By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
You might typically associate food festivals with sunny days and warm, balmy evenings. However, the growing popularity of a number of Winter food festivals in NSW is delivering a delicious antidote to the season’s frosty mornings and chilly nights.
From Sydney to Mudgee, these events promise to serve a feast for the senses, showcasing the best of local produce, innovative dishes and artisanal creations - presenting lovers of bites, beverages and brilliant epicurean experiences the opportunity to celebrate the rich flavours and vibrant culture of their region (or beyond!)
Good Food & Wine Show Sydney: The Habour City’s iconic Good Food & Wine Show, is now in its 23rd year and, from June 21-23 this Winter will transform Sydney (or more specifically, Darling Harbour’s ICC) into a haven for food lovers - through more than 300 exhibitors who will offer a tantalising array of gourmet delights.
Guests can sample fine wines, artisanal goods and culinary masterpieces while shaking oven mitts with celebrity Chefs, on hand to share their expertise through live demonstrations and interactive masterclasses. It's a celebration of all things delicious and decadent, perfect for igniting your culinary passions.
Central Coast Harvest Festival: Sprawling from the Australian Reptile Park all the way through to Yarramalong, this festival nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Central Coast, covers all things from A to (almost) Z…literally!
Featuring more than 30 event hubs, this harvest festival will run across the June Long Weekend and present visitors the rare chance to take a glimpse behind the farm gate as they explore nine rural farming communities and their picturesque heritage villages on the Central Coast.
This includes farm-fresh produce, locally crafted delicacies and a smorgasbord of flavours while enjoying live music and entertainment. Ensuring a vibrant celebration of community and connection, highlighting the abundance of the Central Coast's culinary offerings.
Smoke in Broke BBQ Festival: Catchy name aside, barbeque enthusiasts are in for a finger-licking good time at the Smoke in Broke BBQ Festival this June 8-9. While vegans need not apply, carnivores will have all their cravings catered for, with the opportunity to sample mouthwatering barbeque creations from seasoned pitmasters and participate in the Australian Barbecue Association BBQ Championship.
With live music, cooking demonstrations and plenty of smoky delights, it's an event not to be missed for lovers of all things grilled and delicious.
Glenworth Grazing Festival: Visitors keen to indulge in the rustic charm of NSW’s Northern Tablelands region (approximately 8 hours from Sydney) are encouraged to organise a trip that coincides with the Glenworth Grazing Festival. From farm-to-table dining experiences to wine tastings and cooking workshops, this festival will celebrate the best of regional cuisine in a breathtaking setting.
With a focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing, it's an opportunity to connect with local producers (including more than 100 local vendors and a vibrant array of live performances), savour the flavours of the countryside and indulge in a feast for the senses.
Bathurst Winter Festival: Transforming the historic streets of Bathurst into a Winter wonderland, this festival spread across three weeks in June, offers a magical experience for visitors of all ages. From ice skating and snow play to gourmet food stalls and mulled wine bars, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Warm up with hearty Winter fare and explore the vibrant atmosphere of this charming regional festival.
MudgeeQue: Fire up your taste buds at MudgeeQue, a celebration of all things barbeque in the heart of Mudgee (an approximately four-hour drive from Sydney). Featuring succulent meats and an array of barbeque-inspired dishes, this festival is a paradise for carnivores.
Enjoy a Southern American-style celebration, with a central-west-of-New South Wales- spin, by indulging in slow-cooked meats by crackling fire drums; all while local brewers, winemakers and distillers serve up their best bevvies against a soundtrack of live acoustic folk and blues tunes.
Canberra Truffle Degustation: Although Canberra may not have a dedicated Winter food festival, it does deliver a range of unique culinary experiences to indulge in its iconic Winter truffle season as the temperature drops.
These include a trip to Beltana Farm Truffiere, home to more than 800 truffle trees and the opportunity to indulge in farmhouse shared plates at the restaurant; or, embark on a truffle hunt on crisp Winter mornings, where you'll witness firsthand how truffles are grown, checked for maturity and then harvested.
Alternatively travellers to the nation’s capital can enjoy a Winter Truffle Degustation at Parliament House, where they can indulge in the exquisite flavours of the region's finest truffles, expertly crafted into culinary masterpieces by Executive Chef David Learmonth. It's a luxurious dining experience that embodies the elegance and sophistication of truffle season in Canberra.
Gab’s Craft Beer Festival: Finally, while technically a celebration of the drinks that lends to its name, this year Gab’s Craft Beer Festival deserves an honourable mention for its food-inspired beverages.
These include Smores served with toasted marshmallows beer, sushi beer, spaghetti beer, banana blueberry pancake smoothie beer, cereal beer, bacon beer, ‘The Sanga’ Beer and more.
Also present at the festival will be a variety of Oktoberfest-inspired food stalls, including, Knuckles2U Food Truck, an obvious addition given the oldest brewery in the world (which is from Germany) will be a festival special guest.
