How about it, team? With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games now in full swing, the whole world is keeping a close eye on our top athletes. With Jess Fox taking gold and our fan favourite Kyle Chalmers snagging a silver medal, the opening few days in the water have been remarkably successful for the Aussies, and the good vibes aren’t ending anytime soon. To keep the spirits high and vibes at a fever pitch, we’ve pulled together another selection of positive news stories. Here’s Feel-Good Friday for this week.
Laphroaig Brings Fire Pioneers Together for One Night Only
Iconic Islay single malt Scotch brand Laphroaig, famous for its smoky, fire-infused flavour profile, has teamed up with two Australian culinary trailblazers for a special event. On Wednesday 14 August, pioneering open-flame chef Jake Kellie of arkhé is set to join forces with Matilda’s Scott Pickett for a “flame-licked” four-course menu that is influenced by the elements of peat, salt and fire that Laphroaig is best-known for.
Held at Pickett’s South Yarra institution Matilda, the highly curated menu will focus on seafood and meat dishes. Highlights include a succulent smoked beef short rib, smoked eel churros, baby octopus with a mushroom XO, and a signature dry-aged rib-eye.
“I couldn’t be more excited to head to Melbourne and cook alongside Scott,” Kellie said. “We both share a similar ethos in creating dishes heroing Australian produce and centre our kitchens around fire. Laphroaig will be the hero of the night, with all of our dishes designed to showcase its flavours of peat, salt and fire – it will be a special one for sure.”
The upcoming arkhé x Matilda event is one of many new activations hosted by Laphroaig and Kellie over the coming months. The open-fire chef is set to cook alongside Ben Williamson at Brisbane’s Agnes later this month before teaming up with Mat Lindsay at Sydney’s Ester. Tickets for the Laphroaig: Tales of Fire: Jake Kellie x Matilda special event dinner are priced at AUD$250 per person. The evening will be held at Matilda in South Yarra on Wednesday, August 14, and tickets are available via the link below.
Piazza D’Oro Celebrates Local Artists
Coffee roaster Piazza D’Oro has unveiled a newly commissioned artwork from Brisbane artist Kiel Tillman at Laneway Bagels in Fortitude Valley. The stunning mural, splashed across the newly reopened hotspot, showcases Tillman’s unique fusion of vibrant colours and illustrations. Complete with subtle coffee references throughout and a colour palette that “ignites a sense of warmth”, Piazza D’Oro claims that customers will be filled with inspiration as soon as they glance up at the mural.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Kiel to bring a new dimension of creativity to Laneway Bagels,” Janine Riedel, senior brand manager for Piazza D’Oro said. “His ability to capture the essence of our coffee culture through art is truly remarkable. Kiel’s work is the first of a series of art installations and murals that will be popping up around the country to celebrate the art in every cup of coffee.”
According to Piazza D’Oro, Kiel’s mural at Laneway Bagels is part of a larger project in which the brand will support artists across the country while inspiring Australians one cup at a time. Best of all, Laneway Bagels will be offering customers will be offering customers a buy one breakfast item or bagel, get one free between 1 August to 15 August in celebration of the new project. The artwork will be visible to the public at Laneway Bagels, Gerard’s Lane 7/19 James Street, Fortitude Valley in Brisbane from 1 August 2024.
Asahi Partners with The Smith Family
Asahi Lifestyle Beverages and The Smith Family have announced the return of The Big Giveback, a project designed to raise vital funds to support the education of young Australians experiencing disadvantage. Now in its fifth year, the campaign will see 10 cents from the sale of non-alcoholic drinks made by Asahi Lifestyle Beverages (Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Solo, Mountain Dew, Sunkist, Schweppes 7UP, Passiona, Gatorade, Lipton Iced Tea, Cool Ridge) during the month of August donated to The Smith Family.
Money raised by The Big Giveback will help support students in The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. This provides them with access to vital learning and mentoring programs and helps their families meet the costs of school essentials such as uniforms, books, and other things they need for their education.
“Through The Big Giveback, your small change can make a big change,” Asahi Lifestyle Beverages CEO Nigel Parsons said. “This is a simple way for people to support Aussie kids who are doing it tough. By raising funds for Australian students who need extra support, The Smith Family can help children who need it the most. We are proud to again be supporting our charity partner The Smith Family with this nationwide initiative.”
Hawke’s Brewing Co. Celebrates Environmental Groups for Landcare Week
To celebrate Landcare Week, which kicks off on August 5, Hawke’s Brewing Co. has announced a new community fundraising initiative. The Aussie beer institution has confirmed that $1 from every schooner sold in its venue during Landcare Week will go directly toward supporting Australians who are actively restoring, enhancing, and protecting the natural environment in our community. The announcement continues the brand’s long-standing association with Landcare Australia, an organisation that the late Bob Hawke was instrumental in founding back in 1989.
The former Prime Minister reportedly only agreed to be a co-founder of Hawke’s Brewing Co. under the condition that 100 per cent of his royalties would be donated to Landcare Australia. Since 2017, this ongoing agreement has raised almost half a million dollars (currently $458,000) for community-based environmental projects such as The Mudcrabs and the East Coast Emu Project.
In addition to the week-long donation drive, Wednesday night in particular is Hawke’s ‘Locals Night,’ where the Mudcrabs themselves will be hosting a meat raffle with all proceeds going towards the organisation. To date, The Mudcrabs have planted 2,100 native plants into 12 bush regeneration sites along the banks of the Cooks River via the monies donated by Hawke’s.
Musicians Making a Difference Day 2024 is Coming Up
On Friday 25 October, the charity group Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) will host its annual day of awareness. An organisation designed to help transform the lives of young people through music, MMAD provides creative support to young people so that they can overcome adversity. From community outreach initiatives and a music soup kitchen to street support groups and creative youth mentoring camps, MMAD has helped thousands of Aussies realise their potential.
For this year’s event, MMAD is aiming to inspire the nation to get behind the cause, and it’s starting the process early. In the lead-up to MMAD Day 2024, the organisation has teamed up with some of the world’s biggest-hearted musicians to release a beautiful new film that brings to life the spirit and phenomenal impact of MMAD’s work. The campaign runs from Friday, 13 September, to Friday, 25 October, so get involved and help make a difference in someone’s life.
Grill’d is Giving Away 754 Free Burgers in Melbourne
Aussie healthy burger chain Grill’d is set to open its first-ever drive-thru store in Melbourne this month and to celebrate, the team is giving away a heap of free goodies. This Saturday 3 August, the new Chadstone location will play host to an all-day extravaganza of flavours and sounds, complete with a DJ set and special deals. Best of all, Grill’d will be giving away 754 free burgers in a nod to the chain’s first-ever restaurant street address on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn 20 years ago. Guests will also be able to score a $7 burger deal all weekend long.
According to Simon Crowe, Grill’d founder and managing director, the new drive-thru location is part of the chain’s wider growth strategy, which will see more accessible options spring up soon.
“The new Chadstone drive-through restaurant is part of a larger five-year growth strategy for the business, where we aim to open 30 new restaurants per year, with an ultimate goal to have 300 sites nationally by 2029,” Crowe said. “Of the next 50 restaurants we open, half will have drive-thru facilities.”
The new Grill’d drive-thru venue is located at 695 Warrigal Road in Chadstone. The official launch party will kick off at 10am on Saturday, August 3.
KitKat Launches Limited-Edition Tracksuit
To celebrate the arrival of breakdancing on the global scene, chocolate purveyor KitKat has launched a limited-edition tracksuit complete with a choc pock(et) for your next break. Available in the striking and iconic red hue, 600 new KitKat break-suits have been released, perfect for lounging or busting a move.
Best of all, KitKat has partnered with TikTok dance crew, the Gnomeboys, to bring the new outfit to life. Leaning into their signature dance battle poppin’ and lockin’ and embracing the ‘break’ during a dance battle, Gnomesboys have created four signature poses, including:
- The 4-Finger
- The ‘Choc ‘n’ Lock’
- The Choc Drop
- The Sweet Talker
“We’ve always loved breaking, that’s how we came together as a crew. It’s really cool to see it going big and KitKat celebrating ‘the break’ with this epic tracksuit,” Gnomeboys dancer Jamane said. “In a breakdance battle, you will see the dancers end their round with a freeze or pose directed at their battle opponent. This gives the opponent the green light to begin their round and gives the first dancer the perfect opportunity to ‘break and pose’ between rounds. That’s why we’ve worked with KitKat to create KitKat inspired moves. Whether you’re into breakdancing or simply having a break, we’ve got you sorted.”
The new KitKat break-suit is available exclusively from the official KitKat online store. Priced at $50, you can score the limited edition release now, but only 600 are available, so get in quick!
