What this also means is that the Newcastle family of four are about to start filming the fourth season of Travel Guides and will be closing their Watt Street restaurant for several months. Their final day of trade for 2019 is Saturday, July 6. Oma's Kitchen will re-open in January next year for lunch and dinner, Thursday to Saturday.

Business has been booming, says Mark Fren, thanks in part to the family's popularity among Travel Guides viewers nationwide.

"This year we have really felt the success of Travel Guides. We have fans from all over Australia visiting Oma's Kitchen - from Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and, in particular, Queensland," he said.

"Every day we have fans travelling up from Sydney for lunch, or having dinner and then staying the night here in Newcastle. We even had a booking for 60 people wanting to fly over from New Zealand just to meet us."

For those missing the Frens' sweet treats and shortbread, Oma's Kitchen will have a pop-up Christmas stall at Charlestown Square from December 1 until 24.

So, is it difficult juggling the television show and the restaurant?

"Being on Travel Guides is the best life experience ever, so the four of us work our butts off so that we can enjoy nine amazing holidays around the world each year," Mark said.

"We all Iove being part of Travel Guides. The excitement and thrill from when we leave home until we return is like a dream. We have been on 24 holidays now."

As for the much-anticipated red carpet experience, Marks says wife Cathy and daughter "couldn't go past Katie Maree designs, who made their dresses last year". Also on board this year is Gallerie Fine Jewellery, Westfield Kotara, who are providing jewellery to complement their designer gowns. Mark and son Jonathon will be wearing suits designed by Cooper Brothers from Castle Hill in Sydney. Not the shy and retiring type, Mark hinted that he would be wearing something "that reflected a real traveller".

The 2019 TV Week Logie Awards are on Sunday, June 30.

Tickets are now on sale for the fifth annual Variety of Chefs Gala Dinner, supported by Greater Bank, on August 10 at Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre (NEX).

The popular event aims to raise $130,000 for Variety - the Children's Charity to help Hunter Region children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. There will be live entertainment and auctions plus a world-class culinary experience to enjoy.

This year's theme is Dining Under The Stars and will feature native Australian ingredients. The four-course menu will be prepared by celebrity chef Jason Roberts, Mal Meiers (Subo), Mitchell Turner (Rick Stein at Bannisters), Chris Thornton (Restaurant Mason) and Matt Skelton (NEX).

Variety of Chefs has raised more than $400,000 over the past four years, which has helped more than 12,000 children in the Hunter Region. About 6225 Hunter children live with a disability and 15,996 (one in seven) live in poverty.

Prizes on the night include an international travel package worth more than $5000 and a Toyota CH-R Koba valued at $38,000.

Tickets are on sale now at variety.org.au. Just follow the links to the Newcastle event.

Hunters Quarter chef Casey Parsons won heat seven of the Nestlé Golden Chef's Hat Award in Melbourne on Monday. He progressed to the second semi-final but was outscored by chefs Josh Pelham and Tom Brockbank.

EXP. restaurant's Jessica Gregory has been named in this year's Nestlé Professional 30 Under 30 food service professionals list. A worthy front-of-house recipient.

Have you heard about Newcastle Dinner Club? It's shrouded in mystery but Food & Wine did some digging. Founder Jessica described it as "a new initiative to taste the best food of Newcastle and meet people in a relaxed format". All you have to do is contact Newcastle Dinner Club direct on Instagram, retrieve the necessary details and turn up. The next event has an RSVP date of July 10. The plan is to meet at Kitami on King Street for drinks and a share platter at 7pm, and then stroll down the street to Humble Thai for dinner.

Fibonacci Coffee has opened at Lake Macquarie Square, Mount Hutton. To celebrate, it is hosting a launch event this Saturday, June 29, with free coffee being offered to first-time visitors between 10am and noon.

Sephardim at Warners Bay has new owners. Danny and Emma Clark are moving on after four years to devote more time to family.

Also, Love Kitchen - Hunter Valley at Pokolbin is seeking a new owner. Jimmy Wright had this to say: "It's with much sadness that as of this morning I need to inform you that Eat Wright Pty Limited operator of Love Kitchen - Hunter Valley has ceased trading. We are currently seeking a buyer for the restaurant equipment, stock on hand, future bookings and to take over the tenancy at 16 Pokolbin Mountains Road. Clients with bookings will be contacted to let them know we are closed." The sale is, the listing says, "due to a change in owner's circumstances".

Best of luck to Jimmy and the Clarks in their future endeavours.

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