Tasting Australia 2024: Latest festival news and updates
Some of Australia’s – and the world’s – best chefs have arrived in Adelaide ahead of the latest edition of Tasting Australia, which kicks off tonight.
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Acclaimed chefs from around Australia and the world have arrived in Adelaide for the latest edition of Tasting Australia.
For the next ten days, local food lovers can enjoy dishes from gastronomic stars such as celebrated Sydney chef Matt Moran, and US culinary queen Claudette Zepeda, just to name a few.
Other international names in town for the state’s annual food and drink extravaganza include James Henry (France), Helen Masters (NZ) and Nick Mills (NZ), along with top Australian chefs Mark Best, Justin James and Isobel Little.
Restaurateur Moran, who’s making his first visit in several years, said he can’t wait to cook up a storm at the festival, which runs until May 12.
“I always love coming to South Australia, they’ve always got amazing produce and great restaurants,” said Moran, who has two events, the Waite 100 Gala and a Dining Galleries dinner.
“The food scene here in SA has always been really good, some of the best chefs in Australia have come out here to cook, from Andy Davies to Jake Kellie. The scene is very buoyant.”
This year’s program, from festival director Karena Armstrong, features over 150 events, including train rides, intimate masterclasses, long lunches, workshops, and exclusive beverage tastings.
The festival’s free city hub, Town Square, has also returned to Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, and will be open daily from 11am with a wide range of food and drink vendors. New options include Africola Canteen, Ong Vietnamese, Olive and Sassi ice cream.
Salopian Inn founder Armstrong said there’s plenty on offer for local foodies.
“Adelaide and regional South Australia is set for 10 delicious days of eating and
drinking – from soaking up the atmosphere in Town Square to discovering what puts
South Australia’s local produce on the world stage,” she said.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the event would “showcase our state’s globally renowned food and beverage sector to visitors from all over”.
“It is great to see so many regional producers and venues in the spotlight, extending
the benefits of the festival right across the state by helping boost visitation and
expenditure to local businesses,” she said.
TOP CHEF PULLS OUT OF FESTIVAL
British chef Asma Khan, named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2024, has pulled out of next month’s Tasting Australia.
The international star of this year’s annual food and drink festival was scheduled to appear at two events, Darjeeling Express, on May 9, and Tasting Australia by Train on May 10.
But a SA Tourism Commission spokeswoman told The Advertiser that Khan was “no longer able to take part in this year’s festival due to a change in her personal circumstances”.
Khan’s place at the May 9 dinner has been taken by Helly Raichura, of Melbourne fine diner Enter Via Laundry, who will share the kitchen with chefs Karena Armstrong, Adam D’Sylva and Emma McCaskill.
The event has also been renamed to Spice Soirée – replacing Darjeeling Express, the name of Khan’s award-winning London restaurant – but will still “take inspiration from regional Indian fare” for its main course.
Festival director Karena Armstrong will fill-in for Khan on Tasting Australia by Train: Melbourne – Adelaide, a 10-hour rail journey also featuring meals by legendary Cheong Liew and Jae Bang, from Freyja in Melbourne.
Khan, whose acclaimed London eatery Darjeeling Express is the only all-female Indian kitchen in the world, was named in Time magazine’s prestigious list last week.
“Many Indian restaurants in the West have menus where everything kind of tastes the same. But Asma’s food is surprising. It doesn’t taste like restaurant food – and that is the highest compliment,” Padma Lakshmi wrote about Khan in Time.
“Asma is a ball of energy with a wicked sense of humour. She’s the aunty you would have said was your favourite growing up.
“Asma has been featured on Chef’s Table and won all kinds of acclaim for her food, but she’s humble.”
The 2024 festival runs from May 3 to 12. For the full program visit tastingaustralia.com
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