Chef David Griffin will be channelling Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing when he carves up the dance floor at City Hall next month for Stars of Newcastle 2026.
The gala event, to be held on September 26, is an annual fundraiser for Cancer Council NSW where local legends team up with a professional dance teacher, learn a dance, and compete in a dance-off.
They are also required to host a fundraising event in the hope of raising as much money for Cancer Council NSW as possible.
The money raised helps fund world-class cancer research, prevention programs, advocacy, and support services for those affected by cancer.
Griffin, who is area manager and head of product development at House of Roast and culinary director at Miine Newcastle, also co-founded the popular Bao Brothers.
And, for one night only, he is offering foodies the chance to relive the magic for a good cause.
The Bao Brothers Block Party is taking over Wickham's Croatian Club on Saturday, September 5, from 3pm to 7pm. There will be DJs, prizes and raffles, a matcha stand, House of Roast's coffee truck and, of course, a nostalgic bao menu.
Tickets are $22 plus a booking fee and on sale now at humanitix.com. All proceeds go to Cancer Council NSW.
Griffin has been practising his Stars of Newcastle routine with dance partner Leesa Os from The Tribe Collective for several weeks.
He's excited but nervous about the prospect of dancing in front of a crowd.
"I've danced before, but not like this. We've got about seven weeks of lessons left. My theme is 'cinematic', so I'll be emulating Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing on the night," Griffin said.
"They will be hard shoes to fill, for sure.
"Personally, I've had a few challenges over the last couple of years, so I'm excited to get outside my comfort zone and do something different.
"Also, my dad has had cancer on and off, and was terminally ill at one stage, and we're very lucky to still have him here. My mum has got nodular melanoma at the moment and is going through radiotherapy.
"It's something close to my heart. Everyone knows someone with cancer."
Griffin will be dancing off against fellow Stars of Newcastle contestants Alycia Davies, Christine Armstrong, Christy Standen, Corey March, Courtney Bolch, Dani Briggs, Jaime Elise, Jordy Hubbard, Laura Jackel and Sarah Farley.
Papalote restaurant's cantina, Coyote, is hosting a "Meet the Maker" agave spirits masterclass with Esteban Morales at 6pm on Tuesday, September 1.
Morales is the founder of Casa Endémica and the man behind La Venenosa, Derrumbes and Bagazo. His distillery, El Bagazo, sits in the hills near Mascota. He's bringing some of his rarest pours with him to Coyote, including a 15-year anniversary release that's never touched Australian shores.
Hosted by Howard Baynie, of Agavelux, this is a hands-on, glass-in-hand walk through tequila, raicilla and mezcal, paired course by course with dishes from Papalote's menu. Tickets are $110 per person and on sale now.
Back for a limited time, QT Hotels & Resorts and Perrier-Jouët have teamed up for Bubble with Bites - a winter celebration of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut and indulgent snacks.
At QT Newcastle, it's all about Champagne and oysters on the Rooftop. A dozen oysters is being served with a pomegranate Champagne mignonette alongside a bottle of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut for $169. Also on offer is a bottle of Champagne paired with four mushroom and truffle croquettes for $119, or you can enjoy Perrier-Jouët by the glass for $22.
Bubble with Bites is available at Rooftop at QT Newcastle until Sunday, August 31.
Restaurant Mason is back for one night only. All killer, no filler.
To celebrate the end of Humbug's Favourites Menu 2.0, Chris Thornton of Restaurant Mason is joining chef Michael Portley and his team at Humbug for a one-night collaboration on Thursday, September 3. Both chefs will be serving their favourite dishes from years past, side by side, at three sittings: 5pm, 6.45pm and 8pm. Tickets to the five-course dinner are $135 per person (drinks not included).
Due to popular demand, Crystalbrook Kingsley has extended its Winter Lodge season to include the first two weeks of September (Friday through to Sunday at 3pm, 5.30pm or 8pm). Book now.
If you haven't yet ordered from Customs House's small share-plate menu, you should. Highlights include the Applewood smoked Tasmanian salmon rillette, grilled leeks with hazelnut and vinaigrette, and baked South Australian scallops with café de Paris.
The Gold Coast Titans dined at The Maryville Tavern on Sunday night following their loss to the Knights.
