The Farmhouse at Pialligo Estate, Pialligo, Canberra

Pialligo Estate is located less than 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre, but it feels very much like you’re visiting a secluded country estate. 

The long-standing property and winery were revitalised in 2015 with the addition of the (now hatted) Farmhouse restaurant, under the guidance of chef Brendan Walsh.

Visiting the restaurant is a journey in itself. After driving down a country-style lane that’s dotted with garden centres and markets stalls, the Farmhouse Restaurant opens up at the end of the road. The restaurant is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, which we later find out include a vegetable market garden and ornamental fruit trees as well as the expected vineyard. The building itself features an imposing entrance with heavy wooden doors that open to reveal several large rustic fireplaces, stone floors and wooden beams in the ceiling.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/the-farmhouse-at-pialligo-estate-pialligo-canberra.html 

Local Press Cafe, Kingston Foreshore, Canberra, Australia

Sometimes, it seems as though it might be impossible for a restaurant or café to achieve the big three: great location, great food and drinks, and great service. 

Usually, one or the other is lacking. However, Local Press Cafe really does seem to have them all.

Local Press Café can be found on the Kingston Foreshore area of Canberra, a much anticipated and growing urban waterside community that’s home to some of the city’s most exciting new bars and restaurants. The price for such a prime location is plenty of competition, but Local Press has been able to carve out a niche for itself with its focus on clean, healthy, wholesome food.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/local-press-cafe-kingston-foreshore-canberra-australia.html 

Truffle Hunt at Blue Frog Truffle Farm, Canberra

While many of us have enjoyed the intoxicating aroma and earthy taste of black truffles, it was a rare treat to be able to visit the source and join in a truffle hunt at Blue Frog Truffles in Canberra, Australia.

The Canberra Region Truffle Festival is taking place during our visit (it’s on each year from June to August) so it’s the ideal time to join one of the hunts. 

Blue Frog Truffles is located in Sutton, NSW, about 20 minutes by car from the Canberra city centre. It’s a real insight into Australia’s ‘country capital’ – with just this short drive, we’re into real agricultural land with little indication that we’re so close to a major city.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/truffle-hunt-at-blue-frog-truffle-farm-canberra.html 

Yabby Jaffles, Monster Kitchen & Bar, Hotel Hotel, Canberra

Set amongst the incredible architecture of Hotel Hotel, it would be easy for Monster Kitchen and Bar to be overwhelmed by its surroundings. 

Instead, the venue is carving out a solid reputation for hearty and sophisticated food, while attracting a lot of attention for one simple little dish in particular.

Before we explain Monster’s new signature dish, you have to understand an Australian icon known as the ‘jaffle’. It’s made by placing your desired filling – usually cooked meat and vegetables – between two slices of bread, then toasting the sandwich using a special press (called a jaffle iron) that seals the edges together, ensuring a crispy toasted outside and a pocket of warmed filling inside.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/yabby-jaffles-monster-kitchen-bar-hotel-hotel-canberra.html 

EightySix, Braddon, Canberra

Restaurant eightysix burst onto the Canberra dining scene in early 2013 and quickly earned a reputation for its unorthodox style: the relaxed manner of the staff, the steering toward share plates, and the bustling open-plan kitchen. 

What’s most important though, is that eightysix soon showed it had the skilled team and quality of food to back up its bold presence.

While our waiter and long-time employee of the business, Ross, admits they’ve toned it down since they opened, the experience is as polished as ever. This is evidenced by the crowd that packs the venue when we arrive on a Tuesday evening, on a typically cool Canberra winter’s night. The entrance, glowing yellow from the nearby neon ‘86’ sign, is definitely inviting.

Read more at http://theyumlist.net/en/2016/08/eightysix-braddon-canberra.html 

A day with Team Isuzu D-MAX

Beyond the ‘Wow’ factor, what can the everyday motorist learn from Team Isuzu D-Max. Jane Speechley spent a day with them to find out.
If you've visited one of Australia’s many capital city or country agricultural shows recently, chances are, you’ve seen Team Isuzu D-Max in action.

An arena favourite, the team performs a range of exciting stunts, from bouncing off ‘kicker ramps’ to choreographed formation driving, and the ever-popular two-wheel balancing act.

They’re always a thrill to watch, but not surprisingly, behind these daring manoeuvres lies a great deal of skill and training. Crucial to a successful performance is maintaining control the car through precise management of speed, steering, distance and timing.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/a-day-with-team-isuzu-d-max/

Dealing with doubts

My blog this week is a bit of a sidestep from the usual topics of communications and public relations, but I think there are still some relevant concepts here.

Right now, I’m in the process of developing a new business.

It’s exciting, but also more than a little nerve-wracking. Particularly, telling people about my business idea – which I’m starting to do now – is a vulnerable time. What if they think it’s silly? What if they think I’M silly? What if I’m completely wrong about the whole thing!? Eek!

Suffice to say, I’ve had my share of moments of doubt.

So, partly as a bit of self-therapy, and partly because I hope my experience might benefit others, I’m going to share my advice for dealing with The Dreaded Doubts.

1. Recognise the value of those second thoughts.

I try to think of my self-doubts as part of an internal debate, which helps me explore all the possible options and iron out any wrinkles in my idea. It’s a bit like my own risk identification and management process, which as we know, is an important part of communications practice.

I’m a fairly positive person by nature, but I don’t want to approach any decision or idea with blind optimism and naivety and without thinking about what could go wrong and what I might need to do differently.

So by second-guessing myself just a little, and by asking myself questions like, ‘what evidence do I have to back up my gut feelings on this topic?’, ‘am I making too many assumptions?’ and ‘what are the consequences if it all falls in a heap?’, I’m actually making sure my decisions are more balanced and well considered.

2. Ride it out

The other benefit of recognising your self-doubts as a natural – and even valuable – part of the process, is that you know they’ll eventually pass if you can ride them out.

Approaching any new venture usually means experiencing any number of highs and lows: excitement and nervousness, satisfaction and disappointment, moments of confidence and moments of doubt.

Work isn’t always smooth sailing, even in an established business, and especially in public relations practice. But there’s great strength that comes from knowing this and expecting both the highs and the lows. Remember that great saying, ‘this too shall pass’? In the same way you can’t hope to feel elated with excitement all the time, not should you expect your doubts to last either.

Recognise the feelings, acknowledge them, and know they too will pass.

3. Make a win list

Coincidentally, a friend called me for advice last week. A couple of really bad days at work had left her doubting that she’s as talented and amazing as I know she is, and it was really affecting her overall outlook.

(And yes, you bet, I have indeed recruited her to my new business idea!!)

In the meantime, one of the things I suggested to her is something that’s worked well for me in the past.

We all have a few things we’re really proud of. These might be professional or personal achievements, or aspects of our personality that we’ve cultivated. When we’re feeling good, it’s easy to remember the good stuff we’ve done; unfortunately, it’s not so easy when we feeling low, and that’s usually when we really need the reminder.

So, right now, I suggest you write it all down. It’s what I call a ‘Win List’, and it’s not too dissimilar to the list of successful projects and achievements that a public relations business might keep to include in pitches to new clients.

Put your list down on paper or create a document on your computer. Make a list of everything you are, and everything you’ve done, that make you proud. You know, those things that make you say, hey, you know what, I’m not too shabby after all!

Anyway, whenever you need a boost, you can pull out your list and remind yourself of your strengths, your wins, and that sometimes, you’re actually pretty great!

There you have it – those are my tips for dealing with doubts. As for the exciting new business idea, you’ll have to wait a little longer to hear about that ;)