Images: Frankie the Creative
If you’re anything like me and have been blessed with a serious sweet tooth, you’ve probably faced this dilemma before. Picture it. You’ve just finished a delicious dinner, the dessert menu lands on the table, and suddenly you’re faced with an impossible decision. Sticky date pudding, trifle, tart, cake, how are you supposed to choose just one? Luckily, one of Adelaide’s most indulgent monthly events is back with the perfect solution to this all-too-familiar problem, enjoy them all.
The Sussex Hotel in Walkerville is continuing to draw in dessert devotees just like you and I from across South Australia with its wildly popular Pudding Club, a monthly event dedicated entirely to celebrating classic puddings and nostalgic desserts.
Launched in June 2025, the event has quickly developed a cult following, regularly selling out month after month. Held on the last Tuesday of every month, Pudding Club starts with a deliberately modest main course before the real stars of the evening make their entrance.
Guests are treated to a rotating selection of four desserts, each competing for the coveted title of Pudding of the Night, with diners casting their votes at the end of the evening.
Matthews Hospitality’s General Manager of Hospitality and self-appointed “Pudding Master” Lee Cook says, “The Pudding Club meets on the last Tuesday of every month. The concept is simple. Guests enjoy a light main (as to not overshadow the stars of the night, the puddings!) and then onto the four puddings. Once all puddings have been served, the voting begins to crown the pudding of the night, and lucky attendees also go into the draw for a selection of prizes. Oh, and second and third helpings are absolutely encouraged. If you can fit them in!”
Each guest receives an official Pudding Club taste tester badge on arrival before being guided through the evening by Lee and his faithful Pudding Apprentice, George. Along the way, diners are entertained with quirky historical facts, amusing stories and playful commentary about each dessert before the ceremonial Parade of Puddings begins.
“The atmosphere is fun and joyous,” says Lee. “The voting element turns dessert into an experience rather than simply a meal.”
Over the past year, members have tried everything from tiramisu and chocolate mousse to Sussex Pond Pudding, Mississippi Mud Pie, pavlova, pecan pie and sticky gingerbread cake.
Some unexpected winners have emerged along the way. A carrot cake recently shocked attendees by taking top honours, while chocolate mousse proved that simplicity can triumph over complexity. One standout favourite remains the club’s legendary tiramisu. “It was described as ‘the dessert equivalent of Viagra,’ and remains one of the club’s most memorable winners,” said Lee.
The upcoming June event features Walnut & Toffee Tart, Banana Fritter, Prince Albert Pudding and Mulled Wine Jelly, while July takes a French turn with Crème Caramel, Profiteroles, French Apricot & Almond Tart and Strawberry Mille Feuille.
For $55 per person, guests receive dinner, four desserts, entertainment, prizes and, importantly, full permission to return for seconds and thirds.
“The only guarantee is that guests will leave having learned something, laughed a lot, and consumed far more pudding than they originally intended,” said Lee.
Given how quickly tickets disappear each month, Adelaide’s sweetest club is showing no signs of slowing down. If you’re keen to get in on this extra sweet winter activity, you’ll want to secure your tickets quickly!
Pudding Club
When: June 30th, July 28th and August 25th, then continuing on the last Tuesday of every month
Where: Sussex Hotel
Price: $55 per person
For more information, click here.
