Baird Banned !

The backlash against NSW's Boy Wonder premier Mike Baird over the disastrous Lock Out Laws is intensifying with small bars and restaurants now banning Baird from their premises. Arcadia, a bar in trendy Redfern was first off of the bat when they posted these notices in their window. Sydney entertainment entrepreneurs are banding together in a growing campaign after the laws have ensnared so much of Kings Cross nightlife and those on the Golden Mile of Oxford Street.
Respected restaurateur Maurice Terzini who owns the popular Bondi Icebergs eatery that hosts superstars  from all over the world is supporting the campaign.

No Invites To Bill Gate's Party

New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour is always a great event with the spectacular midnight fireworks.

One of the world's richest men Bill Gates is hosting a party at his rented Point Piper mansion but it will  be mainly a family affair with just a handful of invited guests. Although the Shuttle has seen the guest list and the catering arrangements-it's a fairly modest affair considering Gates is worth a reputed $59B. Will his neighbour Leo DiCaprio attend is the big question?. He's been invited.

The Island Bar

The Lord Mayor's party is always one of the best spots to be, located at the Sydney Opera House with a great view of the bridge and it's happenings. The Shuttle has passed on it though over the past few years. Getting there is like an expedition once the local roads are closed off and you pick your way through the tens of thousands of people streaming to the Opera House forecourt. It takes ages and leaving is likewise.

 In fact getting a spot anywhere on the harbour foreshore usually means grabbing your spot by early afternoon.

There are two bashes though that should be pretty special. The Island Bar, the brainchild of Julian Tobias will be hosted an amazing dinner with plenty of champagne to get you through the night. Book at their website but there are just a few tables left.

Bondi Icebergs supremo Maurice Terzini will be catering for the You Only Live Once party inside the Opera House at the Northern Foyer with it's views straight over to the bridge. Tickets are $695 each and entertainment will be from The Godfathers of House and Frankie Knuckles with as much beer, wine, cocktails and champagne as you can drink. Book here. But hurry.
Over at Glebe island and under the Anzac Bridge there is a major party that will have uninterrupted views to the bridge fireworks and entertainment from Guy Sebastian and Pseudo Echo. They've built a village with fantastic raised seating for a great view and there will be non-stop food and drinks. Tickets are from $198-$598 with a variety of transport methods thrown in. Bookings here.

And there are still a few VIP Marquee tickets at $495 left at Glebe Island and the return of Boy George and Culture Club. Not to be missed.

For those under 40 who have never heard of Culture Club- here is taster :

Rick Stein Marries

How times have changed.
Around ten years ago Sarah Burns, then a publicist for Harper Collins publishers invited the Shuttle to a book promotion at a trendy hotel in Kings Cross.

There were several guests there including two British chefs Ainsley Harriott and Rick Stein.

While Stein was chatting to Sarah we asked them to pose for a snap which they reluctantly did. We didn't know that evening that Fleet Street had sent signals to the Sydney paparazzi to watch out for Stein and his 'secret girlfriend' believe to be blond Australian publicist.

By the following evening our photograph of the pair had swept around the world. Over the next few years Stein and Burns played a cat and mouse game with the Shuttle when they appeared at various foodie events in Sydney, quickly parting whenever we hovered nearby. One evening Sarah admonished us, albeit in friendly fashion, for exposing their affair to the world.

Yesterday Sarah Burns married Rick Stein at Bondi Beach and both sat down for a wedding feast at Maurice Terzini's Icebergs, the chic restaurant with what Stein says is "the best view in the world".

What a difference a few years have made.

Four weeks ago Rick and Sarah were more than happy to pose at the The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2012 launch.

Ain't love grand.