Given our country is quite literally ‘girt by sea’, it wouldn’t make much sense to host Tasting Australia without a dedicated celebration of Aussie Seafood. Luckily for South Aussies, Glenelg’s Sea to Shore festival is delivering Adelaide’s only dedicated seafood festival this May – right on the foreshore where it belongs.
Much-loved South Aussie and MasterChef alumnus, Callum Hann, will be the face of the festival (adding to his growing list of local ventures keeping him busy, such as the recently opened Pantry on Prospect) alongside longtime collaborator Themis Chryssidis. Be sure to catch the duo in action as they host and take part in live cooking demonstrations across the weekend.
But they’re far from the only culinary heavyweights involved. Chef Jamie Steele will swap the pass for the grass, curating this year’s food offering just steps away from his usual kitchen. He’ll be joined by Amanda Prance, co-founder of Central Market favourite, Fair Seafood.
One of the festival’s standout events: a 90‑minute masterclass titled ‘Weird and Wonderful: The Ocean’s Best Kept Secrets’ is one you won’t want to miss. Showcasing the lesser-known bounty of South Australian waters, the session promises a rare kind of insight. They’ll share the kind of expertise that only comes from deep, hard-earned knowledge of seafood, SA ingredients, and a genuine appreciation for the species, businesses, and people working off the Southern Ocean.
As the Holdfast Bay Council puts it, “from abalone and sea urchins to Coorong carp and SA Balmain bugs, guests will explore the weird and wonderful seafood species rarely seen on menus but loved by chefs.”
Hosted at the iconic Stamford Grand, with special guests from Eyrewoolf Abalone on Flinders Island, this ‘Weird and Wonderful’ masterclass is sure to leave you walking away with a few secret weapons for your next dinner party.
But if, before you dive into the world of sea urchins, abalone, and out‑of‑the‑ordinary seafood ingredients, you’d rather master the classics first, they’ve got you covered too. The pair’s second masterclass, “Seafood 101: From Ocean to Plate,” explores how to select, store, and cook local seafood with confidence through chef‑led demonstrations and tastings. Over a 90‑minute session, the class journeys through South Australia’s premium seafood regions, setting sail from the Coorong to Streaky Bay, Port Lincoln, Cape Jaffa, Kangaroo Island, and Flinders Island.
Of course, if you’re more interested in enjoying the seafood than learning how to cook it (don’t worry, we’re not judging), Sea to Shore has that sorted. With a licensed bar, DJ sets, and an enviable lineup of vendors, it’s as much a social event as it is a culinary one. Expect top-tier seafood alongside crowd favourites, plus coffee and dessert options to keep younger (or less oyster-inclined) guests happy.
Vendors include:
- Braising Boy
- The Filipino Project
- Fair Seafood
- Seawave Bistro
- Moorish Bites
- Indochine Café and Restaurant
- The Bay Butchers Glenelg
- Ellenika
- Ragi’s
All bringing their own spin to South Australia’s seafood scene.
But let’s take a moment to appreciate the epic location set to play host. Situated at Jimmy Melrose Park, right on the Glenelg foreshore, we couldn’t think of a better host for a celebration of Seafood than one of Adelaide’s vibrant sea-side hubs. Amanda couldn’t have summed it up simpler.
“If you want to eat seafood, you come to the beach.”
If you’re planning a weekend of it, several of Glenelg’s premier accommodation providers, from The Stamford Grand to The George, are offering up to 15% off on your stay, the perfect excuse to book a little SA Staycation and support our local coastal communities.
South Australia’s coastline has been faced with battle after battle, and it’s no secret that the last year has been incredibly tough, yet they remain the lifeblood of so many communities. Whilst this festival is entering its fourth year, Sea to Shore feels more meaningful than ever. It’s a chance to show up, support local, and celebrate the people, produce, and culture of our coastal communities.
Sea to Shore Glenelg Seafood Festival
Where: Jimmy Melrose Park, Glenelg Foreshore
When: Friday 15th May 2026 at 4:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday 16th May 2026 at 11:00am – 10:00pm
For more information, click here.
