South Australia’s biggest celebration of food and drink is officially back, with Tasting Australia launching today and transforming Adelaide into a 10-day showcase of flavour, connection and culinary creativity.
Presented by Journey Beyond, this year’s festival features more than 150 events across the state, from long lunches and regional adventures to immersive dining experiences and late-night parties.
At the centre of it all is Town Square in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, once again serving as the festival’s central hub filled with food stalls, bars, live music and free programming.
This year’s lineup leans heavily into connection, between chefs and producers, regions and diners, and locals and visitors discovering South Australia through its world-class food and wine scene.
Among the headline experiences are cross-country culinary journeys aboard The Ghan, seafood-focused day trips to the Eyre Peninsula, and a fresh new way to explore wine through the festival’s immersive Aroma Bar experience.
Photo by Meaghan Coles
For those staying in the city, Town Square’s new bistro, Good Neighbour, presented by Mitolo Family Farms, is set to become a major drawcard with a series of lunches and dinners still available to book. Limited tickets also remain for beverage masterclasses and the festival’s closing night celebration featuring acclaimed Scandinavian hospitality group Punk Royale.
But you don’t need a ticket to get involved. This year’s free programming includes the debut of Homemade, a new series where chefs and South Australian producers share practical cooking tips and kitchen inspiration for home cooks wanting to level up their weeknight meals.
There’s also a little bit of competition returning to the square, with the crowd-favourite Waiters’ Race back on the schedule alongside the brand-new Latte Art Smackdown, which is expected to bring some fast-paced caffeine-fuelled chaos to the festival.
Food-wise, Town Square visitors will have plenty to work through, with 14 food vendors serving dishes throughout the festival, including nine first-time appearances. Seppeltsfield and Never Never bars will keep drinks flowing while the Amuse Main Stage hosts local musicians and DJs into the evening.
The festival also arrives at a significant moment for South Australia’s tourism industry, coinciding with the Australian Tourism Exchange, Tourism Australia’s largest annual tourism trade event.
Around 2,500 delegates attending the exchange, including more than 700 international travel buyers from 30 countries, will head to Town Square on Monday, May 11th for a special showcase event designed to spotlight South Australia’s food, wine and hospitality offering on the global stage.
With international attention turning toward Adelaide this week, Tasting Australia is once again proving why the state continues to maintain its reputation as one of the country’s premier food and wine destinations.
