Latest news with #CustomsHouse
The Age
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
After last year's drone show disaster, is a scaled-back Vivid working?
That brings us to 2025, and the festival feels scaled back. The drone show was scrapped, citing safety risks and increasing costs. The usual suspects – Customs House and the Opera House – are all lit up, but there are fewer installations at Circular Quay and the Rocks than in previous years. While there are more individual light installations across the city than there were last year, there is no Royal Botanic Garden activation and no Wynyard Tunnel event. Light displays now have free entry in 75 per cent of cases, but the light walk – which previously stretched from Circular Quay to Central – is split across smaller precincts around the city, including Martin Place and the Goods Line. 'When people think of Vivid, they think of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – when they get there, they aren't expecting most of the stuff to be somewhere else,' said John Gilly, who has covered the festival on his blog, Sydney Spectaculars, since 2014. 'The precincts have spread everything out … which is why people may think it's not as entertaining as in the past, but the main stuff is still there.' This isn't the first time the festival has been split up. Over the years there have been activations in Kings Cross and Chatswood, as well as the Wild Nights display at Taronga Zoo. While the strategy means visitors to Circular Quay are seeing fewer installations, many view this as the best way forward for Vivid. 'It's more spread out – and that's a good thing,' said Business Sydney's Paul Nicolau. 'We should be highlighting not just the harbour but all the other places, like Martin Place and the Goods Line. I think we should expand it, we should look out to other areas like Parramatta Road and Victoria Road.' Getting tourists out to Sydney's decrepit arterial roads might be a stretch, but Parramatta Mayor Martin Zaiter is at a loss as to why Sydney's famous winter festival doesn't extend to its growing second CBD. 'Parramatta Square and our beautiful town hall, that's where old meets the new,' Zaiter said. 'Parramatta Park, Old Government House, definitely there are those options for Vivid to expand to. 'It's a no-brainer.' While the light pillar of the festival may be missing a headline event this year, Tourism Minister Stephen Kamper said the food, including the fire kitchen at the Goods Line, has been a major motivator for visitors. 'Saturday night alone saw a record-breaking 51,169 diners at restaurants across the Vivid Sydney zones – the highest ever for a single night in the event's history,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
After last year's drone show disaster, is a scaled-back Vivid working?
That brings us to 2025, and the festival feels scaled back. The drone show was scrapped, citing safety risks and increasing costs. The usual suspects – Customs House and the Opera House – are all lit up, but there are fewer installations at Circular Quay and the Rocks than in previous years. While there are more individual light installations across the city than there were last year, there is no Royal Botanic Garden activation and no Wynyard Tunnel event. Light displays now have free entry in 75 per cent of cases, but the light walk – which previously stretched from Circular Quay to Central – is split across smaller precincts around the city, including Martin Place and the Goods Line. 'When people think of Vivid, they think of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – when they get there, they aren't expecting most of the stuff to be somewhere else,' said John Gilly, who has covered the festival on his blog, Sydney Spectaculars, since 2014. 'The precincts have spread everything out … which is why people may think it's not as entertaining as in the past, but the main stuff is still there.' This isn't the first time the festival has been split up. Over the years there have been activations in Kings Cross and Chatswood, as well as the Wild Nights display at Taronga Zoo. While the strategy means visitors to Circular Quay are seeing fewer installations, many view this as the best way forward for Vivid. 'It's more spread out – and that's a good thing,' said Business Sydney's Paul Nicolau. 'We should be highlighting not just the harbour but all the other places, like Martin Place and the Goods Line. I think we should expand it, we should look out to other areas like Parramatta Road and Victoria Road.' Getting tourists out to Sydney's decrepit arterial roads might be a stretch, but Parramatta Mayor Martin Zaiter is at a loss as to why Sydney's famous winter festival doesn't extend to its growing second CBD. 'Parramatta Square and our beautiful town hall, that's where old meets the new,' Zaiter said. 'Parramatta Park, Old Government House, definitely there are those options for Vivid to expand to. 'It's a no-brainer.' While the light pillar of the festival may be missing a headline event this year, Tourism Minister Stephen Kamper said the food, including the fire kitchen at the Goods Line, has been a major motivator for visitors. 'Saturday night alone saw a record-breaking 51,169 diners at restaurants across the Vivid Sydney zones – the highest ever for a single night in the event's history,' he said.
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Neven Maguire amongst big winners at Irish Restaurant Awards 2025
Ireland's best restaurants were celebrated on Monday night at the annual Irish Restaurant Awards 2025. The awards took place at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road with more than 1,000 of the best in hospitality gathering for the exciting evening. The Irish Restaurant Awards received a record 165,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and venues across the country — the highest in the Awards' 16-year history. Pic: Paul Sherwood Ahead of the national event, regional awards ceremonies were hosted in Kildare, Cork, Sligo and Monagha, where the county-level winners were revealed across a range of categories. The big winner on thee night was Dede at the Customs House Baltimore, who picked up Best Restaurant while Best Chef was John Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate. Chef Neven Maguire received the Outstanding Achievement Award for his contribution to Irish food and hospitality. Pic: Paul Sherwood Speaking on the night, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said it was 'more important than ever' to celebrate the food and hospitality sector. He said the awards 'shine a light on the resilience and creativity that defines the industry.' Best Restaurant — Sponsored by San Miguel: Dede at the Customs House, Baltimore. Best Chef — Sponsored by BWG Food Service: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate. Best Restaurant Manager — Sponsored by Elavon: Cian Lynch, Uno Mas. Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant — Sponsored by Frylite: George V at Ashford Castle. Best Use of Social Media — Sponsored by GRID Finance: Hotel Woodstock. Best Use of Social Media winners. Pic: Paul Sherwood Employee Excellence Award — Sponsored by Peninsula: Charles O'Reilly, Happy Out x Together Academy. Best Casual Dining — Sponsored by Musgrave MarketPlace: Crudo. Gastro Pub — Sponsored by Paynt: McSwiggans. Best Café — Sponsored by Lavazza: Strandfield. Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine — Sponsored by FBD Insurance: The Olde Post Inn. Best Newcomer winner. Pic: Paul Sherwood Best Newcomer — Sponsored by Square: Bearú. Pub of the Year — Sponsored by istil.39: Sean's Bar. Best Wine Experience — Sponsored by Bibendum: Bar Pez. Best Customer Service — Sponsored by provided by Dolmen: Restaurant Chestnut. Best World Cuisine — Sponsored by National Chef de Partie Apprenticeship & National Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programmes: Rasam Restaurant. Best Sustainable Practices — Sponsored by Familia Torrees & the Findlater Group: Lir. Pic: Paul Sherwood Innovator of the Year — Sponsored by Diageo: Bar 1661. Local Food Hero — Sponsored by Sugar Snap: Johnny Cuddy, Ispini Charcuterie. Outstanding Achievement Award — Sponsored by Excel Recruitment: Never Maguire, MacNean House & Restaurant. Best Cocktail Experience — Sponsored by Monin: Darren Geraghty, Hawksmoor. Food Truck of the Year — Sponsored by provided by Dolmen: Julia's Lobster Truck. Best Cookery School — Avonmore: Dingle Cookery School. Best Learning and Development — Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet: O'Dwyers.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork restaurant named best in Ireland at Irish Restaurant Awards
A popular Cork restaurant has been named best restaurant at this year's Irish Restaurant Awards All-Ireland final. Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore, one of only five two-star Michelin restaurants in Ireland, was named best restaurant at the awards ceremony held at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road in Dublin on Monday. Dede is run by Turkish-born chef Ahmet Dede and his business partner Maria Archer, and offers a fusion of Turkish and Irish foods. Together, they opened Dede after purchasing the village's Customs House in 2019, and the restaurant has since been awarded two Michelin stars - one in 2021 and one in 2023. The restaurant was also crowned the All-Ireland winner at the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards, continuing their success at the awards this year by winning best restaurant for the second consecutive year. Posting on X following the restaurant's win, Dede wrote: "Amazing thank you @restawards for this incredible award, what a wonderful achievement again from the best team in the world so proud of you all. Consistently getting better and keep pushing for more that's the spirit and the dedication for what we do. Thank you all and congratulations to all other winners." Ahmet Dede and Maria Archer at The Customs House, Baltimore. Picture: Miki Barlok John Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny was awarded best chef in Ireland, and renowned Chef Neven Maguire was also honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising his contribution to Irish food and hospitality. The All-Ireland final of the 2025 Irish Restaurant Awards took place at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road in Dublin on Monday, where over 1,000 of the country's top hospitality professionals, including owners, chefs, managers, and staff, gathered to celebrate the finest establishments in Irish food and drink. Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received a record-breaking 165,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés, and venues across the country - the highest in the Awards' history. 💫Amazing thank you @restawards for this incredible award, what a wonderful achievement again from the best team in the world so proud of you all. Consistently getting better and keep pushing for more tats the spirit and the dedication for what we do. Thank you all and… — Ahmet Dede (@chefahmetdede) May 20, 2025 Entries were submitted by the public via The Irish Times website, media partner of the awards. In the lead-up to the national final, regional awards ceremonies were hosted in Kildare, Cork, Sligo and Monaghan, where county-level winners were revealed across a range of categories. The national winners were selected from these regional champions. Each year, funds are raised for chosen charity causes at the All-Ireland final of the Irish Restaurant Awards. This year, substantial funds were raised for both Friends of the Elderly and Tourist SOS. Speaking on the night, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Seán Collender, said: 'At a time when our industry continues to face significant challenges, it's more important than ever to come together and celebrate the strength of Ireland's food and hospitality sector. These Awards are about acknowledging the incredible talent and tireless work of those in our restaurants, cafés and kitchens across the country. 'They shine a light on the resilience and creativity that define our industry. Behind every meal served is a team of passionate professionals dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences. 'This year's awards have once again highlighted the extraordinary standard of culinary talent across every region. The Michelin Star Lady Helen Restaurant Head Chef John Kelly. 'I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners and nominees - your commitment and passion inspire us all.' In response to his win, Chef Kelly of the Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate, said: "This award reflects the creativity, passion, and teamwork that drives our kitchen every day. 'The Lady Helen is a celebration of the finest local ingredients, brought to life by an extraordinary team that shares my commitment to creating exceptional dining experiences."
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump plan to sell four federal buildings in Vermont up in the air after list is retracted
Confusion surrounds a plan by the Trump Administration to sell 443 federal buildings across the country deemed "not core to government operations," after a list of the buildings published on the U.S. General Services Administration website on Tuesday was replaced on Wednesday with a blank space and a new headline that read, "coming soon," according to USA Today. The list published on Tuesday included four buildings in Vermont: the former U.S. Passport Agency and former Customs House in St. Albans, an impressive brick structure more than 100 years old; the Winston Prouty Federal Building in Essex Junction, which houses the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office; the Social Security Administration building in Montpelier; and a "shed" at the Derby and Port of Entry. The list of buildings also included some of the federal government's most iconic buildings, many on the National Register of Historic Places. USA Today reported the list included the Robert F. Kennedy building in Washington, which houses the Department of Justice, as well as the headquarters of nearly every major federal agency. When asked why the list was taken down, Stephanie Joseph, acting associate administrator for the GSA's Office of Strategic Communication, said in a statement that the agency is reviewing the properties. She said it will consider "compelling offers (in accordance with applicable laws and regulations) and do what's best for the needs of the federal government and taxpayer," according to USA Today. St. Albans City Manager Dominic Cloud told the Burlington Free Press on Thursday he is "monitoring" the situation with the U.S. Passports Agency building on Main Street, but that he had heard nothing directly from GSA. "It's obviously a prominent building that contributes to the city's sense of place," Cloud said. "It's full of murals on the inside that date back to the long history of the Customs House. It's hard to imagine, frankly, a building that isn't more inextricably linked to the identity of the city than that building." Cloud said the building is also an important economic driver for St. Albans, as people come from across the region to get passports. "A regional federal agency where people come from out of town, then have a few hours to kill while waiting for their passports is kind of the gold standard (for attracting business)," he said. "That's exactly why Sen. Leahy had the foresight to put (the passport agency) there, reflective of his vision to save small towns." Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, retired in January 2023 after eight terms in the Senate. Cloud also stressed that the building is in great condition, despite its age. "The federal government has consistently invested in it, this is no white elephant," he said. And he worried about the fate of the 75-100 employees he said work in the building, who he said were recently ordered to return to the office instead of working from home. "If you're selling (the building) where are the employees going?" Cloud asked. "A month ago they were all ordered to come back to work. Now the building is for sale. It's hard to get a bead on where it's going." Contact Dan D'Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@ Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: The GSA has retracted a list of buildings it wants to sell
