TASMANIA’S biggest food and wine festival might be cancelled this year, but you can still experience our little island’s best flavours and support our small producers this summer.
Taste of Tasmania stallholders over the years have featured unique dishes, desserts and beverages from far away lands including Ethiopia, Nepal, Belgium, Taiwan and the Middle East.
Without a festival pulling together Tasmania’s most versatile flavours and small-scale producers, it can be tricky to track down the folks behind some of our favourite summer stalls.
Deep End Farm owner Dave Rolph said sales had been “decimated” by 80 per cent over COVID-19.
He and wife Cassandra Rolph were supposed to be bringing their signature Taiwanese steam buns from their Geeveston plot to Hobart’s vibrant waterfront over the past few days, but coronavirus had other plans.
“We love Taste, we’ve been going for a few years, our friends are there and we know the people who run it,” Mr Rolph said.
“We have a lot of people drop by now and say they went to the Taste as a customer.”
Mr Rolph said it wasn’t all bad, with his business scaling back drastically and conducting extra work around the farm to bring the property to its full potential.
“We’ve just cut back and are living simply,” he said.
“The farm’s better for having spent so much time on it, and certainly the lifestyle’s better.”
Mr Rolph said locals and interstate travellers should “absolutely” seek out the usual stallholders outside of the festival and take a holiday around regional Tasmania to visit producers.
“They’re great places to visit and they need our help.”
From creamy raspberry-filled crepes to fruity gin cocktails to spicy fusion eats, the Mercury has dished up a delicious and multicultural list of Taste of Tasmania stallholders and where to find them so foodies don’t miss out these holidays.
YOUR OWN TASTE OF TASSIE FOOD TRAIL
START WITH SAVOURY
Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co.
A staple Tassie go to with world-class washed rind, hard and white mould cheeses made from sustainable dairy will give you a true taste of Tasmania. Wash it all down with a Farm Ale or Cloudy Bay IPA.
Where to find it: Visit the cellar door at Great Bay, Bruny Island, grab your favourites on the go from the Hobart Farm Shop at Argyle St, North Hobart, catch the team at a local market or book private tastings and buy products online via brunyislandcheese.com.au
Danphe Nepalese
Slurp up some perfectly spiced dal bhaat, bite into a flavoursome momo dumpling or grab a rich curry from the popular Nepalese and Indian cuisine specialists at Danphe Nepalese.
Where to find it: Their usual offerings from the Taste can be found at their Collins St restaurant with aromas drifting down the Hobart street and tempting shoppers seven days a week. More information at danphenepalese.com.au
Deep End Farm
A sustainable produce gem at Geeveston known for their fast-selling, puffy white Taiwanese steamed buns stuffed with saucy meats and veggies along with their Japanese Rice Bowl and Taiwanese Crepe.
Where to find it: Tours or visits to the farm at Judd Hills Rd, Geeveston for a special experience among the animals are on hold, but you can get your fix at Street Eats Franko every Friday evening at Franklin Square, Hobart or Farm Gate Market, Hobart every second Sunday. More information at deepend.farm or facebook.com/deependfarm
Maning Reef (Tempura Vegetables and Mushrooms)
John Caire’s soft tempura mushrooms have been a Taste staple since the festival’s inception, with the recent addition of local tempura vegetables also a crowd pleaser.
You can grab a serve at Sandy Bay Rd’s beloved Maning Reef Cafe, or go the whole hog with scallops, Atlantic salmon and prawns, or tasty thin crust wood-fired pizzas.
Where to find it: Maning Reef Cafe, Sandy Bay brings a flavour punch for a dine-in experience, or try contactless home delivery via maningreefcafe.com.au
Flamecake
The direct translation of cultural delicacy “flammkuchen”, Flamecake offers German-style pizzas and sandwiches with local toppings like dry cured bacon, gruyere cheese, hot smoked wild caught salmon and pulled Scottsdale BBQ pork.
Where to find it: Head to their pop up restaurants in Kettering and Snug, or visit their stalls at Salamanca Market and other southern festivals. More information at facebook.com/flamecaketas
Harissa
Moussaka, Malai Kofta and Cauliflower and Walnut Bolognese Fettuccini are just some of the affordable, plant-based offerings from Harissa’s Middle East-inspired kitchen.
Where to find it:Order and collect a meal or two their New Town kitchen or take advantage of their unique and colourful catering services. More information at harissahobart.com
Mount Gnomon Farm
As authentic as it gets, rare breed pigs and stunning acreage result in fresh paddock-to-plate meals and meats from the remote farm bordering Dial Range near Penguin.
Where to find it:Sample their best offerings at Harvest Launceston market every Saturday or Farm Gate Market on the first and third Sundays of the month. Book tours, functions or catering and visit the farm, or request home delivery via mountgnomonfarm.com.au
Munchies Street Food
The winning combination of Korean recipes with French techniques melds to create bao buns brimming with pork belly and street-style Korean fried chicken.
Where to find it: Munchies makes a regular appearance at Hobart Twilight Market, but the Tasmanian Produce Market at Bellerive also hosts the stall, which appears at other pop-up events. More information at facebook.com/Munchiesstreetfood
Sea Urchin Dumpling
Exactly as it sounds, spiny seafood creatures have been transformed into a tasty delicacy along with other delicious Chinese dishes like braised beef noodle soup.
Where to find it: Visit the team at their restaurant on Invermay Rd, Mowbray or order online via Door Dash and Menulog. More information at thefork.com.au/restaurant/sea-urchin-dumpling
SWIG IT DOWN
Clover Hill Wines
The best of North Tasmania wines straight from the Piper’s River region, wash down your summer fare with a cool climate sparkling, or grab extra food to go with it.
Where to find it: Visit the Clover Hill Rd vineyard in Lebrina or order a bottle online, and for more than food and beverages see their range of experiences including scenic flights and private oyster experiences. More information at cloverhillwines.com.au
Ghost Rock Wines
Cradle Coast’s Ghost Rock Wines boast a “supernatural range” with Pet Nat, Summer Skins, pinot noir and Pinot X along with their Ghost Rock range and single vineyard series.
Where to find it: Visit their cellar door and eatery for wine tastings and sales at Port Sorell Rd, Northdown or order online. More information at ghostrock.com.au
Knocklofty
The West Hobart hills have fostered small batch spirits including Penn Gin featuring Tasmanian pepperberry, juniper and citrus, black vodka with Acacia catechu bark, lime and orange liqueur.
Where to find it: Tours and tastings can be arranged by appointment, with upcoming events to be announced and products available at several bottle shops and bars around Tasmania or online. More information at knocklofty.com.au
Morrison Brewery
Traditional English brews inspire this award-winning, eclectic range of limited releases including the session ale, Irish Stout, Tasmanian IPA and English Bitter perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Where to find it:The craft brewery can be found at Mowbray St, Invermay with products on tap at Tandy’s Alehouse and St John Craft Beer Bar in Launceston and Harlequin in Lenah Valley, or order tins from online. More information at morrisonbrewery.com.au
Tasmanian Chilli Beer Company
Self-described as “unique, bold and sometimes a bit spicy”, Tasmanian Chilli Beer is a beloved brand for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages alike. Try the sustainably handmade Local Mule ginger beer, Dark and Stormy, Ginger Chilli Beer or Lime Sparkling.
Where to find it: Non-alcoholic products are available at shops and restaurants around the state, or visit their Salamanca Market “cellar door”, or order online. More information tasmanianchillibeercompany.com.au
Tasmanian Tonic Company
A perfect pairing for your gin of choice, tonics water syrups are flavoured with leatherwood honey, pepper berry, Mediterranean flavours and smoked eucalyptus. If you prefer soda over tonic, try their Southern Ocean soda syrups including smoked cola, and leatherwood honey and sea salt.
Where to find it: Hill St Stores, 9/11, Lipscombe Larder, Dan Murphys, Eumarrah, Hobart Brewing Co. and more stock their fizzy products, which are also available online. More information at tasmaniantoniccompany.com.au
SOMETHING SWEET
Island Berries Tasmania
It wouldn’t be the Taste of Tasmania without fresh berries and lashings of syrup. Island Berries has showcased pana cotta with raspberry coulis, chocolate sauce waffles and blueberry coulis pancakes to name a few items.
Pana cotta, chocolate mousse, sauces, coulis, fruit pastes and jams can add a Tassie twist to your dessert this summer.
Where to find it:Buy their products at Woolworths, or online at islandberriestasmania.com.au
MIAM French Crepes
A popular festival staple, the French authentic crepes include tantalising fillings like salted caramel, homemade raspberry jam and lemon curd, Nutella, maple syrup and rhubarb.
Where to find it: Salamanca Market hosts the stall every week, while Hobart Twilight Market can often bring in the crepes too. Big events like Festivale and Taste of the Huon have also brought the dessert around Tasmania. More information miamfrenchcrepes.com
Soyoyoy
This business knows treats are for everyone, specialising in tasty plant-based items.
Go savoury with their tofu and tempeh products, or indulge in a creamy chocolate mousse without the dairy.
Where to find it: Soyoyoy stocks at Farm Gate Market, Eumarrah Hobart, the Organic Grocery Store in Launceston, UNpacked Kingston and The Olive Jar in Huonville. More information soyoyoy.com.au
Yeastie Beastie Doughnuts
Custard, cinnamon sugar and lemon drizzle – Yeastie Beastie has got it all wrapped up in their sourdough offerings.
Where to find it:These treats appear at plenty of markets in southern Tasmania, from Franko Street Eats to Cygnet Market. More information facebook.com/yeastiebeastiedoughnuts
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