Taste Sydney Insider Tips from Massimo Mele

If you’re heading to Taste this weekend, you’re going to want to have these insider tips from award-winning chef, Massimo Mele from La Scala On Jersey as he guides us through his top five things to do at Taste of Sydney in partnership with Electrolux:

1. Be inspired – Head to the Electrolux Taste Theatre to watch a live cooking demonstration where I’ll be cooking along with chefs such as Colin Fassnidge of 4Fourteen and Frank Camorra of Movida. You’ll hear untold chef secrets and first-hand tips to great tasting food. I’ll be sharing my best tips for cooking octopus including the different methods of cooking it and where to source quality produce. I know from watching my Nonna, aunties and mother cook every day back home in Naples that it’s great to have that knowledge passed down first-hand.

2. Sip, sample & shop – Ingredients are the soul of your cooking, so take a wander through the Artisan Producers Market and browse the variety of food stalls. From the fine wines of the Barossa Valley to perfectly matured cheeses and fresh loaves baked from humble ingredients, you’ll be spoilt for choice. I draw much of my inspiration from sourcing quality ingredients. It is after all, the key to great cooking.

3. Holy mustard! – Mustard can be a great secret ingredient, guaranteed to give any dish a real kick! Stop by La Maison Maille and you’ll have the chance to sample 18 mustard varieties fresh from the tap. Better bring a bottle of water!

4. Tantalise your taste buds – With over 70 dishes from 19 of Sydney’s hottest restaurants, it’s time to be adventurous and open your senses to new flavours. Presented by Electrolux Appetite for Excellence, you don’t want to miss the Organic Chook – with creamed corn & sprouted grains from Biota Dining. Jame’s dishes exceed all expectations combining fresh local produce with a unique ability to extract the very delicate of tastes.

5. It’s a honky tonk world – everyone loves a good dance so for the best entertainment spot, head to “Sammy’s Travelling Roadhouse” and let go in the honky tonk music tent. Guaranteed to be heaps of fun, the good guys behind award-winning Swillhouse Bars – Shady Pines Saloon, The Baxter Inn and Frankies Pizza are bringing this one.

Taste of Sydney in partnership with Electrolux is on this week.  So grab your friends, get your crowns, and experience the Festival that unites the best restaurants of Sydney in one sublime venue. Gastronomes can buy tickets now through Ticketek, or grab them on arrival at Centennial Park this Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 March, 2015. There will be over 70 dishes from 20 of Sydney’s latest, greatest and hottest restaurants.