Category — Lifestyle Channels

Fans of the show will be interested in this two part special where , host Peter Maddison, goes back to look at some of the most-talked about building projects from the first season of Grand Designs Australia and asks the question: was it all worth it?

Lifestyle Channel reveals:

The two-part special returns us to the Surry Hills Small House and the Clovelly Modular.

In 2009, Architect Domenic Alvaro and his partner, Sue, bought small and built big in Surry Hills, Sydney. A tiny corner car park measuring just 7 meters x 6 meters was transformed into 220 square metres of luxurious, light-filled living space. Their vertical concrete house with one large room per floor and no wasted space became an ingenious solution to the issue of urban sprawl. But with no lift and 4 floors, we hoped they’d like stairs.

Now, Peter catches up with Sue and Dom and their brand new baby girl, Alessia. The house has since gained global recognition and the grand title of ‘World House of the Year 2011’. But what’s it been like to live in?  Has the novelty of over 47 steps worn off now they’ve extended the family?

In 2009, Julie and Patrick fast tracked the construction of their super slick, ultra-modern home in the Sydney beachside suburb, Clovelly, thanks to a firm of pre-fab builders in Victoria. Four top end modules built in a Melbourne warehouse were trucked to Sydney in a dramatic convoy, before being craned into place. The challenges (of which there were many) had less to do with the building and more to do with the site. And an ongoing water issue ensured their money was quite literally, going down the drain.

Peter re-visits the couple 3-years on to see how they’re enjoying their fabulous high-end house. We learn how they’ve settled in, whether it’s changed their lives and answer the key question: how is the water issue?

Grand Designs – Surry Hills Small House Revisited airs Monday, April 15 at 8.30pm

Grand Designs – Clovelly Modular Revisited airs Monday, April 22 at 8.30pm

Unknown chef, Paul West, has grabbed the coveted role of host of River Cottage Australia. The 29 year old chef has currently lives in Tasmania and has worked in all areas of food production from a volunteer organic fruiterer to the country’s top restaurant, Vue De Monde. He also holds a certificate in Permaculture Design.

For those who don’t know the original series with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is set on his farm and in his restaurant in England. It is very much farm to plate as well as using seasonal produce. For some reason I had thought Fearnley-Whittingstall would be fronting this series, however he was in Australia this week to film the first episode of the show.

Lifestyle Cottage has also bought a “cottage” in the South Coast of NSW in Central Tilba. It is a former dairy farm.

West said: “I am humbled and incredibly honoured to be offered this role. To be honest, it really hadn’t sunk in until I was walking down the steps of River Cottage last week, cameras rolling for the first time, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was walking up the drive, waving at me.

“I know that I could never fill Hugh’s shoes, and luckily I don’t have to – because he’s still wearing them. We share the same vision and passion for food and its production on a local, regional and national level. I hope that through River Cottage Australia I can educate and empower people to make strong decisions in relation to the food they buy and the meals they prepare.”

Paul West had decided if he obtained the role he would propose to his girlfriend so not only has he got a new show but also a wedding to plan. (Source: News.com.au)

River Cottage Australia is produced exclusively for The LifeStyle Channel by ITV Studios Australia and will be seen on our screens later this year. Even without Hugh this will be an interesting program to watch for both fans of the UK version or newbies to the franchise.

Christmas is the time of year that can be great for some people and not so good for others. Having children it is compulsory to partake in the festivities unless you are willing to pay for years of therapy in their teens.

One aspect of Christmas I don’t mind is the Christmas cooking specials and they have well and truly started on television.

Lifestyle Food has some great shows coming up.

Perennial favourite Jamie Oliver is back starting tonight in the first of two Christmas specials. The viewer also gets  to see his daughters Poppy and Daisy. Jamie’s Best Ever Christmas airs Wednesdays, December 5 and 12 at 8.30pm.

The DC Cupcakes Christmas special will definitely be recorded for the kids in our house, with Sophie and Katherine having to build a six-foot tall nutcracker. DC Cupcakes will be screened on Friday, December 7 at 8.30pm.

As will the special Christmas episode of Cupcake Wars which is on Friday, December 14 at 8.30pm. Can neither confirm or deny whether I have seen every episode of this show.

Other shows that may interest you are Lyndey’s Cracking Christmas. In two half-hour episodes, Lyndey will take her favourite classic and more contemporary recipes and reveal the secrets and shortcuts to whipping up some last minute Christmas dinner. This airs Mondays, December 10 and 17 at 8.30pm.

Sophie Grigson, food writer and cook , four episodes of My Christmas Kitchen. On day one she serves up an alternative Christmas day menu, on day two she cooks a festive Moroccan inspired menu, on day three she serves up simple but delicious Christmas party dishes, and on day four she cooks her favourite Boxing Day dishes to make the most of festive left-overs. You can see this one on Thursday, December 11, to Friday December 15, at 6.30pm

The Hairy Bikers  appear to be the male culinary equivalent of The Two Fat Ladies.  There’ll be booze and plenty of indulgent food at the Hairy Bikers Christmas Party. Si and Dave visit specialists – including a canapé champion and an expert in delectable desserts – to discover the secret of making your festive ‘do’ go with a bang. They also take on the daunting task of designing and building the centrepiece for their party, a vodka ice luge,(not sure if you should try this one at home). This premieres Thursday, December 13 at 8.30pm.

Also Ina Garten will be in Barefoot Christmas in London, where she explores the London food scene on a festive trip with husband Jeffrey. Then, inspired by her delicious discoveries she parties with a British twist back home in East Hampton. This premieres Wednesday, December 19 at 8.30pm.

Finally Michelin star chef, Raymond Blanc makes a Christmas feast, with a French twist in Raymond Blanc’s Christmas Feast. This airs Thursday, December 20 at 8.20pm.

All of these shows are on Lifestyle Food.

Do you have any favourite TV chefs that you like to watch at Christmas? Do you like or loathe Christmas?

Lifestyle Channel have announced an Australian version of River Cottage called River Cottage Australia of course.

They even have managed to nab Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall who is the face to the UK production and they are looking for people who want to be Hugh or Hughettes on the show. So if you are into sustainable lifestyles and/or farming this is the show for you.

This is a great show for Lifestyle and it will definitely be watched in this household, but I have to confess in large doses I do find Hugh a bit too earnest and right on.

If you want to go on the show apply here.

Here are further details about the show:

Foxtel and The LifeStyle Channel today announced the commissioning of new local production, River Cottage Australia, the first international version of the hugely successful series, co-produced by Granada Media Australia and Keo Films.

Mentored by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, River Cottage Australia will search for the new ‘Aussie Hugh’ – testing their knowledge of food, enthusiasm for all things wild and local, and resilience in setting up a sustainable farm in the Australian countryside.

Duane Hatherly, General Manager, LifeStyle Channels and Head of Production said: ”The River Cottage Australia commission adds a new and incredibly exciting venture to the LifeStyle Channel’s robust production slate.

The Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s series is a brand defining, tent-pole franchise on The LifeStyle Channel and we know that Australian’s are as passionate about the River Cottage ‘back to basics’ approach to seasonal cooking and local produce as he is.”

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “It’s brilliant to be taking River Cottage Down Under. Australia’s a country I have long wanted to get to know. We’ve had some lovely Aussies visit us here at River Cottage in Devon and it’s high time I repaid the compliment.

“I know there are great things happening with local, seasonal wild foods and I can’t wait to tap into them. And I’m looking forward to meeting some Aussie Hughs. At least I think I am!”

Fearnley-Whittingstall will visit Australia for the first time when production commences in early 2013.

The search for the new Hugh is underway. For application details visit www.lifestyle.com.au.

In 2013 River Cottage Australia will join a stellar line-up of local productions on The LifeStyle Channel including Come Dine With Me Australia, Selling Houses Australia and Location Location Location Australia.

Design Star is an enjoyable competitive design reality TV show which is now in its 7th season. The prize is to win your only show on the TV network.

It is the usual format a design challenge to a certain timeframe and then they have to a piece to camera about their  design. This series is set in Los Angeles.

The show is currently screening on Lifestyle Home on Thursday nights at 9.30pm, it is the second episode tonight.

One of the contestants in this show, 40 year old Jordan Capella is Australian. Well to be fair he has lived in the US for sixteen year but he was raised in Sydney. He currently owns a candle and furniture line. Here is a blog post from him that tells the viewer a bit more about him. However be careful there are spoilers on his blog.

If you like design shows and have pay tv this one is quite fun, they cast interesting personalities and americans are great on shows like this they just don’t hold back.

It will be awhile before we get another Australian based reality design show on our screens as the last view like The Renovators and Top Design did not pull big ratings, but there were other factors that also saw a small viewership.

Why do you think design reality TV shows don’t work in Australia?

Design Star – Lifestyle Home Thursday nights at 9.30pm.