Submissions open for Taste of Summer Stallholders

Organisers for the Taste of Summer are on the hunt for 80 stallholders for the summer festival. HOW TO APPLY >>

Submissions are open for food and beverage stallholders to apply for a stall at the Taste of Summer

Food and drink curator Jo Cook said that the summer festival would include a variety of stallholders.

“We want to encourage people to be creative and to look at new ways to work with Tasmanian produce,” Ms Cook said.

“Even if you’ve been going to the Taste for a number of years, we want to make sure we have plenty of new and exciting experiences on offer for even the most seasoned Taste regulars.

“This year we are bringing fresh-thinking to the Taste and a new approach to the food and drinks that are available.”

The return of the Taste under a new name was announced in July after a deal was struck with the Hobart council, the state government and Pinpoint Group.

TASTE OF SUMMER

Despite the council floating the idea of a smaller scale event due to uncertainty around coronavirus restrictions, the Taste of Tasmania last year fell victim to the effects Covid and was cancelled.

Taste chair Jarrod Nation said they hoped to attract both seasoned and new stallholders to the summer festival.

“If you’ve ever wanted to have a stall at the Taste, then now is the time to turn that dream into a reality,” Mr Nation said.

“We are after the best of the best to give Tasmanians the ultimate Taste experience so we can say goodbye to 2021 in style.”

Up to 80 stallholders will be chosen from across the state to take part in the Taste of Summer.

Submissions close on September 18.

The Taste of Summer will be a ticketed event, but it still hasn’t been revealed how much patrons will pay to attend.

The Hobart council is contributing $300,000 to support the event, while the state government is contributing $1.4m along with the use of PW1.

Foodie tucks in to dish up new-look Taste

A FERVENT foodie will be dishing up a culinary experience to remember at the Taste of Summer food festival, which is returning from coronavirus hiatus.

The aptly named Jo Cook has been chosen as the curator for the event, where she will be recruiting the “best of the best” to send taste buds soaring.

Ms Cook has worked in hectic kitchens all over town, having spent decades both as a curator, festival organiser, and all-round chef.

“I had a restaurant, I had a food van, I had a market stall, I’ve run a nightclub, I’ve worked in hospitality through and through,” Ms Cook said.

“I just love seeing people have a great time and bringing people together. It’s been such a hard time for everyone – the world’s a little bit of a grim place right now.”

To liven up the grim atmosphere, Ms Cook hopes to create a spread supplied by local producers, cooked by local chefs for a local palate.

Taste of Summer chair Jarrod Nation said this would be the “most Tasmanian Taste ever”.

“When we explained to Jo what we wanted to do with the Taste, she was already way ahead of us and started outlining how she would take our vision for the event to the next level,” he said.

“With Jo on board, the Taste is going to take a fresh look at local food and drink.”

Taste of Summer food and drink curator Jo Cook and chair Jarrod Nation. Picture: Chris Kidd

The event was cancelled last year because of coronavirus.

The Taste of Summer event comes in the aftermath of a deal struck between Hobart City Council, the state government, and the Pinpoint Group to save the Taste of Tasmania.

This year, the state government is paying $1.4 million to keep the festival afloat while council is contributing $300,000.

Council previously spent up $1.6 million a year on the event, but pulled out of the festival saying it placed too much of burden on ratepayers.

Ms Cook said she was glad to be able to keep the tradition going this Christmas and New Year season.

“I’m delighted to be part of a team that wants to save the Taste and transform it into an even

better festival with a family-friendly feel,” she said.

“We’re planning excellent entertainment, a safe and uncrowded layout and lots of innovative non-alcoholic drinks alongside quality wine, beer, cider and spirits.”