We’re a team who, quite simply, love the good life. We’re constantly dining out and trying to track down the hottest dish in town, or heading to dreamy destinations to check into new hotels and seek out exceptional experiences around Australia and beyond. When we are bound to our desks, we’re calling in coveted items to shoot for the magazine (and, when we’re lucky, get put them to good use). The perks and privileges that come with the GT life are not lost on us. But we thought it’d be rude not to share our favourite recommendations that come off the back of all this “hard” work.
Here, the Gourmet Traveller team share where they’ve been, what they’re eating and what they’re adding to their carts this month — all so you can live the good life, too.
What we’re eating
XO pipis at Golden Century
Cordelia Williamson, digital editor
Golden Century may have found a glam new home in Crown Sydney, but its famed XO pipis remain a firm favourite — and the new harbour views aren’t bad either.
Trevally tartare at Porcine, Paddington
Joanna Hunkin, editor
Nik Hill’s finessed cooking continues to delight through every season. Such as this trevally tartare with chopped egg and horseradish, inspired by Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro. C’est magnifique.
Apple terrine at Tedesca Osteria
Maxwell Adey, senior food editor
Thin slices of apples cooked in caramel, layered and pressed in the form of a warm and sweet terrine and served with gingerbread crumble, is the grand finale in Brigitte Hafner’s magical menu.
Where we’ve been
Wategos Beach, NSW
Cordelia Williamson, digital editor
There’s something about this idyllic Byron Bay beach that eases you into a hypnotic holiday rhythm. Pandanus palms swaying in a salty sea breeze, and surfers darting in and out of waves with wild grins – it’s a stellar vignette of classic Aussie beach life.
Huka Lodge, NZ
Michael Harry, contributor
Huka – the Māori word for “foam” named for the spectacular waterfall a few hundred metres downstream – is both calm and exhilarating, simple yet indulgent.
Hotel Sorrento, Vic
Maxwell Adey, senior food editor
Perched above the rocky cliffs of Sorrento on the sweeping Mornington Peninsula, Hotel Sorrento could possibly take the cake for a seaside escape.
What we’re loving right now
Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer
$1099
The world of kitchen appliances is largely divided into workhorses and show ponies. Very rarely does a product ascend from the blueprints into the third equestrian category: unicorn. The Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer is one of those mythical beasts. A feat of engineering, it boasts no fewer than 58 whisper-quiet levels of RPM, allowing its seven-litre bowl to pirouette effortlessly around the dough hook and removable breaker bar — a feature generally reserved for commercial bakers. Proven to produce elegantly long gluten strands that translate to superior dough, the result is part science, part magic.
Somi Vacay Kit
$197
Carting lotions around when travelling is never easy. Somi has arrived to mitigate that problem in a chic and sustainable way, with a series of tessellating containers ready to welcome every step of your beauty routine.
Mumm Cordon Rouge
$59.90
The signature cuvée of Maison Mumm, this vibrant Champagne is blended from a minimum of 100 exquisite crus, combining pinot noir’s boldness with elegant chardonnay and meunier, perfect for every celebration.
Patrón El Alto Tequila
$315
Patrón Tequila expands its prestige portfolio with Patrón El Alto, a rare, masterfully aged blend of Extra Añejo, Añejo, and Reposado tequilas, crafted from the finest Weber Blue Agave.
L’Espresso Martini Glass
$89
Maison Balzac’s L’Espresso Martini glass is equal parts elegant and fun. Poised upon a beige borosilicate glass stem and with a cute crystal coffee bean to boot, it’s sure to get the party started.
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