Tasting Australia 2025: Michelin-starred Italian chef and world’s best bartender part of new program

The world’s best bartender plus a Michelin-starred Italian chef will join some familiar faces as the country’s biggest food and drink festival launches its 2025 program.

Michelin-starred Italian chef Chiara Pavan and UK bartender Monica Berg, who was named the world’s best in 2019, are among the international stars coming to Adelaide for next year’s Tasting Australia.

Australia’s top food and beverage festival will return next year from May 2 to May 11 and include more than 150 events around Adelaide and regional SA.

Among Italy’s leading culinary figures, Pavan is the mastermind behind Venissa Ristorante, a Michelin-starred eatery north of Venice. Pavan will showcase her talents at one of the festival’s Dining Galleries events in Town Square.

London-based Berg – named the most influential person in the bar industry for the past five years – will headline a cocktail party event in Town Square on the opening weekend.

Former MasterChef contestant Rose Adam will pay tribute to her mother Samira and other wonderful mums at a special TA event next year.

The Mother’s Day Family Brunch on May 11 will feature fellow MasterChef alumnus Callum Hann and Sharon Windsor, and be held in the event’s city hub, Town Square.

“Mothers are everything. We owe them so much. They give up so much to help us – it should be Mother’s Day every day,” Adams said.

Chef Rose Adam and her mother Samira Adam together in their home kitchen. Picture Brett Hartwig

Developed by festival director Karena Armstrong, program highlights include the return of Tasting Australia Airlines and Dining Galleries events in Town Square, plus a series of the popular masterclasses.

Armstrong said this year’s program was all about the connection between “family, friends, food, drink and the land we call home”.

“Tasting Australia truly shines a light on the people who make South Australia the special place that it is, and I can’t wait to once again highlight all that South Australia has to offer over 10 delicious days,” she said.

The program launch comes as the organiser announced an extraordinary “10-hour gastronomic train journey” where passengers dine on courses prepared by teams from acclaimed restaurants Africola and Parwana, would be part of next year’s festival.

Tasting Australia has announced travel operator Journey Beyond as Tasting Australia’s presenting partner for 2025 – and beyond.

Journey Beyond operates some of the country’s most famous travel experiences, featuring 16 brands nationwide including the renowned 95-year-old rail experience, The Ghan.

The first event of the 2025 Tasting Australia program was also revealed – Tasting Australia by Train: Africola X Parwana will be a 10-hour gastronomic journey in a collaboration between the Ayubi family from Parwana and Duncan Welgemoed from Africola.

A similar offering last year with chefs Cheong Liew, Asma Khan and Jae Bang was a sellout success.

Duncan Welgemoed from Africola.

The Ayubi family, who are behind SA dining institution Parwana.

Guests will enjoy the trip in The Ghan’s luxurious dining and lounge carriages, travelling on the Overland locomotive from Melbourne to Adelaide.

In 2024, more than 150 events delivered a diverse program of eating and drinking experiences, helping drive visitation and expenditure across the state, while a record 77,000 attendees flocked to Victoria Square over the 10-day event.

Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond will run from Friday, May 2 to Sunday May 11, 2025 across Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison noted it will follow a packed events season including the 25th anniversary of the Santos Tour Down Under in January, LIV Golf Adelaide’s new February timeslot, the Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide, before AFL Gather Round kicks off in April.

Dining and lounge carriages from The Ghan will be used on the Overland for the Tasting Australia event.

“The success of this festival highlights the strength of audience appetite for authentic eating and drinking experiences in South Australia and drives year-round demand for all our state offers, extending the benefits of the festival right across the state by helping boost visitation and expenditure to local businesses,” she said.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Journey Beyond as the presenting partner for this iconic festival. This partnership brings together South Australia’s finest food experiences with Australia’s leading experiential travel company.”

Tasting Australia director Karena Armstrong said Journey Beyond’s commitment to offering extraordinary travel experiences aligns perfectly with the ethos of Tasting Australia.

“Together, we will create unforgettable moments for festivalgoers, showcasing the very best of our state’s food and drink while opening up new ways for visitors to experience South Australia,” she said.

Journey Beyond chief executive Chris Tallent said the company “naturally aligns with Tasting Australia as our commitment to exceptional food and wine experiences elevate the travel journey.”

“On board trains like The Ghan, Indian Pacific, and Great Southern, guests are treated to multi-course meals crafted by talented on-board chefs,” he said.

“Partnering with Tasting Australia allows Journey Beyond to showcase these extraordinary culinary journeys, celebrating the intersection of travel and gastronomy.”