Each year around 50 mentees take part in the Wine Industry Mentoring Program, a national six month initiative run by Wine Communicators of Australia that pairs wine professionals with mentors in a one-on-one setting. We spoke to WCA National Chair Lynda Schenk, mentor Emily Hay and mentee Callum Strong about what they gain from the experience.

Cocktails are booming as value-conscious drinkers seek craft experiences over beer or wine. Jacob Crane and Natalie Ng share how nostalgic flavours, smart batching, rising mocktail demand and classic 3-2-1 formulation techniques are shaping menus, alongside shifting male drinking habits and the art of Japanese-style hospitality.

Melbourne has once again played host to the Southern Hemisphere’s premier coffee industry event – the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) ran from 26-28 March bringing together café owners, roasters, baristas and suppliers from across Australia and internationally.