George Mirosevich has taken on the head chef role at Signal Box Newcastle.
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He is also a part-owner of the soon-to-be-opened Scott Street restaurant, alongside the owners of The Little Nel.
Mirosevich, who was previously sous chef at Restaurant Mason and won the Brett Graham Scholarship in 2013, is keen to "help create an iconic restaurant for Newcastle".
"We are creating a fun and vibrant space that brings people together. Whether it be breakfast in our courtyard, a late afternoon lunch or a more refined dinner by night, there will be something for everyone," he said on social media.
"I'll be drawing on my fine dining skills to create some amazing dishes ... yet it will be more approachable and relatable food that can be enjoyed every week."
Mirosevich has previously worked at Le Petit Deux, Muse Restaurant, The Ledbury, Sepia and Bistro Guillaume.
Family first for chef
Speaking of Restaurant Mason, owners Chris and Ami Thornton are vacating Longworth House to spend more quality time with their three young children and are handing the reins to Sonya Scott.
"We are still going to be doing all the functions we have booked there and then will remain as a preferred caterer for weddings and event," Chris Thornton told Food & Wine.
"Sonya is re-opening the Williams Bar. With Longworth House and the restaurant and the external catering we weren't getting any time with kids so although we had a bit of grand plan to expand, we just couldn't justify it."
As for Mirosevich leaving his kitchen, Thornton had this to say: "He did an awesome job while he was here and personally he'll be missed but one of my former chefs who has been over in New Zealand working for the past two years at two and three-hatted hat restaurants has taken the sous chef position and is doing a fantastic job."
His name? Dillon Miettunen.
The Williams Bar at Longworth House is re-opening to the public this Friday, November 1, from 4pm. It will offer a new tapas menu as well as a new wine and cocktail list - and for the uninitiated, this bar is generally a very pleasant place to be.
Fish and chips at Georgetown
Paul Maroulis is opening Vinny's Takeaway, a "family owned and operated classic fish and chip shop" in Georgetown, on November 15. The 41 Georgetown Road site once housed Henny Penny and a bakery.
His sister, Julie, and brother-in-law Paul owned Georgetown Fish 'n' Chip Shop for 30 years.
"Since retiring Georgetown has been missing Paul and Julie immensely," Maroulis told Food & Wine "So I am answering these cries and offering myself as the newest Paul in the area. Vinny's is named after my youngest son. I will be working alongside my eldest son and daughter so it holds a very special spot in my heart. I have been in the fish and chip shop game for around 40 years, and this is all I have ever known. I come from a large Greek family and I have owned takeaways in Kurri Kurri, Maitland, Maryland, Lambton and most recently Boolaroo. My brothers run one of the biggest takeaways in Kurri Kurri and are very well known in the Kurri Kurri community. We will be specialising in freshly cut chips, fresh crumbed and battered fish, 100 per cent lean Aussie mince for our fabulous hamburgers, and 100 per cent chicken breast for our homemade chicken schnitzel wraps."
Yum Cha Sundays
Ginger Meg's on King Street in Newcastle is launching "Bottomless Yum Cha" on November 24. Espresso martinis, cocktails on tap as well as cider and lager complete the picture. Two sittings will be available every Sunday in the downstairs restaurant - noon to 1.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm - at a cost of $50 per person. Bookings advised.
Starring role
Emerson Rodriguez taught celebrity chef Curtis Stone a thing or two about making pottery out in the Hunter Valley recently. Food & Wine is told it was for Curtis On The Road, due to air in the US next year. And don't forget, the new and improved Emerson's Cafe & Restaurant "re-launches" this Friday, November 1.
Summer dining
COQUUN at Maitland has a new menu and it looks amazing. Think prawns with sweet and sour Davidson plum and sprouts; kangaroo with beetroot puree, heirloom vegetables, wattleseed jus and beer soil; and coconut parfait with compressed pineapple, macadamia butter and mango coulis. Wow.
Spooky ramen
Time is running out to slurp up Susuru Ramen and Gyoza Restaurant's Halloween-themed ramen. It's called The Trick or Treat Ramen (noodles in a chicken miso broth with chilli oil and topped with chashu pork, shallots, kiss peppers, charcoal powder, a marinated half egg and an edible Halloween sticker) and it's available until this Thursday, October 31.
Kids are welcome
The Toronto Hotel has a new Friday night deal: get one free children's meal with every adult meal purchased. There's lots of grass for the kids to run around on and a jumping castle, too.
Second restaurant opens
Mucho's Mexican at The Junction is opening another restaurant at 274 High Street, Maitland, on November 4.
Spring seasonal lunch
Tickets are still available to Hunter Culinary Association's Spring Seasonal Lunch on Tuesday, November 12, at Longworth House. Guests will enjoy a three-course meal, premium Hunter Valley wine, oysters and a presentation by Paul Ryder of Australia's Oyster Coast (hunterculinary.com.au).
Freebie of the week
The name of the latest cookbook from Matt Preston - More - says it all. This is all about cooking and eating vegetables with more of everything: more flavour, more texture, more colour.
Maybe you want to eat more vegetables, or less meat, or try cooking some tasty vegan meals to broaden your repertoire? Maybe you want to save money or the environment by eating more plant-based meals?
All of the 100-plus recipes are vegetarian or vegan a separate cooking guide for meat add-ons is included.
More is out now through Pan Macmillan, RRP $39.99. Food & Wine has a copy to give away. To enter, send the word "More" with your name, address and number to freelunch@theherald.com.au. Entries close on Monday (4/11/19) at 9am.
The Williams Bar is back
Sonya Scott has taken over Longworth House's lease and is quietly re-opening The Williams Bar.
"We are just doing a soft opening this weekend while we get to know our space and will probably do a grand opening the weekend after the Supercars," she tells Food & Wine.
"Food wise we are going to focus on tapas-style share plates. Not Spanish, exactly, but taking influences from European, Mediterranean and North African flavours. As for drinks, we are hoping to go exclusively with Hunter wines and want to feature the artisan wineries like Vinden Estate, Domain de Binet, Hart & Hunter, Andrew Thomas, De Iuliis, Margan and Irongate Estate."
The bar will be open Wednesday and Thursday, 4pm to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday, 4pm to 10pm.
New additions
Morpeth family-run vineyard Boydell's is opening its new cellar door and restaurant later this month.
Sweet surprise
After years on the road and popping up here, there and everywhere, Choux Patisserie is opening a shopfront in Charlestown Square. It will be on level two, next to the Apple Store and Pandora, and will open in December.
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