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Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Exquisite' series fans call 'best they've watched' finally lands streaming release
'Exquisite' series fans call 'best they've watched' finally lands streaming release The TV series has been a hit with fans since it was first released Normal People is based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel (Image: Hulu ) A series that fans have branded the "best they've ever watched" is set to join the Disney Plus streaming line-up. Adapted from Sally Rooney's critically acclaimed novel, Normal People follows the intense bond between two Irish teenagers as they grow up. The series stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, portraying Marianne, who faces bullying at school, and Connell, who enjoys widespread popularity, and the complications that arise during their relationship. While already available on Hulu, UK audiences have been eagerly awaiting its release on Disney Plus, which is scheduled for July. The official description from Hulu states: "Normal People is an exquisite, modern love story about how one person can unexpectedly change another person's life and about how complicated intimacy can be. "It follows Marianne and Connell over several years-both from a small west of Ireland town, but from very different backgrounds-as they embark on an on-again/off-again romance that starts at school and continues through college, testing their relationship as they explore different versions of themselves." Get Disney+ for £1.99 a month This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £1.99 Disney+ Buy Here Product Description Disney+ has brought back its popular deal that lets new and returning customers join its Standard with Ads plan for £1.99 per month for four months. Article continues below Since its 2020 debut, the show has garnered glowing reviews. A Google review from a viewer reads: "Wondrous, magical, messy, complicated and oh so relatable 'Normal People' is one show that revels in nuance and subtlety - capturing each moment in all its raw emotive glory." Another wrote: "This TV show is exquisite in all its aspects: from the shots to the actors and of course the story." A third added: "This is one of the best series I have ever watched. It is messy, cute, sometimes awkward, and uncomfortable and that's what makes it feel all 'normal'." Over on Reddit, one user described it as the "most devastating romance", adding: "I have rarely been invested in anything as much as I was invested in the relationship of the two main characters probably the best pair of star crossed lovers I have ever seen." Normal People will soon be streaming on Disney Plus (Image: Hulu ) Another shared: "That one stayed with me for a long time. It's incredibly real, in the production as well as the writing, which makes it exceptionally absorbing. I related a lot, too." Yet, not all viewers are convinced, with one commenting: "The acting is rest is so miserable it's hard to comprehend." And another stated: "Call me boring or whatsoever but I don't understand the whole point of this show." The series has garnered significant praise, including bagging a BAFTA, and rumours of a second series are circulating among the fanbase, though confirmation remains pending. Article continues below Normal People will be available to stream on Disney+ in July
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Bill Hader exposes ‘terrible' celeb encounter
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. Bill Hader has the tea on Martin Kove. Over 10 years before Martin kove, 78, bit his co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim at a fan convention this past weekend, Hader, 47, spoke about a bizarre encounter he had with the Cobra Kai actor on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast. During the 2013 episode, Hader recalled that at age 20 his job was to drive actors to sets. One day, Hader was tasked with bringing Kove to a film shoot, reports the New York Post. 'I'm driving him around in my s***ty car, and he got me lost on purpose,' Hader claimed, adding that Kove 'hadn't read the script yet,' so he gave the Barry star the wrong directions. Hader said that after they arrived late, he got 'screamed at' by his boss. 'It was a terrible day,' Hader said of the moment, which only got worse. 'On the way back, we're driving,' Hader recalled. 'It's at night, and we're driving down the freeway. He was like, 'Bill, are you mad at me?'' Hader named and shamed the celebrity he had a 'terrible' experience with. Picture: Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images The Karate Kid actor then allegedly forced Hader to stop at a McDonald's and promised to get him a cookie and a milkshake. 'He comes back out eating the chocolate cookie and the milkshake,' the Saturday Night Live alum remembered. 'And he just sits in the back and goes, 'Come on, let's go.' It was the biggest f**k you.' 'It was a weird mind f**k of, like, 'I'm gonna get you this thing,' and then he ate it in front of me,' Hader added. 'And then I just drove home in silence.' Hader, who referred to the interaction as his 'first 'welcome to Hollywood, kid' moment,' noted that he had to keep driving Kove to work for a few more days. 'And I didn't talk to him after that,' Hader said. 'I just kind of stared straight ahead.' Despite Kove's rudeness, Hader said he gave the martial artist a pass. 'I heard he was going through a divorce, or something was happening with him,' Hader noted. 'He might be a really nice guy, but I just … rubbed him the wrong way. I don't know what was going on.' Martin Kove at the 1923 premiere earlier this year. Picture:for Paramount+ The Post has reached out to Kove's rep for comment. On Sunday, Kove was accused of biting Hannah-Kim, 37, in the arm at Washington State Summer Con. The actress, who played Kim Da-Eun for seasons 5 and 6 of Cobra Kai, claimed the alleged attack happened when she tapped Kove on the shoulder to greet him at their cast booth, according to a police report obtained by People. When he was questioned about the incident by police, Kove reportedly 'admitted to biting' Hannah-Kim but claimed 'he did it out of jest.' 'He thought he was being funny, and they play fight all the time on the set of Cobra Kai, and he did not think it was a big deal,' the report stated. Hannah-Kim declined to press charges against Kove, who was reportedly escorted out of the fan convention. Kove gave a full apology for the incident in a statement obtained by TMZ. 'I deeply regret and apologise for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia, a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn't deserve to be put in this position,' he stated. This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission. Originally published as Bill Hader exposes 'terrible' celeb encounter
United News of India
7 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
Hyd: Thousands of disabled persons participate in yoga at Kanha Shanti Vanam
States » South Hyderabad, June 21 (UNI) Over 3,500 persons with disabilities performed yoga and shared their valuable thoughts on yoga at the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations held at the world's largest meditation centre at Kanha Shanti Vana, the headquarters of Heartfulness, on outskirts of Hyderabad, on Saturday. The event was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E), in association with Heartfulness and NIEPID (National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) by inviting Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from across the country cutting across various disabilities. Chief guest Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar graced the occasion. Public representatives from the State of Telangana and officials from the DEPwD, MSJ&E, were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Virendra said, 'It is very inspiring to watch the huge numbers of 'divyangjans' showing what resilience, determination and true inner spirit can achieve in the world. In unison, they are outshining the world because they have seen the light within. As a land of mystics, the gift of yoga to the world is not merely for physical wellbeing. It is a tool for holistic wellness – mental, emotional and spiritual as well. Over a decade now since International Yoga Day has been recognised by the United Nations, may India continue to inspire the world with its ancient wisdom for millennia to come.' More than 3,500 Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans) from 21 categories such as visual impairment, hearing impairment, locomotors disability, intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, Thalassemia, leprosy, dwarfism, low vision, multiple disability, mental illness, muscular dystrophy, speech & language, sickle cell disease, acid attack victim, specific learning disability, multiple sclerosis, haemophilia & Perkinson's disease showcased their inner strength and resilience by performing yoga at Kanha Wellness Centre at Kanha Shanti Vanam. The event is followed by cultural programmes (performed by the Divyangjans) display of publications, art gallery, free distribution of machinery by DEPwD to parents of PwIDs, donation of block-printing material to RCs and CRCs, parent training programme, and more. UNI KNR SS
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘No variation': How Novak Djokovic's ruthless feedback helped Jannik Sinner turn around his game
Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill has revealed how it was Novak Djokovic who helped turnaround Sinner's game in 2022 with his honest feedback. Djokovic had told Cahill that Sinner has 'no variation', 'no height over the net', 'doesn't try to bring me to net' and 'not attacking my serve'. It was Cahill who had sought out the Serbian star after Djokovic had beat Sinner in the quarter-finals of the 2022 Wimbledon, around the time he had joined Sinner's coaching team. Djokovic had beaten Sinner 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Cahill decided to approach Djokovic for his views. 'Hits the ball great, but there's no variation. So you know, there's no shape on his shot. There's no height over the net. Doesn't come to the net. He's not trying to bring me in, I know that he returns well, but he's not attacking my serve on the return of serve,' Cahill recalled the feedback on the podcast 'Served with Andy Roddick'. 'Novak got used to his ball, got used to the shape, got used to the pace and then just locked in, like Novak does, and doesn't miss. And won the last three sets reasonably easily,' Cahill says about that 2022 match. 'And I saw Novak, and he's always great with this, he's always been incredible when you tap him on the shoulder. And I said, 'Hey listen, I've just started with Jannik, don't tell me anything you don't want to tell me, but can I ask what you were feeling out there?' And he was incredible.' Cahill then took the feedback to Sinner who was inspired to change his game. 'So he went through his whole game and broke it down. It wasn't like it was revelations to what we didn't know about Jannik and what we were trying to change in his game. 'But when you take that conversation and sit down with a young man like Jannik Sinner and say,' Hey, listen, I just spoke to Novak and this is what he thinks', that leaves a big impression on a young player. So for Jannik it's: 'Right, give it to me. Let's start doing these changes'.' Sinner's ranking at the end of that year 2022 was 15; he is now world no.1.
The Advertiser
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Food Bites: celebrity chef Miguel Maestre on beer festival's menu
The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store. The annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a little different this year, thanks in part to popular celebrity chef Miguel Maestre. He is hosting "Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends" on Friday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and will headline The Masterclass Stage at the festival the following day. Also, this year's festival is powered by a new partnership between the team behind the renowned Great Australasian Beer Spectapular Festivals, The Schwartz Family Company, the Finer Drop Festival and the Canberra Craft Beer Cider Festival. At Dinner with Miguel Maestre & Friends, Miguel will be joined in the kitchen by Matt Dillow, head chef and owner of Gartelmann Wines, and Ashleigh Hedger, executive chef at The Gates Restaurant, Leogate Wines. Guests will enjoy a three-course menu paired with local wines, a four-hour beverage package, and a Q&A with all three chefs. The main event on Saturday, July 12, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley will feature more than 45 of the Hunter Valley's best wineries, brewers and distillers. Beer lovers can enjoy fresh pours from Sydney Brewery and Zymurgy Brewing, while spirits fans can discover small-batch producers like Phoenix Distilling Co. and Pants Off Distillery. Food lovers will also be spoilt for choice, and there will be live music all day. Families are welcome, with free entry for children accompanied by an adult. A Kids Zone Pass ($10 on the day) offers unlimited access to jumping castles, train rides, face painting, and more. The festival, now in its 13th year, supports the NSW Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities running throughout the day. Tickets are on sale now at "Sip & Trip" bus transfers to and from the festival are available, with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland. The Hunter's Pantry is re-opening this Saturday, June 21, at a new location: 10-16 Kenrick Street, The Junction. The much-loved destination for premium deli goods, cookware, tableware and fine food is, owner Leonie Greenhalgh-Young says, "refreshed, reimagined, and ready to serve both long-time locals and new food-loving friends". And this time around, she is joined by a new partner, Wendy Briggs, who "brings decades of food experience from around the globe and a passion for flavour, hospitality, and sharing knowledge". The cooking school at The Hunter's Pantry has officially closed, however, foodies can look forward to an exciting line-up of supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and in-store events. "This is more than just a re-opening," says Leonie. "It's a joyful evolution. We've listened to our customers and we're excited to bring back the Pantry with even more heart, flavour and inspiration." The Wilderness Chef is hosting a new, one-night-only dining experience that chef Cooper Thomas says "reimagines what it means to eat locally, with purpose, care and connection". It's called HARVEST, and it's using ingredients sourced from within 40 kilometres of The Wilderness Chef's kitchen. Each of the four courses served at the communal long table on Saturday, July 12, will be paired with wines by Rob Wilce from Inner City Winemakers in Wickham. HARVEST will be held at The Owens Collective in Islington, and diners are welcome to wander the gallery between courses. Tickets are $170 per person at Save the date: Zara's House Food Festival is on this Saturday, June 21, at The Station in Newcastle, 11am to 2pm. Food stalls will be offering authentic dishes from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Indonesia and Tibet, and there will be live drumming and dance performances, and plenty of good vibes. Every dollar raised goes directly to Zara's House, a Newcastle-based community centre supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women and their families through education, childcare, financial literacy, and essential support services. Sukimama is now offering a takeaway-only Korean street food menu at The Owens Collective in Islington. "It's a takeaway/grab and go featuring everyone's favourites: handmade dumplings and Korean fried chicken," Suki Kwon said. "I've made the prawn toast even better by making it into a prawn toasted sandwich served with housemade garlic tomato sauce, and I've got kimbap as well. "Soon, I'll have frozen handmade dumplings, frozen Korean fried chicken with Sukimama's sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, and even kimbap for my guests to cook everything from home as well as all my housemade sauces." Don't forget, Newcastle's first Viral Food Festival takes over Newcastle Racecourse later this week, featuring internet-famous savoury and sweet delights from social media feeds worldwide. We're talking Cluckin Canes Dupe; Big Mac Tacos; Mac and Cheese Everything; Dubai Bubble Waffles and more. This is also a festival, so there will be rides, entertainment, music and even a wrestling ring. Tickets are $5 online or at the gate. It's on Friday, (4pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (noon to 10pm). Sam Adams, from Aussie NightMarkets, is one of the founders of the Viral Food Festival. "Phaly (My) and I started the Nightmarkets after moving to Sydney from New Zealand. In Auckland they run night markets every night of the week," he said. "Moving to Sydney, we were shocked to find that Sydney did not run regular night markets ... in fact, they were few and far between. "We must have run over 1000 Nightmarkets since starting in 2016." The Viral Food festival is something a little different. "It's our first serious foray into the Instagram and TikTok audiences, the Facebook-resistant crowd. We are trying to tap into food vendors who love showcasing their foods through video and storytelling, and the people who follow them." The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton is celebrating "145 Years of Cheers" in July with a series of events and promotions. Castle Del Mar on Newcastle's King Street has closed, citing "outdated and restricted conditions tied to our DA" as the reason. The site has previously housed Red Baron, Kitami and Bar Saints. Indian and Indonesian restaurant The Ark Newcastle has opened in Wickham. Whispering Brook is celebrating its 25th anniversary at a special event on Saturday, August 30. The Cross Keys Hotel at Tighes Hill is being brought back to life by Corey and Kristy Crooks, who also own The Grain Store.
