Winter is officially on the way and for the Man of Many office, that means investing in a little culinary creativity. For Staff Favourites this week, the team has rustled up a vast array of cooking accessories, each designed to elevate your kitchen creations and turn the mundane into the mouth-watering. But if slaving over a hot stove doesn’t get you in the mood, perhaps our other selections might. Here’s Man of Many’s Staff Favourites for this last week of April.
Paire Merino Blend Essentials
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for a chunky knit. Cardigan, sweater, undershirt, pull-over; you name it, I’ve got it stashed away in my cupboard waiting for the Sydney weather to dip below 25 degrees and release me from my T-shirt and shorts style prison. Thankfully, that time has finally come and to mark the occasion, the good people at Paire sent me over some goodies from their new Merino Blend Essentials collection. Trust me when I say, these might be the comfiest basics I’ve ever slipped my pasty white body into.
The selection of fleece pants, long-sleeve tops and sweaters has gone straight into the everyday rotation, courtesy of the ultra-premium construction. I’ve been a fan of the Melbourne-based essential wear brand for a while now, having bought a number of pairs of socks in the past, but until now, I hadn’t tested out the basics. To be honest, I wasn’t fully aware that the brand even did hoodies or T-shirts until recently, so the joke is on me, I guess.
My favourite new piece is the SilKnit Unisex Sweater, which is crafted from a blend of silk and Australian Merino wool. As you might expect with that material combination, this bad boy is insanely soft to the touch and effortlessly warming, but most importantly, it has a little give. I’ve often found with most woollen jumpers, it only takes a few wears before the inevitable signs of stretching appear on the sleeves and neckline. I can safely say that after wearing this essentially every day since I received it, we’re just as taut as when we started.
Outside of that, the new Merino-Blend Unisex Long Sleeve T-Shirt is an absolute stand-out. The ultra-light piece is the perfect base layer for the cooler months, particularly if you are heading out on one of those early morning hikes I keep telling myself I’ll do.
If you are looking to up your essentials game with some premium knitwear and Merino wool options, Paire is an absolute must-try. The Aussie-owned and operated business is crafting world-class apparel that is bold, purpose-fit and surprisingly affordable.
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Our MonthlyLinkedIn Newsletter – MoM’s the Word
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
This week’s is a little different for my staff favourites and it’s one in which I will be asking you a favour. Also, I know that a lot of our readers are into business, entrepreneurship, and media, so I think it’s something you might be interested in. Each month, we publish a long-form opinion piece and editorial across our LinkedIn page called “MoM’s the Word” a monthly dispatch’ for the latest Man of Many news, key updates, and exciting ventures.
It’s something that I personally put a lot of effort into and enjoy writing each month with industry insights, plans for the future and observations or opinions on the goings on in the media world. We just published our latest edition with A Fresh Look at Man of Many’s Exciting Updates and Strategic Insights! If you haven’t already done so, please feel free to give it and our page a follow, or if you’re more interested in the latest products, culture and style news, subscribe to our daily newsletter here.
Also, we are thrilled to announce that Man of Many was recognized with multiple accolades at this year’s Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 on Wednesday night. We received gold for Best Native Advertising, Silver in the Best Lifestyle Site category, and silver for our Daily Newsletter under the Best Newsletter category. These awards are in a big part thanks to you, our readers, so we couldn’t be more grateful for all of your continued support.
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Princess Peach: Showtime!
John Guanzon – Head of Social
For anyone who thinks Princess Peach is a helpless damsel in distress, think again. Starring in her first leading spin-off game in almost two decades, Princess Peach shows why she isn’t one to be messed with in her new Nintendo game, Princess Peach: Showtime! After playing several games from the Super Mario Bros. franchise, like Luigi’s Mansion, Paper Mario, and Super Mario Wonder, Showtime! has the familiar game-play you’d expect from the series, but at the same time, feels completely new and different, with expansive lore, new characters, and fun mini-games.
Set against the anchoring backdrop of Sparkle Theatre, Peach takes on a series of stage plays, as villain Madame Grape and her minions cause chaos. Adding a touch of cuteness to her bad-ass demeanour, Peach magically transforms, in a mesmerising Sailor Moon-esque way, into different costumes to complete the stage.
There are 10 costumes total, but several different stages to play through for each: Swordfighter, Detective, Patissiere (my favourite!), Kung Fu, Ninja, Cowgirl, Mighty, Figure Skater, Dashing Thief, and Mermaid. Overall, Showtime! has been a delightfully fun game to play together with my kids. Don’t expect too many head-scratching puzzles or overly difficult boss battles, but rather a cheery, cute, and relaxing game with plenty of variety. I find it hard to believe it’s taken Nintendo so long to make another Peach game in the Super Mario Bros. game franchise, but I’m glad they did. One thing’s for sure though, Princess Peach sure knows how to put on a killer show.
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Franca Brasserie, Potts Point
Richie Hall – Video Producer
I’ve heard lots of great things about Franca Brasserie in Potts Point and what better way to experience it for the first time than by indulging in their Sunday special. Evoking the classic French Brasserie, Franca has a wonderful Plat Du Jour offering and Sunday is very much the highlight; Chateaubriand 600g Tenderloin, Sauce Diane, Served with Seasonal Sides. Gather your friends because this is definitely one to share. Settle in for a long, slow Sunday lunch in a beautifully relaxed dining atmosphere. If you haven’t visited Franca yet, this is your sign. This Sunday?
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Fuoco Chilli Oil
Alex Martinez – Media Sales and Brand Partnerships
Resident chilli aficionado checking back in and I’ve been waiting all week to talk about this one. The Fuoco Chilli Oil is hands down the best chilli oil I’ve ever had. A huge claim but one I firmly stand behind. This delicious flavour is the fusion of both Italian and Asian recipes created in Bronte and made in small batches with Aussie ingredients in Marrickville.
The flavour (as opposed to heat) is the primary focus and they have absolutely hit it out of the park. A memorable and deep flavour profile so good that it gets you thinking of what absurd pairings you can come up with, just to load up on more oil and the crispy bits inside. The heat is designed to be only mild, but there is still a pleasant kick in there. I’ve added this to pizza, sandwiches, wraps, and noodles and each time, the meal was elevated in a major way.
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Soult Salt
Dayna Aspite – Branded Content Associate
I’ve been honing in on my cooking recently, really tapping into my MasterChef era and it’s fair to say that salt has been my best friend in this journey. Having attended Meatstock this year, I tasted a bunch of different rubs, seasonings and everything in between, but what truly stood out for me was the ability to recreate those flavours at home. Getting my hands on the Soult range really elevated my kitchen game.
My favourites were the Rosemary & Garlic Soult; whacking that bad boy on roasted potatoes and fish was top tier, and the Sweet & Salty on freshly made popcorn was next level. Being able to rely on one seasoning to do the work and deliver incredible taste is exactly what I needed in the chaos that is my kitchen! Soult is also great for you, being organic and made right here in Australia.
What’s remarkable about Soult is not just its flavour-enhancing magical powers but also its positive impact on countless Australian lives. By partnering with multiple charities and donating 100% of their profits, Soult is making a tangible difference in mental health support. Supporting an Australian brand has always felt like the right thing to do, but with Soult, it’s more than just a patriotic gesture, it’s actively contributing to a meaningful cause. A special mention to their beef chips in the same flavour range as their Soult. I am dreaming of the day they bring them to their store!
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