What’s your favourite bottle of wine
to bring to the beach?2015 Gatti Bolle
Bandite from Veneto. It’s cheap, easy
and fun. For a late-night tipple down on
the water: NV Vouette and Sorbée Fidèle
from Champagne. I also can’t go past
a nice sour beer from Two Metre Tall.
The best ice-cream to eat by the water?
It’s hard to beat Frosty Fruits or an
almond Magnum.
Which seaside ingredient are you
looking forward to using at Totti’s?
I love coastal celery. Anise and sea
purslane are great as well. We’re lucky
enough to have Bruce Collis supplying
our seafood – I’m really excited to just
let him send us everything he has.
What’s the best meal you’ve had by the
beach?I was fortunate to spend some
time at an isolated wildlife sanctuary onthe western tip of Cape York. We cooked
some amazing meals over fire on the
beach from ingredients that were hunted
and gathered daily. It was really special,
but honestly even the baked beans and
Coco Pops tasted five-star.
What’s the best thing about cooking in
Bondi?It’s synonymous with sun,outdoors
and friends. These are the best things about
most meals, and something you cherish
when working long hours in kitchens.
What will you be reading over summer?
I have a backlog of great cookbooks that I
haven’t gotten around to reading (Aska, A
Very Serious Cookbook, Superiority Burger
Cookbook). I’m also reading a fantastic
book about sustainable timber called
Heartwoodby Rowan Reid.
Totti’s at The Royal, 283 Bondi Rd, Bondi,
NSW, (02) 9114 7371, merivale.comClub Med KaniAll comers are welcome, of
course, but Club Med Kani is a firm favourite
for families, attracted by a well-run children’s
clubforfour-to10-year-oldsandscoresof
all-inclusive activities for four- to 17-year-olds.
Children from two years are welcome, and
those under four stay free. Little adventurers
can join coral propagation sessions, cooking
lessons, face painting and a flying trapeze
school; children aged eight and older can take
lessons in sailing, snorkelling, wakeboarding
and kayaking.travel-associates.com.au
Soneva JaniThe night skies here are some
ofthemostdazzlingonEarth,andthis
year-oldresortinNoonuAtollmakesthem
a starring attraction. Each of Soneva Jani’s
24 villas, arrayed around a five-island lagoon,
feature retractable roofs to encourage
heavenly contemplation. For more serious
stargazing, there’s an overwater observatory
with a five-metre telescope and a resident
astronomer on hand. A new seaplane service
flies guests between Soneva Jani and sister
resort Soneva Fushi.travel-associates.com.auLuxSouthAriAtollFullmarksforbeingableto
pronounce (or spell) the resort’s location, on the
island of Dhidhoofinolhu. Recently refurbished,
theresorthas193villas–someonland,others
overthelagoon–withalltheamenities
expected: a dive centre, two pools, tennis
courts, gym. Its distinguishing features are a
cut-abovespatendedbya“wellnessconcierge”,
eight eateries and five bars, and a focus on
watersports. Meanwhile, sister resort Lux North
Male opens this month with 67 penthouses,
each served by a butler.travel-associates.com.auMore in the Maldives
From more than 100 resorts on 1,000-plus islands, here are three that stand out among the atolls.
THREE OF THE BESTMAGIC MIKE
Pop-up veteran Mike Eggert has a permanent gig at Totti’s, Merivale’s
new Bondi eatery at The Royal. Here, he shares his beach essentials.News
GOURMET TRAVELLER 23