Five (delicious) local foodie events you need to be at this August
While we don’t appreciate the cool mornings, we certainly do love experiencing delicious food and sipping glorious bold wines during winter. Sometimes though, it’s nice to step outside the square and experience seasonal food and wine in a different setting. This August a bunch of foodie events are rolling out across the Gold Coast (and beyond) from intriguing wine dinners to barbecue feasts and long-table lunches – and we’ve handpicked five of the best.
Meet the Maker – Mount Langi Ghiran at QT Gold Coast, Thursday August 9
If you list drinking wine as one of your hobbies (hello, friend) and can appreciate a top-notch drop, this winter wine event will be right up your alley. Meet the Maker is a series of wine dinners for those who are a little more serious than your everyday wine swiller. The next instalment will feature the esteemed Mount Langi Ghiran Estate, a unique and isolated site located just outside of Ballarat, which is known for producing some of Australias’s finest cool-climate wines. For this event you’ll be feasting your way around QT’s lavish Bazaar marketplace as Mount Langi Ghiran Estate’s Jess Robertson takes centre stage to chat about all things wine, including her own experiences from picking grapes with her mum as a child to working in a wine laboratory. Tickets are $79 per head. Jump here for booking details.
Bangalow BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, August 19–20
Is beef, beer and blues tunes more your style? Then venture south for a feast for the ages at the finger-lickin’ Bangalow BBQ & Bluegrass Festival. Ready your tastebuds and shine your dancing shoes – this festival is dedicated to delicious slow-cooked eats and live beats. There will be drool-worthy barbecue competitions, plenty of tastings and meaty dishes by the plateful, local craft beers, entertainment and a solid line-up of toe-tapping tunes form some of the country’s best bluegrass bands. Tickets start at $58 (FYI it’s a not-for-profit event to raise funds for local arts and culture). Jump to out Event Guide for more.
Castagna wine dinner at The North Room, Wednesday August 22
This glorious food and wine-filled evening will see The North Room‘s chef and owner Tim Stewart team up with Castagna, renowned family-owned biodynamic winery located in Beechworth, in the depths of the Victorian alps. The event will feature a five-course dinner, with each dish expertly paired with Castagna’s finest. The menu is being kept under wraps, but we’re told to expect everything from spanner crab to delicious duck, prepared the week’s best local produce. The Castagna team also makes their own vermouth, which will also make an appearance on the night. Seats are $139 a head, including five courses with wine and a welcome drink. Booking details can be found here.
Hellenika Long Lunch at Miami Marketta, Sunday August 26
That’s right, the Hellenika Long Lunch is back! Those who experienced the last long lunch will share our excitement. Simon Gloftis and the Hellenika team will take over Miami Marketta, transforming the laneway into a dreamy Greek dining hall. The long-table lunch will feature a hearty menu of Hellenika’s favourite dishes, including the char-grilled octopus and the oven-baked Junee lamb shoulder, all accompanied by plenty of Greek wines, beers, ouzo and music. Be prepared for a bit of zorba action as the day progresses! Tickets are $120 per head. Booking details are here.
Wynns Winemakers Dinner at Imperial at The Star, Thursday August 30
Keen to kick off the long weekend in style? Get yourself to the exclusive Wynns Winemakers dinner on Thursday August 30, where the Wynns team will showcase their much-anticipated Wynns Coonawarra Range release, including the 2016 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon and 2015 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the perfect way to experience the best drops from a renowned and long-established wine producer, which is widely regarded for crafting wines with quality and flavour. The one-night-only experience will feature a four-course menu curated by The Imperial at The Star’s head chef Song Yao Su, paired with some of Wynn’s most exclusive wines. Tickets are $125 per head – booking details are over here.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
