The Shelly Room is getting all dressed up above Manly Wharf, hoping to give smaller celebrations their own waterfront setting from December. Opening as the second dedicated venue from Manly Wharf Events, it joins the larger Freshwater Room with a more intimate option for weddings, engagements, birthdays, private dinners and corporate functions. “The Shelly Room has been designed to capture everything people love about celebrating at Manly Wharf, but in a more intimate way,” said Adam Flaskas, founder of Artemus Group. “We wanted to create a space where smaller celebrations could still feel like a major occasion, with beautiful design, incredible food and spectacular Sydney Harbour views. “I love the feel, design and location of our event space so much that I chose it for my own wedding, which was the very first event held there. It’s a space that’s incredibly special to me, and I’m excited for others to now create their own memories there too.” The room sits on the upper level overlooking the eastern side of Manly Cove, with the harbour doing much of the visual work. Inside, Venetian walls, American oak panelling and aged bronze mirrors are paired with handcrafted Murano glass chandeliers and a bespoke Moiré carpet inspired by ripples on the water. A blush onyx bar sits at the centre of the room, while the rose-toned palette continues into the powder room through cream marble, stone flooring and sculptural shell wall lights. With capacity for 120 guests seated or 200 for cocktails, the Shelly Room fills the gap between a private dining room and a full-scale function space. The existing Freshwater Room remains the bigger option, accommodating up to 300 guests across an indoor-outdoor layout designed for larger weddings, corporate events and milestone celebrations. “Not every celebration needs 300 people. Some of the best events are the ones where everyone in the room knows each other, and the Shelly Room really lends itself to that,” said Sally Pulford, director of sales at Artemus Group. “The Shelly Room brings a new sense of warmth and intimacy to our events offering, while still delivering that unmistakable Manly Wharf experience. We can already see it becoming a beautiful setting for weddings, engagements, milestone birthdays and summer celebrations.” That gives Manly Wharf Events two spaces with quite different personalities rather than one venue simply divided by guest count. The food and drinks can be shaped around the occasion, with plated menus, shared feasts and cocktail-style canapés all available across both rooms. Hosts can add seafood and oyster bars or carvery stations, while drinks packages range from wine and beer to Champagne, bespoke cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Any event confirmed at Manly Wharf Events between September 30 and December 31, 2026 and held in 2027 will go into the draw for $20,000 off the booking. The Shelly Room opens at Manly Wharf in December, with bookings now open. Source: The Cru Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.

Australian cricketer Chris Lynn is fronting the launch of Soul Origin’s new ‘Big Hitter Meal‘ in his first campaign as an ambassador for the café chain. Known for clearing boundaries, Lynn joins rugby league players Jarome Luai and Jaime Chapman and footballer Ellie Carpenter in the brand’s ‘Soul Squad’. The launch also brings potato gems, previously available only at selected drive-throughs, to participating stores nationwide. “As an athlete, your body is your temple, so what you put into it matters. I want to stand behind food that is fresh and a better choice, but still fast, convenient and works when you’re on the go. Soul Origin ticks all those boxes for me,” said Lynn. “It’s a fun, wholesome brand with seriously good-tasting food, quality ingredients and no compromise on flavour. That’s something I’m genuinely happy to put my name behind.” Soul Origin’s Chief Marketing Officer Petra Orrenius said, “Chris is a natural fit for Soul Origin. He’s fun, energetic, authentic and known for going big, which aligns perfectly with what the Big Hitter Meal represents.” “We’re excited to welcome him to the Soul Squad alongside athletes like Jarome Luai, Ellie Carpenter and Jaime Chapman, and to bring our customers a campaign that combines great food, great value and a great sense of fun.” The Big Hitter Meal pairs a panini with crispy potato Hidden Gems and Soul Origin’s SO Chilli Mayo for $16.90, though prices may vary by store. “I like to go hard, whether I’m at the crease or at lunch,” Lynn shared. “The Big Hitter Meal is bold; it’s got that SO Chilli Mayo kick, and at $16.90, it’s the kind of value that’s hard to argue with. Just like a good shot, you know straight away it’s a winner.” The national rollout of Hidden Gems follows a trial at selected Soul Origin drive-throughs, where the chain says the potato gems proved popular. “We’ve been quietly testing our Hidden Gems through Drive Thru, and they’ve been a true hit, so we knew it was time to take them national,” added Orrenius. “Pair them with one of our paninis, and SO Chilli Mayo and you have what we think is the perfect Big Hitter lunch, fresh, fast, seriously tasty and great value.” Two new paninis have also made it onto the menu. The Salami Classico combines fennel and garlic salami, tomato, Kalamata olives, pickles, rocket and aioli, while The Mortadella Pesto pairs mortadella with bocconcini, rocket and basil pesto. “Our panini range has always been a customer favourite, and we are very excited to introduce the Salami Classico and Mortadella Pesto,” said Orrenius. “The new additions bring something different to the range while staying true to the quality, freshness and flavour our customers expect from Soul Origin.” The Big Hitter Meal is available for a limited time at participating Soul Origin stores nationwide, alongside Hidden Gems and the two new paninis. The Salami Classico and Mortadella Pesto will not be sold at halal stores. Find more food culture updates on Crumb Wire.

Harris Park is getting ready for one of its biggest nights of the year, with Diwali set to take over Wigram Street and draw around 25,000 people into Sydney’s Little India. The free celebration will bring live performances, food stalls, market vendors, family activities and community groups into the precinct, which has become one of Sydney’s best-known hubs for Indian dining and culture. For the businesses lining Harris Park, the festival is also one of the busiest chances of the year to put the suburb in front of visitors from across Sydney, with restaurants, sweets shops and grocers all part of the atmosphere that has made the area synonymous with Indian food. “Diwali is such an important celebration for the Harris Park community, and we want this event to genuinely reflect the people, businesses and organisations that make this area what it is,” said Monique Annetts, Director of AMA Event Management. “We are expecting around 25,000 people to visit Harris Park throughout the day, and our goal is to create an event that is welcoming, vibrant and packed with opportunities to experience Indian culture. “From the stage to the street, we want local community groups and performers to be part of the celebration and for visitors to leave having experienced something really special in Harris Park.” Organiser AMA Event Management is working with local community representatives and stakeholders on the 2026 program, with local performers and community groups expected to feature throughout the day. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions around the world and marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This year’s Harris Park celebration will run from 1 pm to 9 pm on November 7 along Wigram Street. Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Hungry Jack’s is bringing back the Cheesy Cheeseburger after years of emails, petitions, comments and fan pages calling for its return. The cult favourite keeps the same combination fans remember: a flame-grilled Australian beef patty with cheese, pickles, mayo and creamy cheese sauce. “For years, our customers have emailed us, petitioned us and even built fan pages asking for the Cheesy Cheeseburger to return. Aussies asked, and we listened, and we’re proud to be bringing it back for just $2.95, because a comeback like this should be easy on the wallet,” said Scott Baird, Chief Marketing Officer at Hungry Jack’s. It returns alongside a new Cheese Lovers Whopper, which adds Swiss cheese and Hungry Jack’s signature cheese sauce to the classic Whopper for an extra hit of cheese. “We couldn’t stop there, so we took the Whopper and cheesed it up to the max for all the cheese loving Aussies who know that the only thing that could make a burger better, is more cheese.” Hungry Jack’s is also rolling out a string of lower-priced offers across the menu, including a $4.95 snack box with six nuggets, large Thick Cut Chips and dipping sauce. A $7.95 Courtside Combo is available through the Hungry Jack’s App with a choice of Whopper Jr. or Chicken Royale, small chips, three nuggets and a small Sprite. Barista-made coffee is also part of the value push, with a small priced at $2.50, medium at $3.50 and large at $4.50. “With the cost-of-living squeeze on households right across the country, we’re focusing on delivering genuine value without compromising on flavour, and giving Australians more reasons to enjoy their Hungry Jack’s favourites,” said Baird. The Cheesy Cheeseburger is available nationwide from September 29 for $2.95, while the Cheese Lovers Whopper joins the menu from the same date. The Cheesy Cheeseburger is available at participating restaurants for a limited time while stocks last and is not available for delivery. Source: Wrights Communication Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.