Food & Drink

Fresh from his admission to the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association's hall of fame, Alain Fabrègues says he wants to give new talent a helpful “nudge” in 2005.

Rather than waiting an indefinite amount of time to open its cellar door due to construction near its site, Drakesbrook Wines founder Bernie Worthington decided he would open the

Dairy farmers for the past 80 years and operators of the Great Southern Milk Company, the Ravenhill family is about to undertake a small but significant step in a new direction.

Regular visitors to King Street will have noticed that the old Bien Fine Food cafe (formerly Mezzonine) has been transformed into the lighter and brighter Etro Café Bistro.

Bar One has recruited Tony Garita to provide a strong food direction for the QV1 bar as it enters its second year of trade.

Killerby Vineyards' 2003 sauvignon blanc has been rated ‘one of the best of 2004' in the latest Winestate Annual magazine.

Those who like to enjoy a country drive followed by some of the Great Southern's best wines and gourmet food are in luck.

Frankland River pioneers Merv and Judy Lange have received plenty of offers for their 110-hectare vineyard but they aren't interested in selling Alkoomi Wines just yet.

Mark Zoccoli is no stranger to the hospitality industry, having spent about 25 years in the game, primarily managing restaurants including A Room with a View, Observation City and, most recently, six years with popular Mt Lawley cafe Mille.

The owners of popular Waterman cafe, The Wild Fig Cafe, are looking to open another business in the northern suburbs this year.

Malcolm McCusker will launch a new label in February, McCusker's Wines, based in the Chittering Valley.

The hospitality scene in Northbridge is experiencing a slow revival thanks to a couple of new operators who have upped the ante in both food and service.

THE old Mamma Maria's restaurant on the corner of Lake and Aberdeen streets in Northbridge will reopen as Hunter's Piano Bar in the coming months.

THE Ullinger family will continue to operate Redgate Wines while founder Bill Ullinger recovers from a serious stroke he suffered about eight weeks ag

A DECADE in the hospitality business is good going by any measure, so former hotel broker Renzo Deleo must be doing something right.

IAN Mayo has joined Plantagenet Wines as general manager.

WARREN Mead is going ahead with plans for his latest restaurant, this one to be located at the ground floor of Exchange Plaza on St Georges Terrace.

MARGARET River's newest boutique brewery, Colonial Brewing Co, has travelled a steep learning curve in recent months.

THAT there's no shortage of things to do in the Margaret River region is news to no-one. What seems to be in short supply, however, is parking spots for the punters, and staff for the businesses they are visiting.

BASKERVILLE Wines has been sold and the new owners are looking at expanding the Swan Valley property to include accommodation.

VIRGINIA Willcock's first overseas posting as a wine consultant was a true test of her passion, tenacity and commitment to the job.

CHRISTIAN Tinelli might not be as well known as his father, Umberto, but then again he's only a relative newcomer to managing hospitality businesses.

FOREST Hill Vineyard chief executive and chief winemaker Larry Cherubino has left the Denmark winery.

SO it's out with the chef and in with the critic for the next series of Channel Seven's reality TV series My Restaurant Rules.

A NEW label based in Denmark has found a niche market with the recent production of its first vintage of preservative-free wines.

NEW FACE: Geoff Hayward's The Brisbane will open this week, providing one more reason to enjoy summer in Highgate.

WHILE Margaret River and wine have a long-standing connection in terms of recognition throughout Australia and around the world, the neighbouring town of Witchcliffe has not been so fortunate.

THANKS to the growing number of diners looking to eat a little later than may be considered usual, Tsunami proprietor Brett Carbone has decided to keep

MUST Winebar has received the State award at the 2004 Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards, coordinated by Tucker Seabrook and held in Sydney las

Pemberton winery Gloucester Ridge Vineyard will go under the hammer on Friday December 10.

When Gusto heard of a particular fire-fighting tale involving the head chef at newly-opened Aurora Restaurant and Denmark's Prince Frederick and Princess Mary it seemed only fair to share it; after all, who hasn't been captivated by the recent royal roman

Preparations for this weekend's Margaret River Wine Region Festival are being finalised, with a number of personalities set to appear across the South West during the four-day event.