Since opening its doors in Sydney (2016), the Messina Creative Department has evolved, refined and redefined the ultimate fine dining experience. The seasonal 8-course degustation led by head chef Remi Talbot and a team of Messina chefs is curated to take you on an immersive and indulgent journey, always with the addition of gelato. Our partnership with Maison Balzac began about a year ago when we started using their delicate glassware and perfumed candles, contributing to the unique sensory ambiance. Although temporarily closed thanks to COVID, our team have been working behind the scenes on a pretty unusual collaboration.

Our brands were drawn together through our likeminded ethos; addiction to quality, playful nostalgia and intuitive design — creating a set of scented candles grounded by synesthesia. Burned on their own to separate seasonal flowers enjoyed by the bees in winter and summer, or together, developing a third unique olfactive experience.

Honey is one of the Creative Department's most cherished natural ingredients, supplied by our local apiary; Rosebery Honey. This core ingredient is the main component in our 'finale' dish, involving a multilayered handmade clay plate with wild honey gelato, a honey crisp and peach and yoghurt foam (changing seasonally). Guests are asked to assemble the dish themselves, allowing them to curate their dining experience, much like creating a third scent when burning both candles simultaneously.

To celebrate the launch, we've created a custom gelato flavour:

‍MIEL - citrus infused honey gelato with honeycomb and burnt honey caramel. Available from all Messina store cabinets from 7th July, until stocks last.

The two candle scents which will be available to purchase from Maison Balzac and in select Messina stores are:

Miel d’Hiver (winter honey in French) is the sincere perfume of all plants pollinated by bees in winter. Top: smoke, thyme, lemon. Middle: cedarleaf, frankincense, nutmeg. Base: tonka bean, palo santo, peru balsam.

Miel d’Ete (summer honey in French) is the untainted perfume of all flowers pollinated by bees in summer. Top: Bergamot, galbanum. Middle: hyacinth, jasmine, orris, lily of the valley. Base: earthy, musk patchouli.

Miel d’Hiver and Miel d’Ete candles, 300g/$69 or 55g/$29 will be available from Maison Balzac and select Gelato Messina stores: Rosebery, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Bondi, Tramsheds, Fitzroy, South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley from 7th July, until stock lasts.