Snack Bar: Three Exciting Bake Sales To Hit This Week, and More Melbourne Food News

• Former Hector’s Deli executive baker Aram Yun is hosting a bake sale this Saturday August 1 and Sunday August 2 at Matsu in Footscray, from 11am until sold out. Expect a small selection of cakes including slices of Yun’s matcha Earl Grey chiffon, plus takes on her signature salt breads and two onigiri from the Matsu team.

• West Melbourne Vietnamese cafe Cham is celebrating one year with a bake sale on Wednesday August 5 from 10am to 2pm. A line-up of eight bakers includes Aram Yun, Jasper Chui of Towa and Jing Yi Ong, head baker at Dua Bakehouse. 

• Former Julie chef Emily Edgar is hosting a bake sale at Brico this Sunday August 2 from 8.30am to 11am. There’ll be 16 items on offer including soda bread, key lime pie, honey maritozzi and treacle tarts. 

• Hop Nation has announced Blobfish, a new festival dedicated to “wild, sour and funky” beers for Saturday August 29 at the Hop Nation Taproom in Footscray. Tickets are $110, and include 60-millilitre tastings from breweries including Felons, La Sirene and Garage Project.

• Helly Raichura’s Enter Via Laundry Bar and Tassie whisky makers Sullivans Cove are holding tastings from Wednesday August 19 to Saturday August 22. Get a curated flight of three whiskies for $45 per person, with optional snacks by Raichura for an additional $35. Bookings essential. 

• Chef Sam Tran from Michelin-starred restaurant Gia in Hanoi will join forces with the team at Aru for two nights on Tuesday September 1 and Wednesday September 2. The eight-course Gia at Aru tasting menu is $235 per person. Bookings essential. 

What we covered this week

• Andrew McConnell acquires celebrated St Kilda institution Stokehouse.

• First look: Voula’s brings a Greek taverna and a rooftop bar to Hawthorn East.

• First look: get exceptional fried chicken burgers at Fairfield’s K Crunch.

• First look: Abbotsford’s Carringbush Hotel reopens as family-run Friendly Societies Hotel.

• “We can’t physically carry on”: Footscray music venue and bar Misfits to close.

• 24 venues that opened or closed in July.

• Via Porta goes all-in on sourdough at a new Northcote bakery in the former All Are Welcome site.

• Kirishima, a new 23-course omakase spot from a former Aoi Tsuki Chef, opens in Camberwell.

• In a sea of Aussie pubs, The Flying Fox brings British flair to Richmond.

• Five to try: new Abbotsford bars, bakeries and restaurants.

• Andrew McConnell’s CBD restaurant Supernormal’s noodle series is back until Sunday September 6.

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