FOODIE 101** #JOINTHEFEAST AT THE NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS

From tonight the CBD’s Hyde Park will be transformed once again into a sprawling hawker market, as The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Month presented by Citi Night Noodle Markets tantalise the tastebuds of the city’s food lovers from October 8 to 25. It’s a definite must-see event! The food and atmosphere is incredible!

A record 50 stalls are bringing an incredible selection of savoury dishes accompanied by a little sweet food to balance things out. All the favourites including Mamak, Longrain, Hoy Pinoy and Gelato Messina will be there. These will be joined by collaborations including N2 Gelato and Black Star Pastry, and The Singleton Whisky and Momofuku Milk Bar direct from New York City.

If 2014’s Night Noodle Markets was all about the ramen burger’s cousin the rice burger, then this year we could be seeing the rise of Lil Manhattan’s Korean bagels; Ramen Burger’s take on dessert “ice cream baogers”; or Trunk Road’s Bangladeshi bang boti kebabs.

Sydney Good Food Month Creative Director Myffy Rigby said she was most excited by the sheer diversity of the offerings at this year’s Night Noodle Markets. “I never fail to be impressed year on, year out by the talent and creativity on show at the Night Noodle Markets. This promises to be an amazing few weeks.”

Last year more than half a million people attended the Night Noodle Markets, including 69,000 on a single Fridaynight.  To make things quick and easy, this year moves toward having credit card facilities available for all food and beverage purchases, and Citi ATMs also on site.

Many of the sponsors involved in the Markets know that seating can be at a premium and have created activations with this in mind. Head to the stand-out Mercedes Temporium and Macau Tourism – Experience Macau seating areas to soak up the Markets. The iconic Citi VIP area for the bank’s cardholders will have a private bar and concierge service from Citibank Dining Partners Daniel San and East Ocean, alongside demonstrations of noodle making from Chefs Gallery.

For those looking to accompany their meal with something delicious to drink, visit the beautiful Schweppes Floating Market, Coopers Beer Garden, Yalumba Festival Garden, Thatchers Apple Cider Garden, and of course The Singleton Whisky & Sugar Bar.

For those feeling a little energetic there will be more entertainment than just eating at the Harvey Norman Fit Zone, complete with dance-off style competitions and Nova 96.9’s Ping-Pong Parlour with prizes for the best (and worst!) players, also featuring DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.

For those with a sweet tooth, the popular Sweetfest ice cream van will be popping up at the opening night of the Night Noodle Markets with former Hartsyard pastry chef and layer cake boss Andy Bowden serving up free soft serve ice cream creations (subject to availability per event).

For a sixth year running, as the official charity partner for Sydney Good Food Month, OzHarvest will be sending around their Fortune Cart collecting spare change and donations from market-goers in exchange for a fortune cookie, with all proceeds going to providing meals for those in need around Australia.

The Night Noodle Markets at Hyde Park will be running from October 8 to 25, entry is free and it is open from 5pm on weekdays, and 4pm on weekends. The full menu of exciting street-food style dishes is online at http://sydney.goodfoodmonth.com/menu

Market-goers are encouraged to post their favourite pictures from the experience on social media using #jointhefeast. Winning photos shared using the #jointhefeast hashtag will be picked by the Good Food Month team with the winners taking home double passes to a Sydney Good Food Month event*.

In another exciting promotion, this year for the first time ever, The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Food are presenting the Top Chopsticks at the Night Noodle Markets. Whether you are a dedicated ramen fan or can’t get enough Fried Chicken, event goers can vote for their favourite Night Noodle Markets stallholder for the chance to win a $250 dining experience every month for a year. Voting opens at topchopsticks.com on October 8.

For all the information on Sydney Good Food Month and to sign up to Foodie News, visit goodfoodmonth.com.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @goodfoodmonth and join the conversation using #goodfoodmonth and #jointhefeast.