Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Adelaide Central Market

To Adelaide locals Adelaide is just a big country town. But that doesn't do justice to this city of astonishing diversity and quality ethnic cuisine. The Adelaide Central Market is a national treasure, and Adelaideans love of welcoming, adventurous dining and their pride in regional products make it a must-visit on ever food-lover's itinerary. The Adelaide Central Market is a part of how we live, and has been since 1869.

The indoor market is owned by the city council, is open to the public and is far more than a tourist attraction. Adelaideans are pretty savvy about food- we take an interest in how it's produced, where it's from. So knowing the vendors who make or sell it is part of the social fabric. We're a multi-cultural city, with the first German immigrants arriving shortly after the colony was established in 1836. This was followed by Russians, Czechs, Poles, and Hungarians. South Australia also has a considerable Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian population. This has had a significant impact upon the food of South Australia.

Over at Sevenhill Fine Foods, Mr. Waldeck, a Polish refugee, sells traditional tastes of his homeland, including makowiec, a poppy seed bread, and regional charcuterie like mettwurst and lachshinken. Sun Mi runs a small stall offering her Korean take on made-to-order sushi, while Tony O'Connell of O'Connell's Quality Meats specializes in local product, such as lamb. O'Connell, 52, started in his family's shop at 15, and treats his customers like relatives.

At Wild Oz, you can buy native game such as emu, kangaroo, and wallaby, and feral animals eg wild pig and goat. A number of shops sell regional and indigenous "bush tucker" ingredients such as lemon myrtle, wattleseed, and quandong jam, and flaky, red, Murray River salt. House of Organic sells pristine, sustainably-grown Australian produce: Mildura asparagus, Adelaide Hills beurre bosc pears, kipfler potatoes.

At dough!, Turkish pide and Lebanese flatbread compete for space with quiche, pastry, and locally-made, whole, glaceed figs, clementines, and kumquats, and plump, dried muscatel grapes from Barossa Valley vineyards. Across the aisle is one of my favourite at The Smelly Cheese Shop, stocked to capacity with imported and Australian artisan cheeses and housemade condiments such as skordalia, oil-packed, dried tomatoes, marinated bocconcini, and other picnic and cheeseboard items.

With such a diversity of styles and broad range of items Adelaide Central Market has to be on your list of foodie things to do when next in Adelaide.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cheeseaholics Over-indulge at Cheesefest 2010

Coles has joined CheeseFest as the major sponsor for 2010. CheeseFest is a celebration of Australian cheeses, taking place Sunday 17 October 2010 at Rymill Park. A highlight on the South Australian calendar, Coles CheeseFest 2010 is set to be the biggest and best cheese festival yet.

Owner of Woodside Cheese Wrights, Kris Lloyd is excited Coles has come on board as a major sponsor of CheeseFest. “Australia’s specialty cheese making industry is of an incredibly high standard, and events like this really help bring the hard working cheese specialists into the limelight they deserve,” Ms Lloyd said.

Visitors to CheeseFest can taste the finest specialty cheeses, meet the cheese makers, enjoy music and entertainment, gourmet food and wine and soak up the atmosphere.Visit the picnic area on the day and you can sample delicious cheese and accompaniments, and relax with friends.

The day at Rymill Park, located in Adelaide’s east end will be filled with activities and rides for kids plus celebrity chefs such as Simon Bryant and Michael Angelakis providing cooking demonstrations for the adults.

More details http://www.southaustralia.com/9005877.aspx

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Monday, August 2, 2010

Barossa Gourmet Weekend 2010

Set your taste buds free with a weekend of indulgence in one of world's best wine regions. Each of the cellar doors taking part in this event will be serving up a fine dining experience matched with premium wines and the smooth sounds of live music. NAB Barossa Gourmet Weekend is a fantastic opportunity to indulge in food, wine and music and famous hospitality in the beautiful Barossa. Here is just a small snapshot of some fabulous events to tantalise your gourmet tastebuds!

Nothing quite starts the day like a glass of Sparkling Merlot, but you’ll need something to go with that, so head to fun loving Gibson Wines for a hearty country breakfast to stand you in good stead for the day ahead. Stay on a while, because twice cooked pork belly is a bit of a Barossa favourite and so is visiting acoustic funk bank Cousin Leonard, who will provide a great backdrop to good food and good wine in an authentic setting. Gibson Wines, Willows Road, Light Pass.


In Angaston, The Magnificent 7, Wine Guns from the West will be showcasing non cellar door brands and those whose wines are not readily available, such as Tscharke, Russell Wines, Diggers Bluff, Jamabro, David Franz, Soul Growers and Milhinch Seize the Day Wines. The tasting will be extensive but it’s still a great place to bring the kids. The lawns at family friendly restaurant SA Company Store will provide a great space to race around and face painting and crazy hair are also on offer.

If your looking for a all inclusive NAB Barossa Gourmet Experience, then join the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort an Langmeil Wines for their annual NAB Gourmet Weekend 5 course degustation dinner. Novotel Barossa Valley Resort's Executive Chef, James Dooley and Langmeil Wines Chief Winemaker, Paul Lindner will host you for an experiential night of delicious Barossa cuisine.
Package includes
• 5 course degustation dinner with a glass of Langmeil Wine to match each course for two people
• Overnight accommodation for two people in a standard studio room
• Full buffet breakfast in Harry’s Restaurant for two people the following morning
Saturday 21st August 2010 in Harry’s Restaurant 6pm until 11pm - All for $499 per night per couple! (Terms and conditions apply)
Bookings essential: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Golf Links Road, Rowland Flat 08 8524 0000


There are many more fabulous cellar doors and wineries hosting events to remember! Full details on the program, are available on the website www.barossagourmetweekend.com.au.