For Release Monday 26th September: Sofitel Brisbane Central invites you to attend a spectacular Melbourne Cup affair on Tuesday 1st November at Sofitel Ballroom le Grand. Guests will join the Classic Hits 4KQ Breakfast crew presenters Laurel Edwards, Gray Clare and Mark Hine for a stylish Melbourne Cup soirée of race day action, gourmet cuisine and spectacular fashions.

Guests will enjoy the excitement of the Melbourne Cup events on the Sofitel ballroom cinema screens, whilst indulging in Moet & Chandon on arrival, a gourmet three course feast by Executive Chef Patrice Falantin, free flow sparkling and a selection of wine and beer throughout the day.

Char-grilled fillet of beef with mushroom, pommes parisiennes, baby leeks and confit baby beetroot; and Corne Bay barramundi fillet with crispy polenta, buttered peas, pink radishes, white asparagus and watercress veloute will delight the taste buds of attendees. Sweet toothed guests can also enjoy berry mousse, pistachio and white chocolate cream desserts, along with a selection of race day macaroons.

Fashion previews by style guru’s id couture will feature the designs of Bora, Dogstar, Foxton Danger, Sharka Bosakova, Tilly Row, Wil Valor and Subfusco. Kip and Brand, Rachel Howard Millinary and Natalie Jane Millinary will lead the way in accessories and headwear, culminating in a spectacular event of spring summer styles set to impress both the fillies and stallions of the crowd!

Fashions on the field will be in hot demand and one lucky guest will win a fantastic five night escape for two at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa located on beautiful Denarau Island, including return airfares for two with Air Pacific and breakfast daily.

The dance floor won’t be lonely with popular Brisbane band ‘Out There’ playing an impressive repertoire of covers from old time classics to today’s chart topping hits.

Sofitel Brisbane Central Ballroom le Grand, Tuesday1st November 2011 11.30am until 3.30pm.  Tickets limited so book now. Early bird $155pp or $1500 for table of 10 (until 12th October).  Regular ticket price $180 per person or $1750 table of 10.

Reservations and full menu details available via www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au, or available by contacting the hotel direct via 07 3835 3535.

More than 120 guests gathered at Sofitel Brisbane Central on Thursday evening to celebrate the official launch of Fashion Stills, an exclusive photographic exhibition from the famous Polka Galerie in Paris. Featuring works by the worlds most famed fashion photographers, the images showcase the iconic faces of Kate Moss, Karl Legerfeld and Yves St Laurent.

As guests anticipated the official red curtain opening they were treated to a runway showcase by styling extrodinaires ID Couture, with designs by Foxton Danger, Subfusco and George Wu gracing the catwalk in spectacular style.
Hair and makeup students from the Australian Institute of Creative Design, along with photographic talent from Design College Australia took part in the production, proving that local ‘fashionable’ talent has a healthy heartbeat in Brisbane.

As the red curtains were drawn guests were invited to view the exhibition in the custom designed gallery created in the lobby of the hotel. Enjoying French bubbles and a selection of Chefs canapés, inspired guests lined up for their turn in the private poloroid photo booth to capture their own black and white memory of the night.  Fashion Stills will be on display to the public at Sofitel Brisbane Central until Monday December 26th 2011.

For details on the fashions showcased at the Fashion Stills launch please see following:

Styling
idcouture: www.idcouture.com

Designers:
Foxton Danger: www.foxtondanger.com.au
Subfusco: www.subfuco.com
George Wu: www.georgewu.com.au

Shoes:
Tom Gunn: www.tomgunn.com
Vein: www.veinwear.com

Thank you to the Diploma of styling students
Australian Institute of Creative Design www.aicdedu.com.au

For release Tuesday 6th September: Sofitel’s multi award winning restaurant Privé 249 has appointed Australian born Craig Napper to the role of Executive Sous Chef.

A local to the Gold Coast and Brisbane restaurant scene, Napper brings more than 20 years food and beverage experience to the popular fine dining venue. Previously holding positions with in Brisbane with Augustines on George and Restaurant Baguette, Napper has also worked in several five star hotels throughout Europe. 

Cooking pancakes for Leonardo DiCaprio, making munchie packs for rocker Lenny Kravitz and assisting Gordan Ramsey at the Hyatt Carlton in London, Nappers international experience is star studded to say the least. 

“Privé 249 is a new chapter in my culinary career. I’m really excited to be overseeing the boutique operation of a fine dining outlet and combining my knowledge of Australian flavours with the French influenced menu,” says Napper.

“I aim to continue the use of Queensland produce and will work closely with local suppliers to ensure we offer guests the best products available in the market.   I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge with the talented team of young chefs at the hotel and working with them on creating new and inspiring menus for our guests,” adds Napper.

“The combination of limitless resources, expansive access to the best products on the market and state of the art equipment means we’ll be bringing several innovative surprises to the menu in the months to come,” ends Napper.

“We’re really proud to have Craig on board and leading the charge for Privé 249,” says General Manager Tony Chisholm.

“We have a strong brigade of French Chefs throughout the entire hotel and our Privé 249 Sous Chef, Josh Okord, boasts a distinct French flair to his cooking. The appointment of Craig will not only help guide our younger Chefs, but also bring to the mix a new world Australian influence,” adds Chisholm

Seating up to 52 guests, 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.

Privé 249 is currently operating for lunch Tuesday to Friday, and Tuesday to Saturday for dinner service. Entrée’s from $24 and mains from $35, guests are spoilt for choice with Privé 249 also boasting an impressive five course tasting menu and extensive wine list. Bookings are recommended and can be made by contacting Sofitel direct, 07 3835 3535.

For Wednesday 17th August: Indulge in fashion decadence when Kate, Karl and Chanel make their Sofitel Brisbane debut on Friday September 9th. 

Sofitel Brisbane Central presents Fashion Stills, a unique and exciting collection of photographs featuring some of the most iconic figures and moments in fashion history.  Following a highly successful tour across Europe and North America, the exhibition was first displayed at the Sofitel Le Faubourg in late 2009. Designed and staged by the famous Polka Galerie in Paris, the exhibit has been touring with Sofitel Luxury Hotels at Melbourne and Sydney throughout the year, with it’s final destination – Brisbane, Queensland.

Fashion Stills invites you to take a peek behind the scenes at Dior, Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves St Laurent, Christian Lacroix and Givenchy, with the famous faces of 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.
General Manager Tony Chisholm says, “Sofitel is an ambassador of French culture and French elegance and we’re thrilled to bring the exhibition to Brisbane. Fashion Stills is a world class collection and reflects our commitment to the arts and our passion for offering guests unique experiences when they visit our hotel.”
Fashion Stills will be on display to the public at Sofitel Brisbane Central in a custom designed gallery on the lobby level from Friday September 9th until Monday December 26th 2011.
Celebrate with Polkatini’s and Polka inspired wine flights at Cuvee Lounge Bar during the exhibition period – or tempt your taste buds with the Polka inspired cocktail list. The Nouvelle Mode Française (Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, Cranberry, Fresh Raspberries) and the Haute Couture (Hennessy, Vanilla liquor 43, Passion Fruit, Rose petal, Moet Chandon Rose) are tipped to be favourites amongst cocktail connoisseurs.
Following the official launch of Fashion Stills, Sofitel’s famous High Tea will take on a fashionable twist, which will see chocoholics and sweet-toothed souls salivating with delight!  The High Tea will feature a collection of ‘Black & White’ gastronomic creations, with dark, light and white chocolate rich treats ruling the High Tea tower. Guests will also receive a complimentary glass of sparkling to enjoy as they view the exhibit following their High Tea.

Polka High Tea from $38 per person, from 2pm daily from September 9th to Saturday 31st December 2011. 
For bookings call Sofitel Brisbane Central direct 07 3835 3535 or visit www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au.

Images:
Derek Hudson. Kate Moss. Paris 1998. Courtesy Polka Galerie
Jean Marie Perier. Karl Lagerfeld. Hamburg 1995.Courtesy Polka Galerie
Gerard Uferas. Chanel Haute Couture. Paris 2003. Courtesy Polka Galerie

Twinnie O’Bree has been awarded Best Employee Guest Services, at the the annual QHA Awards for Excellence, held last month in Brisbane. The award ceremony recognises and commend hotels and staff who achieve excellence in their day-to-day business. Thousands of hoteliers from across the state attended the black-tie function last month, where Sofitel was recognised with six finalist placings. As Guest Relations Manager, Twinnie is responsible for the development of the luxury perception of the hotel and ensuring services provided to guests reflect the Sofitel brand standards. One of the key components of Twinnie’s role is the management of VIP guest request and guest amenities. During the past 12 months Twinnie has demonstrated beyond the call of duty innovation and commitment in the creation of a complete guest amenity program, an intiative which helped secure her QHA award win.