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Palate Pleasures with Lou Perry

Our strong dollar certainly isn’t helping matters

Wandering down a supermarket aisle and contemplating an enormous selection of air fresheners the other day, I was struck by the sheer volume of selection available to me, the consumer. How is it possible to make the best choice…

Things can and do go wrong

As the days get longer and warmer, we folk in the hospitality game get ourselves ready for the party season.

A few of our favourite things

There is no such thing as a formula for success. All we can do is to strive to get things right by putting in as much effort as we can, choosing the right people to help us – and not spend way too much money in the process.

Good things come to those who wait

Plenty of things in life take time. Some are worth the wait, some … well – aren’t. Fine wine cellared lovingly is usually worth it, although there is always the possibility that a much-anticipated bottle could be tainted or oxidised, or just plain disappointing …

Everyone is a Critic

Back in the olden days, silence was golden.

Smoke and Mirrors

A drizzle here, a smear there, perhaps a squiggle of foam or a shiny bead of something caviar like …

The Care Factor

In any business – big or small, the most important assets are human.

Blowing up Banana’s

Even before Cyclone Yasi hit the coast of Far North Queensland, banana prices had been hiked up to $7.00 a kilo amongst large supermarket chains.

The Terrible Tourist

You find them the world over … drawn to the busiest street, squares and monuments and surrounded by others of their kind. Read more

Million Dollar Mushrooms

In Australia’s restaurant world today, you may come across a strange scene. A seemingly innocuous plate of pasta might be served to you, devoid of garnish – plain, simple and somewhat austere looking.

Beware of the X

Some of us have the gift of the gab, and the rest of us do not (except maybe after a few alcoholic beverages).

Portioning the Portions

The success of any business depends on a basic mathematical calculation – how much does a good or service cost to produce – and based on this, how much does it need (and can) be sold for in order to provide the seller with a viable profit margin.

Human nature for dummies

We humans are a divided bunch of creatures. It would not be a broad generalisation, or a remote stretch of the truth to split us into two distinct camps.

Demand and Supply

The ‘have it all’ and ‘have it now’ nature of today’s society pretty much allows us to fulfil our every whim at a moment’s notice.

Coffee; Agony or Ecstasy?

Double shot soy decaf latte – very hot, not too much froth please … oh, and by the way – I’m in a hurry”.

Picking a winning wine

Watched a long-anticipated movie last night – called ‘Bottleshock’. It’s hailed as the new ‘Sideways’, with much to appeal to the senses of a wine and quirky comedy lover.

Food Fashion

Fashion shapes our lives … Even if you’re not one to purchase every copy of Vogue and religiously adorn yourself with this season’s key pieces, and ‘must have’ accessories, there’s no doubt that trends and fads do dictate how you’ll be looking in 2009.

Gourmet Food Chains

A trip to the supermarket used to be merely an innocuous excursion for essentials, but now on offer down at your local chain of choice you will encounter a literal treasure trove of produce and ingredients.

A Modern Restaurant Award Wage?

Along with weekend footy, taking the dog for a walk or a night out at the movies, dining out (for the most part), is what we commonly refer to as a leisure activity.

Time is money … or is it timing!

One thing for certain is that we live in uncertain times.

Valentines Day Chaos

Emerging out of that vortex commonly known as the holiday season (relatively unscathed), my thoughts naturally wandered over to the next significant day on the hospitality industry calendar – that day of cards, flowers and undying declarations of true love.

A typical Aussie Christmas?

Once we hit adulthood, most of us don’t care for it to occur any more than this!

Better service in the USA?

Having just returned from a very relaxing and enjoyable trip to the USA, I am still in holiday mode.