Peruvian Eats and Beats is "popping up" at Islington this month courtesy of La Tia Veneno.
Jason Osorio, who runs the catering business with his mother, Mirza, and Hannah Furmage, is opening the doors to Casa La Tia Veneno on May 29 and serving up a selection of traditional (and tasty) Peruvian dishes. On the menu is lomo saltado (Peruvian stir fry, $12); pan con chicharron (pork belly sandwich, $10); tamales ($7); and papa rellena (fried stuffed potato, $7). Or, you can pay $35 for all four dishes. Eat-in and takeaway options are available.
It's all happening at 8 Redman Street, Islington, from noon.
"All of the recipes come from Mirza and we try to honour and pay respect to the traditions and ancestry of all Peruvian grandmothers and mothers," Osorio told the Newcastle Herald in March. "La Tia Veneno is a natural manifestation of our combined passions and backgrounds in Peruvian and South American street food."
Paddock to Plate
Buoyed by the success of its Newcastle Food Month collaboration with Binet Family Wines last month, Newcastle's Binnie Beef Warehouse is now hosting monthly collaborative dining experiences in its rustic Wagyu Wonderland catered event space on Parry Street. The first - on May 29 - is a wagyu dining experience paired with gin from Earp Bros Distillery. Bookings can be made by visiting wagyuwonderland.com.au.
"We find that this space is the closest thing to authentic agriculture as you can get in Newcastle; it's filled with gear from our home farm in Mirannie and it's a warm balance between fine dining and rustic agriculture," owners Steve and Liz Binnie said.
"Wagyu Wonderland is an opportunity to sit back, drink a fine wine and enjoy the best wagyu you can find. It's a complete experience."
Every cut of wagyu bought from the wagyu shop or eaten at Wagyu Wonderland comes directly from the owners' farm in Singleton. The shopfront is open 9am to 5pm weekdays at 144 Parry Street, Newcastle.
Festival highlights
Tulloch Wines are hosting two events as part of the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival: a Still Life Paint & Sip Workshop (June 5); and a Hunter Valley Wine Trivia Night in partnership with Wine Selectors (June 18).
"Tulloch wanted to bring an interactive element to our Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival events this year, and of course some much-needed fun," Christina Tulloch said.
"Our Paint and Sip workshop will give participants the chance to hone their still-life painting skills while enjoying a selection of Tulloch wines, while our collaboration with Wine Selectors for a trivia night guarantees to bring the competitive nature out in those who think they know a thing or two about wine, or for those who just enjoy wine in the company of good friends.
"The festival's calendar of events this year marks the return to normal in wine country with a curated selection of wine events for those wanting to delve deeper into our region's wine and food offerings."
Ticket prices to both events include cheese and charcuterie plates as well as Tulloch wines. For more information or to book, go to tullochwines.rezdy.com.
Burgers at East End
Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co is opening at East End Newcastle. Established in Noosa in 2014, Betty's is a 1950s-inspired Australian burger shack that also sells "concrete" - a dense chocolate or vanilla frozen custard ice-cream. Mr Sister Coffee, Artisanal Cellars and Oh My Papa (a new offering from Humble Thai) have also signed up to be part of the East End Newcastle "retail collective".
Kiosk by the lake
The Kiosk Newcastle Beach is opening a sister cafe at MAC - Museum of Art and Culture at Boolaroo. Last weekend was a "soft opening", co-owner Luke Marshall said, with an official opening to follow in the next couple of weeks.
Aussie milk bar
Hoppo's Milk Bar is opening soon on Maitland Road at Mayfield, across the road from the Stag and Hunter Hotel. It's a 1980s-themed milk bar that will serve locally roasted coffee, gelato made fresh on-site, and loaded jacket potatoes. Owner Blake Forrester has named the milk bar in honour of his late father-in-law, Les Hopton.
Career chance for chef
Larry Woodcock is hanging up his chef's apron and going to university to study teaching. Taking over the kitchen at Wil & Sons on Darby Street in Cooks Hill is Michael Grove, a chef from Sydney.
"I'm doing an education degree so I can get into the school system and into hospitality and food tech and teach kids how to cook," Woodcock said.
"I would like to say a massive thank you for the support of all the customers and regulars who have given myself, as a young chef, a chance, and who have hopefully enjoyed what I've brought to Newcastle's food scene."
Grand opening
The Shed Cafe opens this Saturday, May 21, at Marketown in Newcastle West. Head along to the grand opening between 10am and 2pm for face painting, food tasting, and the chance to win free coffee for a year. You can find The Shed Cafe in 22 locations across NSW, the ACT and Queensland.
