Making visitors hungry to taste more of regional South Australia, Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel's new Town Square Canteen series celebrates some of the state's best regional dining experiences and the people who shape them.
The series is on sale today, along with a host of other offerings adding to the 2024 festival program of more than 150 events across the state from 3 to 12 May.
Town Square Canteen, in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, will bring six beloved venues into the heart of the CBD including Prairie Hotel (Flinders Ranges & Outback), The Farm Eatery (Barossa), Sunset Food and Wine (Kangaroo Island), Watervale Hotel (Clare Valley), Lost Phoenix Farm (Fleurieu Peninsula), and The Line and Label (Eyre Peninsula).
With authentic hospitality and storytelling from the venues' chefs and front of house staff on the menu, the series will showcase regional people and produce to inspire guests to travel across the state to taste more.
Adding to the already popular Tasting Australia 2024 program, other events on sale today include new MAKE: Gnocchi with Mitolo Family Farms headlined by ex-Masterchef Callum Hann, a dumpling masterclass at Koomo and a sunset tasting – including a taste of the iconic Penfolds Grange – at Venture Beyond at Penfolds Magill Estate.
Further showcasing the state's best beverages and bars include a Spritz Disco at Paloma and new masterclasses including a stand-up, 26 varietal wine tasting from Arneis to Zinfandel at the A – Z of Wine: The Grape-a-Bet and New World Pinot, featuring international winemakers Helen Masters from Ata Rangi (New Zealand) and Nick Mills from Rippon (New Zealand).
Fifteen food vendors representing some of the state's finest hospitality venues will feature in Town Square including ten new options such as Africola, Ong Vietnamese, and Olive, alongside returning favourites including Peel St, Victoria Park Social Club, and Kuti Shack.
It comes as a strong appetite for the festival's 2024 program has seen events sell out months in advance, including the highly anticipated new Tasting Australia by Train event which will bring visitors directly from Melbourne to Adelaide in collaboration with Journey Beyond.
In 2023, Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel saw more than 68,000 people visit the CBD hub, Town Square, in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga across the 10 days.
The 2024 Tasting Australia will continue South Australia's calendar of blockbuster major events, closely following both the AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf Adelaide this April.
More information and tickets to Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel are available at tastingaustralia.com.au.
As put by Zoe Bettison
The Canteen series showcases the diversity of South Australia's dining scene and extends the benefits of the always-popular Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel into regions.
South Australia is known for its abundant produce and world-class producers – not just in Adelaide but right across the state.
The Town Square Canteen series will shine a light on some of the state's finest regional dining experiences and will make festival goers hungry to discover more of regional South Australia's warm hospitality and worldclass produce.
Tasting Australia is all about getting out and exploring what we have to offer – the Canteen series makes this even more accessible and spreads the benefits of this premier food festival across regional South Australia.
As put by Nicola Palmer, executive chef Watervale Hotel
I take inspiration from the Watervale's seasonal farm produce to create this ever-changing menu.
I plan to create an adaptation of one of these dishes for Town Square Canteen at Tasting Australia, allowing people to savour organic and biodynamically grown fresh produce in the heart of the CBD.
As put by Banjo Harris Plane, Co-drinks curator Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel
This year's beverage program is as fun and inclusive as ever.
Meira (co-drinks curator) and I are excited for people to get out and experience drinks and meet drinks makers that they might not be familiar with – it's all about trying something new as well as honouring tradition.
As put by Nick Reade, Chief Executive Officer RAA
Town Square truly caters for everyone, and we can't wait to welcome members back to the RAA Lounge again this year.
As South Australia's most trusted brand, we're proud to throw our support behind Tasting Australia - an incredible event that helps showcase so many local chefs, businesses, and food producers on the national and international stage.
