Spring into new Sydney venues, Perth’s Royal Show and a fashionable high tea

WORDS ROBERTA MUIR

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURS

The Pacific countries come to Sydney when the Australian National Maritime Museum presents its fourth biennial food festival, Pacific on a Plate, on 1–2 September. The fiesta celebrates the culinary and cultural diversity of the Pacific, with food stalls spotlighting the flavours of Chile and China, Malaysia and Mexico, Russia and Vietnam, plus a vibrant entertainment program of live music, traditional cooking demonstrations and guided boat tours. This cultural feast for the whole family is free… so grab a plate and embark on a culinary voyage where East meets West. Tel: +61 (2) 9298 3777.

CHEFS ON THE GO

Dietmar Sawyer Exciting news this month from several of Sydney’s best chefs. Christine Manfield, whose last regular cooking gig in Sydney was at her Paramount restaurant 10 years ago, returns to the kitchen with the opening of Universal at Republic (tel: +61 (2) 9331 0709) in Darlinghurst. Expect an eclectic menu inspired by her exotic travels. With renovations to his iconic Bistro Moncur complete, Damien Pignolet can now concentrate on his new Moncur Terrace Bar (tel: +61 (2) 9363 2782). It’s a relaxed space full of colour and texture, with a rooftop terrace and superb new bar menu. And finally, Forty-One Restaurant’s Dietmar Sawyer is trading the view from Chifley Tower for one of the Hawkesbury River – taking control of the legendary Berowra Waters Inn (tel: +61 (2) 9456 1027). We can’t wait to enjoy again the Inn’s boat- and seaplane-access-only.

OYSTER ESCAPADES

For a taste of the freshest seafood and charming country hospitality, head to Ceduna, South Australia, during Oysterfest on 28–30 September. After events kick off with a colourful opening celebration on Saturday morning, it’s non-stop fun, with superb fresh seafood to savour and concerts, dancing and parties. Kids are also well catered for with story-telling, hands-on workshops and competitions. Tel: +61 (8) 8625 3407.

CATWALKS AND CAKES

This spring, get a sneak peek of the season’s latest fashions over high tea. From September to November, the quirkily named Pret-a-Portea at Park Hyatt Sydney and Melbourne features a different designer every month (on 12 September it’s Herringbone in Sydney and Jason Grech in Melbourne). While you watch the show, indulge in Vittoria coffee, Twinings teas, Taittinger champagne and sweet treats like luscious strawberry and coconut teacakes, bittersweet chocolate truffle cakes, lemon curd tartlets and house-made scones. Your AU$60 also covers mini-makeovers, decadent hand massages, style tips, door prizes and gift bags to take home. Melbourne tel: +61 (3) 9224 1205, Sydney tel: +61 (2) 9256 1663.

A ROYAL PARTY

Make a beeline for this year’s Perth Royal Show from 29 September to 6 October – it’s packed with tasty treats. You can sample traditional Japanese fare in the Japan Guest Nation Pavilion (think teriyaki, sukiyaki and sushi), while the Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion will be packed with local produce, free tastings and cooking demonstrations. For something more unusual, why not try boab root at the Department of Agriculture’s exhibition? And of course there are the traditional cookery competitions for gourmet breads, decorated sponges, cheesecakes, scones and vanilla slices, and cake-decorating demonstrations in the Creative Craft Pavilion. Finish up with great Vietnamese coffee from the Dynamic Food Brokers stall. Tel: +61 (8) 6263 3100.