I have several [crazy] friends who don’t like chocolate. Just plain “don’t like it.” However, I think Mary & Matt’s Chocolate Editions will make splendid props in my tirade to set them up for a lifelong romance with chocolate. Chocolate Editions celebrates chocolate as an edible art form, and I absolutely adore the idea of modernism that is always fresh and always delicious. Each chocolate bar in the collection has  been re-imagined from an eclectic array of influences, such as the typically dull pie chart, and the family favourite Neapolitan ice-cream.

Chocolate Editions by Mary & Matt is a celebration of the candy bar as a perfect pop object. Launched in their home kitchen as gift ideas for friends and family, Chocolate Editions quickly grew into a full line, created to indulge our taste buds. Mary & Matt use the highest quality ingredients and craft their chocolate bars in small, handmade batches. Death by chocolate is imminent…

Mosey on over to Mary and Matt’s website, where all of their deliciously artful candies are on display: www.chocolate-editions.com. Select Chocolate Editions products are available at Third Drawer Down www.thirddrawerdown.com/shop.

- QH guest blogger Micheala Tam

The Australian-Italian Festival www.australianitalianfestival.com.au is an annual tribute to the Italian heritage of the sugar-growing Hinchinbrook Shire, and is fast attracting thousands of people to the friendly tropical town of Ingham. The cultural history of the town is unique, and rich with stories from cane cutting days which saw Italian migrants coming to live in the area in the 1890s. One of North Queensland’s most colourful and successful events, this famous affair is symbolic of the cultural tie (more…)

This afternoon I was watching a children’s show where the aardvark (yes, aardvark) protagonist asked the question: “I wonder what the world would be like if everyone was exactly like me?” Well, first of all, my birthday would be an international holiday and secondly, no one would give the geek in me grief. This caused my mind to linger and explore the marvelous possibility of no longer having to repress my inner geek. Yes, perhaps I should wear my nerdy elements as a badge of honour, but I’m almost positive it isn’t socially acceptable to refer to your Nintendo DSi as your significant other, nor your iPhone as your best friend…

Well, as it turns out four Brisbane locals, (more…)

Lucky Townsville - every winter for the last twenty years they have heard the wonderful sounds of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music fill their halls, their galleries and their cathedrals.

Queensland Homes was fortunate enough to be invited to the 2010 launch last Wednesday night. A grateful few heard renowned Australian pianist and AFCM Artistic Director Piers Lane, give an intimate performance of works by Frederic Chopin and Robert Schumann, providing a taste of what audiences can look (more…)

Experience your first look at the city’s most exciting new venue, The Laneway. Leading Queensland Architecture and Interior Design firm, Arkhefield, have contributed their designs to one of the first laneway transformations in Brisbane City as part of the ‘Vibrant Laneways and Small Spaces’ program. The Brisbane City Council initiated the program through the City Centre Master Plan to convert some of the city’s forgotten spaces to vibrant meeting, retail and dining destinations.

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Delicious treats for Christmas and the holidays have arrived at Monty’s Chocolates in Paddington. In keeping with their mission to bring the world’s finest chocolates to Australia a whole new range has arrived. Charbonnel et Walker have released a new delight - Banoffee Truffles - which are a handmade creation of white chocolate, butter, natural banana extracts and caramel enrobed in a milk chocolate shell.

New products from France include orange confit in dark and white chocolate. The orange confit is like a firm jelly similar to a fig paste in texture.  It contains real fruit and peel.  There are many other fruit-based delights and floral flavours like rose and geranium as well. I’ll be going for the Caipirinha Truffle myself!

Monty’s Chocolates are at 155 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington and are open 9 - 5 pm  Monday - Friday, 10 - 4 pm Saturday and 11 - 4 pm Sunday. They close about 5pm on Christmas Eve.

P: 0401 067 394, 07 3369 3135

montyschocolates@yahoo.com.au

A great gift idea for the person who has everything (and loves food) is a gift certificate from Foodscape Tours of Byron Bay. Newly launched this year, the company specialises in food-based tours of Byron Bay where you can sample everything from gourmet coffee through to unusual local native produce. There are group tours by air-conditioned bus around the region or walking tours around downtown Byron Bay.

Sample the best of the region’s foods, enjoy the magnificent scenery and meet some great people at the same time. And if you have visitors from afar it’s a great way to show them just how beautiful this part of Australia is. Visit foodscapetours.com.au to plan a trip for yourself or buy some gift certificates for some very lucky people.

It is the perfect time of year for a Sunday drive. The glovebox must be stocked with any combination of red frogs, chips, Maltesers, fruit, Mentos, Fantales and Allen’s Snakes (according to a quick office poll).

I recommend heading south to the Tweed River Art Gallery in Murwillumbah. There’s a great exhibition on until September 27, the Olive Cotton Award for photography. It’s open Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm and you can have lunch at the gallery. The view is incredible as is the gallery’s design. The gallery is sort of in the middle of nowhere and that’s what makes it so appealing. A drive, some art, some lunch … and an ice cream on the way home. Now that’s a great Sunday!

Tweed River Art Gallery
2 Mistral Rd
Murwillumbah NSW 2484
Gallery/Cafe Hours Wed Sun 10-5
Ph 026670 2790.

So simple. So good.

Yum, yum, yum. Straight forward food, done well at The Crosstown Eating House. And it is worth going across town for. Choose a few dishes, place them in the middle of the table and share. Attentive staff proffer helpful advice, decor is rudimentary but comfortable and all made by the owners. My lemon lime bitters was a cut above average just because they used Fee Brothers Bitters from New York. I recommend the spatchcock, perfect for two to share with a few other dishes. Someone at work who knows about such things has raved about the strawberry spongecake sandwiches. 

The Crosstown Eating House is at 23 Logan Road, Woolloongabba. Phone 07 3162 3839 and is close to the Gabba Cricket Ground. There are a few quirky homeware and antique shops almost next door. (more…)

From delicious summer fare to winter warmers browse our collection of recipes from multi-award winning Executive Chef Brent Southcombe of boutique catering company Designed2Taste. Our latest recipes include Vietnamese Spring Rolls. For the full recipe read more after the jump…

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