Tasting Australia 2022 launch: SA chef Karena Armstrong and Sydney’s Darren Robertson share their first festival program
International chefs are back as Tasting Australia’s new team prepares to serve its first festival next year. But foodies will have to be double vaccinated to enjoy much of the program.
Food & Wine
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International chefs are back on the menu as Tasting Australia’s new creative team prepares to serve up its first festival next year.
But South Australian food lovers will need to be double vaccinated to enjoy much of the Covid-safe program from new co-directors Darren Robertson and Karena Armstrong, and food curator Emma McCaskill.
SA’s biggest food and drink festival will ask patrons to show proof of vaccination to enter events, including at the popular Town Square in Victoria Square.
The 10-day festival will features more than 200 events – up from this year’s 140 – in 11 regions from April 29 to May 8.
Travel restrictions prevented international chefs from taking part this year but Japanese star Hideki Li, of Tokyo’s Shirosaka restaurant, and Dave Pynt, from Singapore’s Michelin-starred Burnt Ends, headline the 2022 program.
The duo will be cooking in the Town Square Kitchen, which will again play host to ticketed dinner events.
For the first time next year, guests will be able to book a $40 “express lunch” in the festival hub, which will include a meal prepared by a top chef and a drink.
The diverse program from Sydney chef Robertson and Armstrong, the acclaimed chef behind McLaren Vale’s Salopian Inn, also includes an ode to a comfort food classic, the cup noodle, at Adelaide University.
Replacing outgoing director Simon Bryant was not an easy task, but Robertson said next year’s festival had “something for everyone”.
“We’ve always hit that top end, fine dining area but... we want to continue to make Tasting Australia accessible for everyone and to build upon that,” he said.
Also returning to the program is Tasting Australia Airlines, with flights to Coffin Bay and two new regions: Flinders Ranges and Cooper Pedy.
Several high-profile interstate chefs including Ben Shewry (Attica, Victoria), Peter Gilmore (Quay, NSW) and Alanna Sapwell (Esmay, Queensland), are coming for the festival, alongside local stars Africola’s Duncan Welgemoed, Chefs on Wheels’ Paul Baker, Botanic Restaurant’s Justin James and Sol’s Kane Pollard.
Tickets are now on sale at tastingaustralia.com.au
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