28 at a luncheon at the Brassiere by Philippe Mouchel. The winners will travel to France in early August for a month to work at Thierry Marx’s Chateau Cordeillan-Bages in Bordeaux.
Tourism marketing and infrastructure development are winners from this weeks budget. The $35.1 million package to boost Victoria’s profile in interstate and international markets is welcomed by the tourism and hospitality sector.
When the Association was asked for an industry comment, Todd responded that “This is a favourable budget for both small business and state tourism, however funding for tourism has fallen significantly from last year”
“Investment in tourism marketing will clearly benefit the hospitality sector, especially the $13.3 million for destination marketing of regional Victoria” he said.
Key international markets will be targeted with $8 million to promote Victoria as a great place to visit as well as attracting additional air services to Melbourne. The business events sector will also benefit with $13.8 million to enhance Victoria’s credentials as a world-class business events destination.
Restaurant & Catering Victoria welcomes other key budget announcements including reductions in a range of business taxes and charges:
Stamp Duty tax brackets have been adjusted on business property purchase the value of property transferred Duty paid from 1 July 2008.
Up to $25 0001.4% of the value of the property
$25 001 - $130 000$350 plus 2.4% of the value in excess of $25 000
$130 001 - $960 000$2 870 plus 6% of the value in excess of $130 000
$960 001 and over5.5% of the value of the property
Payroll Tax will fall from 5.05% to 4.95%, this will commence from 1 July 2008 and Work Cover premium will also fall to 1.387 % of an employer’s payroll.
Other state government spending has been announced in the area of business skills investment ($94 million)
The State Government and the Director of Liquor Licensing have implemented a 3 month trial that will prevent licensees from allowing patrons to enter their venues after 2am. The effect of the restriction is that people who are already in the venue by 2am can stay in the venue until it shuts but no new patrons can enter.
The restrictions will commence on the 3rd of June 2008 which means patrons out on Monday the 2nd June will be able remain in a venue until closing but will not be able to enter a venue after 2am.
During the 3 month trial late entry restriction will only apply in the local government areas Port Phillip, Stonnington, Melbourne (including Docklands) and Yarra. In addition to specific premises in Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon.
The late entry restriction will apply to all on-premises and general licenses within the relevant area. This means that all pubs, bars and nightclubs will be affected. An exemption has been granted to restaurants, the floor of Crown Casino and club licenses such as RSLs.
Licensees who breach the late entry restriction by allowing people into their venues after 2am will face fines of up to $6800.
If your restaurant does not have restaurant conditions on your licence but wish to trade as a restaurant and allow new patrons to enter after 2amyou will be required to vary your licence to include restaurant conditions. You must apply to the Director of Licensing to add restaurant conditions. The advertising period for this license change has been reduced from 28 days to 14 days to allow for any applications to be considered before or during the 3 month lockout.
Around 440 venues are directly affected by this trail.
