Fog, food and fun: It’s full steam ahead for a month-long feast for the senses

Visitors to Brisbane Powerhouse will wade through clouds of steam past a three-metre humanoid to sample food by some of the city’s best chefs throughout March.

Powerhouse chief executive Kate Gould says Night Feast – open Wednesday to Sunday from 4.30pm to 9.30pm until March 26 – is more than a food event, with seven free immersive experiences for people to enjoy.

Visitors can lose themselves twice a night in Steam Works by fog artist Tom Muller.

“The fun one that is captivating people’s attention is Steam Works by fog artist Tom Muller,” says Gould, who is also the venue’s artistic director.

“Twice a night, a fog is released into the air that replicates the steam train that would have come to the Powerhouse to bring coal, so the whole site is engulfed in fog, and there is a minute where nobody can see each other.”

Amanda Parer’s three-metre humanoid is the event’s unofficial mascot.Credit: Lady Brisbane, Instagram

Gould, who has returned to Brisbane after 18 years, was previously the associate artistic director of the Adelaide Festival and the executive director of Hobart’s Dark Mofo.

“I think Brisbane is flourishing. I see a lot of talent, and [we’re] getting a renewed confidence in ourselves, and that’s what attracted me to come back,” she said.

“There’s so much potential to bring the arts beyond the walls of the Powerhouse, introducing these very immersive experiences in this broader landscape.”

Philip Johnson from e’cco Bistro, Lyndon Tyers from Donna Chang, City Winery’s Dave Cush, Tuan Nguyen from NGON, Lek Senee from Lek’s Thai, and Patricio Sarno from Mary Mae’s Kitchen & Bar are among the many chefs and winemakers serving up delectable dishes and drinks.

“These artists and chefs – who I also call food artists – at Night Feast are people at the top of their game,” says Gould.

“I think for me, I’m inspired by the local art scene here. It’s very vibrant and there’s a lot happening, so it’s up to people like me to find ways to attract people to see the arts and see them in new ways.”

Lyndon Tyers from Donna Chang will be among the chefs delighting Night Feast visitors.Credit: David Kelly

In addition to the immersive art installations, there will be roaming performers, DJ sets and live music.

Night Feast curator Lizzie Loel said hosting a month-long event was very ambitious, but she didn’t shy away from the challenge.

“I would say, overall, what I wanted was a snapshot of what Brisbane dining is, and we’ve done that, offering everything from simple cooking and quality suburban bistros to high-end dining,” she said.

“The fact that it’s on every week of the month means everyone can get to it.”

Robin Fox’s Constellation is a matrix of crystal refractors and laser beams that create explosions of colour.Credit: Bryony Jackson

In addition to a wide variety of dishes, Loel said: “We even have a lady who has a stand where she sells Limoncello, Limecello and Cafecello ... serving cocktails and other drinks as aperitifs.

“These products are very Brisbane, you won’t get them anywhere else.”

Loel said Brisbane’s food culture was evolving, with more chefs and restaurateurs opening their doors.

“They wouldn’t be doing that if Brisbane was boring, and Night Feast has all the best bistros and restaurants in one place for people who might never have been able to get to the venues themselves to try.”

For more information, including the complete culinary and artistic line-up, visit nightfeast.com.au.