ST. Ali serves up ‘Country of Origin’ Paul Wilson style.
ST. ALi kicks off the Winter Food Festival with a four-course food/coffee and wine degustation headed up by award winning chef, Paul Wilson. This 3-hat wearing chef is renowned for his classic ideas and turning them into contemporary dishes. You may know him as the former king of the pass at the renowned ‘Botanical’ but has also been the brainchild behind many other establishments such as the iconic Georges and Park Hyatt. A sample of what’s in stall:
Warm smoked duck parfait with Yarra Valley truffles & chestnut cappuccino with Indonesian Blue Batak syphon coffee.
The event will be held over the 24th, 25th and 26th of July and will be a per head charge of $150. The evening will kick off at 7pm with a beverage upon arrival. For more details, please contact us at 96862990 or email matt@stali.com.au
Hessian Bags – For Sale $3 each
Hessian bags for sale:
$3 a bag
$3.50 for bag inc. Nikki
Giotto Espresso Machine – Bean Scene
I reckon this machine could run a small cafe if you needed it to!
Coffee was the best I’ve seen coming out of a domestic machine. Serious testicles…
For inquiries, demos, sales etc. please contact: matt@stali.com.au
TOSHI’S TRIP TO SYDNEY
ARRIVAL: 9:40pm, Sydney Airport
STAYED: Inner city
WAKE UP CALL: Mecca Espresso, 6am – waaay too early
BEST SYPHON EXPERIENCE: Coffees from Hario TCA-2 syphon (Ethiopian Beloya was amazing from 90+)
AFTER THAT: Went along to Cofi-Com with Paul from Mecca and met up with Andrew and Geraldine to do some cupping
NEXT STOP: The Source in Mosman to see Russell where I got to try an amazing blend called ‘Lucky 7.’
LASTLY: Hopped on the scooter with Paul (very cozy) and scooted our way down to Campos where coffee was great, as usual – then back off to the airport.
Overall, the trip was like a cramming for a school exam but far more exciting! Many, many thanks to Paul from Mecca, Andrew and Geraldine from Cofi-Com and Russell from the source.
ProCal Latte Art Championships
The ProCal Latte Art Championships were held 2 weeks ago with Toshi, Angus and BW all eager to take out the price. Last years winner Con Haralambopoulos was the man to beat with just under a billion titles under his belt… It was held at Melbourne Central with judges Steve Agi (bean Scene), Aaron Wood (Auction rooms) and the sales manager for ProCal. It all came down to the wire and in the end, the undefeated champ reigned supreme with Angus and Toshi resulting in 2nd and 3rd. It was particularly a crushing moment for Toshi as he spilled over the time limit which lost him crucial points that took him out of prize contention. Overall, it was an amazing performance by the boys!
ST. ALi ‘Country of Origin’ Dinner
Last Friday night Exec. Chef Ben Cooper served up one of his best efforts for the second Country of Origin dinners held here at St. Ali. Food, coffee and wine were all paired to the theme of Central America which was delivered in an 8-course degustation. The night was beyond a success with a packed house of locals/media/foodies and master chefs. Our next Origin dinner will be held in July with the theme being South American. If you would like to get in early, don’t hesitate to give us a buzz on 96862990 to ensure yourselves a seat!
Photos courtesy of James Broadway
ST. ALi, ‘COUNTRY OF ORIGIN’ DINNER
People… St. Ali will be hosting round two of the “Country of Origin” degustation events held on the 15th of May. Executive chef Ben Cooper (ex. Nobu, Ezard’s and Long Grain) will be putting together an 8-course Central American inspired feast with accompanying wines. To add to that, Justin and Toshi will be roasting up single estate coffees fresh from Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El’ Salvador which will be served during the evening through Siphon Bar, Cold Drip, Espresso and Affogato. The cost of the event is $100 per head and bookings are essential so please RSVP by the 12th of May. You can contact us on 9686 2990. See you there!
ST. ALI @ SCAA
So the story goes a little something like this…
Don Salvatore comes in and says to me “hey matt, what you doing in the next two weeks…” Me being reluctant to commit to anything that far ahead said “not too sure, why?” Then he follows it up with “You wanna go to Atlanta? It will be fun…” By this stage I was looking for cameras in the room, anticipating a ‘gotcha’ from my fellow collegues. There were no cameras and the Don was serious. Next thing, I’m being pampered by Virgin…airline 
hostesses and on my way to Atlantic city for the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) 4 yearly event. This thing was massive! The World Championship Barista competition was being held there along with labs, lectures and tradeshows. It was 5 days of non-stop action. Even the nights were filled with excessive drinking and mingling amongst Australia’s best known coffee brands. Biggest highlight was hanging with the Slayer boys. These guys were exceptionally good blokes, not to mention genius’. If you’ve ever seen or played with their new machine, or even just hung out with them, you’ll see why.
Overall, the trip was likened to cramming in study before a big exam, only a hell of a lot more fun. The guys I’d like to thank, who babysat and introduced me to the world of coffee are Maria Paoli, Elenora Genevese, Kenton and of course Don Sal. Photos courtesy of the Slayer boys
Kenton (Zarraffa Coffee), Johnny boy (Slayer) and Me
Slayer booth – Centre of attention
The winner of the WBC this year, Gwilym from the UK
Team Slayer – minus Chris
Jason (Slayer), Maria (Evolving Success) and Me
Johnny boy and myself looking like we’re about to get a room…
TOSHI AIN’T GOIN NOWHERE!!!
Finally…. Toshi ‘Miyagi’ Ishiwata gets he’s long awaited Australian VISA!! Toshi will be heading up quality control whilst dipping his delicate little fingers in the roasting and barista divisions. Congratulations TOSHIIIIII!!!
