WHAT’S ON THIS AUTUMN AND WINTER
Caper Byron Bay
17-26 May 2024
The Byron Shire will light up with the return of Caper Byron Bay across ten days in May. Brisbane-based, Northern Rivers-raised chef Louis Tikaram has curated a program that shows off the region’s produce, talented chefs and much-loved venues, infused with just the right amount of art, wellness and counterculture of the Northern Rivers is also known. There will be one-off events from the hinterland to the beachfront with chefs including Jason Saxby (Raes on Wategos), Ben Devlin (Pipit), Matt Stone (You Beauty), Mindy Woods (Karkalla) and Jedd Rifai (North Byron Hotel), while Jake Kellie (Arkhé) and Ross Magnaye (Serai) will fly in from Adelaide and Melbourne respectively.
The festival is also partnering with the North Byron Hotel, serving as both a festival hub and watering hole. There are also pop-up events including a fiery cook-up by Pip’s Plate; and a free guided cheese tasting with the Studd Siblings. Also, festival ticketholders can if you have a ticket to any Caper Festival event, you’ll get a free drink at the pub, and there’s a free event shuttle bus running from the pub daily.
Tasting Australia
3-12 May 2024
Trains, planes, sailboats and more are just some of the madcap sites set to welcome events for Tasting Australia in 2024. A jam-packed program of 150 events will descend upon the festival state of Adelaide across 10 days in May. As Australia’s longest-running food festival, homegrown talent heroes much of the festival, with chefs including Mark Best, Matt Moran, Thi Le, Jake Kellie and Justin James all cooking. Newly appointed food curator Kane Pollard has worked to devise a program that puts South Australian produce front and centre, with pop-up restaurant experiences, hands-on cooking classes and bold one-off dining opportunities.
Vivid Sydney
24 May to 15 June 2024
Sydney’s nights of lights and culture return in 2024, with a strong food program underpinning Vivid Sydney 2024. Last year the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival added a food pillar to its program, and it’s coming back for 2024. This year’s theme of ‘humanity’ will be interpreted through programs of light, music, ideas and food across 23 nights.
Highlights include Vivid Residence, with Manoella Buffara of Manu Restaurant coming for a restaurant takeover. Best known as Manu, and for her trailblazing eponymous restaurant, Buffara will hit the pans at Ploós, meaning guests will be treated to both a boundary-pushing Brazilian degustation as well as unparalleled views of Vivid’s lights and installations. Working Ploós Executive Chef Peter Conistis to craft an unforgettable fine-dining experience. All set within the stunning action of Vivid Sydney’s Light Walk, surrounded by installations and with the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in full, sparkling view.
Fred’s, Aalia and The Charles Brasserie will host Michelin-starred chefs including Max Coen, Sally Abé and Ivan Brehm for the Vivid Chef Series; while Vivid Fire Kitchen will host Christine Manfield, Lennox Hastie and Oscar Solomon (Cho Cho San, Greca and Yoko); while Jess Pryles will fly in from Texas and Niklas Ekstedt from Sweden.
Taste of Kakadu
24-26 May 2024
The Northern Territory’s Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu or Taste of Kakadu centres on the home and practices of the world’s oldest living culture. Native ingredients, bush tucker and local entrepreneurs are the stars of this three-day food festival, with highlights including a dinner under the stars by chefs Paul Iskov of Fervor and Ben Tyler of Kakadu Kitchen; ground oven feasts; and the unique croc and canapés cruise.
Noosa Eat & Drink Festival
30 May to 2 June 2024
Returning from a short hiatus, Noosa’s homegrown festival is back and teeming with culinary capers. Highlights include the opening party on the beach, lunch cruises and the much-loved alfresco long lunch. There are also masterclasses from notable chefs, including Richard Ousby (ex-Quay and Stokehouse) and Jason Jones (Mamasita and Bandita), plus a devoted festival bar serving up vino aplenty. noosaeatdrink.com.au
Dark Mofo presents Winter Feast, Nude Solstice Swim, Night Shift and ‘Namedropping’
13-23 June 2024
While Tasmania’s subversive winter arts festival takes a hiatus this year, Dark Mofo is forging ahead with a condensed program of its more popular events. Winter Feast will return for eight nights of food stalls, bar pop-ups, firepits and long table feasting at Princes Wharf 1. The Nude Solstice Swim at Long Beach will also return, taking place on the winter solstice on Friday 21 June, and with an even larger capacity than last year. The debaucherous after-dark party Night Shift is set to run across two nights (Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June). Over at MONA, brand- new exhibition Namedropping will open with an extravagant gala at the gallery on 14 June, and will run until April next year.
