escape to luxury

We love Bells at Killcare and a stay at this chic retreat just got hotter with the news that the soul of South East Asia is coming to Bells! Manfredi at Bells presents a very special guest chef event with Louis Tikaram, Head Chef of Longrain Sydney and winner of the esteemed title as the 2014 Josephine Pignolet Best Young Chef.

On Friday 21 March, Louis and Manfredi at Bells’ Head Chef Cameron Cansdell, will collaborate to delight guests with a menu inspired by Longrain’s communal eating philosophy of the Asian table.

The menu will be a selection of Longrain favourites, made up of ingredients sourced to produce the fresh, zingy flavours carefully balanced with wines and cocktails.

Guests are invited to share the award winning hospitality of Brian and Karina Barry, proprietors of Bells at Killcare, and enjoy the change of pace and dine with pioneers of the Australian restaurant industry Stefano Manfredi, Julie Manfredi Hughes, Damien Pignolet and Sam Christie as they recognise Louis as one of Sydney’s most promising young chefs.

The Josephine Pignolet award was initiated in 1989 by Damien Pignolet as part of the SMH Good Food Guide Awards publication. Judged by a panel of industry experts including Damien, Simon Johnson, Janni Kyritsis and Neil Perry, the winning chef is given the opportunity to be flown overseas to train in a restaurant of their choosing.

The Manfredi’s celebrated 30 years of service to the Australian food industry last November and as part of this service, made a donation and an ongoing commitment to the Josephine Pignolet Best Young Chef Award, to help young chefs realise their dreams.

Manfredi says, “The Josephine Pignolet Award is a great achievement and provides an up-and-coming chef with opportunities he or she may not have been able to do alone. Supporting this is our way of giving back to the industry and to those who will one day take the restaurant industry to a new level.”

Louis completed his apprenticeship to Longrain founding-chef, Martin Boetz at Longrain Sydney.  He then joined the opening team at The Bentley restaurant and went on to hone his skills at Tetsuya’s.  Louis’ love for food began in Fiji where his Fijian-Chinese grandmother taught him the flavours of the South Pacific as they fished and foraged, which can now be seen throughout his South East Asian cuisine at Longrain.

Dont miss out on your place at our table. Seats are limited.

$135 per person

Friday 21 March 2014, 7pm, for 7:30pm

Bookings essential 02 4349 7000

I am wearing tight pants - jeggings and a floaty top that I think are country chic for my Scenic Rim sojourn. I’m concerned about this ensemble from the moment I arrive and am offered afternoon tea. Such tempting delicious morsels can't be ignored and so the weekend of indulgence begins and my clothes get tighter.

As we start a new year, take a moment to reflect on the amazing time you’ve had, the places you’ve been and the people you’ve shared it with.  In 2013, we travelled across Australia searching for the best of the best in each region and here is the list of our favourite, memorable and jaw dropping accommodation to add to your bucket list for 2014.

Looking for the perfect New Years Eve accommodation? We've got you covered with sensational city breaks or beach side summer escapes. Grab your best friends, sparklers and champagne and ring in the new year in style!

Christmas is all about celebration, and the Italian's celebrate with Prosecco! Here and here we shared recipes for entree of Roast Tomatoes with Buffalo Mozzarella and basil pesto followed by Roast Duck with Aged Balsamic. Now the pièce de résistance a deliciously delicate Goat's milk panna cotta with fresh and dried mango salad and Prosecco Jelly. This light and bright dessert is just perfect for the Australian summertime.  Thanks to Stefano Manfredi and Bells at Killcare for sharing this beautiful Christmas menu with alluxia. Enjoy!

'Tis the season to be jolly! But if you've been tasked with hosting this year's Christmas celebrations, you might be feeling daunted by creating the perfect festive menu for your loved ones. We've asked celebrity chef, Stefano Manfredi from Manfredi at Bells to create a dream Christmas dinner for alluxia. In part one we shared the recipe for entree of roast tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto and here we bring you an alternative from old-school turkey or ham and bring you new-school roast duck with aged balsamic for a very cool yule!