The Taste of Tasmania today reveal a host of new events in their huge 30th birthday program, which includes a bespoke gin blending workshop, a Korean hangover snack masterclass on New Year’s Day, a host of exclusive dining events and a great Tassie bake off.

Brooke Webb, Festival Director of The Taste of Tasmania said “The Taste is a food and wine festival like no other and so too is Tasmanian food and produce, so this year we really wanted to highlight that with the program. We’ve completely overhauled the offering this year to give people a uniquely Tasmanian foodie experience on all levels and these new events are really reflective of the experiences we’ll have on offer.” 

“We promised that The Taste’s 30th birthday celebrations would be big, bold, hands on and fun. This small taste of The Taste is just that, the huge program of free events, entertainment, roving performers, stall holders and foodie offerings have yet to be announced – so stay tuned for an epic reveal of the huge full program in a few weeks’ time,” said Webb.

Join Templo’s Matt Breen for La Cucina Povera: A Shared Italian Meal, an exclusive hands-on cooking class to demonstrate the innovative and satisfying food of some of Italy’s poorer regions. Simple recipes, simple food, la cucina povera’s literal translation is “the kitchen of the poor” but it’s a concept that manifests as a delicious celebration of the Italian flavours of vibrant vegetables, fragrant herbs and creamy pulses.

Looking for something to soak up that New Year’s Eve excess? You can’t go past an Anju session featuring Korean fried chicken with a wake-me-up side of kimchi, especially when it’s cooked by Hobart’s Korean fried chicken impresario DC Lim. Korean Anju: The art of beer snacks will show guests how to make three Anju dishes from Korea and give them the Tasmanian treatment using delicious local produce, each perfectly matched with a glass of the state’s finest tipples.

Speaking of tipples, there’s a range of beverage based events just announced. Sign up to the Forty Spotted Gin Blending Workshop where head distiller Rick Hoedjes will lead a gin blending class that will see guests blend their own bottle of gin using Tasmanian native botanicals. The grandfather of Tasmanian whisky industry Bill Lark returns to The Taste to lead a Lark Whiskey Masterclass, revealing the science, art and passion that goes into making every bottle of Lark Single Malt Whisky. There’s even the worlds shortest Beer Fest. The idea behind The Taste of Tasmania’s Pop Up Beer Fest: Two hours, ten breweries, one meat tray. 

For those who prefer to sit back and let the professionals do the heavy lifting, there’s a bunch of exclusive dining events to whet the appetite. Start the day the Scandi way and make the most of Tasmania’s sunlit mornings with a waterfront breakfast, A Very Scandi Breakfast, led by Franca Zingler and Asher Gilding of Port Cygnet Catering. A Table in The Valley will showcase the amazing abundance of produce and ciders of one of Australia’s most diverse food regions, the Huon Valley. Garagistes Dinner is a not to be miss event which will see the restaurant that put Tassie on the world food map, Garagistes, come out of retirement for one night only with chef Luke Burgess serving up its greatest hits.

Finally, The Taste of Tasmania is on the hunt for Tasmania’s best baker. The Great Tasmanian Cake Off is a free community event where entrants are encouraged to use their imagination and create a Victorian Sponge that utilises creative design and flavours to tell a Tasmanian story. This is a true blue competition with a panel of industry judges awarding the winning cake. Preheat the ovens, soften some butter and grease those tins, The Taste want to see your baking skills.

Running from Friday 28 December 2018 – Thursday 3 January 2019, The Taste of Tasmania is the not-to-be-missed summer event, where the culture of incredible produce and beverages converge with awe-inspiring activities, markets, movies, and music in one of Australia’s most breathtaking regions.

Entry to The Taste of Tasmania is FREE, with premium events (including New Year’s Eve and the culinary program) being ticketed.

Tickets to the second release culinary program are on sale 9am Friday 2 November, 2018 at www.thetasteoftasmania.com.au

The full festival program detailing free live entertainment, children and family events, list of stall holders, launches Tuesday 20 November 2018.

WHAT:                                                 
The Taste of Tasmania

WHERE & WHEN:                               
Friday 28 December 2018 – Thursday 3 January 2019
Princes Wharf, Hobart, TAS, 7000

EVENTS DETAILS

Event Title: Garagistes Dinner
Talent: Luke Burgess

Event Title: Forty Spotted Gin Blending Workshop
Talent: Rick Hoedjes

Event title: A Very Scandi Breakfast
Talent: Franca Zingler and Asher Gilding from Port Cygnet Catering

Event title: La Cucina Povera: A Shared Italian Meal
Talent: Matt Breen (Templo)

Event title: Taste of Tasmania’s Pop Up Beer Fest
Talent: Craft Brewers with Craig Will

Event title: Korean Anju : The art of beer snacks
Talent: DC Lim

Event title: Lark Whisky Masterclass
Talent: Bill Lark

Event title: A Table in The Valley
Talent: Steve Cumper

Event title: The Great Tasmanian Cake Off
Judges: Michelle Crawford

Website: www.thetasteoftasmania.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/thetasteoftasmania
Instagram: instagram.com/thetasteoftasmania