Launch of AFL’s Indigenous Round

All had an inspirational morning yesterday, when The Bangarra Dance group put on a special performance to mark the start of the AFL’s Indigenous Round at its headquarters in Walsh Bay.

For the first time since its inception 20 years ago, AFL’s Indigenous Round will start this Friday night in Sydney when the Swans meet Carlton at the SCG.

Simmer on the Bay creatively catered for the event with a delicious morning tea that included pumpkin scones with roast pumpkin and goats curd scented with lemon myrtle, savoury cheese muffins with bush tomato and quondong and indigenous herbs, mini macadamia praline tart and fresh fruit on gum tree sticks.

The Bangarra Dancers treated guests to a performance of White from Ochres and all had a great morning.

All teams – and for the first time referees – will wear Indigenous-themed guernseys this weekend to mark the AFL’s ongoing support of it racial vilification policy.

At Simmer we thoroughly enjoy getting creative with our wonderful arts company neighbours!

Cycling in New Zealand

Walsh Bay has a very active cycling community, so Simmer on the Bay is no stranger to the world of cycling. However last week we really got an insight into the amazing places you can ride, when we hosted the launch of New Zealand Tourism’s promotion of cycle trails and mountain biking tracks in NZ.

Attended by the New Zealand High Commissioner and the Consul General, who firmly believe that New Zealand is a great destination for an active cycling or mountain biking break, guests were informed about the mostly off-road ’ 23 Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail’. These tracks introduce both recreational cyclists and passionate mountain bikers to nature, national parks and constantly-changing scenery. They also highlight interesting detours to enjoy arts and culture, a warm local welcome and a wealth of off-the-bike attractions.

Brigid who is a New Zealander herself, went the extra mile and flew in a stunning selection of New Zealand cheeses and sourced New Zealand specialties such as feijoa, fresh from the farmers market. Accompanying these were delicious New Zealand whitebait fritters, a lamb carvery and sugar cured rainbow trout on potato rosti.

For those who over indulged on the cheese, easy riding can be found on trails including the famous Otago Central Rail Trail and Nelson’s Great Taste Trail, where the beautiful coastal route also showcases the region’s wineries, restaurants and artists.

Guests who stuck to the fruit may like to try the more adventurous and head for the Queenstown Bike Park downhill tracks. Other popular mountain biking areas include Rotorua, Taupo, Hamilton – Waikatoand Queenstown.

Another fantastic event at Simmer on the Bay and we know where our next holiday will be!

Vivid Light Walk in Walsh Bay (22nd May – 8th June)

This is the third year that Vivid Sydney has been in Walsh Bay and it looks like we have another impressive line up of installations down our way again!

Walsh Bay is the perfect spot for families or for those wanting to avoid the huge crowds around circular quay and the rocks. Simmer on the Bay will be staying open late and helping visitors warm up with some mulled wine and lamb burgers.

The mouth watering lamb is direct from Brigid’s farm The Loch, in the Southern Highlands and the home made chutney is a work of art in its own right!

Next door to Simmer you’ll find the ‘Habour Wave’ created by artist Andre Kecskes, collaborating with Peter Kocis. It’s a massive, curved, transparent wave crested with rows of coloured lights that breaks across the Pier 2/3 wharf. That’s just a taste of the exciting offering in Walsh Bay and you can find further details at vividsydney.com

Sydney Writers’ Festival in Walsh Bay

As we move into the cooler months, Walsh Bay is host to a number of high profile events, including the hugely successful Sydney Writers’ Festival (18th – 24th of May).

At Simmer on the Bay we are right in the midst of the action. We’ve become well known as the perfect place for weary readers to escape the festival chaos – relax and lounge on the deckchairs that we line up along the pier.

Whilst lounging harbour front, you can enjoy something to eat from our delicious café menu including sweet snacks to keep the energy levels up: apple crumble, a decadent flourless choc cake and the famous picnic bar slice – we think the queues may be for this alone! The perfect comfort food to enjoy while pondering the theme of this year’s festival ‘How to Live’.

The full program can be found at swf.org.au but our picks are Richard Flanagan in his first appearance at the festival since his Booker Prize win, comedian David Walliams for the kids and regulars such as Helen Garner and David Malouf are always crowd pleasers. ‘Night of the Nerds’ with Adam Spencer and Dr Karl along with the session titled ‘Give Me Back my Pre-Internet Brain also sound like fun too!

Front Row Seats for the Matilda Cast Announcement

There was even more excitement to be had at Simmer on the Bay this week.

On Tuesday morning we hosted the cast announcement for Matilda, the Royal Shakespeare version of the well-loved Roald Dahl book.  Tim Minchin wrote all the songs for the play and tickets have been selling fast for the July production.

Simmer, located in the arts hub of Walsh Bay, provided the perfect back drop for the event and guests enjoyed a healthy brunch of fruit skewers, sun dried tomato muffins and a variety of other delicious treats. Guests also had the opportunity to take in the morning harbour view – it’s just as beautiful as in the evenings!

We thoroughly enjoyed having front row seats for announcement that four girls will share the demanding role: Molly Barwick, Sasha Rose, Georgia Taplin & Bella Thomas.

A great way to start the week!

The Men’s Health Awards

Matt Shirvington, Michael Klim and Michelle Bridges were amongst the glamorous crowd for The Men’s Health Awards that took place at Simmer on the Bay this week.

Despite the many familiar faces to be seen on the night, it was Channel 7 personality Larry Emdur who was in the limelight. Emdur shed 13 kgs to take out the top award for the night – winner of the Celebrity Men’s Health fitness challenge.

Guests sipped on Cuba Libres and Rusty Nails while enjoying a wide range of delicious food prepared by the fabulous Simmer team including a giant, seafood rich Paella and Argentinian BBQ.

The space was looking particularly industrial on the night – as you can see below and the weather was perfect so guests could also slip outside and enjoy the view. What more could you ask for?

It’s always great to work on these high profile events – the expectations are high and we enjoy rising to the challenge!

Eat Fit Food

Eat Fit Food is all about fresh, healthy, calorie-conscious food and Simmer on the Bay was lucky enough to host their recent event for the launch of ‘The Health Kit’.

Bianca Monley started Eat Fit Food in 2002. Her mission was to help and educate people on how easily you can improve your life through healthy eating. From weekly trips to the fruit and vege markets, designing outstanding menus, to advising high profile clients and celebrities, her business has gone from strength to strength.

We loved working with Eat Fit Food to create menus for their event, using the best quality ingredients that met with their high nutritional guidelines. The result was of course sensational and extremely healthy – think black fig, organic walnut and shaved fennel salad, beetroot cured rainbow trout, roast chicken stuffed with pistachio, sage and currants – all capped off with Eton Mess – the healthy version – coconut, yoghurt and fresh berries.

Guests feasted from this very impressive selection of dishes and then went home with a clear conscience as that’s what Eat Fit Food is all about – delicious food that is good for you and your waist line!

Outstanding On The Pier 2014

We were so thrilled to be a part of NSW Wine’s Outstanding On the Pier event that took place recently. A two day event attracted the wine punters of Sydney to Walsh Bay and showcased the best of the best that NSW has to offer.

Day One: Out On the Pier

Surrounded by 500 members of the public, and the top wine makers and producers of the state, we celebrated the food and wine industry of New South Wales with a feast that was perfectly matched with the wine that guests sampled. Fresh local produce and meats came in abundance from Brigid’s Farm, The Loch at Berrima, succulent chicken and duck from Pepes at Thirlmere, vegetables and noodles from the Flemington markets, exotic mushrooms from Li Sun Mittagong train tunnel. These lush ingredients were used to create our sensational feast that featured four different kinds of cuisine and kept guests coming back for more.

Mouthwatering Chicken and duck were tossed with stir-fried mushrooms, vegetables, noodles, plum sauce and  served hot straight out of the wok. Roasted over a tripod and drum, a smokey haunch of beef was a hit of the night. We gave people the freedom to put together their own vege, lamb or beef burgers with ripe juicy tomatoes, pickled beets, lettuce, and Brigid’s basil mayo and tomato chutney.

A selection of Hunter Valley cheeses including: Moroccan Chèvre, Grape Vine Ashed Brie, Pokolbin Smear Ripened, Brokenback Vintage Cheddar, Tomme’ de Chèvre and Pokolbin Blue Vein, were paired perfectly to delight the palate and compliment the corresponding matched wines.

Day Two: Awards Lunch

It was a pleasure to host the 2014 NSW Wine Awards Lunch to recognise all of the hard work that was put into the winemaking and the talented event organisers. A light-hearted affair, guests enjoyed the afternoon while speeches and award presentations took place. Guests were treated to a beautiful four-course lunch with dishes matched with the superb award winning wines.

THE MENU

Canapes

Beignets of Iranian fig with molten goat’s cheese & pickled eschalot

Asparagus cigars with parmesan & tarragon wrapped in phyllo

Rare beef with beetroot marmalade on a crunchy potato cake

Entree

Chargrilled prawn, scallop & mussel meze with roast capsicum aioli

Shared mains

Coppa wrapped veal fillet on balsamic onion tart & slow roasted tomatoes on the vine

French bean, baby cos and watercress salad with cashews papita & orange & seeded mustard dressing

NSW Cheeses

Dessert platters

Chocolate & pistachio pavlova Strawberry shortcake with pistachio crust

Congratulations to all of the award winners; and a special mention to Destination Australia and NSW Wines, thank you for this extraordinary initiative. We can’t wait to see what next year will bring! Photo Credit: NSW Wines