The Taste is back, with a deal struck between private consortium, state government and Hobart City Council

The Taste will return in Hobart this summer after a one-year hiatus, as organisers reveal some key details about the return of the iconic event. WHAT’S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR >>>

• Tasmanians shuts to Brisbane after Qld calls snap lockdown
• Cape Fear organisers make disappointing call on competition

THE organisers of the new Taste of Summer festival are undaunted by the challenge of planning a large-scale event in the middle of a pandemic, where health advice and border closures can change by the hour.

It is expected patrons will have to pay an entry fee in order to attend the Hobart waterfront food and wine extravaganza between Christmas and the new year, with the specific Covid safety protocols and a cap on the number of attendees still to be finalised.

It comes after a deal was struck between the state government, Hobart City Council and Pinpoint Group to revive the much-loved Hobart summer staple previously known as the Taste of Tasmania, as first revealed by the Mercury.

SUNTAS: Taste Festival has a new look/ new operators.

Pinpoint Group’s Jarrod Nation said the focus of organisers was to deliver an event showcasing the best Tasmania had to offer, and they could not worry too much about the Covid situation in other states.

“At the present time, we can only control what’s in front of us,’’ he said.

“We know that we’ve got a wonderful opportunity to showcase Tasmania and Tasmanian produce and hospitality.

“What happens with Covid will certainly provide us with some sort of guidance as to how many people can come to the event.”

Mr Nation said the private consortium of local business people had been in talks with the government for more than 12 months over the event.

He confirmed the event was unlikely to have free entry.

“For the Taste to be around for 2021 and beyond, it needs to be sustainable,’’ he said.

“We can’t rely on the contribution from the Premier and the state government and the City of Hobart forever.

“That means everyone needs to contribute to the success of the event so we do anticipate there will be a cover charge.”

Mr Nation said the group was keen to hear from previous and prospective new stallholders about being involved, and flagged a lower than usual price to secure a stall.

SUNTAS: Taste Festival has a new look/ new operators.

Premier Peter Gutwein said in the past, the Taste had generated more than $45m worth of economic activity, and at is peak, more than 262,000 people attended the event.

“We’re seeing a switch to where now more people from interstate are coming and staying longer in the state,’’ he said.

“And so this is a fantastic opportunity both for Hobart but for the state of Tasmania at a time of year when people really do want to experience the very best of Tasmania.”

SUNTAS: Taste Festival has a new look/ new operators.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said she was looking forward to the festival returning to the waterfront.

“Obviously last year things were so different down here on the waterfront and I think everybody missed the activation and the food and wine that is normally such a strong feature of Hobart in summer,’’ she said.

The council had previously decided to divest itself of the festival, on which it spent about $1.6m a year.

For this year, the council is providing $300,000 to support the event, while the state government is contributing $1.4m along with the use of PW1.

Follow @cwhiteley12