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Articles by Jane Speechley
Five minutes with Damian Brabender, OTIS Dining Hall
Meet OTIS Dining Hall owner and chef Damian Brabender. Photo: Megan Evans Photography. Who is Damian Brabender? I’m the executive chef and owner of OTIS Dining Hall in Kingston. Best recent dining experience: Too many to pick from! Since lockdown has ended, I’ve been out to lots of places – both casual and fine dining. If I had to pick one, it would be on the more casual size – Zaab in Braddon. Uncle (the chef) is a wizard, and his Lao sausage is seriously awesome.
OTIS owner hopes no-shows aren't the 'new normal'
Max O'Driscoll 30 October 2021 30 October 2021 Owner and executive chef of OTIS Damian Brabender. Photo: Megan Evans. Imagine this. You’re the owner of a restaurant and you’ve been closed for the last two months. You’re allowed to open again, but with a modest 25 guests. The guest limit means you won’t be able to cover your costs, but you open anyway so your staff can return to work after they’ve done it tough throughout the lockdown.
Local cookbooks are a recipe for family, food and friendship
Locally produced cookbooks are a staple on many kitchen shelves. Photo: Genevieve Jacobs. I’m standing on a chair in my kitchen, looking for the Cootamundra Bulldogs Rugby League Ladies Auxiliary cookbook and its slice recipes. No luck there, but it’s OK; I’ve dug out Entertaining with the Country Club, 1957-82.
How safe is your old car in an accident? New report puts used cars to the test
Used cars at Canberra Toyota in Belconnen. Photo: Thomas Lucraft. If you don’t want to know how the sausage is made, don’t read the list of ingredients. There’s no doubt ignorance can be bliss, but ignorance can also be dangerous. It’s this fear of the unknown that prompts us to investigate further in the hope we’ll get a better sausage as a result. Well, it’s the same story when it comes to buying a car.
Canberra's dining scene loses an institution as Ottoman Cuisine closes its doors
Ian Bushnell 22 October 2021 22 October 2021 Ottoman Cuisine in Barton has been a dining destination for two decades. Photo: Ian Bushnell. Canberra dining institution Ottoman Cuisine has closed its doors for good after two decades at its Barton address. It is believed owner and chef Serif Kaya has sold the prime site at 9 Broughton Street, which has had multi-storey development spring up around it in recent years.
Surveyor's Hill small batches are a rare treasure for Canberra locals
Matt Farrah 18 October 2021 18 October 2021 ViChaRo 2016 chardonnay from Surveyor’s Hill Vineyards. Photo: Michelle Kroll. With a huge focus on local produce and the COVID-19 lockdown affecting many of our great producers, it is timely to review the wonderful wines in our backyard. Surveyor’s Hill produces exceptional wines at prices not seen in Canberra since 1999.
Recipes for success: what's tried, tested and true on your kitchen bookshelf?
The sometimes turn and tattered cookbooks that have pride of place in the Jacobs kitchen. Photo: David Jacobs. Do you have a cookbook shelf in your kitchen? What’s the most stained, dog-eared volume you own? It’s a fair bet that a Women’s Weekly publication features somewhere, from the well-loved cakes and biscuits tome to the revered birthday cake book.
Kardinia's wines are a hidden gem for the adventurous Canberra wine drinker
Matt Farrah 4 September 2021 2 September 2021 Kardinia 2014 Cabernet Merlot: French in style, displaying red currents and cassis with fine tannins and dry finish. Photo: Michelle Kroll. Little known winery Kardinia is a hidden gem in the Canberra wine scene, producing wines that are well away from the usual flavour profiles of the Canberra region. Winemaker Vikki Fischer is a genius when it comes to working the raw materials into a wonderful expression of what the region can deliver.
Canberra's classic and muscle cars roar into life online for men's mental health
COVID-19 has forced many events online, and car shows are no exception. Photo: James Coleman. There’s no doubt the COVID-19 lockdown has brought out some ingenious ways of keeping everyone connected when face-to-face meetings are restricted, thanks largely to the internet. This past week, the ACT Classic & Muscle Car Forum launched an online car show designed to help out local car enthusiasts who might be struggling mentally and emotionally with the difficult circumstances during lockdown.
Reflections of creativity and Canberra's buried treasure
Bert Flugelman, Cones, Sculpture Garden, National Gallery of Australia. Photo: Marg Wade, Canberra Secrets Personalised Tours. The skillfully created sculpture Cones in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden reflects the environment nearby and the distinctive style of its creator Bert Flugelman. Austrian-born Flugelman has left his mark in Canberra and beyond, both above and below ground.
'Like a rainbow flying above you': the magic of the Kite Festival is back
Lottie Twyford 13 June 2021 7 June 2021 The 2021 Kite Festival will be an incredible experience for all families to enjoy, no matter if you’ve never flown a kite before. Photo: Ray Trivedi. Look, up in the sky, is it a bird, is it a plane? Or is it a kite? The Kite Festival, an Indian tradition usually held in early January to mark the end of winter, the arrival of spring and the imminent new harvest, will grace the skies of Canberra this July.
Should your workplace have any say in what you wear?
Zoya Patel 29 April 2021 28 April 2021 Men have far fewer options regarding what’s considered workplace-appropriate clothing … but can still get it wrong. Photo: Sara Kurfeß/Unsplash. As the days get cooler and shorter, some might be welcoming the return to winter fashions – the chance to bundle up in coats and jumpers, warm boots and scarves to protect you against the Canberra chill.
The perfect excuse to taste some of the region's best wines
Karyn Starmer 18 April 2021 18 April 2021 Spoil yourself with a fine drop and support Palliative Care ACT. Photo: Farrah’s Liquor Collective. With the days of big charity fundraising dinners a distant pre-COVID-19 pandemic memory, raising funds for Canberra’s not-for-profit sector is a serious challenge even though our community’s needs have not diminished.
Farrah’s Easter feast wine and food pairing
30 March 2021 29 March 2021 Choosing the right wine to complement your menu will make Easter lunch memorable. Photo: Supplied. When preparing an Easter feast, our thinking usually stops at food … and bountiful supplies of chocolate eggs and bunnies. But to make a meal memorable, give some thought to wine matching. Here are some of Matt Farrah’s suggestions for the perfect Easter lunch matched with some amazing wines that your family and friends will remember.
Local filmmakers shine at Canberra Short Film Festival
Neha Attre 15 March 2021 15 March 2021 Yuuki Okumura in The menu for tomorrow. Photo: Supplied. The ever-popular Canberra Short Film Festival (CSFF) returns for the second part of their COVID-delayed 25th anniversary season opening on 17 March. Running over 12 nights across four Canberra venues, the festival showcases the best short films from all over the world with a special spotlight on the best of Canberra’s local filmmaking.
Get ready to deck the halls : Christmas tree season is upon us at last
Lottie Twyford 27 November 2020 27 November 2020 Not all pets are lucky enough to be at home for Christmas. Photo: File. It’s clear silly season is definitely upon us when the trees are ready to be picked up. Even in the Canberra heat, real trees can last between three and seven weeks, and they impart the beautiful Christmassy scent of pine (as long as you can cope with the needles on the floor) that you simply cannot get from a plastic tree.
The Best Fine Dining in Canberra
Where can you find the best fine dining experiences in Canberra? Photo: Aubergine Restaurant If you are looking for a restaurant to celebrate that special occasion, then you have come to the right place! Whether its visiting family, a not-so-distant birthday, or date with a loved, my bet is you’re looking for something special. And when I say special, I really mean extraordinary. You want it all. To be surprised and delighted by each, and every, mouthful. To sip crisp bubbles fizzing in your glass.
The Best High Tea in Canberra
Where can you find the best high tea experience in Canberra? Photo: Adore Tea From a humble mid-afternoon working class pick me up; high tea evolved to become an elegant afternoon soiree infamous amongst the British aristocracy. High tea today is a tradition for all, and widely regarded as an indulgent affair. Canberran’s do seem to have taken quite a liking to high tea. And with cream encrusted scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and precious petit fours, this love affair comes as no surprise.
Get ready for a feast of film at the Canberra Short Film Festival
An image from the film ‘Witness’, which will be screened as part of the festival. Photo: Supplied. In its 25th year, the Canberra Short Film Festival has received a record-breaking number of entries, almost 700 films across the nine available categories. Of the 700 entrants, 216 films will be screened at the festival, which has been split into two parts, running nine screening events between Friday, 20 November and Monday, 30 November this year, and again in March 2021 for a further 12 screenings.
Sunita Kumar is Canberra's Business Woman of the Year
Karyn Starmer 12 November 2020 9 November 2020 Determined and resourceful, Sunita Kumar is the co-owner of Daana restaurant in Curtin. Photo: Region Media. Still pinching herself after her win at the 2020 Canberra Women in Business Awards at the National Arboretum on Thursday, 5 November, Sunita Kumar was back in the kitchen of her beloved restaurant the morning after receiving her accolade.
Multicultural Eats: Enjoy a taste of Diwali with a festive meal
Sophia Brady 11 November 2020 11 November 2020 You can enjoy a Diwali Bhoj showcasing a different regional Indian cuisine each week at Daana. Photo: Supplied. Falling on Saturday the 14th of November, Diwali is a celebration of good over evil and light over darkness.
Virtual Japanese theatre offers help to affected children a decade after the tsunami
Dominic Giannini 3 November 2020 2 November 2020 The ANU Za Kabuki theatre is raising money for children who lost parents in the 2011 disasters. Photo: Region Media. One of the world’s longest-running Kabuki troupes outside Japan has banded together to raise money for children who lost their parents in the 2011 Japanese tsunami.
A new look Summernats splits between Sydney and Canberra for 2021
Dominic Giannini 28 October 2020 28 October 2020 Summernats will be back in 2021 but with a very different look. Photo: Peter Norton. Summernats will be back in 2021 but with a very different look. The January festival of fuel will take place at the Sydney Dragway between 8 January and 10 January before heading back down to Canberra on 5 March to 7 March for Summernats Rev Rock and Roll.
It's 2020, and some people still think all people of colour look the same
Zoya and her father gardening. Photos: Supplied. When I was at university, I worked casually at a pharmacy in an outer suburb of Canberra. The owner and pharmacist was a pleasant gentleman who went by the name of ‘Bob’, even though his real name was Sanjay. Bob was Indian (Punjabi, born and raised in Kenya), and I, too, am Indian (Gujarati, born in Fiji, raised in Australia). Barely a week went by without someone mistaking me for Bob’s daughter.
Multicultural Eats: the Ambassador's guide to Croatian food in Canberra
Sophia Brady 14 October 2020 13 October 2020 Her Excellency Betty Bernardica Pavelich, Ambassador of Croatia. Photos: Sophia Brady. For me, one of the best parts about international travel is the food. Taking time to discover new flavours and dishes trumps all the well-meaning hop-on, hop-off bus tours. Boarding a flight and arriving in a new land is not possible right now, but the joy of unearthing great cuisines right here at home is.
National Mental Health Month well supported by local businesses
Sharon Kelley 9 October 2020 8 October 2020 October is National Mental Health Month. Photo: Supplied. One in five Australians will experience a mental health issue during their lifetime, the most common being depression and anxiety. The good news about depression and anxiety is that they are treatable and help is at hand.
Fall back in love with Adore Tea
My favourite scones: apple and cinnamon scones with chai drizzle and served with caramel butter. Photos: Michelle Taylor. When a café not only surprises you with their twist on a familiar dish, but also has you wanting to recreate it at home, they are onto a good thing. The sneaky bite of my friend’s apple and cinnamon scones with chai drizzle a few weeks ago had me falling back in love with Adore Tea for the first time in years.
Danny's 20 years of dining supremacy
Phillip Stamatellis with his cousin, Katerina Hrisostoumou. Note the prices of the seafood. Photo: Supplied. In the late 1980s when restaurants flourished in Goulburn, one in particular made such a splash it’s still talked about today. The city’s crisp autumn air crackled with excitement when Danny’s Brasserie opened. George Stamatellis, his three sons, Chris, Paul and Phillip, and their uncle, Dennis, were betting everything on their new venture opposite the Goulburn Town Hall.
From real estate to red wine: how Dave became a connoisseur
Dave Winmill from Farrah’s Liquor Collective says there’s no better time to support local suppliers. Photo: Michelle Kroll. Dave Winmill didn’t take the traditional route to become a wine connoisseur. The 26-year-old is now a trusted name in the Canberra wine scene, but five years ago he couldn’t tell the difference between a shiraz and a cabernet sauvignon. “I had to be very upfront with people about my lack of knowledge,” says Dave.
Take 3: Wine down in the great outdoors with these pop-up bars
Wine down in the great outdoors with a glass from the House of Bubbles. Photo: Supplied. The sun is out in the capital and we have found three great ways to toast spring and the warmer weather while enjoying the great outdoors. House of Bubbles As the name suggests, you will find all things sparkling at the House of Bubbles which trades out of a charming vintage Citroen van that has been customised and fitted out to cater for good times.
OTIS at Home: A fine dining date night but in your living room
Experience fine dining from the comfort of your own home, with OTIS Dining Hall’s new ‘OTIS at Home’ menu. Photo: Lachlan Harmer. The local hospitality industry has been pivoting and changing their business models since March and the start of COVID-19. There have been changes aplenty with each announcement and easing of restrictions. This week, Kingston’s award-winning fine dining restaurant OTIS Dining Hall is adapting once more by growing their offering and launching OTIS at Home.
Breathtaking classic cars, including an E-type Jaguar, on sale at Allbids
Loading Gallery The eternally classy E-type Jaguar. Photos supplied. The eternally classy E-type Jaguar. Photos supplied. 1/6 Canberra auction house ALLBIDS is holding a classic car auction online, giving bidders a chance to buy the car of their dreams, including this eternally classy 1966 E-type Jaguar Coupe Series 1 with a 4.2-litre straight six-cylinder engine, Willow Green paint, and retrimmed roof lining and seats.
Canberra distilleries get into the spirit of sanitiser
Tim Reardon of The Canberra Distillery with their rubbing alcohol that will be used by health workers as a sanitiser and for sterilising. Photo: Michelle Kroll, Region Media. Canberra’s distilleries are literally getting into the spirit of the times by turning their products into ethanol for use as hand sanitiser by health services workers at the frontline of the COVID-19 virus.
Auction of five iconic Holdens salute the end of an era for Australian built cars
Sharon Kelley 29 February 2020 29 February 2020 1955 Holden FJ – 225 “Special” Sedan 2.2 litre. Photo: Supplied. It’s official. The 160-year-old Holden brand will be retired from the Australian market at the end of 2021. Holden’s parent, General Motors, made the announcement on 19 February 2020. The history of the company included the launch of the first Australian made and designed Holden family sedan, the 48-215, known as the ‘FX’ in 1948.
Canberra crafters find a way to remake Christmas
Juanita Watters and friend Bianca Brownlow, who are using their craft skills to remake Christmas decorations for people who have lost items from the bushfires. Photo: Michael Weaver, Region Media. Juanita Watters’ parents’ house at Cobargo survived the bushfire that almost destroyed the town on New Year’s Eve.
Lyons cafe puts animal welfare on the menu and gains RSPCA recognition
RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson and cafe co-owner Ben Holland outside Stand By Me. Photo: Supplied. Nestled in the leafy suburb of Lyons is a local café that’s taking a stand for animal welfare. Stand By Me has been serving delicious fare to Canberrans for six years now but what keeps so many locals loyally returning goes beyond the flavours of the food. Stand By Me can be found in Lyons and is part of the RSPCA Choose Wisely initiative. Photo: Supplied.
Discover The Plot at Pialligo this Sunday and support bushfire recovery
The Plot at Pialligo is an exciting new space just down the road from Pialligo Estate. Photos: Supplied Love discovering new markets? Love food, wine and regional produce? Want to support local businesses, especially those impacted by the bushfire crisis? Then you’ve got a few good reasons to pop out to Pialligo Estate this weekend with a brand new regional marketplace opening up on Sunday.
Blessed are the cheese makers, and the Tilba dairy queen will show you the whey
Early stages of camembert creation at the Tilba Dairy cheese workshop. Photos: Supplied. Erica Dibden and her husband Nic run Tilba Real Dairy, deep in the green-hearted hills of Tilba, NSW. Erica, with her passion for nutrition and food provenance, has developed an intensive cheese-making workshop, which she runs in the kitchen of her farm’s homestead, precisely where she taught herself these skills many years ago.
The five star local: Kingston’s OTIS gets the balance right | The RiotACT
OTIS in Kingston strikes the balance between special occasion dining and local warmth. Photos: Robert Pepper. It’s not easy to strike the balance between special occasion restaurant and beloved local eatery but under the guidance of international chef and owner Damian Brabender it’s a balance that OTIS Dining Hall in Kingston seems to be getting right. Brabender might even be in danger of being labelled the nicest guy in the Canberra food scene.
Peek into history with a free classic car show in the CBD this weekend
Jane Speechley 14 February 2020 13 February 2020 The famous Wilkinson’s Canberra Pie Cart will be on display at the ‘Classics at Kambri’ car show this weekend. Photos: Supplied. Get a close-up look at some extraordinary modern and historic vehicles at a free classic car show at the ANU’s Kambri precinct this weekend. In an age when car design can lack a certain flair and sense of adventure, it’s no wonder classic vehicles are such head turners.
Bushfire relief focus for Canberra’s Australia Day concert this Sunday | The RiotACT
Jane Speechley 25 January 2020 24 January 2020 The Australia Day concert in Canberra is always popular, and this year, has a special purpose. Photos: Supplied. Aussie indie pop artist Japanese Wallpaper, soulful songstress Nicole Millar and Sistas in Song (featuring local Monica Moore and fellow vocalist Belle Whyte) will headline an Australia Day concert with a different tone in Canberra this Sunday.
Kicking off the New Year in top gear – Summernats starts today | The RiotACT
Jane Speechley 2 January 2020 2 January 2020 The iconic Summernats City Cruise is taking place today. Photo: Peter Norton. Summernats, Australiaâs biggest car festival opens in Canberra today and runs through until Sunday. The Street Machine Summernats 33 is expected to attract more than 100,000 passionate attendees, as well as 2,000 entrants who have come from all over Australia and all over the world, to share their love for cars. The Summernats City Cruise is on today. Photo: Peter Norton.
Discounts on discounts at the Canberra Outlet Boxing Day sale
Karyn Starmer 26 December 2019 26 December 2019 Shoppers line up at the Nike store in the Canberra Outlet to grab a Boxing Day bargain. Photos: Daniella Jukic – We Are Found. With Christmas done and dusted for another year, now’s the time to enjoy the other great Australian summer traditions. Settle in to watch the cricket, hit the road for a summer holiday or head to the shops for the Boxing Day sales.
A Merry Multicultural Christmas thanks to the SuperGrocer and Liquor Boss at the Canberra Outlet
The SuperGrocer and Liquor Boss at The Canberra Outlet have all your goodies for an international Christmas. Photos: Sophia Brady. Christmas is a wonderful time for honouring long-standing family traditions or even introducing some new traditions of your own. This Christmas, the international SuperGrocer and Liquor Boss at the Canberra Outlet has everything you need to create a fantastic multicultural festive feast over Christmas and the New Year.
Damian Brabender and OTIS Dining Hall: bringing fine dining back to Canberra
Damian Brabender at OTIS Dining Hall. Photos: Supplied. âA meal can ruin someoneâs day, or it can make their day very memorable. Itâs a big responsibility, I try to remember that.â So says Damian Brabender, the name and face behind OTIS Dining Hall, which has gained a loyal following among locals since it opened its doors in late 2016. Brabender was already a familiar face in the capital prior to opening up at OTIS, thanks to his former role as head chef for Sage Restaurant.
Your complete Christmas Gift Guide, thanks to the Canberra Outlet
“The Canberra Outlet is the place for savvy Canberran shoppers who want and expect quality products and premium labels at affordable pricesâ. Photos: Supplied. If the idea of escaping the heat this week and finishing off your Christmas shopping in spacious, cool, air-conditioned comfort sounds pretty good to you, then the Canberra Outlet is where you want to be.
Three great drives for a cool car around Canberra
Smooth roads and sweeping curves, great fun to drive. Photos: Robert Pepper. If Iâve got a few hours to spare, there are few things I enjoy more than a long drive in the country. The chance to listen to some cool tunes on blast, breathe the fresh air and see some different sights â for me, itâs the perfect way to clear my head and hit the reset button.
Food, wine and comedy at Pialligo Estate: Grapes of Mirth returns in December
Grab your mates, grab a picnic rug or chair and get your tickets for Grapes of Mirth. Photos: Supplied. If sitting out in the sunshine with a glass of fine local wine in hand and some of Australiaâs best comedians in front of you sounds pretty great, youâre going to want to know all about The Grapes of Mirth.
ALLBIDS the right vehicle for finding the classic car of your dreams
Ben Hastings with some of the vehicles available through ALLBIDS Unique and Classic Cars Auction. Photos: Tim Jessop. How many cars is too many? Ooh, that’s a risky question to ask any car enthusiast… Even more dangerously, if you could pick up the car of your dreams, right here in Canberra, and for only a few thousand dollars, would you be tempted? If the answer is yes (or even if it’s no), you might want to jump on to ALLBIDS.com.au this week to check out their second .
The All Japanese Car and Bike Show is on again this Saturday
Meet passionate riders and owners at the All Japanese Car and Bike Show. Photos: George Tsotsos. What cars and motorbikes did you dream about when you were growing up? Did you stare up at posters of legendary Australian Holdens and Fords on your walls? Or did you gaze longingly at the classic Jaguars, MGs and Aston Martins that starred in all your favourite action and spy movies?
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