Hobart waterfront transformed into a scrumptious feast to tickle the Taste buds

The 30th birthday celebrations of Taste of Tasmania promises to be a wonderland filled with the best Tasmanian food, beverages and entertainment.

Taste of Tasmania festival director Brooke Webb in front of the main entrance is ready to welcome patrons to this summer’s event. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE 30th birthday celebrations of Taste of Tasmania promise to be a summer wonderland filled with the best Tasmanian food, beverages and entertainment.

The seven-day festival starts on Friday as the Hobart waterfront transforms into a symphony of entertainment events, fine dining, workshops and cooking classes.

The first Taste of Tasmania was held in 1988 for two days and featured 22 stalls.

FOODIE FACTS ■ Princes Wharf No. 1 Shed, Hobart. ■ Opening ceremony 10.30am, Friday. Main site opens at 11am and closes 11pm; Saturday, 11am to 11pm; Sunday, Parliament Lawns opens 10am and main site 11am, both close 11pm; Monday, Parliament Lawns 11am to 9.30pm, main site 11am to 3pm, reopening 6pm to 1am; Tuesday 11am to 11pm; Wednesday 11am to 11pm, Thursday 11am to 11pm. ■ Free entry all days except the evening of New Year’s Eve, when general admission will be $75 and waterfront seating $110. Tickets available online or through Theatre Royal. ■ Smeg Culinary Kitchen events also are ticketed.

This year, it features a whopping 114 stalls as festival director Brooke Webb and her hard-working crew apply the finishing touches.

Gates will open at 10.30am as crowds follow a specially created rainbow carpet to the main forecourt, where the festival will be officially opened with a Welcome to Country and speeches by Ms Webb and Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds.

“We are tracking to have 250,000 people through the gates during the seven days,” Ms Webb said.

“A core team of 28 people have been working around the clock for the past five months preparing.”

Throughout the site there are many tributes to the history of the festival, including a large mural featuring characters who have played a part in the festival during the past 30 years.

This year’s festivities feature a number of new initiatives, including Greener Grass at Parliament Lawns.

“Greener Grass encourages and incubates new and emerging producers,” Ms Webb said.

“These are 22 new businesses that you haven’t experienced before with new food offerings.”

The Taste of Tasmania forecourt area is ready to receive its first guests.

Another festival first will be the integrated children’s and families program, with kids’ zones encouraging circus skills, theatre production, and experts demonstrating and teaching skate skills throughout the site.

Food lovers will enjoy a new ticketed culinary program featuring 15 events that give foodies the opportunity to learn the special cooking techniques of Tasmania’s finest chefs. Check thetasteoftasmania.com.au to book tickets to these exclusive events.

Smeg Culinary Kitchen will showcase the talents of Templo head chef Matt Breen.

“I’m doing three masterclasses: gnocchi, la Cucina Povera and a vegetable course,” Mr Breen said.

“You’ll be learning some techniques from Templo and how we prepare our vegetables and Italian dishes.

“It can be intimidating in the kitchen and I want to make it as fun and easy as possible.”

About 90 street performers, including musicians and circus acts, will entertain the crowds.

The Taste of Tasmania continues until its final night on Thursday, January 3.