The nation’s most celebrated eating, drinking, and culinary tourism festival, Tasting Austalia, is making its return to Adelaide this May. Over the ten-day event, the state is coming together to celebrate culinary excellence and the hard-working locals innovating in the space.
There’s heaps on during the festival, here’s our top picks!
FRIDAY, MAY 3RD
All SA Producers’ Showcase @ Bowerbird
Adelaide’s premier market, Bowerbird, is back with a carefully curated lineup of Australian designers, makers and producers. On offer will be everything from gin, wine and beer to condiments, biscuits, chocolates, and other sweet treats.
Over three days, taste the delicious food and drinks, meet the hard-working makers, hear their stories and share their passion at Bowerbird. Each ticket holder will receive a Bowerbird tote that entitles them to special producer offers and samples.
What: All SA Producers’ Showcase @ Bowerbird
Where: Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville Pavilion, Goodwood Road, Wayville, Adelaide, SA, 5034
When: Friday, May 3rd 2024, 4pm to 9pm. Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th 2024, 10am to 5pm.
Tickets: $10
For more information, click here
The Secret Art of Wine Blending
Intrigued by the world of wine craft? Be captivated during this inside look.
Immerse yourself in the realm of fine winemaking like never before. Your behind-the-scenes tour begins with a guided tour of the impressive Taylors Wines barrel hall, where you will learn the secrets behind crafting exceptional blends. Sample a special wine directly from the barrel, an experience reserved for true enthusiasts.
Next take a stroll through the demonstration vineyard, learning what it takes to produce the grapes for Taylors’ award-winning wines. The pinnacle of your adventure awaits in the Collectors Club VIP Room. Here you’ll become the artist, crafting your very own wine blend under expert guidance. Bottle your unique creation in a 100ml sample bottle, a treasured memento of your winemaking prowess.
What: The Secret Art of Wine Blending
Where: 89A Winery Road, Auburn, Clare Valley, SA, 5451
When: Friday, May 3rd 2024, 11am. Saturday, May 4th 11am. Friday 10th May 11am.
Tickets: $125
For more information, click here
SATURDAY, MAY 4TH
A Speed Date With Whisky
This whisky whirlwind is a speed date with a difference! Fast and furious, three regions’ whiskies are competing to be the ultimate date. Scotland, Australia or Japan – which will you crown the ultimate Distiller?
Take part in three rounds of speed tasting and sample whiskies from House of Suntory, Tin Shed Distilling Co. and Select Scotch Whisky. Spend twenty minutes with the distillers as they convince you their three tipples are the best. They will try to woo you with wild stories – but stay focused on the whisky!
Expect the unexpected as you bask in the warm confines of revolving stations at Hains & Co, nestled amongst heritage laneway buildings in Adelaide’s West End. And let your lips determine your ultimate whisky date.
What: A Speed Date With Whisky
Where: Hains & Co 23 Gilbert Place, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Saturday, May 4th 2024, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Tickets: $130
For more information, click here
Prohibition Gin Cocktail Experience
Get your time machines ready to step back to the roaring twenties and experience the intrigue and allure of Prohibition-era cocktails. In this one-day-only cocktail class, be guided through the process of making two signature Prohibition Gin cocktails, learning from the team from Next Door Cocktail Bar and Prohibition Liquor Co.
Enjoy a G&T on arrival and enjoy an antipasto platter to nibble on whilst mixing up your gin creations. Also included are two cocktails, a G&T, plus take-home cocktail recipe cards to recreate in your own home and impress your friends!
Keen on a discount? Purchase any bottle of Prohibition gin at $15 off!
What: Prohibition Gin Cocktail Experience
Where: Prohibition Liquor Co, 22 Gilbert Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Saturday, May 4th 2024, 2pm to 5pm
Tickets: $75
For more information, click here
Louisa Wilson Presents the Bush Food of the Yorke Peninsula
Join chef and proud Narungga woman Louisa Wilson, as she takes you on a culinary journey incorporating the bush foods of the Yorke Peninsula and modern French classics, across an opulent four-course fusion feast.
Louisa and the talented team from A Prayer for the Wild at Heart will present the food of her heritage together with Narungga-owned Newchurch Farm.
The four-course dinner will include, canapes, damper, entrée, main and dessert, as the team presents a truly unique South Australian take on Lousia’s classical French training.
What: Louisa Wilson Presents the Bush Food of the Yorke Peninsula
Where: A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, 44 Hurtle Square, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Saturday, May 4th 2024, 6:30pm
Tickets: $150
For more information, click here
Dumpling Masterclass at Koomo
Thinking of trying your hand at Dumpling Making? Master it, with the chefs at Koomo Restaurant & Bar!
Get your hands on the art of dumpling making, whilst enjoying paired G.H. Mumm champagne, Piccadilly Vineyards Sparkling and G.H. Mumm Rose. Learn to prepare dumplings in soup, pan-fried dumplings, crispy dumplings and stir-fried dumplings, and take home the dumplings you’ve prepared in this two-hour masterclass hosted by Koomo chefs.
Whether you’re keen to impress your friends with a new skill or feel like indulging in a glass of bubbles, this masterclass is not to be missed!
What: Dumpling Masterclass at Koomo
Where: Crowne Plaza Adelaide, 27 Frome St, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Saturday, May 4th to Friday, May 10th 2024
Tickets: $139
For more information, click here
SUNDAY, MAY 5TH
Festival of Fiano
Are you a fan of fiano? It’s the white Italian grape variety that has the wine world asking for more. Textural, fresh and ever so versatile, this is a variety you’ll want to explore – and who better to guide you than the Queen of Fiano herself: winemaker Corrina Wright at Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards in McLaren Vale.
Corrina’s family, the Olivers, were some of the first to see the potential of this white grape in Australia, and since that first vineyard went in they have not been able to keep up with demand.
The Festival of Fiano invites guests to gather at the picturesque Taranga property and embrace the future of Australian white wine as Corrina leads a guided tour of the fiano vineyard.
What: Festival of Fiano
Where: 246 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale, Fleurieu Peninsula, SA, 5171
When: Sun 5th May 2024 at 11:00 AM
Tickets: $190
For more information, click here
Ranges to Valley: A Taste of Two Terrains
In an unforgettable cross-regional collaboration event, Pikes Beer Co. has joined forces with Parachilna’s Prairie Hotel & Brew Project to bring together the best tastes and flavours of the Clare Valley and the Flinders Ranges.
The teams from SLATE Restaurant and the Prairie Hotel have prepared a collective menu cooked over an open fire, showcasing local and regional produce. Beers from Pikes Beer Co and Parachilna Brew Project, including a limited-release collaboration brew, and incredible live music from Max Savage & his 8-piece band complete the fiesta.
Ticket price includes event entry, drink on arrival & an exclusive Pikes Beer Co X Parachilna Brew Project beer glass to be used on the day & taken home. Food & beverages can be purchased from food stalls and bars. Optional return coach transfer from Adelaide $70pp. Coach departs Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace at 9.15am and returns at 7pm.
What: Ranges to Valley: A Taste of Two Terrains
Where: 233 Polish River Road, Polish Hill River, Clare Valley, SA, 5343
When: Sunday, May 5th 2024, 11am to 4pm
Tickets: $45
For more information, click here
The Cheeses and Libations of Western France
Experience century-old traditions as if you were there, as you join Valérie Henbest from Adelaide’s Smelly Cheese shop, and A Prayer for the Wild at Heart head chef Stéphane Brizard, as they explore the cheese and accompanying libations of their neighbouring French regions: Normandy and Brittany.
Known for their lush green pastures and maritime climates, Normandy and Brittany have long maintained rich dairy industries – but did you know they are also known for their alcoholic beverages? From the famed ciders and calvados to the dry white wines of Brittany, let Valérie and Stephane take you on a journey, pairing unique and delicious cheeses with some of the more unusual drops of western France.
What: The Cheeses and Libations of Western France
Where: A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, 44 Hurtle Square, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Sunday, May 5th 2024, 3pm
Tickets: $130
For more information, click here
Bandit and Friends: Tom Jack
Bandit Pizza & Wine are delighted to share their kitchen with the inimitable Tom Jack (Honto, Brisbane) for a four course lunch which will challenge diner’s perceptions of what a modern, pizza-focused restaurant can deliver.
Expect an unforgettable tour of Japan and Italy – with a touch of Southeast Asia in the mix – as Jack and Bandit Executive Chef Shane Wilson take to the hearth for the first time as co-pilots.
With a career spanning two hatted restaurant Two in Brisbane, Mitolo Wines, Shobosho and now Honto, Jack has form in the game. His signature cooking style is a youthful take on Japanese cuisine, focusing on open fire cooking.
What: Bandit and Friends: Tom Jack
Where: Bandit Pizza and Wine 248 Unley Road, Hyde Park, Adelaide, SA, 5061
When: Sunday, May 5th 2024, times between 1pm and 7:30pm
Tickets: $90
For more information, click here
Lunch at Padthaway Estate Degustation and Wine Pairing
The delicious four-course lunch, curated by Chianti, is a perfect retreat for enthusiasts seeking a culinary escape, as you sit back and soak up the award winning estate but also meets those who are preserving the rich legacy of Padthaway Estate, where historic structures date back to 1847.
While the team don’t want to give too much away regarding the menu, guests will indulge in a lobster risotto, followed a beef main that will undoubtedly stun you along with some yummy cheese and dessert.
Lunch at Padthaway Estate degustation and wine pairing
Where: Padthaway Estate, 6299 Riddoch Highway, Padthaway
When: Sunday 5th May, 12pm-4pm
Price: $225pp
For event needs, please email [email protected].
For more info, click here
THURSDAY, MAY 9TH
Meet The Makers: SA Award Winning Gin, Cheese and Olives
Experience an evening of world-class, award-winning small-batch spirits alongside perfectly paired artisan cheese and premium olives, with Prohibition Liquor Co.
Sink into the cosy venue, and enjoy the warehouse-chic vibes, as you soak in the four-pour gin masterclass featuring a diverse range of classic Prohibition gins. The session offers a collaboration with award-winning Rio Vista Olives, Woodside Cheese Wrights and Agrumato oil. It’s an experience designed to expand your taste buds, creating texture and highlighting botanicals in a new way.
Finish the evening with an optional tour of the Prohibition distillery. Tickets include a goodie bag of epic South Australian produce treats and special deals from the three featured SA producers.
What: Meet The Makers: SA Award Wining Gin, Cheese and Olives
Where: Prohibition Liquor Co, 22 Gilbert Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Thursday, May 9th 2024, 6:30pm to 8pm
Tickets: $85
For more information, click here
SATURDAY, MAY 11TH
Pruner’s Hut Long Lunch at Pikes Wines
Spoil yourself with an intimate and indulgent six-course meal overlooking the Pikes Wines estate in the Clare Valley.
Paired perfectly with premium back vintage Pikes wines, each dish will highlight Clare Valley flavours through locally sourced and estate-grown fresh produce. Guests will be driven through the vineyard to the hilltop Pruners’ Hut where the lunch will be hosted.
From there, the Pikes winemakers and head chefs share as they discuss the estate, its nuances and what makes the Clare Valley so unique.
What: Pruner’s Hut Long Lunch at Pikes Wines
Where: 233 Polish River Road, Polish Hill River, Clare Valley, SA, 5343
When: Saturday, May 11th 2024, 12pm to 3:30pm
Tickets: $300
For more information, click here
Fonda Latina: Eat, Drink and Dance the Night Away Latin American Style!
In one unforgettable night, Antojitos Latinos is hosting a fantastic fusion of Chile and Latin America. With Latin beats from DJ Señorita, and a traditional salsa and samba performance, spend the evening enjoying traditional food and drinks all night long at the bar and kitchen!
Your mouth will be watering, a Latin American style steak burger (churrascos anyone?) beef empanadas, paella and much, much more! There will also be a bar available for you to quench your thirst!
What: Fonda Latina: Eat, Drink and Dance the Night Away Latin American Style!
Where: 148 Crittenden Rd, Findon, Adelaide, SA, 5023
When: Saturday, May 11th 2024, 5:30pm to 12:00am.
Tickets: $22
For more information, click here
See(A) Food Through the Lens of Brittany
Fancy an exclusive and intimate night at A Prayer for the Wild at Heart? See(A) Food Through the Lens of Brittany, is bringing together the elegant French cooking style of Breton-born resident chef Stéphane Brizard and the wild seafood of South Australia.
This one-night-only combination showcases the extraordinary freshness and quality of local waters over a four-course dinner.
Optionally, guests can purchase perfectly paired wines with each course.
What: See(A) Food Through the Lens of Brittany
Where: A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, 44 Hurtle Square, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Saturday, May 11th 2024, 5:45pm
Tickets: $165
For more information, click here
SUNDAY, MAY 12TH
The Bandit Chef Series With Jimmy Toone
Join Adelaide-born chef, Jimmy Toone’s as he lands at Anchovy Bandit for one night only to collaborate with Shane Wilson for the latest instalment of the Bandits Chef Series.
Guests are in for an exclusive treat as Chef Toone and Wilson collaborate to put a unique spin on Anchovy Bandit’s renowned dishes. Expect a gastronomic spectacle that promises to tantalize your taste buds with unexpected flavours, showcasing the culinary prowess of these two maestros. Brace yourself and indulge in a dining experience like no other, as the chefs showcase their culinary prowess alongside the flavors you know and love.
What: The Bandit Chef Series With Jimmy Toone
Where: 96 Prospect Road, Prospect, Adelaide, SA, 5082
When: Sunday, May 12th 2024, 5pm to 7pm
Tickets: $90
For more information, click here
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Tasting Australia 2024 is on from the 3rd to the 12th of May, and is sure an experience like no other. So do yourself a favour and check out some of these fabulous events!
For more information about Tasting Austalia, and what’s on, click here.
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