What a big year 2016 is turning out to be, we’re standing up to Mike and his lock out laws and running around town to try all the new restaurants and bars opening up, whilst basking in the awesome summer sun – every other day it’s not pouring a storm.
But with so many venues opening up, so many extraordinary chefs and such awesome summer produce available how are you meant to try it all? Lucky for us, the folks at Electrolux and A Taste of Sydney have us covered. We’ll be able to have a delicious taste of Sydney again when their festival of food opens 10-13 March. This year they’ve lined up Sydney’s latest, greatest and hottest restaurants offering 3-4 Taste sized portions of their signature dishes to visitors. There are also over a dozen interactive foodie attractions as well as live entertainment to enjoy as you stroll through the Central Parklands for the festival.
There’s a brand new line up including chef Mike McEnearney who after almost a year’s hiatus is back with his hugely successful food canteen, Kitchen By Mike. Sydney-siders will recognise his simple, honest and generous food featuring local and seasonal produce.
For the first time the folks of Three Blue Ducks are bringing their Three Blue Ducks at the Farm at Byron Bay pop up to Sydney. We’ll be presented with their honest, innovative and local approach to eating and drinking along with the chance to pick up a range of local produce and flowers.
Head Chef Lennox Hastie with One-Hatted Firedoor are making their first appearance and heating up the wood fired ovens and grills with some of his signature dishes. For an innovative look at contemporary Australian dishes, look no further than festival new-comer nel. with chef Nelly Robinson for his robust understanding and appreciation of the best seasonal produce in his signature dishes. If you haven’t been to it yet newly opened Salaryman with chef Stephen Seckold will be at Taste with his take on a grungy, modern-day ramen noodle bar.
Kensington Street Social hit our bellies only last month with British Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton and will be debuting at Taste. The British-Mediterranean styled restaurant with Executive Chef Rob Daniels will serve up a few of their favourites, including the ‘social dog’ a new twist on the ultimate hot dog.
Taste is set up so that you can pick one of the six sessions over the four days, they run for 4-5 hours at lunch or dinner times. Then you can create your very own multi-course menu selecting items from the over 60 dishes, wonder through the artisan stalls and take in the live entertainment.
A big hit this year is bound to be A South African Garden where the bold and diverse flavours of one of the world’s most enchanting countries are specially prepared for your plate. There will be award-wining wines including wine masterclasses with wine critic Mike Bennie, food masterclasses from celebrity chefs who have travelled to and been inspired by the region, including Hayden Quinn, Master Chef 2014 winner Brent Owens, and Masterchef South Africa judge Benny Masekwameng.
If you’re still feeling a little loved up from Valentine’s day check out the Dimmi First Date Butterfly House. Australia’s online restaurant reservation website will set your heart a flutter with their creation where you’ll be surrounded by the stunning flying beauties.
The Electrolux Taste Theatre is showcasing live cooking demonstrations by some of Australia’s leading chefs combined with their latest cooking equipment. There are over four free lessons at each Taste session with lots of handy secret chef tips and tricks.
For meat lovers, chef Tom Walton of Bondi’s The Bucket List will inspire you in his masterclasses for A Taste of Beef and Lamb together with BeefandLamb.com.au, you’ll also be given wine pairing options.
Keen cake decorators or sushi and sashimi aficionados will be treated with RedBalloon, Australia’s largest online experience retailer, as they offer a huge range of gourmet experiences including a full timetable of mini masterclasses and Red Red Dine – an intimate experience where chefs take you through the dish, step by step. You can purchase these or browse and other gourmet products – there’s an exclusive discount available on site too.
To boost your kitchen skills a little further, Victorinox are launching their new campaign #UrbanOutdoors Chefs Skillery with a variety of knife masterclasses. Including how to fillet a fish or how to chop an onion, held by a selection of highly acclaimed chefs such as James Viles (Biota Dining) and Wayne Brown (Saké Restaurant & Bar).
Beyond all the food that will be warming our bellies, there’s a couple spots for a nice drink or two. As a perfect accompaniment with your food, check out Japan’s number one whisky Suntory Whisky Kakubin as they debut with their Izakaya-style bar, Izakaya Kakubin. An incredible site will be the travelling Bundaberg Distillatorium. If you haven’t been to Australia’s home of rum Bundaberg this will be your opportunity to learn, taste and fall in love with one of Australia’s most iconic drinks. Drop by Nepenthe Wines Hill, an official wine partner at Taste and enjoy a selection of their quality wines complemented with other local artisanal indulgences.
Optus also joins Taste as a partner for the first time as it showcases the next evolution of its contactless payment system, Cash by Optus, and its new payment accessories range which includes bands and stickers.
Tickets are on sale now and with such deliciousness on offer it’s bound to sell out fast so make sure you grab your tickets early!
2016 restaurant line up:
Kitchen By Mike – Mike McEnearney
Thievery – Julian Cincotta
Firedoor – Lennox Hastie
Nel. – Nelly Robinson
Three Blue Ducks at The Farm – Darren Robertson and Mike Labrooy
Biota Dining – James Viles
MoVida – Frank Camorra
Porteno – Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz
Sake Restaurant & Bar – Wayne Brown
Otto – Richard Ptanick
4Fourteen – Colin Fassnidge
Kensington Street Social – Rob Daniels
Salaryman – Stephen Seckold
What: A Taste of Sydney
When: Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th March
Website: http://www.tasteofsydney.com.au/
Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au/tasteofsydney
Join the Converation: @tasteofsydney @tasteofsydney
FB: facebook.com/tasteofsydney
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