The plight of Aussie farmers has been a devastating reminder of the hardship faced by those in rural communities. It has also been an opportunity and example of how the Australian community can band together during these tough times. A new cookbook entitled ‘Farmer’ will be released in February 2019, with recipes from the likes of Stephanie Alexander, Matt Moran and Maggie Beer. Not just a collection of recipes, the book tells the stories of our farmers and their families, with every sale contributing to Rural Aid. Pre-order a copy of Farmer ($40) or make a donation at chuffed.org.

It’s been an epic year for gin lovers, with a celebration of the spirit through bespoke gin bars and a pink tinted offering. Sydney’s Intercontinental is continuing the celebrations by offering a new high tea, with a twist. Each item has had a ruby-red makeover, with gin-infused blush cocktails, strawberry macarons and arancini with pink aioli to name a few. Available 7 days a week 11-4pm, you can enjoy these blushing treats in the Cortile’s 1837 surrounds, a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. Quench your gin thirst and prepare to be tickled pink. Make your bookings here.

Sheridan and a group of Australia’s most renowned overachievers have joined forces on a special new project. Believing setting yourself up for success tomorrow means indulging in quality relaxation the night before, Sheridan has launched campaign Tonight Makes Tomorrow. The project sees the linen giant partner with some of the nation’s most renowned talents, from fashion to sport, including indigenous artist and surfer Otis Carey, fitness entrepreneur Steph Claire Smith, singer Sam Margin (‘The Rubens’) and international model Rosie Tupper, along with SBS veteran and cult icon Lee Lin Chin. “At Sheridan, quality is our obsession – it’s like the mainline vein that has run throughout the Sheridan business for over 50 years,” says Sheridan GM Paul Gould. “We believe in setting the highest standard for a quality night’s sleep. This campaign aligns our ethos of innovation with some of Australia’s most driven and inspiring individuals.” Sheridan sheets are available online at sheridan.com.au, Sheridan boutiques, David Jones and other speciality retailers.

Christmas shopping can fluster the most seasoned of shoppers. Luckily, Four Pillars has come to the rescue this festive season with a pop-up gin distillery in the MYER Melbourne Giftorium. Open from today until Christmas Eve, you can find the entire Four Pillars range and expect to take part in a series of workshops and masterclasses to up your Christmas cocktail game. Every Thursday at 6:30pm you can partake in a full gin tasting experience, enjoy a masterclass from 12-2pm on the 3rd November and meet the co-founder to learn more about the distilling process on the 10th November from 12-2pm. All events are first in, best dressed so don’t wait!

After a hugely successful three month pop-up, Etelek will be sticking around until New Years Eve 2018. The venue is welcoming in the new endeavour with a fresh, spring inspired menu to compliment the season, with a lighter cocktail offering to boot. Wolfers is introducing dishes such as fermented potato pancakes with green chilli, scallop puff with mullet roe and smoked whole Eugowra quail. Not to worry, Etelek favourites such as langos and cultured cream will remain. To taste this new menu for yourself, book your place here.

Messina is looking at a change of scene on Saturday 3rd November, slinging breakfast dishes like pastries, granola bowls and even bacon and egg rolls dubbed the ‘McMessina.’ From 8am-3pm, the talented Messina chefs will be cooking up a storm of hash browns, fried eggs and flaky pastries. Welcome Dose will be taking care of the coffee, even selling 1 litre take-home bottles for the first time. It’ll be a day of delicious eats at the Rosebery HQ so be sure to head over.

Tramsheds will burst to life this week in true spring style, with an edible spring garden and Archie Rose gin spritz bar. From 10-5pm on the 27th October, refresh and rejuvenate in the 3 metre long edible garden, featuring fresh flavours of the season like lemongrass, mint and chamomile. You can also hear from Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku Wholefoods on creating the freshest recipes with ingredients plucked straight from the garden. From 4-10pm, the spirit legends from Archie Rose will be making magic at the bar, creating gin spritz’s you’ll be thinking about all spring. For more details on this event, see here.

Henschke, a South Australian winery has celebrated its 150th year of family winemaking. To mark the milestone, the Henschke family have released their latest vintage, a prized 2013 Hill of Grace shiraz and a 2015 Eden Valley Shiraz labeled The Wheelwright. The wines have been released alongside a Hill of Grace book entitled ‘150 years of Henschke under Southern Skies’. The book details the stories and triumphs of six generations of this family, outlining the origins and tasting notes for the internationally acclaimed wine. The family is also set to reveal a new cellar door this November, housed in the original woolshed dating back to 1952, it is located on the Keyneton property.

With the month of October coming to a close, so too are Oktoberfest celebrations. This means, there’s one final chance for an incredible party thrown at Munich Brauhaus in The Rocks on Saturday 27th October. Expect a line-up of traditional festivities and feasting with games, challenges and a keg tap. This is also your final chance to indulge in three Oktoberfest set menus and drink Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfestbier, the final limited-edition Oktoberfest bier. Strap into your laderhosen for one last hoorah and get down to The Rocks.

Welcome to Mandala, a portfolio of design focused residences across Bali, featuring flowing lines and airy spaces. With design and aesthetics at the heart of the accommodation, each villa is emblematic of its location from the rice paddies of Canggu to the lagoons of Nusa Lembongan. Offering an incredible food program, wine cellar and even their own bottled cocktails, food and drink is a priority at this boutique stay. Currently, The Mandala villas are situated in Canggu, Uluwatu and Nusa Lembongan in January 2019.

The celebrated Hunter Valley event ‘Seasons Plate’ is returning on the 28th October. The long luncheon draws inspiration from spring and new beginnings, with a produce-driven menu curated by Rafael Tonon – head chef at Mr Busby’s. Guests can enjoy stunning, expansive views of the Dalwood estate, while dining on a vibrant, colourful menu including Sydney rock oysters, kangaroo tartare and smoked goats curd followed by a coffee and cheese course. This will mark the events return after almost a 10 year hiatus, and promises to be a memorable occasion. Book your tickets here.

Dom Perignon has partnered with Lizard Island resort on the Great Barrier Reef to create two unique experiences. Explore the magical waters with a reef discovery snorkel tour followed by a private beach picnic filled with lobster rolls and Dom Perignon 2009. The second offering is an exquisite dinner under the stars with the island’s freshest food produce and incredible the P2 20000 from Dom Perignon champagne. If you’d like to learn more, or book this retreat, head here or phone 1800 837 204.

Fans of all-day eating will be happy to hear that the Grand Lafayette has officially opened in Prahran, Melbourne. Seating up to 100 rumbling bellies, the outpost will offer brunch and coffee during the day before transforming into an all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant in the evening. The mouth-watering menu is serving up the usual suspects, Chicken Karaage, Miso Grilled Salmon and bao’s and you’re encouraged to eat as much as you want for only $32.80! The signature raindrop cakes and Freakshii sushi (huge platters of colourful rolls) will be making an appearance and they’ve got to be tasted to be believed.

A sister venue to Six Senses Duxton will be opening in Singapore this December, named ‘Six Senses Maxwell.‘ Situated within the bustling precinct of Chinatown, Six Senses Maxwell lies within a 19th century heritage building, offering 120 guestrooms and suites with impeccable style and attention to detail. The Rose Lounge and Bar offers an impressive collection of spirits and the signature Rose Bellini, with five food and beverage complex’s spread across the venue, even an edible garden! The Six Senses Spa Pods will open in early 2019 and the hotel will offer cultural packages such as the treetop walks, Chinese medicine consultations and heritage home tours. The hotel is now accepting bookings, so book your stay through the Six Senses’ website and receive 15% off with daily breakfast and welcome amenities.

Michael Demagistris, executive chef of Polperro Winery Restaurant has taken the win for Best Ōra King Dish Australia 2018 at its sixth annual awards. This year’s theme was ‘inspired by art’ with Michael creating an edible recreation of Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty. The prized dish featured a cannelloni of Ōra King (New Zealand’s best-of-breed king salmon) with Red Hill truffle, finger lime and smoked caviar. The dish won as it was clever and visually stunning, with Michael competing against 62 Australian chefs for the gold.