JUNK FOOD WITH A DIFFERENCE

Do you have a craving for some “Junk” food? No I’m not talking about the burger and chips variety. I’m talking about some delicious food cooked on a traditional Chinese junk boat. Well have no fear because Hazel Jones is here.

Having worked in the kitchen of boats for the past 12 years both interstate and internationally Hazel and her partner Peter decided to invest in a boat of their own four years ago.

“We’d both worked in Sydney and also on super-yachts in Italy and France and when we came back to Melbourne we decided to get a boat of our own,” Hazel said.

Initially looking for a yacht that they could charter, the pair stumbled across the junk, which was built in Malaysia in 1988, and fell in love with its charm.

“She needed a lot of work, but we were surprised at how big she was inside and how beautiful all the teak wood was,” Hazel said.

Originally focused on running the Oriental Queen as a charter business, it was only after requests from friends and clients that Hazel decided to indulge her love of cooking.

Starting the business “Junk Food” three years ago, Hazel now holds cooking lessons twice a week on the boat.

In the reliable hands of Hazel, who has studied both teaching and cooking, Junk Food offers a range of cooking classes from pastry making, to seafood, to pasta or Asian cuisine and Hazel can teach up to 12 people at a time.

“I love cooking. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid and I don’t want to do anything else. In fact, I don’t think I could do anything else,” Hazel said.

The classes cost $140 per person and includes the cooking tuition, recipes, a “Junk Food” apron to take home, the three-course meal and a glass of wine.

“We cater to individuals or group bookings and you find that it’s a really good option for a gift to someone or a hens night or even a work event,” Hazel said.

Hazel and Peter also charter the Oriental Queen for parties and events of up to 40 people.

For more information on Junk Food and Oriental Queen Cruises visit http://www.junkfoodcookingschool.com.au

AT LAST, A BARBERS SHOP FOR DOCKLANDS

Alex Tabakman has turned his attention to Docklands and will open his second The Barber Club shop in Victoria Harbour on September 6.

Alex opened his first The Barber Club shop in Bentleigh in 2006. He said The Barber Club idea came from traveling across Europe and USA where he participated in various male grooming advanced seminars and workshops.

“I experienced many things – from the decors of masculine salons, to the most advanced and experienced men’s hairdressing in the world. I decided to adapt the idea with an Australian direction mixed with a lot of simplicity and professionalism,” Alex said.

Spending the last four years building The Barber Club brand and running his Bentleigh store, Alex decided to open a shop at 844 Bourke St after many queries from clients.

“The Barber Club was very fortunate to be noticed by some of our corporate clientele, who highly recommended that we bring the concept to the Victoria Harbour corporate world,” Alex said.

Mr Tabakman said he also recognised the need for an up-market men’s barber shop in Docklands – in which busy men could feel comfortable and receive quality service along with excellent grooming.

With a huge following, great pricing, convenient hours and well-trained professional barbers, The Barber Club is sure to be a success and Alex can’t wait to make his mark on Docklands.

“I think Docklands is the ‘new city’ in Melbourne. I love the atmosphere and the vibe,” he said.  “It’s got great coffee shops and bars on the water and generally just nicely dressed people rushing around. It seems it has a closer community feeling.”

Alex’s new The Barber Club shop is located underneath the Merchant building, opposite the post office.

MEDIBANK OPENS RETAIL OUTLET

Docklands chalked up another milestone in August with the opening of the first private health insurance sales and service centre in the precinct.  

Medibank opened the new store on the ground floor of its national headquarters at 700 Collins St and is supporting the Docklands as a destination through its new naming rights sponsorship of the Icehouse.  

With health service providers such as dentists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and others moving into Docklands, the store opening is timely and will be welcomed by residents and workers alike.

Store manager Simon Rumbold said Medibank was focused on helping those who had put off buying private health insurance or who just want to make sure they are on the right product for their needs.

“Consumers often tell us they find private health insurance confusing.  Fortunately our friendly and approachable staff are trained to take that little bit of time to make sure all queries are answered. We want customers to walk out happy and confident they have made the right choice,” he said.

According to Simon, the new outlet is no ordinary Medibank retail centre, with its proximity to the national headquarters meaning it will be the first to receive the latest retail innovations and the freshest look.

“We recognise that customers are often pressed for time so we are making it quick and easy for our Docklands members to claim benefits. Members can simply pop in and drop-off their claim and we will pay benefits directly into their bank account,” Simon said.

Medibank managing director, George Savvides, who oversaw Medibank’s move to Docklands in 2004, has personally championed the 700 Collins St store.

“Docklands is Melbourne’s fastest growing business and residential precinct and the home of Medibank, so it makes sense for us to establish a store in the precinct and ensure we are seen as the private health insurer of choice for the Docklands community,” he said.

Mr Savvides is a big believer in the Docklands.

“Certainly for us, the move here has really paid off so it is exciting to open our latest retail centre here and add, in a small but meaningful way, to the level of services available in Docklands,” he said.

Through its naming rights sponsorship of Icehouse, the largest ice sports and entertainment venue in the Southern Hemisphere, Medibank is also supporting the Docklands as a vibrant destination for workers and residents.  

The venue contains two Olympic sized ice rinks, state-of-the-art sound and light systems, stadium seating for up to 1000 people, sports and fitness gym and a café, bar and function rooms.

“By investing in the Docklands community through these initiatives we hope to help create a sense of community within the area,“ Mr Savvides said.