Foodies’ delight continues at Taste of Tasmania

The New Year’s Eve bash went off with a bang and Taste organisers say there is plenty of fun left at the summer festival.

The Great Dave entertains a large group of children on Parliament lawns. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TASTE of Tasmania organisers are breathing a sigh of relief after the New Year’s Eve bash went off with a bang, but say there is plenty of fun left at the summer festival.

More than 4500 partygoers got into the festive spirit at the 1920s-inspired Speakeasy Ball at the Taste of Tasmania on Monday night.

Festival director Brooke Webb said she was relieved the New Year’s Eve event had gone off without a hitch.

“I do feel relief because it’s bringing a lot of ingredients together for one night,” she said.

“I think once we move past New Year’s Eve, Taste moves into a different realm.

“We are now preparing for a lot of kids and families.”

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Ali, Andy, 1, and Shae Hickey, all of New Town, at the Taste of Tasmania. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Ms Webb said the Smeg Culinary Kitchen will offer up fantastic lunches and workshops for foodies as the program of events recognises people are starting to return to work.

Ice cream extraordinaire Matthew Evans, from Fat Pig Farm, will host a Perfect Scoop on Wednesday from 10am — a hands-on workshop where you can learn how to make the most delicious ice cream, sorbet, granita and sherbet.

Ettie’s Alice Chugg and Vlad Panevin will put on a decadent multi-course, three-hour lunch featuring some of the best food from Flinders Island.

From 8pm on Wednesday, Lark Distillery founder Bill Lark will take patrons through the basic techniques used to fully appreciate a fine whisky.

“This is an opportunity to meet and learn from the grandfather of whisky in Tasmania,” Ms Webb said.

Culinary queen Martha Stewart, who was a surprise guest at the Taste on Monday night, heaped praise on the festival, according to Ms Webb.

“Martha Stewart stayed for three hours and we introduced her to a range of stalls,” she said. “She [Stewart] just loves Tasmania.”

I Quit Sugar author Sarah Wilson was also at the festival.

The rainbow grass gets a quick cleanup in preparation for Tuesday’s Taste visitors. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The Taste’s inaugural culinary food program has also been a huge hit among Taste-goers, organisers say.

The 29 ticketed culinary food events have seen people take part in a range of different cooking and food preparing classes hosted by some of Tasmania’s top food experts.

The culinary food program runs until the end of the Taste on Thursday, with a number of events selling out, including a Tale of Two Ingredients Past Workshop hosted by Fico’s Oskar Rossi and Federica Andrisani.

Taste culinary programs manager Michelle Crawford said the new ticketed program was proving a winner among patrons.

“The feedback has been really positive and we’re seeing people buying tickets to other events once their event finishes up,” she said.

“It provides a personal touch for guests to learn a thing or two from the professionals in a relaxed manner and we’re seeing people come along and meeting other like-minded people who they are then creating friendships with, which is amazing.”

Ms Webb said she believed the culinary program would have a long future with the annual food festival.

“Tasmania has so many food stories to share and there’s so much of this state’s produce to be proud of.”

Karjalanpiirakka, a Finnish pie, can optionally be topped with hard-boiled eggs and butter. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

DISH OF THE DAY

Karjalanpiirakka — A Finnish pie made with a crispy rye crust filled with rice is the ideal snack. It’s optional to have it topped with hard-boiled eggs and butter. Offered this year for the first time at the Taste of Tasmania, these Karjalanpiirakka are handmade by stallholder Nanna Bayer. The Finland-born Hobartian says the pies are named after the Karelia district of Finland. Quench your thirst with a cup of Sima, Finnish lemonade. The pies are $7 and the lemonade is $3.

The Great Dave entertains the crowd on Parliament lawns. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

ACT OF THE DAY

Great Dave — The English juggler keeps the crowd entertained with his cheeky smile, self-deprecating humour and, of course, his immense juggling talents that enthral children and adults alike. Astride his 3m-high unicycle, Great Dave’s antics will have you whooping in delight.