Excellent result for Australia at Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest 2007
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(29/01/2007)

Chef Luke Croston and his Commis Chef Vanessa Mateus were a credit to their country at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or World Cuisine Contest in Lyon, France last week, coming 12th out of a field of 24 teams.

Luke and Vanessa had to prepare one course of 12 portions using Norwegian halibut and king crab, and one course using Bresse chicken, all within five and a half hours at the gruelling contest in view of thousands of spectators.

The two young chefs have been in training in the kitchens at Crown in Melbourne since July 2006, after being selected as Australia’s representatives.

First prize of a Bocuse d’Or gold trophy and 20,000 Euros went to the French team of Chef Fabrice Desvignes and his Commis Chef Antoine Michelson, while the Danish team came second and the Swiss third.

Accompanying Luke and Vanessa to Lyon were Chefs Philippe Mouchel and Tom Milligan, as well as President of Bocuse d’Or Australia 2007, Walter Wagner, who was a judge.

“The standard of competitors this year was the highest I’ve seen,” says Walter. “Luke and Vanessa achieved 575 points and there was only 10 points separating them from the German team who came 11th.

Walter adds that the Australian team has improved on its ranking each year. “Luke benefited from assistance from last year’s winner Serge Vieira from France, and was able to learn from the experience of past candidates Scott Pickett, George Calombaris, Joseph Vargetto and Tom Milligan.

“The whole Australian committee and our sponsors are very proud of Luke and Vanessa’s achievement this year.”

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US Health Food Guru to visit Macro in Sydney and Melbourne
(LAUNCH Management Group Pty Ltd)
(08/12/2006)

In-store Appearances at Macro Wholefoods Market
Known as a ‘health missionary’ Patricia Braggs is an enigmatic 70+ year-old American health-food guru and entrepreneur, whose family has been pioneering the health food movement in United States since 1912.

Macro Wholefoods Market is proud to announce that Patricia will be coming to Australia in December to promote her line of Apple Cider Vinegar products and books Apple Cider Vinegar – Miracle Health System. RRP $15.25 and The Bragg Healthy Lifestyle. RRP $15.05. Macro will be hosting two Meet-the-Author sessions with Patricia in Sydney (Dec 8) and Melbourne (Dec 10) with Patricia.

Discovered by Hippocrates in 400 BC, Apple Cider Vinegar is a powerful cleansing and healing elixir a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria. Bragg Health Products and Books boasts celebrity devotees such as Tom Selleck and The Beach Boys.

Patricia Braggs is the CEO of Bragg Health Products and Books which is based in Santa Barbara, California. Patricia makes regular public appearances in the US and is known for her sassy style (she always wears a hat) and health food know-how. Please join Patricia at any of these Macro appearances to hear about her new book, ask questions and have your favourite Braggs book signed.

Patricia will make the following in-store appearances:

Friday 8 December – SYDNEY - New South Wales
Macro Wholefoods Market, Westfield Hornsby (NEW!) NSW
12.00pm – 2.00pm

Sunday 10 December – MELBOURNE - Victoria
Macro Wholefoods Market, 1068 High St Armadale (NEW!) VIC
12.00pm – 2.00pm

Media Contact for Macro Wholefoods Market:
Alexis Wilson, Launch Group 0402 401 689
alexis@launchgroup.com.au

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Fenix On The Rise
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(14/06/2006)

Fenix restaurant on the Yarra river at Abbotsford will be closed for 5 weeks in August for a major refurbishment. Head commander and chef, Raymond Capaldi says that they will do away with the café and instead, concentrate on an 80 seater restaurant. Sadly leisurely weekend breakfasts will be no more

EUREKA!
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(14/06/2006)

Heaven’s above! Two super-star chefs are combining talents to cook the first sky-high dinner in the yet to be completed Eureka tower on the 29th July. Could one be the soccer fanatic of cheffy Kingdom, and the other, who has his own view of the world?

Country of Origin Food Labelling Consumer Brochure Launched
(Reproduced with permission of Food Standards Australia New Zealand.)
(09/06/2006)

A new consumer brochure on country of origin labelling of food would help consumers to understand the new labelling requirements for unpackaged fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts and seafood that begin from today, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said in Adelaide today.

He was launching the brochure Country of Origin Food Labelling – advice for consumers, developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

“From today all unpackaged fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts and seafood must say which country they come from, including Australia,” Mr Pyne said.

“From December this year unpackaged fresh and processed pork products must also be labelled with their country of origin, and the changes to packaged foods must be completed by December 2007.

“The new country of origin labelling standard was agreed to by the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council in October 2005. Time has been allowed for food manufacturers and retailers to bring in the new labelling. In March 2006 I launched a guide to the new labelling standard to help business and enforcement agencies understand the requirements. The new consumer brochure adds to the package of measures to help consumers make informed choices.

“If consumers have a complaint about country of origin labelling, I suggest that they raise the issue directly with the retailer or manufacturer of the food in question. Consumers can also contact their local, state, or territory health authority if they think there is a problem with a specific food or a complaint about a breach of a food standard or food safety issue,” Mr Pyne said.

The changes will only apply to Australia.

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