WHAT: THE BALVENIE CRAFT FAIR AND WINTER PICNIC
WHERE: The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney
WHEN: Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th June 2015
The Strand Arcade will host its inaugural Winter Food Festival with the launch of The Balvenie Craft Fair and Winter Picnic. Known worldwide as the only whiskey that uses five rare crafts in its creation, The Balvenie brand is a champion of true craftsmanship and is heavily invested in the artisan community, treasuring authentic, traditional techniques above all else.
To celebrate the unique community of established and emerging food talents the Strand has to offer, shoppers are invited to explore the arcade, gathering their own bespoke tastings to enjoy at communal picnic points.
Upon entering the arcade, guests will be greeted with a bespoke Strand Arcade picnic bag with which to curate a selection of authentic hand crafted goods to enjoy. The journey begins on the Ground Floor with European – style market stalls manned by the retail destination’s top food artisans offering a range of special winter treats.
Gewürzhaus Herb & Spice Merchants, a boutique spice store inspired by traditional European spice houses, will offer warming mulled wine along with over 250 single origin spices unable to be sourced anywhere else in Sydney.
Chocolate institution, recently turned Centenarian Haigh’s, will be offering a celebratory “100 Year” counter with its most popular confectionary available for sampling, along with their 2015 Centenary Range.
Pillar of The Strand, The Nut Shop, which this year celebrates its extraordinary 75th year in the arcade, will offer winter salted cashew roasting alongside picnic sized packs of its famously addictive nut treats.
Taka Tea will offer the unique Japanese Matcha Green Tea blend for those customers seeking delicate refreshment, whilst coffee connoisseurs will be catered to by the acclaimed Gumption by Coffee Alchemy who will be roasting beans and selling specialist blends.
Treasured Italian restaurant, The Restaurant Pendolino will showcase some of Australia’s international, award winning and renowned extra virgin olive oils.
New comer to the Strand, Trattoria Romolo, will ensure other savoury tastes are met with a selection of three providore dishes to enjoy.
The food offering is rounded out with fine chocolatier Koko Black offering their signature hot chocolate whilst Sweet Infinity ensures no sweet tooth goes unsated with a selection of tarts and cakes.
The Balvenie will also be hosting a pop up bar where patrons will be able to sample distinctive single – malt, The Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood, to complement their culinary choices
A Parisian inspired café seating area will take over Level 1 of the arcade, providing a tranquil space from which to enjoy individual picnics and take in the bustle of activity in the market place below.
Alongside the gourmet delights on offer will be displays from the renowned Strand Arcade Makers, including the skills of bespoke shoemaker Andrew McDonald, innovative jewellers Dinosaur Designs, luxury goods specialist Hunt Leather and five decade fixture of the Strand Arcade, The Strand Hatters.
In a fun representation of the fusion between craftsmanship and picnic, the ultimate crafty worker, the ANT will also feature throughout the Winter Festival. Resident Courtesy of the Artist’s Creative Director Cesar Cueva has created a unique installation of the creatures at the entrances to the Arcade as a celebration of the winter picnic.
A final addition to the food festival sees The Restaurant Pendolino Executive Chef Nino Zoccali celebrating the 75th anniversary of The Nut Shop with an exclusive four course dinner incorporating a number of the shops iconic range of nuts paired with matching wines. Representatives of the Nut Shop’s founding Mendels family will be present on the evening of Tuesday 30th June to share their unique story which celebrates entrepreneurship, passion and quality.
The Strand Arcade focuses on a curation of stores that highlight quality, authenticity and craftsmanship and the masterful skills behind artisans of food, fashion and lifestyle. The inaugural Winter Food Festival continues to cement the arcade’s position as such, a unique proposition in the Sydney CBD, for both retailers and customers alike.
The Restaurant Pendolino Celebratory Nut Shop Dinner:
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start, Tuesday 30th June
Cost: $150 per person to include four courses with matching wines
RSVP: events@pendolino.com.au or 9231 6117
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