Indulge in quality food and drink, attend demonstrations and masterclasses, take advantage of special offers and support local businesses at this year's Tastes of Central Geelong.
The City's 11-day festival of food, flavour and fun showcasing central Geelong's food and hospitality offerings is underway and runs until Sunday 2 April.
It's our 12th year celebrating culinary delights and we've partnered with more businesses to bring the community over 60 individual experiences for all ages.
The City hosted a Tastes of Central Geelong launch event at Shorts Place Social last night with participating businesses in attendance.
Highlights this weekend include:
- An Afternoon Tea with Adrian Richardson
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at The Pier tomorrow while watching a cooking demonstration by Adrian using locally sourced ingredients. The head chef and owner of Melbourne's La Luna Bistro and Bouvier Bar will also be interviewed about his culinary journey and insights into this approach to cooking.
- Central Geelong Bake Off 2023
Show off your baking chops tomorrow and enter your signature sweet treat for the chance to be crowned champion and win great prizes. The categories are Cupcakes and biscuits, Slices (including raw and vegan), Kids aged 8-11, Kids aged 12-14 and Water as the hero ingredient or method.
- New Games: Togetherness Through Play
Join artist game-maker duo Chad Toprak and Helen Kwok in a series of outdoor games tomorrow inspired by the New Games movement. From Lemon Jousting to Ninja, Cosmic Counting to Spaghetti Standoff, there's fun to be had by both adults and children.
- genuWINE: A Natural Wine Festival
Westend Geelong presents the region's first natural wine festival on Sunday, showcasing small artisan producers and importers who are passionate about low intervention and well-crafted wines. The festival will feature local restaurants, non-alcoholic options and a DJ spinning tunes.
- Union Cellars – Ultimate Guide to Wine Pairing: The Good, The Bad, and The Brilliant
Join an expert sommelier this Sunday for an interactive and fun-filled masterclass where you'll discover the perfect pairings for every type of wine. Union Cellars is also holding Cheese & Wine, Wine 101 and Geelong Wine history immersive events during the festival.
- Foodies have the opportunity to pay for a goody bag and pick up a range of treats from Caruggi, Chefs Essentials, Cook and Young, Australian Tea Masters and The Fresh Food Merchant from 10:00am to 1:00pm on 27-29 March.
- Community members can also join Australian chef and food critic Matthew Evans and Anther Spirit owner Dervilla McGowan for a free in-depth Q&A session and gin tasting on Sunday 2 April. Matthew will talk all things sustainability and the importance of supporting local producers, while Dervilla will discuss the art of distilling and using native Australian botanicals.
Visit the Tastes of Central Geelong program online now!
Mayor Trent Sullivan
There really is something for every palate at Tastes of Central Geelong.
Sweet, salty and savoury; local and international cuisine – local businesses have a bit of everything on offer for visitors to central Geelong.
Make sure to check out the full Tastes of Central Geelong program and plan a delectable food adventure with loved ones.
Councillor Melissa Cadwell
The annual festival has been embraced by local businesses and the community and become an annual highlight for many over the years.
Because supporting local businesses has always been important to Council, Tastes of Central Geelong is themed around staying local, eating local and drinking local.
Tastes encourages the community to get out, try new venues and spaces and experience all the best things on offer in central Geelong.
