Food Fiestas.

Lyndey MilanWORDS ROBERTA MUIR

SYDNEY TASTE SENSATIONS

The Sydney Good Food & Wine Show (GFWS) is on this month with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay heading the bill, alongside local chefs Matt Moran, Lyndey Milan, Tobie Puttock and Ben O’Donoghue. We talked to Milan (co-host of Channel 9’s Fresh – with The Australian Women’s Weekly) about her Regional Producers Market at the show.

Tobie PuttockTell us about the Regional Producers Market.
For some years I’ve been telling the exhibition organisers that they need to focus on the quality food being produced in Australia’s regions. This year they have offered smaller regional producers stalls and a mini-stage where I’ll conduct interviews and tastings.

What sort of produce is being featured?
From the Western Plains of NSW there are Drover’s Choice Saltbush Lamb and Lime Grove’s cordials and dressings. From the NSW mid-north coast, there’s Murray’s Craft Brewing with their handcrafted beers, Hills of Byron coffee and Rylstone Olive Press and their organic olive oils and table olives.

Why do you think there’s a growing interest in regional produce?
Australians increasingly want to know their food’s clean and green, and to feel connected with it. People are also entertaining at home more and sourcing ingredients from the grower adds to the satisfaction.

Gordon RamsayAre there places to shop for regional produce in Sydney?
Fox Studios on Wednesdays and Saturdays, North Sydney every third Saturday, and Pyrmont every first Saturday.

Are more chefs using regional produce on their menus?
Most produce is regional really, but increasingly menus are listing their suppliers – Rockpool and Sean’s Panaroma are two Sydney restaurants listing the source of their produce.

Sydney Exhibition Centre, 20–22 June. Tickets AU$25 (under 5s free), tel: 136 100. The Good Food & Wine Show visits Perth 11–13 July and Brisbane 7–9 November.

GOURMET DATES

JUNE

A TASTE OF COOLUM
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast presents A Taste of Coolum on 28–29 June. The popular Chefs Alfresco event on 29 June is an afternoon of great food, wine and live entertainment at the Hyatt Regency Coolum; AU$55 including food, wine and souvenir wine glass. Tel: +61 (7) 5449 3430.

HAWAII’S FLAVORS OF HONOLULU
Hawaii’s Flavors of Honolulu at the Honolulu Civic Center is Hawaii’s largest food, wine and entertainment festival with many of Hawaii’s top restaurants participating. 27–29 June, US$5 (under 12s free), tel: +1 (808) 532 2100.

AUGUST

THE MELBOURNE SPECIALIST CHEESE SHOW
Discover Australia’s finest cheeses at The Melbourne Specialist Cheese Show in Melbourne on 17 August at Crown Towers Hotel. AU$40 for unlimited cheese tastings and five wine/beer tastings (under 15s free). Tel: +61 (3) 9381 1777.

THE BAROSSA GOURMET WEEKEND
Indulge in food from South Australia’s beautiful Barossa Valley and Adelaide restaurants accompanied by superb Barossa wines during The Barossa Gourmet Weekend on 23–24 August. Free entry, with food and wine tastings from AU$5. Tel: 1300 852 982.

TASTE FESTIVALS
Held in five countries, Taste Festivals makes its Australian debut in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on 21–24 August. Catch the signature dishes from 15 of the city’s top restaurants, including Circa the Prince, Grossi Florentino, Longrain, The Botanical and Fifteen, plus 100 food and drink stalls. AU$25 general admission only, food tastings from AU$1. Tel: 136 100.