Rosie Johns

Have you ever cracked open a tin of cat food and thought; ‘I wonder what it tastes like?’ OK, this might just be my crazy cat lady era kicking in, but when an invitation landed in my inbox to experience dining through my cat’s eyes, you didn't need to ask me twice. Anyone who knows me knows I’m utterly obsessed with my kitten, Lord Herbert Johns (Herbie for short). He’s my one true love, my pride and joy, my son and frankly, the only man in my life whose dinner I care more about than my own. So when the opportunity arose to preview a 12-course degustation inspired by Fancy Feast’s new Gems range, you can imagine my intrigue. Photograph: Rosie Johns for Time OutRosie's cat Herbie Enter NEL Restaurant, the wildly inventive Sydney dining destination helmed by culinary innovator Chef Nelly Robinson, where the usual rules of dining are very much open to interpretation. And on this particular evening, table manners were officially off the menu. Our first course, The Golden Paw, arrived looking as though a cat’s paw had just stepped in kitty litter. I never thought I’d find myself licking a plate in public, but there I was, shamelessly lapping up the silky cauliflower cheese custard laden with brioche crumbs in front of my fellow diners. Was it bizarre? Absolutely. Was it liberating? Yes, indeed. There’s something deeply freeing about abandoning your inhibitions and embracing your inner feline. And after all, if Herbie can bury his face in his cat bowl, why shouldn’t I see what al

I have a running joke with my friends that I’m South Australia's unofficial tourism ambassador. Being born and raised in Sydney to Adelaidean parents, I'm convinced my genetic makeup is at least 50 per cent SA shiraz. So, with that obvious bias in mind, I'm here to tell you that Adelaide – Australia's Festival State – really does have it all.  When the chance came to swap Sydney's winter blues for Illuminate Adelaide – the citywide light festival celebrating art, technology, culture and science – I dove in, beanie first. And after finally experiencing it for myself, I can confidently say it deserves a top spot on your winter travel list too. Here's why: The entire city comes alive As soon as the sun sets, Adelaide comes out of hibernation. With bars and restaurants heaving, free public art around almost every corner and a genuine sense of excitement in the air, you don’t even need to try to find the good bits – it’s all there to stumble upon. Book a ticket to Night Visions in the Botanic Garden, where projections transform the trees into faces that genuinely feel alive. Other recommendations include Miguel Chevalier’s Digital Abyss at ILA and the moving Rarrirarri installation at the Art Gallery of South Australia. If you're travelling with a competitive bunch, don't miss Augmented Games at the Adelaide Showground, where you'll go head to head on interactive 'courts' in a series of adrenaline-inducing challenges, officiated by a Courtmaster so there are no arguments on the wa