Top 11 food and wine events at Tasting Australia 2023
With Tasting Australia returning, here are 11 top events – from a pizza party with five chefs to Ukrainian dumplings and a wine masterclass.
Food & Wine
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South Australia’s biggest celebration of food and wine is just two months away – and tickets to the hottest events are selling fast.
Tasting Australia returns April 29-May 7, with international star chefs back on the line up following the easing of Covid travel restrictions.
Chef Trinh Richards, of popular Aldinga restaurant The Little Rickshaw, will make her debut this year cooking alongside Norway’s Heidi Bjerkan of Michelin-starred Credo Restaurant and Torres Strait Islander chef Nornie Bero in the Town Square Kitchen Dinner: Wasted, on May 5, which heroes sustainable cooking.
“It’s an extension of what we try to do at the restaurant,” Mrs Richards says. “The ethos is trying to save everything, whether it’s protein or vegetables. We use spring onion roots; things that everything else discards, we use the whole lot.”
Among other new events is Uni Days, a $60 party with food curated by former MasterChef winner Adam Liaw at his old University of Adelaide stomping ground.
Festival co-director Karena Armstrong said ticket sales were “tracking well”, with strong interest from interstate and overseas and “a number of events already sold out”.
Not sure how to navigate the 150 event-strong program? Here are 11 top picks to suit all budgets, ranked by price:
Town Square – free entry, daily (hours on website)
Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga
The hub of the Tasting Australia festival brings together a colourful array of food vendors, event spaces and free live entertainment. This is the place to bring the kids, pop over on your city lunch break and catch up with friends for Friday night knock-offs. A number of free Tasting Australia events take place here, including Storytellers – a series of talks with some of Australia’s best chefs.
Lot. 100 Presents The Ultimate Pizza Party – $50 ($25 kids), April 30, 11am-5pm
Lot. 100, 68 Chambers Road, Hay Valley, Adelaide Hills
Five amazing chefs, who don’t normally sling pizza, are coming together for the ultimate pizza party. We’re talking Matt Stone (futurefoodsystem, Melbourne), former SA chef Lachlan Colwill (Omotenashi, Tasmania), Kane Pollard (Topiary), Savannah Sexton (Good Gilbert) and, of course, Lot. 100’s own acclaimed Shannon Fleming. Each will demonstrate their take on the ultimate pizza topping, to be enjoyed picnic style on the lawns. Entry to the family-friendly event includes pizza, and a drink on arrival (for the adults).
Ukrainian Varenyky Masterclass – $50, April 29, 11am-1pm; 2pm-4pm
Ukrainian Community Centre, 64 – 66 Orsmond Street, Hindmarsh
Learn a taste of Ukraine, with this Ukrainian dumpling masterclass. You’ll gather with like-minded food folk at the Ukrainian Community Centre in Hindmarsh to discover all things varenyky – silky, plump parcels of potato and other seasonal ingredients. You’ll go home with recipes and a full belly.
Uni Days – $60, April 29, 7pm
University of Adelaide UniBar, Adelaide
Food identity and former MasterChef winner, Adam Liaw, is returning to his old stomping ground at the University of Adelaide to put on a first-time event that's destined to attract music and food fans alike. Expect food stalls with a twist on Asian fare (he’ll be incorporating indigenous ingredients) and live music from Rolling Stone Australia’s “best new artist” for 2022: King Stingray. “I experienced so many great parties during my time at uni, Uni Days will feel like I am rekindling my youth,” Liaw says.
Club Med: Alternate Varieties – $120, May 5, 3pm
University of Adelaide Masterclass Pavilion, Town Square, Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, Adelaide
The picking is ripe for drinks events this year, from an introductory ‘How to Wine’ ($50) to an $800 tasting of Burgundy’s best. Since alternate Mediterranean varieties are all the talk of this wine-loving town, why not learn a little more about them, with this masterclass that puts a spotlight on the likes of fiano, nero d’avola, greco, tinta barroca and aglianico. You’ll be hosted by wine communicator Leanne Altmann, plus winemakers Laura Carter (Unico Zelo), Ash Ratcliffe (Ricca Terra) and Steve Crawford (Oddio cellar door).
Brunch – Steamed, $180, April 30, 11am-3pm
Town Square Kitchen, Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, Adelaide
Prefer a long lunch to dinner? The 2023 program has a number of “brunch” events to feast-by-day – and they go well beyond avocado on toast. Take Steamed, which brings together an impressive seven chefs to create the ultimate yum cha experience. At the pass you’ll find SA food legend Cheong Liew OAM together with dumpling queen Karena Armstrong (Salopian Inn); best new talent Mug Chen and Chia Wu (Muni); Paul Baker (Chefs on Wheels); Terry Intarakhamhaeng (Soi. 38); and interstate guest Luke Burgess. It’ll be hosted by hostess with the mostest, Sharon Romeo (Fino).
Wasted – $295, May 5, 7pm
Town Square Kitchen, Victoria Square, Adelaide
Sustainability is the buzz word of the moment – but its significance is no flash in the pan. This event is all about reconsidering ingredients, and making them go further. Headlining is Norwegian chef Heidi Bjerkan, whose restaurant Credo holds both a Michelin star and Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. She’ll be joined by Torres Straight Islander chef Nornie Bero (Melbourne) and Trinh Richards of popular Aldinga restaurant The Little Rickshaw, who makes her Tasting Australia debut. Town Square Kitchen dinners includes all beverages.
The Summertown Aristologist in the Patch – $325, May 5, 12.30pm-4.30pm
Wyes Road, Adelaide Hills
The rustic Summertown Aristologist restaurant, led by natural wines, has been drawing locals and city-slickers alike since it opened in 2016. Now, the team is opening its doors to the Tasting Australia crowd, hosting a long lunch and hands-on garden experience together with the Van Bone team from Tasmania on the Lucy M Wines estate. Enjoy several courses matched with wines, and talks with the winemakers.
Arkhé and friends: Thai BBQ cooking demonstration – $600, April 29, 11am-4pm
Arkhé, 127 The Parade, Norwood
A hands-on event with world class chefs held at one of South Australia’s hottest restaurants – ranked number 2 on the delicious. 100 list. Arkhé head chef and owner Jake Kellie will be joined by internationally acclaimed, Michelin-starred chef David Thompson, as well as Martin Boetz and Louis Tikaram, in hosting a one-of-a-kind Thai BBQ cooking demonstration. Enjoy the action, then enjoy three dishes matched with wines. There are only 40 tickets available, so be quick. Just want to eat? There is also a four course banquet on April 30.
Chef’s Table: Chae & Luke Burgess – $600, April 28, 7pm
Town Square, Victoria Square North/ Tarntanyangga, Adelaide
Korean chef Jung Eun Chae (“Chae”), formerly of Cutler & Co., started her six-seater CHAE restaurant at the end of 2019 from her two-bedroom apartment in Melbourne’s north. It remains one of Melbourne’s most in-demand restaurants. Chae will join Luke Burgess for this Chef’s Table – a series of intimate dining events new in 2023, with just 20 diners in The Dining Room space.
Flinders Ranges: Take the Open Road – $1200, April 28-29
Rawnsley Park Station, Hawker, Flinders Ranges and Outback
This is your bucket-list type of experience – a holiday in your own backyard. While tickets for Tasting Australia Airlines experiences have nearly sold-out, this is an invitation to join the crew for the most delicious part. The highlight is dinner at Rawnsley Park Station, crafted by acclaimed chefs Mark Best (Marque) and Duncan Welgemoed (Africola). You’ll enjoy other meals and tastings, a tour of the spectacular Brachina Gorge and overnight accommodation.
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