Or should I say rip-off. Yves has just commented that Ortiz Anchovies cost in Europe about 8.5 Euros a 90g tin. In Australia Ortiz Anchovies are imported by wholesaler Simon Johnson who charges $14.95 for a 47.5g tin. That’s a 100 per cent mark-up. What a clever man growing fat on his these sorts of mark-ups. I wonder if the mark-ups on other products are as large?
Recent posts
Shuffle the deck for benefits
From The Australian, Wealth: Ed Charles | August 22, 2007 THERE is a trade off on credit cards between ones that charge an annual fee and offer rewards, travel insurance and other benefits, and cards that cost little or nothing and are cheap to use abroad. The equation isn’t an easy one to work out. Harry Senlitonga, financial analyst with financial information company Cannex, says the company has analysed when it becomes worth upgrading to gold and platinum cards. Cannex’s […]
Put that trip on the cards
The Australian, Wealth: YOU’RE on holiday and haven’t got a care in the world. But at the back of your mind there is a nagging doubt. How much will I be charged for using my credit card abroad? Should I use the ATM, or would travellers’ cheques have been the best option? Will my free travel insurance cover me? These are questions that should be considered and answered in the months leading up to a big trip for the best […]
Pure-bred chocolate
From The Australian, Indulgence: The Curious Cook By Ed Charles I’M at Melbourne’s Prahran Market tasting tiny portions of dark European-style chocolate truffles on the end of cocktail sticks at Monsieur Truffe’s stall in the main hall. Some are of 74 per cent single-origin chocolate. Others contain a lower ratio of cocoa solids and are rolled in crushed nuts or flavoured with rosemary or fresh raspberries. They are M. Truffe’s bestsellers and I am capable of consuming a whole box […]
Attica is an absolute stunner
I’m busy so I’m keeping this short and sweet. Attica (74 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea +61 9530 0111) is an absolute stunner. When I compare what I ate there on the Tuesday Chef’s Table night to all the meals I’ve eaten this year it is right up there with the best and I should image up for an upgrading in the upcoming Good Food Guide. What they serve on Tuesday is an ever changing degustation. The chef’s table five courses […]
In the trenches: whisky
INTHEBLACK – In the trenches Over a thousand years ago whisky was born in Asia. Only now is it experiencing a rebirth. By Edward Charles. Chinese youths are increasingly turning away from the nation’s traditional potent spirits, known as baijiu, in favour of whisky as their alcohol of choice. In the bars and discos in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities, famous baijius like Maotai are nowhere to be found. But whisky is flowing in ever- greater volume for young party […]
Simplifying the small business tax system
From The Australian, Entrepreneur: CANBERRA IS CUTTING SOME OF THE RED TAPE TO REDUCE THE BURDEN, ED CHARLES REPORTS TAX isn’t the simplest of subjects and for many entrepreneurs or small business it is an annoyance that gets in the way of business. But now the tax office seems to be finally acknowledging that it is anything but simple. It is dropping the moniker of the Simplified Tax System in favour of the Small Business Tax System and cutting red […]
Standards important for home office
From The Australian, Entrepreneur: Ed Charles | July 27, 2007 THE home office is often thought of as an oasis outside office politics, an ideal space without interruptions, but the reality is that there might be more distractions at home. For people who have kids (or partners), their grubby mits can get over everything. Even though a home office may be stuck in the corner of a garage or family room, it is important that it is ergonomic and professional, […]
First night at Nobu hits the mark
Sochu, a Japanese spirit, with added fruit to finish. A sort of alcoholic smoothy that got four out of four thumbs up. It is really worth trying with pudding. Does Nobu (+61 3 9696 6566) at Crown Casino live up to the chain