Trains, planes and houseboats don’t typically figure into food festival programs – but Tasting Australia annually pulls out all the stops to show off the best of South Australia and its food scene. The festival has just announced a 150-event-strong program for its 18th edition, running from May 2 to 11 in venues across Adelaide and the rest of the state, featuring international, interstate and local chefs, bartenders and producers showcasing the splendour of SA.
In 2025, festivalgoers will get to experience the talents of chefs including Chiara Pavan of leading Venetian restaurant Venissa; Masterchef’s Andy Allen; Lachlan Cowill from Hobart’s Omotenashi; cookbook author and ex-Fred’s Sydney chef Danielle Alvarez; and Lennox Hastie, executive chef of Sydney’s Firedoor. Also appearing are Monica Berg, co-owner of London’s Tayer & Elementary, which is currently ranked fourth in the World’s 50 Best Bars; Dave Verheul of Melbourne’s Embla; and ex-Nomad group executive chef Jacqui Challinor. South Australian talent includes Justin James (ex-Restaurant Botanic), Jake Kellie (Arkhe) and Sharon Romeo (Fino Seppeltsfield, Fino Vino).
This year, attendees will have the opportunity to board The Ghan in Melbourne to travel to Adelaide with the Ayubi family of seminal Afghan restaurant Parwana and the Africola team, who will together take over the historic train’s bar and dining carriages. A similar experience last year sold out in six hours. “I have this really romantic, nostalgic view of train travel,” festival director Karena Armstrong tells Broadsheet. “I love the idea of sitting and just being and enjoying moving through a space. The Afghan cavaliers were a huge part of connecting Adelaide and Darwin, but they’re also a really big part of our food history.”
Also injecting a travel experience into the festival are two “Tasting Australia Airlines” events: patrons can head to the Northern Flinders Ranges for an overnight gastronomic experience, or enjoy a trip down the Murray River on a houseboat.
Back in Adelaide CBD, the Town Square festival hub will host a series of dining experiences, including a mash-up meal between leading Sydney restaurants Ester and Lankan Filling Station. Regional restaurants, including Kuti Shack, Elementary by Soul Co and Fino Seppeltsfield, will pop up in the hub for a midweek lunch series, Canteen.
Also on the menu? Cooking and cocktail masterclasses, intimate tastings and a party in the Penfolds wine tunnels at its Magill Estate.
“One of the big aims of the festival is obviously tourism in South Australia, but also looking at why people come to South Australia,”says Armstrong. “Obviously our food and beverage offering is amazing, so really highlighting that is always the emphasis behind the festival. But also, it’s about connecting through to our smaller producers.”
Tickets for Tasting Australia 2025 are on sale today.
