Relish

Stylish: 1. Bairbre Power and Rozanne Stevens; 2. Eva Reingraber; 3. Andrew Rudd and Diogo Lemos. (Pix. RS)

The sun was shining, the BBQ was sizzling and the drinks were flowing at the launch of Rozanne Stevens’ brand new cookbook ‘Relish BBQ & Al Fresco Food’ on the panoramic terrace of The Gibson Hotel, Dublin.

Guests sipped on cool, refreshing drinks and summer was certainly in the air with a selection of juicy burgers, succulent chicken and leaf wrapped salmon fresh from the barbeque, made to recipes from ‘Relish BBQ’.
Rozanne kept the guests entertained with a very adept demo of her own BBQ skills, using the stylish new Calor Mini BBQ. Delicious seasonal salads complemented the meats and the treats continued with plenty of Lindt Excellence Strawberry Intense chocolate bars.
Relish BBQ offers a delicious snapshot of the best outdoor dining experience across 10 global cuisines. Relish is Rozanne’s second Cookbook in her ‘ish’ series and gives a selection of recipes for BBQ and Al Fresco dining. It's available from mid May priced €19.99 from all good bookstores and via Amazon.
Recipes from the book are the basis of The Gibson Hotel's 2013 Relish BBQ menu available from just €16.00 per person the hotel can cater for groups of 15-300 in the lovely surrounds of the hotel's stunning courtyard and heated terrace, perfect to go with their summer cocktails.
Www.RozanneStevens.com

Westin Wonders

Gang up: 1. Patrick Byrne and Linda Gene Finn; 2. Victoria Harris, Dee Aherne and Michelle Charles Worth; 3. Aveen Kinsella and Matthew Strutte. (Pix. MOS)

The Westin hotel Dublin hosted a gala ball, organised by the hotel team, in an effort to raise funds and drive awareness for the Barretstown Gang charity. Hosted by Matt Cooper the event raised much needed funds for the children’s charity.

Barretstown was founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994 and modelled on his renowned Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut, USA. It serves children (and their families) affected by serious illnesses – primarily cancer and serious blood diseases – from Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe.

Diamonds Rose

Girl’s Best Friend: 1. Nuala Carey; 2. Kirsty McDermott and Laura Bermingham; 3. Roisin Tierney-Crowe. (Pix. BME)

EMPORIO ARMANI unveiled its dazzling new fragrance, DIAMONDS ROSE at a special luncheon at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, heralding its exclusive launch at Arnotts Department Store next month.

Beauty experts Laura Birmingham and Kirstie McDermott were joined by a host of well-known girls including Elaine Butler-Doolin, beautician Marissa Carter, RTE’s Nuala Carey and girl about town Emily O’Donnell at the fragrance appreciation, which launches on June 12 at Arnotts and nationally on July 1. 

Guests were welcomed to an overview of the Emporio Armani Diamonds fragrance family before being introduced to the latest addition to the range Diamonds Rose, a fresh and luminous interpretation of the classic Diamonds fragrance representing a sparkling vision of a daring, charismatic and seductive woman.

An iconic fragrance, it is inspired by the power and mystery of the rough stone that becomes magical in its radiance, when cut and polished to perfection.  Illuminating, hypnotizing, diamonds offer the ultimate glamour. Something to be envied, coveted and shown-off. The symbol of femininity - ultra-feminine, irresistible and seductive.

 

New York, New York

In New York: 1. Virginia Macari and Sarah Morrissey; 2. John Fitzpatrick and Lorraine Keane; 3. Sandra Byrne and Darren Kennedy. (Pix. BME)

Fitzpatrick Hotels US hosted an exclusive New York evening in Residence club recently. John Fitzpatrick, CEO, welcomed and mingled with friends and colleagues discussing the many undiscovered delights that only the big apple has to offer.  A stylish evening of all things New York, guests were treated to a celebration of the superb value the unique city has to offer as they enjoyed Cosmos and Manhattans.

The party proved to be a must-attend with many familiar faces such Ireland’s most stylish man Darren Kennedy spotted catching up with top model Sarah Morrissey. Also in attendance was John’s sister Eithne Scott-Lennon who was spotted chatting to Fitzpatrick hotels regular Lorraine Keane.

Virginia Macari was there with her partner Kaste Dahl.  She will be making a big announcement soon and is said to be very excited about what the future holds!  John Fitzpatrick was also happy about his own recent announcement that he is the new Chairman of the Worldwide Ireland Funds, taking over from Loretta Brennan Glucksman.

Fitzpatrick’s head of sales Ann Murtagh chatted to Wayne Cronin of Quintessentially Lifestyle.  She was off for a brief trip to London before heading back to NY, where she’s based.  Other well-known faces at the bash included Maura Derrane, the ever glamorous Anne Doyle, pro golfer Christy O’Connor Jnr., Senator Eamonn Coghlan and Ryan Tubridy. 

The Lion King

Circle of Life: 1. Siobhan O Connor; 2. Aoibhinn Garrihy; 3. Ray Foley and wife Kate Carolan. (Pix. BME)

A host of well known faces graced the red carpet for the spectacular premiere of the The Lion King. The official opening night was also attended by Sir Tim Rice, the show's Co/Lyricist.

The acclaimed stage adaption of  Disneys 1994 animated film was first seen on Broadway in 1997 and has been seen by 70 million people worldwide to date.

It is the first time Julie Traymor's internationally celebrated production with an international cast of 52 performers from 17 different countries has performed in Ireland.  The Lion King will play for a limited season in Ireland until 22 June.

Also in town this week was William Devine of Quintessentially.  Originally from Geneva, he is now based in Warsaw where he recently established the Quintessentially concierge business in Poland, through his company Devine Intervention (along with business partner Emmanuel de Croy - Solre who runs Geneva based wealth management firm Jawer SA).  

Things are not going so well for Devine however and we hear that angry creditors are circling and a number of his top management have already departed acrimoniously, including the MD and head of PR.  Law suits have followed and indeed will join the queue of people already suing the hapless Devine.

History is certainly repeating itself. In 2007 Devine was accused of mismanagement and misappropriating funds after the collapse into bankruptcy of French jewellery firm Poiray, just 8 months after he and a business partner acquired it with a view to rescue.  

Antonello del Balzo, the former director of the Bulgari boutique in Geneva, invested CHF 1.8 million into the business but alleged that the money was used to prop up another Devine company and pay huge salaries.  In any event he lost the lot and brought a case against Devine.

Followers of luxury industry will recall that William Devine was subsequently CEO of top watch company Bedat & Co., part of the Gucci Group. His arrival there was much heralded but less than 2 years after joining the firm he left under a cloud.  Plenty of rumours abound, including one of impropriety, but whatever the reasons Devine has never worked for a watch company since.  Persona non grata perhaps?

Never one to be undeterred William Devine is certainly not giving up, despite numerous personal and business setbacks.  We will follow closely his next foray into the luxury market.