Simon Food Favourites: Pol Roger

10 August 2012

Launch: Gary Mehigan becomes ambassador for Citibank Dining Program, CBD Sydney (9 Aug 2012)

Level 40, 2 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.citibank.com.au

Free wining with your dining

Thanks to Liberty Miller from Liquid Ideas for inviting me to the announcement launch of Gary Mehigan becoming the ambassador of the Citibank Dining Program — whose actually been a Citibank customer for 10 years. Guests were treated to Pol Roger Champagne and canapés by a chef team from Fenix and Chef Chase Kojima of Sokyo. Wine was supplied by First Creek Wines which are one of the major suppliers for the free bottle of wine you receive at restaurants with the Citibank Dining Program if you’re a Citibank cardholder — I wish my bank provided such an offer. A small band of MasterChef contestants mingled with the crowd and were more than happy to have their photo taken with fans. Presentation of the canapés was intricate and clearly showed attention to detail. My favourites were the tasty flavours on the 'Tosta Matrimonio' Ortiz anchovies, goats curd & green olives and the interesting Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, truffle salt & spicy mayo. The Mini fish burger with sweet pickles & mayonnaise was also very popular that was thankfully not too messy to eat. For a dessert treat the Peanut & caramel popsicles were great — I’d love a large pack of these for my next birthday please. A selection of Macarons were supplied by Adriano Zumbo but sadly he wasn’t on hand to ask which flavours we were treated to. A competition for the best photo on the night was in play to win $1000 at Sokyo. Not having a smartphone to tweet I joined forces with Denea who provided a winning caption and tweet with my photo of Gary Megihan and his cardboard cutout ‘Oooooh @crispycrackling picked up at #citibankdine ..!’. I now look forward to sampling the dishes at Sokyo with a nice glass of wine or two courtesy of Citibank. The event was well-organised with free flowing food and drinks on hand and the views from level 40 were pretty spectacular — I wish my office had a view like this.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Interesting canapés, Nice ambience created, MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules contestants amongst the crowd, Gary was very down-to-earth and seemed to be a really nice guy who's clearly passionate about good food and wine

CONS: I don’t have a Citibank card to get free wine at restaurants

MUST TRY: Visiting Sokyo at The Star
VERDICT: A well-organised event with free flowing food and drinks plus spectacular views from level 40

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A bit of Pol Roger Champagne never hurt any one

Dukkak spiced quail eggs with cauliflower cous cous, lemon puree

Croquetas with jamon, smoked paprika mayonnaise

'Tosta Matrimonio' Ortiz anchovies, goats curd & green olives
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Prawn boudan blanc, fennel jam, almond biscuit, salsa verdi

Tai Yuzu Honey, onion, caper, crunchy miso

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, truffle salt, spicy mayo
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Mini fish burgers, sweet pickles & mayonnaise
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Sammy and Bella hungry for mini fish burgers

Roasted Cape Grim beef, red onion marmalade, basil mash

Lamb Maple Miso, burnt baby eggplant

Peanut & caramel popsicles
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Macarons by Adriano Zumbo

The black macaron was really good — it tasted like a Cookies & Cream

Gary Mehigan and Chef Chase Kojima

Speech time: Gary Mehigan, Joanna Savill, Roy Gori (Citibank Australia CEO)

Meeting a few lovely MasterChef contestants with Kylie Millar, Audra Morrice, Amina Elshafei and photobombing courtesy of Gary Mehigan

Guests including Joanna Savill, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor (MCA), Anthony Laver (General Manager Marketing Citibank), Sammy and Bella Jakubiak (My Kitchen Rules) & Marion Grasby (MasterChef)

Liquid Ideas team

Citibank team

Supported by First Creek Wines

Win a $1000 dinner at Sokyo via tweeting a pic with #citibankdine — yes please!

“Oooooh @crispycrackling picked up at #citibankdine ..!” — winning photo tweet

Denea Buckingham with Linda Duncombe (Director of Marketing, Digital and Customer Experience at Citibank Australia) with winning $1000 prize

Nice ambience and decor created

Every celebrity chef has to have a cookbook

Some serious gear on these official photographers

Free wine is just the beginning

Goodie bag including signed copy of Gary Mehigan's Comfort food cookbook and First Creek 2010 Chardonnay

The view from Level 40 looking towards the Kings Cross Coca Cola sign

The view from Level 40 looking towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Looks like there's a party happening on Level 40 :-)

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30 October 2011

Sydney Sunrise Global Champagne Day 2011, The American Club, CBD Sydney (28 Oct 2011)

Level 14, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.theamericanclub.com.au

Bubbles of global happiness

Thanks to the bubbly and effervescent Champagne Jayne for inviting me along to her Sydney Champagne Day celebration which was both educational and fun. A selection of quality champagnes were on offer to take guests through a palate journey of appreciation guided by hosts Jayne Powell and Ed Carr (sparkling winemaker). The final champagne tasting of Armand de Brignac was apparently awarded World's No. 1 champagne by FINE Champagne Magazine. With a spare AUD $550 you'd be able to pick up a bottle from Champagne Gallery. There were some champagnes I preferred over others but I tried them all too quickly due to arriving a bit late to take notice of which ones they were. The event was held on Level 14 of the The American Club which boasted fantastic views over the Royal Botanic Gardens and towards Sydney harbour. To come back and enjoy a drink at the bar you'd actually have to be a member which isn't cheap at $845.25/year, although if you're between 21 and 28 you get it for $556.50. I think most of their business is through corporate events and weddings which the space seems well-suited for.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Quality champagnes to celebrate Champagne Day, Venue space has great views over Sydney Harbour

CONS: There's no signage outside the building to let you know where The American Club is so you have to make sure you take notice of the address

MUST TRY: Celebrating Champagne Day next year

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