Absynthe - Gold Coast's Only Three-Star Restaurant Courier Mail Good Food Guide Awards Absynthe was only one of two restaurants in the entire state of Queensland to be awarded three-stars by The Courier Mail's Good Food Guide 2008. The awards were announced on Monday, 3 November in Brisbane. Owner and Chef, Meyjitte Boughenought stated he is very proud of what Absynthe has achieved for the Gold Coast and Queensland since opening just a few short years ago. Michelin standard master classes Keen cooks can now learn the art of modern French cooking at Absynthe, Surfers Paradise. Star chef Meyjitte Boughenout is offering hands-on cooking classes to people who want to learn the professional art of preparation and presentation. French-born Meyjitte has won numerous awards in Australia and scored two Michelin Stars as head chef at a prestigious Belgian restaurant. He now plans to share his skills by teaching cooking in a fully functioning restaurant kitchen. Meyjitte says he is offering more than single session cooking classes. “There are plenty of classes that show people how to create one three course meal but I plan to do more than that,” he says. “The only way to learn to cook and develop confidence in the kitchen is to get in and do it. I invite anyone with a passion for cooking to join me for 20 hours over four days in the kitchen at Absynthe. “They will work alongside me and my team in the kitchen from 2pm to 7pm Monday to Thursday. During this time they will learn every element of the process of preparing fine food,” he says. The $850 per person hands-on cooking school covers produce selection, recipe creation, and presentation. Meyjitte says he hopes to inspire people to be creative with cuisine. “People who like to cook may know how to follow a recipe but they seldom understand the nuances of blending ingredients to create exciting flavours,” he says. “I want my students to learn the skills that will allow then to create wonderful food for their families and friends. Anyone can learn to cook, the most essential ingredient is a passion for perfection,” Meyjitte says. For more information about Absynthe Master Classes phone (07) 5504 6466 or email meyjitte@absynthe.com.au. #ENDS Vogues chooses Absynthe Vogue Entertaining + Travel teams with Absynthe Vogue Entertaining + Travel will host a reader dinner at Absynthe Restaurant, Surfers Paradise on Tuesday, March 11. Absynthe owner and chef Meyjitte Boughenout says he is delighted to partner with Australia’s leading lifestyle magazine. “Vogue Entertaining + Travel usually hosts dinners in Sydney or Melbourne, so I am very pleased the magazine’s food experts recognise Absynthe as one of Australia’s top restaurants,” he says. The current edition of Vogue Entertaining + Travel congratulates Absynthe on a year of success. Recent awards include three stars and Regional Restaurant of the Year in the 2008 Courier Mail Food + Wine Guide. The $95 per person dinner features canapés and four courses with matched wines. Meyjitte says he planned the menu in conjunction with wine experts from Negociants Australia. “The menu follows my philosophy of a journey into taste; each dish represents a different element of the landscape,” he says. Guests will be greeted with candied red radish, snow crab and transparent lemon accompanied by a glass of O’Leary Walker The Hurtle Sparkling. Meyjitte says this will stimulate the tastebuds in readiness for lightly cured trout with parmesan custard and hazelnut salad matched to 2007 Howard Park Riesling from Western Australia. “This will be followed by scallop and black truffle tartlet with champagne velouté and 2006 Freycinet Chardonnay from Tasmania,” he says. The next course is steamed chicken breast wrapped in pancetta with goat cheese polenta and asparagus with 2006 Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The grand finale is caramelised apple with macadamia nut parfait and 2005 Fromm La Strada Auslese Riesling from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. Seats are strictly limited. Phone 5504 6466 to reserve a table at this gourmet event. #ENDS Gourmet gifts from Absynthe Tasteful gifts now available from Queensland's leading restaurant and bakeries Exclusive Absynthe glass handled steak knives by Laguiole set of six $420 Absynthe French Mustard Dressing $8.50 per bottle Absynthe Fresh Lemon Curd $8.50 per jar Products available from Absynthe Restaurant,in front of the Q1 Tower at the junction of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise - Ph (07 5504 6466 Absynthe Bakery - Circle on Cavill, Cavill Avenue, Surfes Paradise Absynthe Bakery - Grice Avenue, Paradise Point Absynthe rated 26 in Australia's top 100 restaurants Gourmet Traveller puts Absynthe in the top 30 Absynthe is now rated at number 26 in the Australian Gourmet Traveller top 100 Australian restaurants. This is the highest rating Gourmet Traveller has given a Queensland restaurant. Gourmet Traveller names Absynthe Australian Best Regional Restaurant 2007 Absynthe was voted Australian Best Regional Restaurant 2007 by prestige publication Gourmnet Traveller. Absynthe owner and chef Meyjitte Boughenout says he was delighted with the result. "It is amazing news for Absynthe and for Queensland," he says. Meyjitte earned two Michelin Stars in Belgium's Restuarant Scholteshos before moving to Australia. His speciality is degustation-style dining. Absynthe is Hermes exclusive caterer Leading international designer Hermes celebrated 70 years of success in April 2007. The style icon chose Absynthe as the caterer for an exclusive night of cocktails, canapes and rare vintage champagne. Now other international status symbols have discovered Absynthe. In the past few months, Meyjitte caterered for Hermes, Gucci and Prada. “In just one week we catered for three of the biggest names in fashion,I am delighted,” he says. Absynthe is the now the darling of the designer set. The Gold Coast Bulletin chose Absynthe as the venue for the Top 10 Best Dressed Ladies luncheon and the annoucnement of the winners. Absynthe Bakery Absynthe French patisserie and bakery now open at Circle on Cavill and Paradise Point Meyjitte Boughenout opened the first Absynthe Bakery at Cirle on Cavill in Surfers Paradise in 2006. The second bakery opened in Paradise Point in 2007. Meyjitte says the bakeries complement the restaurant. "Our motto is become addicted, it takes on a whole new meaning with the bakeries," he says. Take home geniune French style bread and pastries or sit back Parisian style with a delicious cup of coffee and a sweet treat. Signature tastes include Absynthe and raison bread, pumpkin bread, a range of gluten free bread and gourmet pies. The traditional French pastries are beyong compare. Meyjitte says Absynthe is all about quality. "We use the best flour and beautiful fresh ingredients to create bread with texture and taste. The pasties, pies and cakes are made in the time honoured traditions of France," he says. Absynthe - top score from Courier Mail Food Critic Lizzy Loel from The Courier Mail gives 18/20 in all areas The Courier Mail's respected food critic Lizzy Loel enjoyed a gourmet experience at Absynthe and gave the restaurant an excellent rating. Absynthe scored 18 points from a possible 20 in every section. The scores cover food, service, the wine list and ambience. Absynthe is the first Gold Coast restaruant to recieve such a high score all elements.