From extreme mountain sports to the summits of French Gastronomy, acclaimed Two Star Michelin Chef Edouard Loubet will showcase his culinary fare at an exclusive degustation evening at Privé 249 on Wednesday 22nd February from 6:30pm.
Guests attending the event will enjoy a carefully prepared seven-course journey of gastronomy by French born Loubet, along with wine pairing by Restaurant Manager Wendy Hawkins-Leslie.

Edouard describes his style in three words ‘simplicity, smoothness and lightness.’
“I fight against heaviness”, the Chef insists.

A master of his craft, Loubet is a Two Michelin Star Chef, and boasts four hats at his restaurant Gault et Millau Domaine de Capelongue in Bonnieux France. Loubet was also awarded the coveted title of French Chef of the Year in 2011 by Gault Millau, one of the most influential restaurant guides in France.

Born in Val Thorens, Loubet was a professional member of the French Alpin ski team, before the family tradition (his mother owns the Fitz Roy in Val Thorens) influenced his move to the kitchen.

Shortly after completing his culinary studies Loubet traveled to the United States and Canada. During his travels he constantly wrote to the owners of all three star restaurants listed in the Michelin guide in his homeland of France, in the hope of securing a position on his return.

Impressed by his persistence and enthusiasm, Alain Chapel at Mionnay offered him a role, and from there Edouard moved throughout the French restaurant scene learning from the leaders in his field, including Marc Veyrat of Annecy (where his passion for herbs was born), Pierre Orsi (La Mère Brazier) and Philippe Chavent (La Tour Rose).

“Edouard has personally designed a very special menu for the evening. It is unlike anything we have offered before and the team and I am thrilled that we can work alongside Edouard and introduce his style of cuisine to our guests. It will be quite an experience,” says Prive’s Executive Sous Chef Craig Napper.
Lobster Soup infused with Wild Vervain, Complicity of Foie Gras, Chanterelle Mushrooms Mousse and iced soup of bitter chocolate with floating islands of yarrow meringue and ice cream are just a few of the elements to appear throughout the seven course event.
Tickets for the event are $249 per person, which includes expert wine pairing. Bookings for ‘Dinner with Edouard Loubet’ are essential and can be made by contacting 07 3835 3535. Tickets are strictly limited.
Following the exclusive evening with Edouard Loubet, Craig Napper and the team of Privé 249 will offer a selection of Edouards dishes from Thursday 23rd February to Saturday 10th March for a special 3 course dining option for $99 (excluding wine pairing).  Bookings via 07 3835 3535.
Privé 249 offers a sexy, smart and private dining experience. All the senses are engaged with magical views, sublime flavours, smart service and striking décor.
Floor to ceiling windows frame magnificent city views overlooking Brisbane Central Clock Tower and the historic Anzac Square. By day natural light streams through the windowed wall and by night the mood is transformed with dramatic Italian chandeliers. Black glass tabletops are set with white china and Italian titanium cutlery, a striking mix of gold and silver.

No one does romance better than the French, so this Valentines Day book a stay at Sofitel Brisbane Central and experience art de vivre with the exclusive Sofitel Magnifique Romance Package.

Enjoy luxurious comfort in an elegantly appointed room, a bottle of Mumm, a surprise valentine gift on arrival, and breakfast in bed for you and your loved one.  From just $305 per night, Sofitel’s Romance Package is the perfect excuse for a luxury inner city escape.

The hotels award winning dining outlets boast a mouth watering selection of cupid approved dining specials, with both Thyme2 Interactive Restaurant and Privé 249 offering Valentine inspired menus during select days in February. Thyme2 will offer pre-valentines seafood dining specials from Saturday 11th February, with complimentary bubbles on arrival and a live harpist performer entertaining guests on select evenings.

The multi award winning Privé 249 has an exclusive six-course Valentine degustation menu created by Executive Sous Chef Craig Napper. The menu will be available for one night only, Tuesday 14th February at $149 per person and features a summer berry and rose petal sorbet dessert, which is sure to be a winner with valentine diners.

The seductive décor of Privé 249 offers the perfect setting for a romantic evening, with the ambient glow of candlelight, city views, personal service and sublime flavours making the perfect recipe for an unforgettable Valentines Day.

Cuveé Lounge Bar has developed a speciality Valentines cocktail to celebrate the month of love.  The Passion pour la Rose is a delicate combination of Hennessy VS and Vanilla Liquor 43. Shaken with fresh passion fruit, scented with rose petal, and accompanied by a Sparkling Rosé chaser – a must for couples to sample during their stay.

For reservations contact Sofitel Brisbane Central via 07 3835 3535 or visit www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au
Terms & Conditions: Romance package subject to availability. For Bookings contact hotel direct or visit www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au.Full dining details available online at sofitelbrisbane.com.au, including entertainment dates and Valentines menus.

With Chinese New Year approaching, Accor has announced that 20 of its hotels in Australia have achieved Chinese Optimum Service Standards to enable to them to better cater for the growing inbound market from China. Accor is the first hotel group in Australia to introduce these standards, which will enable accredited hotels to meet the expectations of Chinese travellers with the inclusion of Chinese dishes on menus, Chinese newspapers and television channels, Chinese language welcome kits, Chinese adaptors and more to make guests from China feel at home.

An integral component of the Optimum Service Standards is special training for Accor’s staff in cultural differences that will assist them to more respectfully serve Chinese guests. Accor has also introduced Indian Optimum Service Standards for visitors from that country.

Last year Accor saw an 18.3% increase on Chinese guests and this year is expecting even higher numbers, especially with the dramatic increase in flights from China thanks to the growth of flights to Australia by airlines such as China Southern, Air Asia, Jetstar, Scoop and others. Indeed interest from the Chinese market is so high that next week will see the arrival of the first ever charter flight from China to Ayers Rock Resort, which is now part of the Accor network.

Not only is China set to be Australia’s number one source of visitors in coming years, but already Chinese tourists are our biggest spenders, contributing $3.1 billion to the economy in 2010 and a predicted $6 billion by 2020, almost twice as much as Australia’s second biggest market, the UK.

“We have already seen the impact that our Chinese Optimum Service Standards have made in terms of bookings and we expect the number of accredited hotels to at least double during 2012,” said Accor Vice President Australia Simon McGrath. “We need to show that we not only want the Chinese market but that we are pulling out all stops to provide them the best possible service when they get here.

“Chinese visitors are increasingly sophisticated and they have high expectations in terms of service,” he said. “Accor has introduced specific training that will ensure our staff are attuned to the sensitivities and preferences of our Chinese guests so that they experience Australia in the best way possible.”

Hotels that offer the Optimum Service Standards are: Pullman Reef Casino Cairns, Novotel Cairns, Novotel Palm Cove Resort, All Seasons Cairns, All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club, Sofitel Brisbane, Sofitel Gold Coast, Mercure & Ibis Brisbane, Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour, Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour, Ibis Darling Harbour, Mercure Sydney Potts Point, Ibis World Square, Pullman, Novotel & Ibis Sydney Olympic Park, Novotel Melbourne on Collins, Ibis Melbourne, Novotel St Kilda. 

Sofitel Brisbane Central has embarked on an exciting new initiative in order to capture a new market segment by becoming an accredited hotel provider for the Chinese market. The hotel has started to implement a number of initiatives throughout the hotel to attract this niche clientele.
General manager Tony Chisholm’s experience with the Asian and Chinese market has assisted in implementing the concept, especially when it comes to the staff cultural awareness and training.  Sofitel Brisbane Central has added Chinese inspired food stations at Thyme2 Breakfast, and Chinese newspapers are printed daily and available to guests via various outlets. Special Chinese inspired amenities have also been introduced and the in-room compendium is now supplied in a Chinese version.

Confirm your next conference at Sofitel Brisbane Central and you could be enjoying a business class holiday to the city of lights.

Conference organisers who book and hold a residential conference to the minimum value of $50,000 before 30^th June 2012* at Sofitel Brisbane Central will have the chance to win a luxury escape to Paris, flying business class with Emirates. The prize includes return airfares for two adults, and five nights luxury accommodation at Sofitel Le Faubourg Paris, a flagship property for the luxury hotel brand.

Professional Conference Organisers (PCO’s) don’t need to look far for their inspiration, with the hotel currently boasting an exclusive Fashion Stills exhibition from the famous Polka Galerie in Paris. The exhibit has been touring with Sofitel Luxury Hotels throughout the year and is on display at Sofitel Brisbane until December. 

A custom made gallery was constructed for the exhibition and offers conference organisers a unique space for up to 40 guests to enjoy cocktail style functions and pre or post conference events.

The artistic works of the gallery will see delegates mingling with a fashionable crowd of famous faces, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Carla Bruni and Kate Moss.  Star photographers, Derek Hudson, Francoise Huguier, Jean-Marie Périer and Gérard Uféras have all succeeded in capturing unique moments on the couture catwalk; evident in the shots of Dior, Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves St Laurent, Christian Lacroix and Givenchy.

An exclusive Polka Fashion Stills inspired conference menu of cocktails and canapés will add to the Parisian touch, with Polaktini’s, High Tea and Fashion branded macaroons certain to be a hit amongst attendees.

General Manager Tony Chisholm says, “The gallery offers yet another space for conference and event organisers to host their events and is an experience that their guests can’t get anywhere else – it truly is unique.” 

“Sofitel is an ambassador of French culture and French elegance and we’re thrilled to host the exhibition. Fashion Stills is a world class collection and reflects our commitment to the arts and our passion for offering guests memorable experiences when they visit our hotel”, ends Chisholm.

Fashion Stills will be on display to the public at Sofitel Brisbane Central in a custom deigned gallery on the lobby level until Monday December 26^th 2011.  

The perfect domain for the corporate traveller, Sofitel Brisbane Central features 11 magnificent technically advanced conference venues catering for ten to 1100 delegates. Located in the CBD with extensive views over the city and direct rail access to the airport via Central Station, Sofitel offers unparalleled city centre convenience.

The extensive floor space caters for trade shows on a dedicated conference level, to international events in its pillar-less ballroom. Smaller, more intimate functions and meetings can be accommodated in boardrooms equipped with high speed internet, built-in projection and plasma screens, multiple phone and data outlets, DVD players, refrigerators and espresso coffee making facilities. 

High speed Internet access, video conferencing, technical services and support teams ensure all events held at Sofitel Brisbane Central reach the highest of international standards. A dedicated team of knowledgeable Conference and Event Managers and a dedicated Conference Concierge are on hand and readily available to ensure perfection with all events.

Additional hotel facilities include Sofitel Club Lounge, a Business Centre, Cuvèe Lounge Bar, Thyme² Interactive Restaurant, the multi award winning Privé249, SoFit Gymnasium, an outdoor pool and Stephanie's Spa Retreat, which was recently awarded Best Hotel Day Spa in Australasia.

Advanced production tools, the hotel ‘theme team’, state-of-the-art boardrooms and award winning banquet chefs combine to make a long lasting and unique impressions on all attendees.  Allow the team to inspire your next conference. Take advantage of the amazing conference offer today and you could be enjoying croissants in Paris.

For enquiries please contact the hotels dedicated Conference and Catering Department via  (07) 3835 3535, visit www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au or email h5992-sb1@sofitel.com

* Terms and conditions: Book and hold a residential conference to the minimum value of $50,000 before 30th June 2012. Go into the draw to win a 5 night luxury escape for 2 people to Sofitel Le Faubourg in Paris, including return business class flights with Emirates.