Do you consider yourself an expert on the Seven Kingdoms? Are you ready to put your knowledge to the test in a contest even greater than the battle of Winterfell? Sydney’s Lot. One restaurant is preparing the battleground for the ultimate Game of Thrones trivia night on Wednesday, May 15 from 6pm to 9pm. Battle it out over three rounds, with themed cocktails available to keep you refreshed and ready. The reigning champions will win a Lot. One Kings Feast and Mulled Wine (valued at more than $500). Make your bookings here.

Smeg is saluting Old Blighty with a new Union Jack toaster, and to celebrate, Butcher and the Farmer at Sydney’s Tramsheds is hosting a bottomless British-themed brunch every Saturday and Sunday this month. Start your day sunny-side up with a full English breakfast, including bacon, pork and fennel sausage, house-braised beans and hash browns, washed down by your choice of tea or coffee and unlimited prosecco and Pimm’s. The menu has been prepared by former MKR winners Will Stewart and Steve Flood, and promises to bring back fond memories of gathering around the family table.

Can you hear the sleigh bells ringing? Christmas in July is almost here, bringing festive cheer forward (for those who just can’t wait to celebrate). Melbourne is set to warm up your Wednesdays between June 5 and August 28 as winter night markets return. The Queen Victoria Market will be filled with global food stalls, festival bars and specialty stalls, guaranteed to cure those midweek blues. Delight in the smells, sounds and tastes of Christmas complete with decorations, a snow machine and even an ‘ugly sweater’ competition. Foodies should stay tuned for the full line-up, promising new street eats along with returning favourites.

In celebration of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Chargrill Charlie’s and P.E. Nation are launching a limited edition vegan burger. After decades in the business, this is Chargrill Charlie’s first vegan-friendly burger. With a combination of vegetables – fresh and pattied-up – and a sweet chilli sauce, the burger promises to satisfy cravings. It will be served at Chargrill Charlie’s stores across Sydney from May 13 until the end of the month while stocks last.

To celebrate the new, year-round Wine Terrace at Pt. Leo Estate, culinary director Phil Wood has launched a casual menu. Jetty Road beer-battered fish and chips, pulled pork burgers, wagyu steak sandwiches and more fabulous produce from the Mornington Peninsula will have guests raising their glasses to the estate’s newest addition. For more information, head to ptleoestate.com.au or call (03) 5989 9011.

Inspired by American flavours, Burger Project’s new fried chicken burger includes free-range chicken, creamy aioli and pickles. The popular burger joint has also teamed up with confectioner Darrell Lea, offering up new soft-serve ‘Smash Ups’, which are available in an array of flavours and combinations. And to top it all off, for a limited time only, diners can enjoy $2 Smash Ups in a burger, chips and drink combo pack. The new menu items are available at all nine Burger Project stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The harbour city is set to host a new wine festival, honouring great food and great wine. Sparkling Sydney launches on May 19 and promises to be a unique sensory experience. Dedicated to flavour, sustainability and ethical produce, the festival will showcase wine and craft beer exhibitors as well as gourmet foods and produce. Event entry is free and wine tasting packages start at $20. For more information, see here.

Burgers and beers – it’s a classic duo that brings the good times. Now the club chefs at Sydney’s Bankstown Sports have created a one-of-a-kind burger exclusively for Basement Brewhouse – the Double Mighty Brewbeast. So if you’re up for the challenge, you can try your luck – and test your stomach – on May 23. The person eating the burger in the fastest time will win $250. Entry tickets are $30 and can be purchased online.

Eat and do some good for others – that’s what Dine With Heart month is all about, and it’s back for the sixth year, partnering with Shannon Martinez. Throughout May, St Kilda’s Sacred Heart Mission will bring together restaurants, bars and cafes from across Melbourne to reward supporters with delicious food and memorable dining experiences. All funds raised will provide daily meals to those experiencing homelessness, social isolation and disadvantage. Bigger than ever, the campaign offers masterclasses, cocktail parties, themed dinners, bespoke dishes, Sunday lunches and other fundraising events.

With a fresh new look, Chambers Coffee is ready to assist Sydneysiders with their coffee cravings. From their Haymarket location serving breakfast all day to their handcrafted blends store in Parramatta, each venue is unique and offers different products, customised to its neighbourhood. Be it coffee, burgers or shakes, Chambers Coffee promises something for any craving.

In a search for Australia’s best DIY home beer brewer, Coopers has launched a nationwide competition to find the Master of the Brewniverse. Using Cooper’s DIY Craft Beer Kit, contestants are invited to show their creative flair, brew a beer and submit their recipe for evaluation before the end of July. The winner will have their beer brewed and canned by Coopers, to then be sold exclusively in all Dan Murphy’s stores across Australia. For more information, visit coopersmotb.com.au.

While Sydney lights up the night for Vivid, The Ternary will descend into darkness on May 23 for a six-course candlelit dinner. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable sensory and culinary experience, with a degustation dinner paired with matching wines. Showcasing a menu from The Ternary’s own Director of Culinary, chef Anthony Flowers, the evening will consist of dishes such as seared tuna with smoked eggplant puree and slow-braised beef brisket. Enjoy your last bites as Darling Harbour comes to life with light from the colours of Vivid. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Star Sydney has finally revealed its $65 million transformation, including a new bar, luxury retailers and a revolutionary arrival experience. The grand foyer now features an indoor light and interactive digital art display, designed to entertain and delight the more than 20,000 guests who visit each day. An epic combination of architecture, contemporary art and technology, it tells a story of the local environment, showcasing the works of the artistic Australian community. The decadent retail precinct will feature luxury brands like Gucci and Versace, with food offerings including signature seafood restaurant Flying Fish, boutique hotel lobby bar G&Tea and a new bar, Jade Rabbit. The Star Sydney is also preparing to open its first stand-alone off-property venue, Chuuka – an Asian fusion restaurant headed up by celebrity chefs Chase Kojima and Victor Liong, in July.

This Thursday, UNIQLO unveils its seventh Melbourne store at The District Docklands. Early birds are encouraged to head down first thing to score a free croissant from Lune (hailed as “the world’s best croissant” by the New York Times). The mouth-watering pastries will be available from 9:30am to the first 250 people in line. Guests are then invited to enjoy the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and Japanese drumming celebration, before the doors open for business. As well as opening-day offers on a range of clothing, there’s a free gift bag for the first 500 customers who spend $100 or more. Get your shopping bags at the ready; this is one launch party you won’t want to miss.

If you’re working in food and dreaming of the chance to develop your skills, now could be your chance. In a special partnership between Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and Hostplus, the 2019 Hospitality Scholarship is back for its sixth year. The program offers a young gun in the industry a chance to work across the world at three different hospitality businesses (plus flights, accommodation and spending money). Applicants can come from anywhere in Australia and from anywhere in the industry, whether it be front-of-house, in the kitchen, or in the vineyard. This year’s judging panel includes Neil Perry, Guillaume Brahimi and Pat Nourse. The 2018 winner (Kay-lene Tan) is experiencing her scholarship trip working at Atelier Crenn (San Francisco), Hiša Franko (Slovenia) and Geranium (Copenhagen). Applications close on May 15 and can be completed here.