Sun Herald
Reviewed by Robyn Doreian

IN THE 1990s, Maria Venuti was notable for three things: entertainment, aVetta pasta advertisement and her DD bust. Such was the focus on her faux leopard skin-cupped breasts that Graham Kennedy quipped: “What God missed giving Mia Farrow, he more than quadrupled for Australia’s voluptuous singing star. A Who Load o Frontreflects on Venuti’s showbiz life, which spanned frontingjazz acts at Kings

Cross supper clubs and singing to American troops in Okinawa, to TV appearances on Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight and The Don Lane Show. Acting then delivered roles in the SBS comedy,Pizza, and subsequent movie, Fat P izza. Venial was born to immigrant parents. Her mother, Isabella, was sent from Cairo to Sydney to live with her aunt until she got over an unsuitable boyfriend. At her aunt’s boarding house in Redfern, Isabella met Antonino Venuti, who had fled Mussolini’s Italy.

After a brief courtship, they married in 1940. As it was wartime, Antonino’s “alien enemy” status made him a spy suspect, with police raiding their Ultimo home. The Venuti household was strict. As a rebellious teenager, Maria soon discovered boys and, at 14, put herself in a situation where she was almost raped and killed. Three years later, she discovered “not only men in uniform but Sydney’s nightlife” and met Ron Roman, who had played with Johnny O’Keefe. This chance encounter led to gigs and she soon ditched her secretarial career for singing.

A self-proclaimed “sexpot”, in 1973 Venuti married plumber and model Tony Hughes, and the next year gave birth to a daughter, Bianca. Four years later, the marriage was over. A further relationship lasted almost eight years, after which began affairs, several with married men. At first, her parents didn’t approve of her career, but once she saw her on TV, her mother boasted: “Thatsa my Maria!” The 70-year-old’s memoir is written how Venuti presents: flamboyant and uncensored. Her passion for music and life match the size of her celebrated chest.

For more information or to buy the book click here.

Mary’s cookbook shares her favourite Greek recipes and most cherished family moments.

Mary Valle at the launch of My Greek Kitchen

Barry O’Farrell MP, Maria Venuti, Alan Jones

The honorary Alan Jones began the proceedings, to an audience including the contender for NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey, ‘dream maker’ agent Max Markson, Henri Szeps, Glenn A Baker, actress Lorrae Desmond, Melissa Hoyer and Mary Lopez.

Alan Jones talked up Maria’s humble beginnings as an Italian living in Australia before revealing the moment that changed Maria’s life forever. Stood up by her date and standing on a Kings Cross sidewalk, Maria was invited by the legendary Ron Roman to one of his smoky jazz lounges. One coffee later and Maria had landed the singing role she was destined for.

Maria laughed, cried and shrieked with delight as Alan broke into song, “I just met a girl
called Maria!”

But there was a serious tone to the evening, as Alan goes onto say,

“For years, Maria has entertained the world, bringing happiness to everyone. Tonight those same people, from the highest level of politics like Barry O’Farrell and Joe Hockey and entertainment, made it their business to salute Maria. It is rewarding for Maria but gratifying for everyone as they had a chance to pay a long overdue tribute to an Australian icon.”

Around 100 guests attended the July 27 event at Red Spice Road in Melbourne’s McKillop Street.

The book, written by chef John McLeay, is a celebration of all things Asian and features many of the recipes which have made the restaurant a Melbourne institution such as crab-filled betel leaves, prawn and sticky pork salad, prawn jungle curry, and crispy five-spice quail. There are also common favourites such as Penang curry, chilli basil chicken, mapo tofu and pork belly as well as easy, delicious desserts.

John’s partner Andrew Cameron flew out from Hong Kong especially for the launch celebrations.

The Red Spice Road Cookbook is out now! RRP: $49.95

Author and chef John McLeay at the launch of Red Spice Road

Grazing is a memoir from a man who is ‘paid to eat’! It includes fantastic recipes and stories of travelling.

A large portion of the book is dedicated to John’s great loves, Spain and food.

Grazing also delves into history including the story of Grimod de la Reynière, the world’s first restaurant critic.

Leading chef Tony Bilson launched Grazing at Ariel Books at Darlinghurst on July 2.

ISBN:9781742570457
RRP: $29.95

Tony Bilson launches John Newton's 'Grazing'

Hayley Shaw-McGuinness

A Girl Like U was created to encourage girls to live their dreams, feel confident and always have a smile on their face. It’s a book to live with – to fill in questionnaires, paste in pictures and learn about their selves.

The book includes nutritional charts and information, beauty tips and lists, photos for friends and family. There are games to play, dances to do, cartoons to colour, recipes to try, and fun quizzes.

A Girl Like U is a book for girls aged 6-12 to encourage, inspire and shine like the stars.

In Dirty Work, the author details his experiences working as a detective in Darlinghurst, or ‘Goldenhurst’ – “a place where every piece of human misery is laden with cash” -, and Kings Cross in the late eighties. This is one man’s fight for justice in a veritable sea of drugs, paedophilia, and police corruption, peopled by the likes of Dolly Dunn, Neddy Smith and Roger Rogerson.

Come along and learn about Sydney’s ‘underbelly’ from someone who experienced it first-hand and lived to tell the tale…

Where: Berkelouw Books Cronulla, 29 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
When: Thursday, May 6,
Time: 6pm for 6:30pm start

Please RSVP either by Email: cronulla@berkelouw.com.au or Phone:(02)9544 4790

Setting the opening page is the Jackson five and the Osmond Kids growing up in the public eye involved in a food fight on a TV stage set. Set in the 1960’s, with the afro hair, glittery costumes, and singing their hit single ABC. You have Jo Jackson trying to stop the kids running riot on set with two for the most famous families destroying the set with food.

Moving through to the famous Pepsi scent ha changed his look in the public eye to his most successful video release Thriller.

This book moves through the years with Michael’s ever changing face, his career successes, his skin colour, his hair, noses and his most famous quirky ways that made him a legend off stage as well as on.

Funny, humorous, with lots of other characters to find from the dead to the people who influenced his life. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly ……

Features:

• • 12 panels
• • Each panel see’s Michael’s appearance change
• • Also features his music and highlights his success
• • VERY FUNNY

Where’s Michael is out now. RRP $19.95

Written in a question-and-answer dialogue through a series of rare and insightful interviews with some of the world’s greatest minds, Living Greatness will give you private access to the ideas, thoughts, and advice of some of the world’s top thinkers in diverse fields in Australia, the US, the UK, and Asia.

As you immerse yourself in these pages, you will be tapping into a deep well of wisdom and knowledge presented by experts in a range of fields including:

• Jack Canfield (Bestselling author of Chicken Soup for the Soul);
• Howard C. Cutler (Psychiatrist and author of The Art of Happiness);
• Dr Edward de Bono (International Leading Thinker and author of Six Thinking Hats);
• Marci Shimoff (Happiness Expert and author of Happiness for No Reasons);
• Dr John Demartini (Philosopher and author of The Gratitude Effect)
• Fred Alan Wolf (Quantum Physicist as featured in What the Bleep Do We Know!?);
• Mingyur Rinpoche (Meditation Master and author of The Joy of Wisdom);
• Chin Ning Chu (Strategist and author of Thick Face Black Heart) plus many more!

Thousands of people have had the chance first-hand to meet New Holland cookbook authors and to see them in-action at the Taste of Sydney.

Dinner with the Butcher authors, Pip Evans & James Diggins with New Holland at Taste of Sydney

Amongst those to appear at the New Holland Publishers stand during the event were Brian Lizotte (Live and Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s) and Dinner with the Butcher authors, Pip Evans and James Diggins.

Dinner with the Butcher is a new release which introduces the novice cook to the various cuts of meat and how best to use them, and lists helpful equipment and gives useful tips and trivia.

Congratulations to Cliff and Karen Kemmett of North Rocks NSW for winning dinner and show at Lizotte’s Restaurant, Newcastle in our Taste of Sydney competition.