Latest news with #DessertMasters
Herald Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Brunswick: Victorian-era house transforms after major reno
It was a very different world when Matt Smyth and his now wife Emma Rigby bought their first home, a heritage Victorian, in August, 2020. 'We bought the house on the day we went into the second lockdown. It was around the time when everyone was predicting prices would tank due to the 'mortgage cliff', so it felt quite risky at the time,' Smyth says. MORE: 'Biggest challenge' facing popular VIC region Whisk taker: Dessert Masters winner's $100k gamble Myer family reveal new look for $100m estate The three-bedroom Brunswick home was also very different to what it is now. 'The house hadn't been touched since the 1950s but because of the significant work needed, it fell into our price range,' he says. 'With the deep block, we knew that eventually, with a lot of work, it would be a ripper house,' he adds. And that is what the couple set out to achieve through their extensive renovations. Due to the planning, the pandemic, and the shortage of materials, the extension took considerably more time to complete. The extension features a large, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area built on a heated, polished concrete slab, as well as a double garage and the conversion of the old living room into an ensuite and main bathroom. 'The biggest difference from what it was before is the fact that it's warm in winter and cool in summer,' Smyth says. 'Putting in proper insulation, double-glazed windows in the extension, and providing the option of panel heaters, underfloor heating, split systems in all the major rooms and a wood-burning fire has completely changed the enjoyment of living in the classic, draughty Victorian weatherboard.' Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Nation's cheapest home loan hits shock low First-home buyers hit with $40k+ tax bill Why The Block architect says beige is over
Herald Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Melbourne University sells historic Parkville mansion Cumnock
A landmark Parkville mansion once home to the University of Melbourne's vice-chancellor has sold. The university purchased the property for $7.1m in 2017, but had left it vacant in recent months after declaring it surplus to requirements. Industry sources have suggested it has attracted an offer within its advertised price range of $7.9-$8.69m. Its listing earlier this year came shortly after the institution publicly committed to repay $72m in staff underpayments dating back to 2014. RELATED: Cricket great's former home hits market Whisk taker: Dessert Masters winner's $100k gamble Myer family reveal new look for $100m estate Known as Cumnock, the historic Italianate estate at 160-162 The Avenue was designed in 1889 by Windsor Hotel architect Charles Webb and occupies a 1376sq m corner block directly opposite Royal Park. The impressive residence was listed for sale last month, and late last week was marked as under offer. A property industry figure told The Herald Sun there had been strong and qualified interest in the address, particularly for its proximity to the Melbourne CBD. University of Melbourne Chief Operating Officer Katerina Kapobassis confirmed the divestment was underway at the start of May and said the property had previously housed a Vice-Chancellor and was used 'regularly for official University functions and activities.' 'A property within the University of Melbourne's portfolio is in the process of being divested. The University has adhered to relevant legislative requirements regarding the sale,' she said. Handled by Nelson Alexander Carlton North's Stephanie Hawke and Nicholas West, who declined to comment on the result or buyer. At the time of listing, Mr West described the home as Parkville's 'crown jewel,' citing its scale, architectural significance and rare parkland setting. 'Most Italianate mansions of this scale are tightly packed into inner suburbs like Carlton,' he said. 'But here you've got open parkland across the road, minimal surrounding density, and incredible privacy, that's almost unheard of.' Originally built for stock and station agent George Howat, Cumnock remained in his family until 1919 before it was acquired by Anglican theological institution Ridley College. It was held for decades before being sold to developer Drapac, who then sold it to the university. Behind its grand Corinthian-columned facade, the home features a pressed-metal entry hall, formal dining and sitting rooms, a library, and a state-of-the-art kitchen with Miele appliances and custom cabinetry. French doors open to a leafy courtyard with a fish pond centrepiece. Upstairs, a rumpus leads to a wraparound balcony and turret with sweeping park views. The main suite features a marble ensuite, with three further bedrooms sharing a designer bathroom with a freestanding bath. The four-bedroom mansion includes eleven principal rooms, nine original fireplaces, a turreted viewing tower and wine cellar, and has long been considered one of Parkville's grandest private residences. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Cricket great's former home hits market Metro Tunnel turns Shrine into hot property No more 'awkward conversations': wild rental crisis solution
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Dessert Masters champion John Demetrios invests $100k prize into business venture
Dessert Masters 2024 champion John Demetrios is putting his $100,000 prize money to work launching a boutique bakery in Malvern with his wife Martina. The Melbourne pastry chef, who wowed judges with creations inspired by fig leaves and the Eureka Stockade, has taken on a long-term lease at 209 Glenferrie Rd, where the couple are currently fitting out the space for their new venture, Butter Days. Teska Carson's Rory Teska-Szer, who handled the lease, said the bakery would bring added buzz to a retail strip that's 'really come alive' in recent months. Celeb chef Adrian Richardson's La Luna premises sold 'It's a really buzzy area because you've got big name tenants like Yo-Chi, Grill'd, Schnitz and Subway,' Mr Teska-Szer said. 'You've also got the new pub on the corner, the Gardiner Hotel, which has added a new kind of life to Glenferrie Rd.' Demetrios, who worked at Vue de Monde and Omnia before appearing on Dessert Masters, is now channelling his fine-dining experience into a local bakehouse, with a focus on handcrafted, small-batch pastries. Mr Teska-Szer said the landlord was pleased to secure a tenant of Demetrios' profile and industry background. 'John is technically a first-time operator when it comes to running his own venue, but he's got loads of experience in the industry and a big public profile now,' he said. Martina, a sommelier, is also heavily involved in the venture, which will operate as a husband-and-wife business. The couple are aiming to open the doors within a few months. 'It's not a pop-up, they're committing to the area,' Mr Teska-Szer said. 'There are options to renew and it's a long-term lease.' The Teska Carson agent said the deal follows two other recent leases on the strip, at 89 and 59 Glenferrie Rd noting vacancy rates were trending down. 'While there are still a few vacancies here and there, we're seeing momentum,' Mr Teska-Szer said. 'It's slowly becoming one of Melbourne's better-performing retail strips again.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Fate of Channel Ten's Dessert Masters REVEALED as judge Amaury Guichon hints if the show returns for a third season
Amaury Guichon has weighed in on his Australian cooking show Dessert Masters and if he's keen to return for another season. The renowned pastry chef, who appeared as a judge alongside Melissa Leong for seasons one and two of the high-rated Channel Ten cooking series, admitted he remains hopeful the show will return. 'I do hope so ... I think they're gonna have a third season,' the 34-year-old exclusively told Daily Mail Australia at his chocolate pop-up store event in Sydney. 'We have two great seasons. I love doing [Dessert Masters] because I have other shows in the US. But here, there is really something special. 'The people are so passionate about what they do that you can really see on the screen.' Dessert Masters dominated the ratings when it aired in 2023 and 2024 with Amaury and Melissa at the helm. Its first season saw a group of Australian pastry chefs compete for a $100,000 prize and deliver a ratings salve for the network in the highly competitive reality TV market. The premiere episode had 451,000 Australians tuning in across all the major cities and viewers heaped praise on the TV veteran. Dessert Masters is set to return for another season, but the network has bought itself some time by delaying a formal announcement until after the second season has aired. 'Last year, there was a strong appetite for the debut of Dessert Masters,' a Ten spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia last year. 'In 2024, we are delighted to plate up second helpings.' Amaury, who is based in Las Vegas, flew to Sydney on Wednesday to attend his exclusive Chocolate by Amaury Guichon pop-up event in Martin Place hosted by American Express delicious. Month Out. The chocolatier looked sharp in a fitted white shirt and black trousers as he posed alongside his Dessert Masters co-judge Melissa Leong. Melissa, 43, showcased her chic style in a Gucci neckscarf and a black power suit, while accessorising with a small black YSL handbag. The renowned pastry chef, who appeared as a judge alongside Melissa Leong for seasons one and two of the high-rated Channel Ten cooking series, admitted he remains hopeful the show will return Former MasterChef fan favourites Khanh Ong, Reece Hignell and Hayden Quinn were among the guests who attended the intimate opening. The pop-up store, located at Ground Floor, 20 Martin Place in Sydney, will provide culinary connoisseurs never before access to purchase one of Amaury's chocolate masterpieces, but the first 100 American Express Card Members each day can receive a complimentary chocolate creation from the renowned pastry chef. 'I am so excited to share my passion down under during this exclusive collaboration with American Express in Sydney!' Amaury said. The event runs for three days from May 8 to May 10, from 10am to 5pm.
