Praise be! After weeks of waiting, hoping and wishing, we finally have something to watch. The Paris 2024 Olympics have officially opened, kicking off with a rather remarkable opening ceremony on the famous Seine. From fireworks to floating dignitaries, the French pulled out all the stops and so are we. Here’s Man of Many’s Staff Favourites for this week.
FroPro Pizza Buffalo Chicken
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
Love eating like a fat pig but hate looking like one? Me too! There is nothing that I enjoy more than settling into the couch on a Friday night, flicking the footy on and tucking into a big serving of Domino’s finest. Unfortunately, when you turn 30, your capacity to do this without ballooning out is significantly reduced, which is why FroPro is my new best friend.
I discovered these pizzas in the frozen food section of my local Coles and haven’t gone back since. They taste almost like a real pizza, but with 50 per cent fewer carbs and around 25 grams of protein per slice, you can’t really go wrong. Munch on, friends.
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Netflix Series – Sprint
Frank Arthur – Co-Founder
This week, I’ve been hooked on the Netflix series Sprint, a six-part documentary that delves into the lives of the world’s most elite track sprinters. It’s like the Drive to Survive for athletics, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the world’s fastest humans. With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, this series has me absolutely amped up.
What I find fascinating are the backstories and diverse personalities of the athletes, and how their stories provide a deeper understanding of the mental and psychological challenges they endure. The series features stars like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson from the USA, who bring incredible talent and some trademark American bravado to the track. Additionally, Jamaican superstars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and the unstoppable Shericka Jackson are great to watch.
The Jamaica vs. USA rivalry promises to be a highlight in Paris, and Sprint has set the stage perfectly for the upcoming showdown. Meanwhile, the Europeans Zharnel Hughes from England and Lamont Marcell Jacobs from Italy will also look to prove a point in Paris.
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Espolòn Tequila
John Guanzon – Head of Social
Who doesn’t appreciate a mid-week Margarita? Earlier this week, I got sent a thoughtful care package of Espolòn Tequila in celebration of National Tequila Day, filled with their Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo varieties. In recent months, I’ve been well on board the tequila and mezcal train and enjoy learning all about the masterful ways the fermented agave is crafted in different spirits, so getting to try these three blends was a real treat.
The Blanco, with its vibrant citrus and tropical fruit notes, is perfect for Margaritas, providing a refreshing and lively flavour. The Reposado, aged in oak barrels for six months, adds rich caramel and vanilla notes, making it ideal for sipping or in a Tequila Sunrise. The Añejo, aged for a year, boasts deep flavours of roasted agave, vanilla, and butterscotch, perfect for a refined Tequila Manhattan.
Each bottle, adorned with 19th-century Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) artwork, celebrates Mexican culture, which might make it one of the better-looking bottles in my bar cart. My favourite out of the three would have to be the classic Blanco, smooth, well-balanced and perfect for a festive celebration with good company. Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa’ dentro, friends!
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Belvedere 10
Recently, I was lucky enough to experience the opulence of Belvedere Vodka’s newest spirit, Belvedere 10, at the Belvedere pop-up at Zephyr Sky Bar. The star of the evening was the Belvedere 10 vodka, which impressed with its smoothness and refined taste. My personal favourite cocktail, “The Original One,” was a delightful blend of Belvedere Pure Vodka, rhubarb and ginger soda, rhubarb foam, and a touch of lime—a perfect balance of flavours.
This pop-up is a must-visit for anyone seeking a premium experience with a limited edition menu featuring delicious cocktails, next-level snacks (lobster popcorn, anyone?), and a vibrant atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this event, which runs until August 31st.
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Belkin BoostCharge Pro
Beatrix Boon – Social Media Producer
Belkin always has my tick of approval when it comes to quality. Trying out their latest charger this week I’ve loved its sleek design and practicality. Being so often out and about using my iPhone to shoot our videos, it’s so important I’m able to charge up quickly and safely. I’m also extremely prone to having my airpods die on me mid-work-out! Truly the worst. But no more, the BoostCharge Pro has a pretty little pad where my airpods now sit all day without me having to worry about them.
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Honey & Walnut Patisserie, Dulwich Hill
Dean Blake – Journalist – Tech, Entertainment & Features
I definitely grew up with a sweet tooth. I inherited it from my mum, and it’s reigned supreme over my life since I was a kid. Recently, my partner and I found an incredible little patisserie in Dulwich Hill called Honey & Walnut that is absolutely incredible: they always have a fresh range of cakes, tarts, savoury delights, biscuits, and made-to-order delicacies, and bake new batches every morning. We’ve been a few times following particularly hard workouts (I know it defeats the point, I don’t care), and it’s become a staple of family dinners when we’re expected to bring something.
I recommend the Pistachio & Raspberry Torte (my personal favourite), or the Chocolate Mousse. They’re incredibly light and fluffy, and well worth the trip.
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MAISON de SABRÉ – Airplane Mode
Marcus Hurley – Sales and Partnerships Manager
It’s a rare thing to meet someone, let alone two someone’s, who exude passion, pride and humility in what they do. This is very much the case for Omar and Zane, the brothers behind the swiftly ascending MAISON de SABRÉ. I had the privilege of sitting down with the brothers to discuss and celebrate their groundbreaking expansion into the travel sector – Airplane Mode. Looking fresh in their Travel Uniforms, even after a full day of interviews and photos, Omar and Zane seem relieved to be able to share their travel offering after two years of meticulous research and testing.
The Australian Luxury brand is quickly becoming a favourite of mine. Having already told you of my love for the Laptop Bag Black Caviar (/lifestyle/man-of-manys-staff-favourites-18-may-2024) my fondness for MAISON de SABRÉ now extends to all things travel.
As I plan for my international getaway later this year, the words of Omar stick in my mind – “Our goal was to let the customer enjoy the journey, with MAISON de SABRÉ taking care of the rest.” As with the Laptop Bag, the new range of travel fashion pieces elevate any situation and will make you feel like you’re always travelling first class. With The Carry On, The Travel Uniform and The Weekender, MAISON de SABRÉ has you sorted for all things travel.
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Ardbeg Anthology Series: The Unicorn’s Tale
Jacob Osborn – Staff Writer
The second release from Ardbeg’s Anthology Series was aged for 14 years in a combination of Madeira and ex-bourbon casks. It takes inspiration from the mythical unicorn of Islay, who was once reportedly heard trotting around the distillery on a dark night (or maybe that was the local Shetland Pony, Rory—but a unicorn also works).
As for the whisky, it opens on a nose of pure peat smoke and green apple with a taste that follows suit. The Madeira cask aging lends the spirit a subtle sweet edge, which kicks into focus on the finish. I’m happy to pick up anything Ardbeg throws down and this statement is no exception. Not exactly a unicorn, it’s nevertheless limited in supply so pick up a bottle if you love the smoky stuff.
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