Latest news with #Nordic-inspired
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
California's Culinary scene reaches new heights with 2025 MICHELIN guide selection
The 2025 MICHELIN Guide California has set a new benchmark for global gastronomy, unveiling a selection that celebrates not only exceptional cuisine but also innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship. With two new Three MICHELIN Star restaurants—Providence in Hollywood and Somni in West Hollywood—joining the elite ranks, California now boasts eight restaurants at the highest level of culinary recognition. With the addition of the new restaurants, California has the highest number of Michelin-Starred restaurants in the US. Chef Michael Cimarusti's Providence was elevated from Two Stars for its extraordinary seafood-driven menu rooted in California flavours, classic techniques, and sustainable sourcing. Dishes like lobster mousse and roasted monkfish with black truffle earned the restaurant its coveted third star. Meanwhile, Somni, led by Chef Aitor Zabala, made a dream debut, offering a meticulously curated and artistic dining experience that seamlessly blends Spanish influences with cutting-edge creativity. Joining them in the Two Star category are Enclos in Sonoma, which impressed with refined seasonal dishes and New England nostalgia, and Kiln in San Francisco, known for its Nordic-inspired tasting menus emphasizing fermentation and preservation. Five restaurants have earned their first MICHELIN Star: Lilo (Carlsbad), Mori Nozomi (Los Angeles), Restaurant Ki (Los Angeles), Silvers Omakase (Santa Barbara), and Sun Moon Studio (Oakland). These diverse establishments represent a spectrum of cuisines—Californian, Japanese, Korean Contemporary, and more—underscoring the multicultural heart of California's food landscape. Sustainability also took center stage. Two restaurants—Enclos and Sons & Daughters in San Francisco—were awarded the MICHELIN Green Star for their eco-conscious practices, such as in-house dairy programs, regenerative agriculture, and waste minimization through preservation and fermentation. In the value-for-money category, 123 eateries were honored with the Bib Gourmand distinction, which rewards establishments offering excellent food at moderate prices. New additions include Atelier Manna in Encinitas and Pho Momma in Sacramento, demonstrating that great cuisine in California is accessible at all levels. The 2025 ceremony also celebrated individuals with special awards. Chef Ki Kim of Restaurant Ki received the Michelin Young Chef Award, while Chris Barnum-Dann of Localis won the Michelin Sommelier Award. The Exceptional Cocktails Award went to the bar team at Eylan, and Nick Peyton of Cyrus was recognized for Outstanding Service. Altogether, the 2025 MICHELIN Guide California includes 548 restaurants across 55 cuisine types, cementing the state's position as a dynamic culinary capital. With its diversity of flavours, sustainable ethos, and commitment to excellence, California's gastronomic journey continues to inspire both seasoned gourmands and everyday diners. To explore the full list and book hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide, visit or download the MICHELIN Guide app.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Attempted murder charges against wife of celebrated chef after house fire
A woman accused of trying to murder two children in a house fire has been identified as the wife of an Australian-based, internationally acclaimed chef. Hyun Ju Ahn, 37, was arrested on July 17 and charged with two counts of attempted murder after a fire at the family's Chadstone home in Melbourne's southeast on the night of May 21. She is married to Jae Bang, the head chef and owner of the celebrated Freyja restaurant on Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD. The couple and their two children, aged eight and ten, have lived in Melbourne for three years. Emergency services were called to a two-storey home on Terrigal Street in Chadstone at 9.40pm on May 21. A woman and two girls were rescued from the fire and taken to the hospital in a critical condition, police said. Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad investigated the fire and charged the 37-year-old woman with attempted murder after a two-month probe. Her case remains before Melbourne Magistrates' Court. A fundraiser, started almost a week before the charges were laid, had raised more than $20,000 to support the family. The GoFundMe page, organised by fellow chefs, said that Mr Bang was away from Melbourne on May 21. It said that the family was "unconscious when the firefighters rescued them". "The family is recovering, but they have no home, no other family in the area, and have many expenses to cover from the fire rescue and hospital stays," it said. The family has moved around the world as opportunities to work abroad arose. Mr Bang worked his way through some of the most respected kitchens in the US, Europe and Asia before moving to Australia in 2022 to open the Nordic-inspired restaurant. He told this masthead in April that, with such a busy schedule at the restaurant, the family relished their time together on the weekend. He said they loved sharing a meal at their favourite Chinese restaurant, Tung Wo, when they had time. A woman accused of trying to murder two children in a house fire has been identified as the wife of an Australian-based, internationally acclaimed chef. Hyun Ju Ahn, 37, was arrested on July 17 and charged with two counts of attempted murder after a fire at the family's Chadstone home in Melbourne's southeast on the night of May 21. She is married to Jae Bang, the head chef and owner of the celebrated Freyja restaurant on Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD. The couple and their two children, aged eight and ten, have lived in Melbourne for three years. Emergency services were called to a two-storey home on Terrigal Street in Chadstone at 9.40pm on May 21. A woman and two girls were rescued from the fire and taken to the hospital in a critical condition, police said. Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad investigated the fire and charged the 37-year-old woman with attempted murder after a two-month probe. Her case remains before Melbourne Magistrates' Court. A fundraiser, started almost a week before the charges were laid, had raised more than $20,000 to support the family. The GoFundMe page, organised by fellow chefs, said that Mr Bang was away from Melbourne on May 21. It said that the family was "unconscious when the firefighters rescued them". "The family is recovering, but they have no home, no other family in the area, and have many expenses to cover from the fire rescue and hospital stays," it said. The family has moved around the world as opportunities to work abroad arose. Mr Bang worked his way through some of the most respected kitchens in the US, Europe and Asia before moving to Australia in 2022 to open the Nordic-inspired restaurant. He told this masthead in April that, with such a busy schedule at the restaurant, the family relished their time together on the weekend. He said they loved sharing a meal at their favourite Chinese restaurant, Tung Wo, when they had time. A woman accused of trying to murder two children in a house fire has been identified as the wife of an Australian-based, internationally acclaimed chef. Hyun Ju Ahn, 37, was arrested on July 17 and charged with two counts of attempted murder after a fire at the family's Chadstone home in Melbourne's southeast on the night of May 21. She is married to Jae Bang, the head chef and owner of the celebrated Freyja restaurant on Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD. The couple and their two children, aged eight and ten, have lived in Melbourne for three years. Emergency services were called to a two-storey home on Terrigal Street in Chadstone at 9.40pm on May 21. A woman and two girls were rescued from the fire and taken to the hospital in a critical condition, police said. Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad investigated the fire and charged the 37-year-old woman with attempted murder after a two-month probe. Her case remains before Melbourne Magistrates' Court. A fundraiser, started almost a week before the charges were laid, had raised more than $20,000 to support the family. The GoFundMe page, organised by fellow chefs, said that Mr Bang was away from Melbourne on May 21. It said that the family was "unconscious when the firefighters rescued them". "The family is recovering, but they have no home, no other family in the area, and have many expenses to cover from the fire rescue and hospital stays," it said. The family has moved around the world as opportunities to work abroad arose. Mr Bang worked his way through some of the most respected kitchens in the US, Europe and Asia before moving to Australia in 2022 to open the Nordic-inspired restaurant. He told this masthead in April that, with such a busy schedule at the restaurant, the family relished their time together on the weekend. He said they loved sharing a meal at their favourite Chinese restaurant, Tung Wo, when they had time. A woman accused of trying to murder two children in a house fire has been identified as the wife of an Australian-based, internationally acclaimed chef. Hyun Ju Ahn, 37, was arrested on July 17 and charged with two counts of attempted murder after a fire at the family's Chadstone home in Melbourne's southeast on the night of May 21. She is married to Jae Bang, the head chef and owner of the celebrated Freyja restaurant on Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD. The couple and their two children, aged eight and ten, have lived in Melbourne for three years. Emergency services were called to a two-storey home on Terrigal Street in Chadstone at 9.40pm on May 21. A woman and two girls were rescued from the fire and taken to the hospital in a critical condition, police said. Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad investigated the fire and charged the 37-year-old woman with attempted murder after a two-month probe. Her case remains before Melbourne Magistrates' Court. A fundraiser, started almost a week before the charges were laid, had raised more than $20,000 to support the family. The GoFundMe page, organised by fellow chefs, said that Mr Bang was away from Melbourne on May 21. It said that the family was "unconscious when the firefighters rescued them". "The family is recovering, but they have no home, no other family in the area, and have many expenses to cover from the fire rescue and hospital stays," it said. The family has moved around the world as opportunities to work abroad arose. Mr Bang worked his way through some of the most respected kitchens in the US, Europe and Asia before moving to Australia in 2022 to open the Nordic-inspired restaurant. He told this masthead in April that, with such a busy schedule at the restaurant, the family relished their time together on the weekend. He said they loved sharing a meal at their favourite Chinese restaurant, Tung Wo, when they had time.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
The home interior design trends to tap into now
If you're talking renovations, upgrades and making the most of what you have, it's good to be in the know— after all, there's nothing spontaneous about a considered design brief. Especially when you have the opportunity to create the ideal layout, knowing the latest design trends and exploring "what's in and what's out" means you can make informed decisions — with the potential to add value to your property. To put you on the front foot, home and design platform Houzz has identified the latest home trends gaining traction… 'Based on insights from the 2025 Emerging Trends Report, there's a growing appetite for indulgent upgrades and bold, expressive design, from luxurious bathroom retreats to colour-drenched interiors, highlights Amanda Pollard, senior editor at Houzz. Here's the lowdown on what's key, and influencing our style choices… Wood-drenched interiors 'From wood beams to wooden floors and everything in between, homeowners are embracing wood; thanks to its timeless appeal and ability to add tone and texture to a space,' underlines Pollard. Indeed, she says searches for wood beams are up significantly, and terms like "oak kitchen" and 'wood kitchen' have also been on the rise. Streamlined oak cabinets, an oak island and wood-toned stools add sophistication to this Nordic-inspired kitchen (Randa Kort Interior Architecture & Design/Laura Rupulo Photography/PA) Wooden wall treatments such as slat walls and panels are trending, adds Pollard, and with the help of 3D floor-plan tools, you can see how to integrate these wall treatments. Randa Kort of Randa Kort Interior Architecture & Design says: 'Incorporating natural wood in less conventional ways, such as wall treatments, can add character and visual interest to any space. 'While some of our clients use natural materials like wood to add warmth, others use it to create a more elevated look and choose interior wood cladding for their projects.' Daylighting As Pollard points out, natural light is a commodity, and trending searches for daylighting features show we're in pursuit of airy, sun-filled spaces. With the positive benefits of enhancing light flow and architectural detail throughout the home, she says searches for skylights, orangeries, and glass wall partitions have been climbing. A skylight and glass doors illuminate this contemporary dining room (Snell David Cambridge LTD/Michael Maynard/PA) James Snell, director of Snell David Cambridge Ltd, says: 'It's important to consider all of the potential avenues, as you seek to maximise the natural light throughout your home.' 'Many [people] don't explore the creative and strategic options to brighten up their spaces, and they're missing out,' notes Snell. 'Adding a skylight, for example, can transform a dark space, and internal glass doors can help light flow from one room to the next.' Wall-to-wall design More and more of us are willing to go bold with our interiors, embracing colour and pattern in the home, suggests Pollard. 'Whether they're using vibrant paint, dramatic texture or layered pattern, they're making a statement with creative wall treatments.' More recently, she says searches for a technique known as "colour drenching" — where a single colour, or closely related set of colours, is applied to all surfaces in a room, including walls, ceilings and woodwork — is trending. This colour-drenched living room showcases a vibrant blue hue (Completion Interior Design & Architecture/Kasia Fiszer/PA) And while some may have previously hesitated from making such bold interior decor choices, Pollard says today's visualisation tools help empower them to be more adventurous. 'As it's easier to visualise how it will all come together.' Gilly Foulds, founder of Completion Interior Design & Architecture, says: 'Bold tones and rich textures infuse personality into a space, and homeowners are taking note. 'Not only that, but these more daring choices help to create a space that's uniquely yours, with a distinct personal touch.' Luxurious bathrooms There's a growing appetite for high-end upgrades, and bathrooms offer an opportunity to introduce luxury into everyday life, outlines Pollard. 'This year, interest in luxurious materials has skyrocketed, with 'onyx tile' searches 1,069% higher than last year, and 'marble bathroom' searches up 51%.' She says trends also reveal a growing interest in features that are both luxurious and practical, such as double vanities and double showers. And consistent with Houzz's 2024 Bathroom Trends report, freestanding baths are among the most sought-after bathroom features, says Pollard. A showstopper for sure, this marble-tiled bathroom with a floating double vanity exudes luxury (Snell David Cambridge LTD/Michael Maynard/PA) 'Whether it's a bespoke walk-in shower or high-end materials, our clients are seeking to elevate their bathroom spaces to invoke a spa-like atmosphere,' highlights Snell. Moreover, he says people are increasingly interested in creating dedicated spaces for relaxation and wellness within their homes. 'And many of them are willing to invest in luxury fixtures and features, to transform their bathrooms into sanctuaries.' Pretty in pink 'From the kitchen to the bathroom, pink is back in a big way,' underlines Pollard. She says soft, plaster-pink hues are particularly popular, due to their versatility and subtle sophistication. Uber cool, a delicate pink tile covers the walls of this contemporary bathroom (Francesco Pierazzi Architects/Gianluca Maver/PA) 'Searches for pink bathrooms, pink kitchens and pink bedrooms are all on the rise, which further speaks to pink's adaptability,' she notes. Francesco Pierazzi of Francesco Pierazzi Architects says: 'Considered a neutral by many, soft pink pairs beautifully with a range of colours and styles. 'Beyond that, the shade has warm undertones, which evokes a sense of calm and tranquillity within the home.'
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Arket to open in Dublin this month
H&M Group's Arket chain expects to open its Dublin store this month and it's a key opening as it will be the Nordic lifestyle brand's first physical space in Ireland. Given the label's success in the neighbouring UK market, we can probably expect a strong reception for it in Ireland when it opens at 60 Dawson Street, in a key tourist location and also not far from Trinity College. With a total area of 810 square metres arranged over two floors, the store will feature the label's signature monochrome palette of soft greys and natural materials, including solid oak interiors and lush greenery. The new store will offer the brand's full assortment of ready-to-wear and accessories for women and men, childrenswear, bodycare and interior design. As with other branches, dwell time is a major focus and there will be an Arket Café in-store, 'designed to offer a slower pace and a breathing space in the midst of the shopping district'. The café will serve 'a seasonal vegetarian menu, Nordic-inspired pastries and speciality coffee, with a focus on food creativity and natural flavours'. The move into Ireland comes as the brand opens in other new markets this year, including its first store in Greece and one in the Czech Republic. And last year it entered Italy for the first time with a Milan flagship. It takes its opening programme fairly steadily and will open only its third store in Poland later this year and its fifth in China. Its second store in Norway opened just a few months ago.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Arket to open in Dublin this month
H&M Group's Arket chain expects to open its Dublin store this month and it's a key opening as it will be the Nordic lifestyle brand's first physical space in Ireland. Given the label's success in the neighbouring UK market, we can probably expect a strong reception for it in Ireland when it opens at 60 Dawson Street, in a key tourist location and also not far from Trinity College. With a total area of 810 square metres arranged over two floors, the store will feature the label's signature monochrome palette of soft greys and natural materials, including solid oak interiors and lush greenery. The new store will offer the brand's full assortment of ready-to-wear and accessories for women and men, childrenswear, bodycare and interior design. As with other branches, dwell time is a major focus and there will be an Arket Café in-store, 'designed to offer a slower pace and a breathing space in the midst of the shopping district'. The café will serve 'a seasonal vegetarian menu, Nordic-inspired pastries and speciality coffee, with a focus on food creativity and natural flavours'. The move into Ireland comes as the brand opens in other new markets this year, including its first store in Greece and one in the Czech Republic. And last year it entered Italy for the first time with a Milan flagship. It takes its opening programme fairly steadily and will open only its third store in Poland later this year and its fifth in China. Its second store in Norway opened just a few months ago.
