Sun-seekers headed for northern New South Wales for a winter escape may want to double-check their calendars: celebrated chef Danielle Alvarez (of Sydney restaurant Fred’s) will be appearing at Halcyon House for one weekend in August, hosting a masterclass, poolside cocktails and dinner.
Partnering with Ben Devlin and his team at Paper Daisy, the hotel restaurant that’s a destination in its own right, Alvarez will be crafting a four-course menu specially for the weekend. But before that you’ll get to rub shoulders with the chef at a Friday evening sundowner by the pool, kicking off the weekend with cocktails and canapés.
The rest of the weekend involves a cooking class with Alvarez, where guests will learn how to prepare fish with clam beurre blanc and sorrel as well as a blood orange and olive oil cake, before sitting down to lunch at Paper Daisy. There’s also plenty of downtime for lounging by the hotel pool on a striped sun-lounger or experiencing the treatments at the recently opened Halcyon House spa. Byron Bay and the Gold Coast are also a short drive away.
Sun, sand and one of Sydney’s top chefs? Now that’s what they call a package deal.
Danielle Alvarez Gourmet Weekend at Halcyon House, 17-19 August. Halcyon House, 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach, NSW, (02) 6676 1444, halcyonhouse.com.au
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