{{Short description|Festival in Adelaide, South Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2015}} {{Refimprove|date=September 2009}} [[File:TownSquareTastingAustralia.jpg|thumb|Tasting Australia festival hub ''Town Square'', located in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga. ]] '''Tasting Australia''' presented by Journey Beyond is a South Australian food and beverage festival held in the capital city of Adelaide.<ref name="Commission">{{Cite web|title = Tasting Australia - 2014 Event - Tasting Australia|url = http://tastingaustralia.com.au/2014-event.htm|website = tastingaustralia.com.au|accessdate = 2015-07-28|first = South Australia Tourism|last = Commission}}</ref> First held in 1997 and managed by Marina Libia and event management company Consuming Passions, the festival has grown to become one of Australia's premier culinary events and is now managed by the South Australian Tourism Commission.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Tasting Australia - Tasting Australia to be an annual event from 2016|url = http://tastingaustralia.com.au/tasting-australia-annual-event-from-2016.htm|website = tastingaustralia.com.au|accessdate = 2015-07-27|first = South Australia Tourism|last = Commission}}</ref> The next edition of the festival will be held from 8-17 May 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-17 |title=Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond {{!}} 08—17 May 2026 {{!}} ... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== History == The 2014 event hosted over 80 ticketed and free events throughout South Australia.<ref name="Commission"/> The festival was held biennially for 15 years and became annual from the 2016, which was held from Sunday 1 May to Sunday 8 May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Tasting Australia - Creative team and dates confirmed for Tasting Australia 2016|url = http://tastingaustralia.com.au/creative-team-and-dates-confirmed-for-tasting-australia-2016.htm|website = tastingaustralia.com.au|accessdate = 2015-07-27|first = South Australia Tourism|last = Commission}}</ref>
By the mid-2010s, Tasting Australia had become an internationally recognized event, drawing attention from global media and food critics. The festival’s focus shifted to emphasize sustainability, local sourcing, and innovative dining experiences, solidifying its role as one of Australia's leading food and wine festivals.
Due to government prohibitions on large crowds because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, in 2020 the event was postponed to October/November, then cancelled.<ref name="taste-oz-postponed">{{cite web |title=Tasting Australia to be postponed |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/news/tasting-australia-to-be-postponed |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |publisher=South Australian Tourism Commission |access-date=13 January 2021 |language=en |date=28 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="taste-oz-2020-cancel">{{cite web |title=Tasting Australia to return in Autumn 2021 |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/news/tasting-australia-to-return-in-autumn-2021 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |publisher=South Australian Tourism Commission |access-date=13 January 2021 |language=en |date=28 May 2020}}</ref>
As of 2025, the festival includes more than 150 events across South Australia, featuring in all 12 regions of the state. Many of these events are situated in the Tasting Australia ‘Town Square’ located at Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=Premier of South |date=2025-05-13 |title=Tasting Australia wraps up having showcased the best of SA |url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/tasting-australia-wraps-up-having-showcased-the-best-of-sa |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Premier of South Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== Creative Directors == '''<big>Duncan Welgemoed</big>'''
South African-born chef Duncan Welgemoed joined the Tasting Australia creative team in 2025. Trained in London’s Michelin-starred kitchens before relocating to Adelaide, where he opened Africola in 2014. Known for bold, wood-fired cooking and vibrant design, Duncan curates the upcoming festival and featured in Tasting Australia by Train. His book ''Cooking with Fire'' launched in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Duncan Welgemoed {{!}} Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond ... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/duncan-welgemoed |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
'''<big>Kane Pollard</big>'''
Kane Pollard is the current Food Curator for Tasting Australia. Growing up in an Adelaide Hills market gardening family, Pollard’s passion for sustainability and local produce shaped his culinary journey. He is known for his creative cooking style, passion for unique produce and sustainability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Kane Pollard {{!}} Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond {{!}} Ta... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/kane-pollard |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
'''<big>Banjo Harris Plane</big>'''
Banjo Harris Plane, a prominent figure in the drinks industry, has been a part of the Tasting Australia creative team since 2022. Harris Plane is a renowned wine professional from Adelaide, with experience in fine dining, wine imports, and sales. His stint as manager of '''Attica''' in Melbourne saw him twice named Australia’s best sommelier.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Banjo Harris Plane {{!}} Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyon... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/banjo-harris-plane |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
'''<big>Meira Harel</big>'''
Meira Harel joined Tasting Australia as a drink’s curator in late 2022. Harel is a wine and restaurant professional with extensive experience managing top Australian venues. Originally from Israel, she moved to Melbourne in 2012, earning recognition as a sommelier and manager. Harel was named Victorian Sommelier of the Year by ''The Age Good Food Guide'' in 2016 and is now the Drinks Curator for Tasting Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Meira Harel {{!}} Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond {{!}} Tas... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/meira-harel |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
'''<big>Jessica Ducrou</big>'''
Co-founder of Secret Sounds and driving force behind Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival, Ducrou joined the Tasting Australia’s creative team in 2025, bringing bold programming and deep festival expertise to the lineup.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Jessica Ducrou {{!}} Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond {{!}} ... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/jessica-ducrou |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
=== Notable Past Creative Directors === '''<big>Simon Bryant</big>'''
Simon Bryant is one of two Creative Directors for Tasting Australia.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = Tasting Australia -|url = http://tastingaustralia.com.au/creative-directors.htm|website = tastingaustralia.com.au|accessdate = 2015-07-28|first = South Australia Tourism|last = Commission}}</ref> Bryant worked with the Hilton Adelaide for more than ten years, culminating in becoming executive chef.<ref>{{Cite web|title = about me {{!}} simon bryant|url = http://www.simonbryant.com.au/about_me|website = www.simonbryant.com.au|accessdate = 2015-07-28}}</ref> He has worked alongside South Australian cook Maggie Beer, co-hosting more than 150 episodes of The Cook and the Chef on the ABC.<ref>{{Cite web|title = ABC TV: The Cook and the Chef|url = http://www.abc.net.au/tv/cookandchef/default.htm|website = www.abc.net.au|accessdate = 2015-07-28}}</ref>
<big>'''Paul Henry'''</big>
Paul Henry is a wine writer and marketer, and one of two Creative Directors of Tasting Australia.<ref name=":1" /> Henry established Winehero Australia in January 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Who We Are {{!}} winehero|url = http://www.winehero.com/about/who-we-are/|website = www.winehero.com|accessdate = 2015-07-28|archive-date = 15 June 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150615013423/http://winehero.com/about/who-we-are/|url-status = dead}}</ref> a company specialising in strategic planning, brand development and communication, where he acts as a director.
<big>'''Maggie Beer'''</big>
Maggie Beer has been a Patron for Tasting Australia.<ref name=":1"/> Beer has appeared as a guest judge on ''MasterChef Australia'' and runs Maggie Beer's Farm Shop<ref name="mag-beer-farm-shop">{{cite web |title=Maggie's Farm Shop in the Barossa |url=https://www.maggiebeer.com.au/visit-us/farm-shop |website=maggiebeer.com.au |publisher=Maggie Beer Products |access-date=13 January 2021 |date=2021}}</ref> in the Barossa Valley with a range of products sold throughout Australia and overseas.<ref name="mag-beer-products">{{cite web |title=Maggie's Delicious Gourmet Foods |url=https://shop.maggiebeer.com.au/products/ |website=shop.maggiebeer.com.au |publisher=Maggie Beer Products |access-date=13 January 2021 |date=2020}}</ref> Beer was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to Australian society through cooking and writing,<ref>{{Cite web|title = It's an Honour - Honours - Search Australian Honours|url = https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1128109|website = www.itsanhonour.gov.au|accessdate = 2015-07-28}}</ref> and was named Senior Australian of the Year in 2010. In the Australia Day Honours of 2012, Beer was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) "for service to the tourism and hospitality industries as a cook, restaurateur and author, and to the promotion of Australian produce and cuisine."<ref>{{Cite web|title = It's an Honour - Honours - Search Australian Honours|url = https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1145086|website = www.itsanhonour.gov.au|accessdate = 2015-07-28}}</ref>{{Clear}}'''<big>Cheong Liew</big>'''
Cheong Liew took over from foodie Maggie Beer as Patron of Tasting Australia. Liew moved from Malaysia to Australia in 1969. He received his first critical acclaim for his Adelaide based restaurant Neddy’s. However, he is probably best known for his restaurant The Grange, which opened in the Adelaide Hilton Hotel in 1995 and closed in 2009.<ref name="australian-grange">{{cite web |last=Wilkinson |first=Simon |title=Hilton to close The Grange as original masterchef Cheong Liew quits |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/hilton-to-close-the-grange-as-original-masterchef-cheong-liew-quits/news-story/a6439259369124b04874f91a5f12f7a9&ved=2ahUKEwjKvN7tyJjuAhWdyzgGHbHRCiIQFjAFegQINBAB&usg=AOvVaw0ENd5lAkXSz8doEOrrUfk_ |website=www.theaustralian.com.au |publisher=The Australian |access-date=13 January 2021 |language=en-AU |date=12 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307120757/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/cheong-liew-our-real-masterchef-signs-off/story-e6frea83-1225796703214 |archivedate=2012-03-07}}</ref>
'''<big>Darren Robertson</big>'''
Darren Robertson is a chef, owner of Three Blue Ducks<ref name="3ducks-about">{{cite web |last1=Quinn |first1=Paul |title=Meet the team |url=https://www.threeblueducks.com/about/ |website=threeblueducks.com |access-date=13 January 2021}}</ref> in Bronte, at first, and now Three Blue Ducks on The Farm at Byron Bay.<ref>{{cite web |title=Three Blue Ducks - Restaurant |url=https://thefarm.com.au/threeblueducks |website=thefarm.com.au |publisher=The Farm Byron Bay |access-date=13 January 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Robertson has previously been a visiting chef at Tasting Australia but joins for the first time as 'Food Curator' in 2021.<ref name="taste-oz-robertson">{{cite web |title=Visit South Australia - feel stimulated, relaxed, and inspired |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/darren-robertson |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |publisher=South Australian Tourism Commission |access-date=13 January 2021 |language=en |date=10 December 2020}}</ref>
'''<big>Karena Armstrong</big>'''
Karena Armstrong the Tasting Australia Festival Director in 2024 and 2025. Armstrong, a highly respected chef and restaurateur, is known for her focus on sustainable food practices and supporting local producers. Under her leadership, Tasting Australia continued to expand its offerings while maintaining a deep commitment to showcasing South Australia’s rich culinary heritage and regional food producers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-05 |title=Karena Armstrong {{!}} Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond ... |url=https://tastingaustralia.com.au/festival-stars/karena-armstrong |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=tastingaustralia.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official|https://tastingaustralia.com.au/}} Tasting Australia *[http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue70/70P-tasting.htm Tasting Australia] at TravelLady Magazine *[http://www.consumingpassions.com.au/index.php Consuming Passions website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311003030/http://www.abc.net.au/talkingheads/txt/s1662490.htm Interview] with Ian Parmenter in ABC's ''Talking Heads''
{{Adelaide Festivals}}
Category:Festivals in Adelaide Category:Food and drink festivals in Australia