COUNTDOWN BEGINS for Tasting Australia
The countdown has begun to the sixth biennial Tasting Australia festival of food, wine and beer to be held in Adelaide in October 2007, with a great line-up of international and Australian culinary professionals ready to take to the stage and the stoves.
Celebrated Indian-born screen actor and food author, Madhur Jaffrey will be making a welcome return visit to Adelaide to celebrate the event's tenth anniversary. The US and UK-based star of television food shows and familiar face on a variety of Merchant Ivory movies was Tasting Australia's first Patron in 1997 and as the acknowledged Queen of the Curry, brings her wealth of experience and love of Indian food to the festival.
From Ireland, TV chef Rachel Allen will be making her inaugural appearance at the Festival. Ms Allen is a professional cook whose popular cookery series on BBCTV have made her a household name among food lovers throughout the UK and Ireland. She also teaches at the famed Ballymaloe Cookery School.
A favourite at Tasting Australia is highly respected food authority Dun Gifford, founding director of the Boston-based food think tank, Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust, an organisation devoted to promoting healthy eating and to encourage sustainable food choices. Mr Gifford will be making a significant contribution to the festival's major conference event, The Adelaide Food Summit.
International celebrities and Tasting Australia favourites including Rick Stein, Antonio Carluccio and Nick Nairn are among those hoping to confirm attendance in the New Year.
Many of Australia's top chefs and TV presenters will be taking part in more than fifty events for the media, food and drink professionals and food-loving public, among them Gabriel Gate, Alla Wolf-Tasker, Will Studd and Serge Dansereau.
To be held from October 13 to 20, 2007, the next Tasting Australia will be our sixth event and promises to be our most comprehensive. It began in 1997 so it seemed appropriate that the theme for 2007 is Ten Years... and Growing. There will be a strong focus on youth and the future, with aspects of the event looking at growing our young people and of course there will be an amazing array of truly Australian gastronomic experiences for the food lover at large.
As a departure from previous festivals, Tasting Australia 2007 will begin with a major public celebration, the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Feast for the Senses on Saturday October 13 through to Sunday October 14 along the Adelaide Riverbank precinct beside the River Torrens. This will be a curtain raiser for the festival and a chance for visitors to meet some of our top producers.
During the week to follow, there will be a wide variety of mouth-watering opportunities at more than 40 major events.
The South Australian Museum will be the venue for a Tasting Australia Festival Village, where such events as The James Squire Food, Beer and Wine Writers' Festival and the Adelaide Food Summit will be held. This major forum will cover such food-related issues such as nutrition, food and exercise, the effects of food additives, fast and slow food, cookery education, marketing to children and the role of the media in consumer food choices
The Miele Rich Traditions cooking classes, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide, will be a new feature of Tasting Australia, allowing the public to have hands-on experiences of preparing and enjoying foods and cuisines from around the world with respected professionals.
For the professionals, the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition will be held at the tafeSA Regency Campus, giving the nation's regional chefs and apprentices an opportunity to compete in this unique national contest. And Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards, the equivalent of the foodie 'Oscars', will recognise the cream of the world's food and drink publishing at its Awards presentation night on Saturday October 20 at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide.
Tasting Australia is a festival celebrating the very best Australia has to offer in food, wine and beer. It's one of the most significant events of its kind in the world.
The sixth Tasting Australia event will celebrate the theme of 10 years and growing with eight days of culinary splendour from 13 - 20 October 2007.
Held once every two years in Adelaide, Tasting Australia offers a number of events designed for the nation's food and hospitality industry, local and international media and the public. Tasting Australia promises eight days of the best in eating and drinking, blended with spicy discussion and cooking classes with many of the world's leading culinary masters.
As a tourist, whether you like to get in on the cooking action, meet your favourite chef or dine in some of the city's leading venues, Adelaide really comes alive during Tasting Australia.
Chill out with friends on the banks of the River Torrens or venture to regional South Australia to experience some gourmet treasures ... the choice is yours.
Adelaide is the nation's capital of fine food, wine, beverages and the arts with an outstanding record for hosting major international events. South Australia is the country's foremost wine producing state and home to many of its major producers, with our diverse food and wine regions all within an easy day's drive of Adelaide.
Tasting Australia begins on 13 October 2007 with the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Feast for the Senses, a major public celebration along the Adelaide Riverbank Precinct, Elder Park.
Explore the brilliant blend of South Australia at its culinary best during Tasting Australia, which is owned and managed by Events South Australia, the major events division of the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Adelaide Food Summit
The Adelaide Food Summit is a two-day forum showcasing workable solutions to improve childhood nutrition and physical activity behaviours based on successful programs already in place in South Australia.
Youth, Health and Nutrition: What's Working? A focus on solutions. Where do children really get their calories? How are eating behaviours formed? How are eating behaviours changed? What is the role of physical activity? What is the role of the food and drink industry? And most importantly, what is currently working?
The Adelaide Food Summit is focused on current programs that are showing measurable success in reversing the stubborn upward trends of overweight and obese young people. The Summit will bring together some of the world's foremost authorities including Adelaide Food Summit Chairman, Dun Gifford (USA), founder and CEO of Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust, the Boston-based food and nutrition think-tank.
Also providing insight into these key issues are celebrated food authorities Professor Tim Olds, University of South Australia, Stephanie Alexander and Dr Rosemary Stanton.
Miele Rich Traditions: Cooking With the World's Best
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to cook with the world's best chefs... to share the kitchen with Italian Antonio Carluccio from England, Indian-born Madhur Jaffrey from the US, Ireland's Rachel Allen, or Australia's very own Gabriel Gaté and Darren Simpson?
There's an opportunity to do just that at Tasting Australia in Adelaide this October when 19 of the world's top chefs, food producers and educators share a Miele kitchen with food lovers at Miele Rich Traditions in association with Australian Gourmet Traveller.
These special cooking sessions present the public with hands-on experiences in preparing and enjoying dishes created with respected professionals and explore a variety of international culinary styles.
Tastes of India, the Italian Job, Meet in the Sandwich and Celtic Connection are among the gastronomic experiences on offer at the classes which will be hosted by popular ABC personality, Simon Marnie. As numbers are limited, passionate foodies are urged to secure their spots early.
"This is a once in a lifetime chance for budding professional chefs or keen amateur cooks to prepare food - then enjoy the results - with some of the world's top food producers, chefs, TV presenters and writers," said Tasting Australia Festival Director, Ian Parmenter.
In response, National Marketing Manager for Miele Australia, Cliff Thompson, expressed his enthusiasm at Miele's association with this Tasting Australia highlight.
"I am confident that the event's highly-regarded guest chefs, from around the world and Australia, are most familiar with the quality and innovation for which Miele is renowned globally. In fact, many of the world's best chefs use Miele appliances in their homes and demand for Miele in Australia continues to grow," he said.
Riverina's demo of local talent
During the Tasting Australia festival, the nation's best regional chefs will compete to win one of Australia's top culinary honours along with an international food trip.
Founded in 1997, the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition is part of Tasting Australia, and is the only competition of its kind, aiming to recognise, develop and promote professional cookery by attracting teams from Australia's regional areas.
A team from the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute hopes to demonstrate to industry the talents of their staff and students, as well as the superior produce that they have access to in their region, through entry in to the event.
The Riverina Institute has a National Environment Centre, with organic lamb, grown by the staff and students at the Thurgoona Campus, and this lamb will be a feature of their LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition campaign.
"We couldn't pass up the opportunity to showcase what we have here in the Riverina, in terms of both the produce and the local chefs," said David McCourt, Team Captain, Riverina.
"We will be serving lamb that is not only prepared by the team, but grown right here on one of our campuses.”
Teams of trained chefs and apprentices from across Australia are invited to do battle for the region's top culinary honour: the Gold Award for Best Region. As well as gold, silver and bronze awards for Best Region, there are a number of individual awards including Best Apprentice, Best Food and Wine Matching, Best Entree, Best Main Course, and Best Dessert.
Taking place in Adelaide, teams will have a three-hour time limit to create a three-course menu for four people, with an emphasis on the use of regional produce, under the watchful eye of a team of judges consisting of some of Australia's most respected food and drink professionals.
The LifeStyle FOOD Channel, Australia's only television channel totally dedicated to food, is the major sponsor of the Competition. “There is no other culinary competition in Australia which so perfectly reflects our regional differences,” said Ric Burns, General Manager.
“The Competition is a terrific opportunity to showcase the best Australia has to offer in food, wine and culinary skill. We are delighted to again be part of this prestigious event and look forward to celebrating the exciting new talent of the 2007 teams.”
The high-profile competition will take place at Adelaide TAFE SA's Regency Campus from Monday to Thursday, October 15 to 18, 2007 with awards presented on the final night of competition at a gala event at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide.
Ramlegh Park to promote regional foods
Team Ramlegh Park Central Victoria, from Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, hopes to raise awareness of their area, and promote its regional food and the many ways their products can be used, through entry in to the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition.
"By participating in the event, we hope to achieve greater exposure of the Central Victoria region, through broader awareness and greater acknowledgment of the region's produce by industry," said Kate O'Beirne, Team Manager, Ramlegh Park Central Victoria.
"We also look forward to the competition to gain knowledge and experience through networking with other industry professionals who share our interest in regional food.”
Team Pee-Sea Show - Oceans to Mountains
Team Peel- Sea to Scarp represent the large vast Peel region in Western Australia. The team's name, Sea to Scarp, comes from a local catch phrase, meaning oceans to mountains, which Team Captain Gregg Burdon says sums up the range of produce available in their region.
"People are more familiar with the blue swimmer crab found in our estuaries, however the range of lamb, beef, dairy, olive oils, orchard and vineyard products are equally as impressive," said Gregg Burdon, Team Captain, Team Peel- Sea to Scarp.
"By entering the Peel region in the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition, we hope to demonstrate that we are becoming a driving force in the culinary field, both in produce and in cuisine."
The sixth Tasting Australia event will celebrate the theme of 10 years and growing with eight days of culinary splendour from 13 - 20 October 2007.
Wanted: The Nation's Top Cooks
The quest has begun to find Australia's top regional culinary talent, with entries now open for the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition 2007.
Teams of trained chefs and apprentices from across Australia are invited do battle for the region's top culinary honour: the Gold Award for Best Region, won last year by ACT Northern Districts.
LifeStyle FOOD is the new major sponsor of this prestigious competition, taking over from sister channel, The LifeStyle Channel, whose support of the event since 1999 has contributed to its continuing success.
The competition will take place at Adelaide's prestigious tafeSA Regency Campus from Monday 15 October to Thursday 18 October 2007 with awards being presented at a Gala Dinner on the final night of competition.
The LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition was initiated to nurture and promote professional cookery in Australia with the emphasise on the use of locally grown and produced foods and Australian wines, with teams creating a three-course menu for four in just three hours.
This is the only competition of its kind in the world, according to Tasting Australia Festival Director Ian Parmenter. "Not only does the LifeStyle FOOD Competition highlight the great food, wine and culinary skills coming out of regional Australia, it also allows access for competitors, including many newcomers to the professional kitchens, to some of the nation's most respected cookery professionals," he said. "With the involvement of the LifeStyle Food Channel, the event also gives media exposure to the finest of our up-and-coming young apprentices and trainees.”
Ms Nicole Hartcher, Marketing Director, "LifeStyle FOOD is delighted to be associated with this prestigious event. Being the naming rights sponsor of the Australian Regional Culinary Competition is a natural and significant alliance given that LifeStyle FOOD is Australia's only television channel totally dedicated to food. I'm also pleased to announce that AUSTAR, the regional broadcaster of LifeStyle FOOD, has committed to sponsoring one of the 2007 teams.”
The LifeStyle FOOD Channel presents the hottest food programs from here and around the world, all in one place, 24-hours a day, everyday of the week. LifeStyle FOOD Channel is available on FOXTEL Digital and AUSTAR Digital.
In the ten years since its conception, Tasting Australia has become one of the nation's most significant food and drink festivals. The biennial event has hosted thousands of Australia's and the world's top chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and food, wine, beer and travel media and has attracted a wide cross-section of the food-loving public to Adelaide and South Australia.
Feasting on the Spoken word
'Dinosaurs in the Dining Room', 'Join the Terroir-torials', 'Wine Culture' and 'Is Dining Dead?.. Long Live Dining' are some of the topics which will be debated by some of the world's top food and drink communicators at the James Squire Food, Beer & Wine Writers' Festival as part of Tasting Australia 2007.
"The James Squire Food, Beer & Wine Writers' Festival is a key event in the Tasting Australia calendar, and audiences will be entertained by stimulating debate by international and national personalities who are experts in their craft," said Ian Parmenter, Festival Director - Tasting Australia.
Antonio Carluccio, Rick Stein, Dun Gifford, Rachel Allen, Madhur Jaffrey, Lyndey Milan, Simon Marnie, Alan Saunders, Matt Preston, Alla Wolf-Tasker and Maggie Beer will speak at this three-day FREE event, which will see more than 50 national and international food, drink and travel authors, TV presenters, chefs, cookery teachers and writers engaging audiences with a variety of gastronomic topics.
"This year, the James Squire Food Beer & Wine Writers' Festival will be held in a NEW location, at the South Australian Museum, which will also be home to the Tasting Australia Festival Village," Parmenter added.
The Tasting Australia Festival Village will give visitors the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere, participate in the James Squire Beer Experience, enjoy the culinary delights of the James Squire Café, have a book signed by their favourite culinary author at the Mary Martin Bookshop, and relax with an illy coffee.
The Writers' Festival will be hosted by respected food journalist and broadcaster Joanna Savill, and wine journalist Peter Forrestal.
The James Squire Food, Beer & Wine Writers' Festival has become a regular feature of Tasting Australia, highlighting James Squire's ongoing support for the various industries involved.
"This is our fourth year of involvement with this dynamic food, beer and wine forum at Tasting Australia. We are proud to see the ongoing support of so many passionate and acknowledged experts in their field exchanging opinions and sharing their knowledge. This year we are delighted that we have been able to bring Richard Fox, author, radio personality, TV presenter and England's renowned Beer Chef to the Festival." said Bill Taylor, Chief Brewer.
The GUnyah Kitchen Posse Keen to steal show
The Gunyah Kitchen Posse is a group of chefs from the Gunyah Restaurant, at Paperbark Camp, a unique accommodation experience in Jervis Bay, in the South Coast of New South Wales. The Gunyah Kitchen Posse is excited about the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition seeing it as an opportunity to raise awareness about their group.
“We are looking forward to bringing our usually hidden kitchen life out of curiosity and wonder, and into the spotlight, so people can enrich their appreciation for the food they love to eat,” said Gary Fishwick, Team Captain, The Gunyah Kitchen Posse.
“We at the Gunyah incorporate local produce and native indigenous ingredients in a tranquil treetop setting. We work in the ideal environment surrounded by paperbark trees, and our team is happy and have fun, which shows in the love we put in to our food.”
Team Hunter Valley Wine Country Returns
Team Hunter Valley Wine Country will return to the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition in 2007 for their sixth appearance in the event. Two of the team's members, including Team Captain Darren Ho, were a part of the 2001 group that won the Gold Award for Best Region.
"This team of chefs sees regionalism as the communion of the community and as gourmands it is our job to uphold this tradition," said Darren Ho, Team Captain, Hunter Valley Wine Country.
"We hope to showcase the Hunter region, not only to Australia, but to the world.”
Talented chefs to showcase Tasmania
Team Southern Tasmania have entered the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition, born out of an idea by Team Captain and Team Manager Justin and Natasha Harris to bring together talented chefs in Tasmania's southern regions, with the aim of identifying the area as a region in its own right, and showcasing its bountiful produce.
"Our dishes represent the varied produce available to us and capture the essence of the boutique producers and suppliers who supply us," said Team Captain Justin Harris.
“We hope to be able to represent our region with pride and show Australia the beauty, diversity and exceptional produce of Southern Tasmania."
Mount Lofty House to display culinary skills
Justin Markos, Executive Chef, and Team Captain of Mount Lofty House Adelaide Hills, says his team are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the Adelaide Hills region.
"We are so lucky to work in a region which is full of world class food and wine producers: The support we have had is just overwhelming, as the competition gives us a chance to compare our skills against the best in the industry from across Australia.”
Mount Lofty House Adelaide Hills Apprentice Chef, Jared Stringer, is excited about the challenge ahead: "As an apprentice, this competition is a great opportunity to learn from and compete with some of the great chefs of our industry. I'll enjoy the challenge," said Jared.