Tastes of Central Geelong 2023 - Event Guide

Letter from the Mayor

WELCOME TO TASTES OF CENTRAL GEELONG 2023

This incredible festival is now in its 12th year and continues to showcase the amazing food and hospitality sector that is available right in the heart of our region.

Since its inception, Tastes of Central Geelong has been strongly embraced by local businesses and the broader community and has become an annual highlight for many.

The Greater Geelong region boasts a wide selection of beautiful, fresh, locally grown produce and gourmet products.

It is home to some of the country’s best wineries, boutique distilleries and craft breweries.

And all of these products are readily available at our top restaurants, bars and cafes, waiting for you to come and try.

This year’s program encourages Geelong residents to stay local, eat local and drink local by exploring new places and discovering the very best of what our city has to offer.

It also invites visitors from outside of the region to come and see for themselves just how much there is to discover, for seasoned foodies and new food lovers alike.

The festival offers experiences for all ages across 11 days, including many free activities.

Highlights this year include an afternoon tea with Adrian Richardson at The Pier, a Q & A with Matthew Evans and Anther Gin, Geelong’s Bake Off, self-fill goody bags, as well as cooking classes, workshops and more.

The Tastes of Central Geelong is all about indulging your senses, so I strongly encourage you to get out and explore our many fine restaurants, wine bars and tourist attractions. Have fun and enjoy the festival.

CR TRENT SULLIVAN Mayor, City of Greater Geelong

We acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land, waterways and skies. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our Greater Geelong community today.

While every effort has been made to ensure this guide is accurate, please check with the specific business or organisation for the most up to date information on the events and activities included.

Events and activities are subject to change. Places are limited and capacity numbers will vary for each event/activity. Please ensure you book early to avoid disappointment.

Should circumstances change, we will endeavour to update our website and notify those affected as soon as possible.

AN AFTERNOON TEA WITH ADRIAN RICHARDSON

Join us for an exclusive afternoon tea with Celebrity Chef Adrian Richardson.

Renowned for his passion for seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, Adrian is the head chef and owner of La Luna Bistro and Bouvier Bar in Melbourne.

GT Editor, Sarah Bieske, will interview Adrian on his culinary journey and insights into this approach to cooking.

Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in a delicious afternoon tea, while enjoying a cooking demonstration by Adrian, using locally sourced ingredients.

In addition to watching Adrian demonstrate his culinary creations, guests will have the chance to meet & greet with the chef, and ask questions during the session.

When: Saturday, 25 March 1pm - 3.30pm

Where: The Pier Geelong

Cost: $55-65

Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/TastesAdrianRichardson

BE ENTERTAINED

Enjoy a side of music with your order. Throughout Central Geelong you will find plenty of roving and static musical entertainment on the streets.

Let us entertain you while you enjoy the delicious food and drinks on offer throughout Tastes.

Find out more: CentralGeelong.Link/TastesBeEntertained

IN CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW EVANS AND DERVILLA MCGOWAN FROM ANTHER GIN

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon as Cam Ward, GT magazine food writer, joins renowned Australian chef food critic and television personality, Matthew Evans, in conversation with Dervilla McGowan, owner of Anther Gin, the award-winning distillery known for their unique blend of botanicals and exceptional gin.

Matthew will share his insights and philosophy on sustainability and the importance of supporting local producers. Dervilla McGowan will discuss the art of distilling and their passion for crafting exceptional gin using native Australian botanicals.

During the event, guests will have the opportunity to meet Matthews Evans and Dervilla McGowan, and sample delicious Anther Gin.

When: Sunday 2 April 12pm - 2.45pm

Where: Geelong Library & Heritage Centre

Cost: FREE

Bookings (essential):

CentralGeelong.Link/TastesMatthewEvans

HOP-A-LONG GEELONG

BY VALHALLA TAPROOM, MEDUSA & BELLS BEACH BREWERY

Hop-A-Long Geelong is a beer festival with a difference.

Spread across six Central Geelong venues and including 12 breweries, you’ll enjoy two beers per brewery, including one special release ‘festival’ beer. Stroll from venue to venue and complete your Hop-A-Long Geelong passport. Showcasing local and independent craft beer within the beating heart of the City of Geelong.

Get ready to raise a glass and cheers to a fun-filled day! Don’t miss outbook your tickets today!

When: Saturday 1 April 12pm - 6pm

Where: Various

Cost: $60

Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/TastesHopALong

GENUWINE A NATURAL WINE FESTIVAL BY WESTEND GEELONG

Geelong’s first natural wine festival, celebrating the diversity and education of what natural wine really is about.

Set in the open gardens of the Geelong Club on a sunny Sunday afternoon, be part of Geelong’s first genuWINE wine fair. Showcasing small artisan producers and importers, passionate about low intervention, well crafted wines that celebrate taste, character and fun. Local food restaurants are on hand, as well as non-alcholic options, and DJ to ensure a good time for all!

When: Sunday 26 March 1pm - 5pm

Where: The Gardens of the Geelong Club

Cost: $35 Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/TastesgenuWINE

AN EVENING WITH A MASTER OF WINE

Join Westend Geelong and La Cachette for a once in a lifetime dining experience with one of Australia’s most knowledgeable wine identities, a Master of Wine (MW). The MW will guide you through a premium paired wine and food meal at Geelong’s best small restaurant.

When: Tuesday, 28 March

From 6.30pm

Where: La Cachette

Cost: $350

Bookings (essential):

CentralGeelong.Link/TastesMW

FILL YOUR OWN GOODY BAGS

Fill your own goody bag is back again for Tastes!

Mark this one in your calendars - it’s not to be missed!

To join in on the fun, make sure you register online and then it’s as easy as this:

1. Pick the day you want to attend when you register

2. Pay for your goody bag

3. On the day – pick up goody bag from 111-113 Little Malop St

4. Go on a hunt to pick up goodies from each participating business and exchange a unique token for your goody!

Businesses include:

• Caruggi

• Chefs Essentials

• Cook & Young

• Australian Tea Masters

• The Fresh Food Merchant

... but we won’t tell you what you’re getting!

When: Monday 27 March - Friday 31 March 10am - 1pm

Where: 111-113 Little Malop St

Cost: $15

Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/TastesGoodyBags

CENTRAL GEELONG’S BAKE OFF

Are you ready to be crowned Central Geelong’s Best Amateur Baker?

We are on a quest to find Geelong’s best home baker. Enter your signature sweet treat for the chance to be crowned Central Geelong’s Bake Off Champion, take home great prizes and earn bragging rights for life.

Dive into a world of culinary creativity and present us with treats to get the judges’ taste buds tingling. With five exciting categories including, two ‘kid’s categories’, ‘indulgent cupcakes’, ‘crunchy biscuits’ and ‘delicious slices’ (including raw and vegan) - get ready to wow us. For the more creative bakers, take things to the next level with Barwon Water’s ‘water’ category where you can showcase the versatility of water as either the hero ingredient or method in creating your sweet treats. The more creative the better.

Explore your own unique style and impress the judges with your best creations.

When: Saturday 25 March 10am - judging commences at 10.30am

Where: Westfield Geelong, Centre Court

Cost: FREE

Registrations (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/TastesBakeOff

URBAN COCKTAIL TRAIL

To celebrate the art, the craftsmanship and most importantly the fun a beautifully made cocktail has to offer, the Urban Cocktail Trail partners with the best bars in Central Geelong for you to enjoy on a selfguided Cocktail Trail!

How does it work you ask? We’ll start you at an incredible venue with something to eat and a complimentary drink before letting you make your way around the trail. As a self-guided experience where you decide to stop and sip is completely up to you!

When: Saturday 1 April 1pm - 5pm (registrations from 12pm)

Where: Various - to be advised on booking

Cost: From $44

Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/TastesUrbanCocktailTrail

NOVOTEL GEELONG

WATERFRONT POP UP BAR

Enjoy drinks and tapas overlooking the waterfront, located on level 2 at Novotel Geelong, this new rooftop bar has a beautiful large terrace with gorgeous views over the bay.

Friday: 5pm - late

Saturday: 12pm - late Sunday: 12pm - late

WEEKEND OF WINE

Bannockburn Wine Waterfront Dinner

Canapes, 4-course dinner with paired wines

When: Saturday 1 April | 6pm - 10pm

Where: Novotel Geelong

Cost: $195

Bookings: CentralGeelong.link/TastesBannockburn

Austins Wine Waterfront Long Lunch Feast

3-course long table lunch with paired wines

When: Sunday 2 April | 12.30pm - 4.30pm

Where: Novotel Geelong

Cost: $129

Bookings: CentralGeelong.link/TastesAustinsWine

TASTES OF THE WATERFRONT

CANCELLED

GoBoat Geelong and The Fresh Food Merchant are teaming up to provide the ultimate picnic experience! Explore the waterfront from a whole new perspective onboard your own self-drive electric picnic boat, while enjoying a curated gourmet grazing box featuring local produce from The Fresh Food Merchant. Simply select the Tastes of Central Geelong package when booking your GoBoat, and pick up your grazing box from The Fresh Food Merchant before heading down to the waterfront to come aboard!

When: Throughout Tastes

Times vary between 11.30am - 7pm

Where: Wangim Walk

Cost: From $99

Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.Link/ TastesWaterfront

FRIDAY’S AFTER WORK

Friday nights never looked so good!

Come & celebrate the end of the working week in the inner-city Triangle Park at 1 Malop Street.

There will be music, roving entertainment, delicious food, and a garden bar. Check out the full schedule of entertainment:

CentralGeelong.link/TastesFridaysAfterWork

When: Friday’s throughout Tastes

Where: Green Spine Triangle Park - 1 Malop Street

Cost: FREE!

Find out more & view the full program: CentralGeelong.Link/TastesFridaysAfterWork

GEELONG WATERFRONT MAKERS & GROWERS MARKET - TASTES EDITION

Celebrate local makers and growers, pick up handmade goodies and indulge at the Geelong Waterfront Makers & Growers Market!

You’ll find an array of handcrafted items, artisan products, freshly baked treats, and live music. Support your local community and keep your eyes peeled for our roving Junkyard Beats entertainment around the waterfront.

When: Sunday 2 April | 9.30am - 2pm

Where: Steampacket Gardens

Cost: Free entry

Find out more: CentralGeelong.link/TastesWaterfrontMarket

PINOT & PICASSO

Geelong, we are coming for you! In celebration of Tastes of Central Geelong 2023 your local Pinot & Picasso team will be collaborating with some of your favourite venues including Edge Geelong and Frankie. Bar & Eatery. Get ready for sessions full of scrumptious food, delightful drinks, laughter with friends and step-by-step guided instructions to create your very own masterpiece.

EDGE GEELONG

Includes: A glass of champagne on arrival, food, and drinks menu available to be purchased throughout the session.

When: Thursday 23 March | 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Where: Edge Geelong

Cost: $55

Tickets: CentralGeelong.link/TastesPinotEdge

FRANKIE. BAR & EATERY

Includes a selection of items from Frankie. Bar & Eatery’s feed me package, plus a glass of prosecco on arrival.

When: Saturday 1 April | 1pm – 4pm

Where: Frankie. Bar & Eatery

Cost: $79

Tickets: CentralGeelong.link/TastesPinotFrankie

UNION CELLARS

Where: Union Cellars - 6 Union St

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WINE PAIRING: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE BRILLIANT

Get ready to sip, savour, and learn as we take you on a journey through the magical world of wine pairing. Join our expert sommelier for an interactive and fun-filled masterclass where you’ll discover the perfect pairings for every type of wine.

When: Sunday 26 March | 1pm - 2.30pm

Cost: $60

Tickets: CentralGeelong.link/TastesUnionWinePairing

CHEESE & WINE: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Join us for a night of indulgence as we celebrate two things we love – wine and cheese! Our event offers a perfect opportunity to discover and savour the best combinations of these two delicious delights.

When: Wednesday 29 March | 6pm - 7.30pm

Cost: $75

Tickets: CentralGeelong.link/TastesUnionMatch

WINE 101: BEGINNERS GUIDE TO WINE

In this fun and interactive session, you’ll learn the basics of wine, from the main grapes to the fermentation process and everything that makes it taste so good. You’ll be guided through a range of wines, helping you to identify the different aromas, flavours, and characteristics of each.

When: Thursday 30 March | 6pm - 7.30pm

Cost: $60

Tickets: CentralGeelong.link/TastesUnionBeginnersGuide

GEELONG WINE: PAST, PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE

Embark on a journey exploring Geelong as we showcase this fascinating wine region’s unique flavours, culture, and history. In this immersive event, you’ll be transported to each sub-region via a series of wines as we guide you through a selection of Geelong’s most distinctive and delicious drops.

When: Sunday 2 April | 1pm - 2.30pm Cost: $60

Tickets: CentralGeelong.link/TastesUnionGeelongWine

GELATO GELATO

Learn about Gelato and how Gelato Gelato hand craft their product and be part of a tasting session sampling a range of different flavours.

When: Friday’s during Tastes 12pm - 12.15pm 12.30pm - 12.45pm 1pm - 1.15pm 1.30pm - 1.45pm

Where: Gelato Gelato

Cost: FREE

Bookings (essential): CentralGeelong.link/TastesGelatoGelato

NEW TO CENTRAL GEELONG

BAHJONG

82 Little Malop Street

Fancy some homemade dumplings with a traditionally untraditional twist? Bahjong is the perfect place for you.

CAKES & VASES

3 James Street

A Natural Bunch has just opened its second business offering delicious cakes and gorgeous decorative vases and ornaments to fill your home. Be sure to visit for the perfect gift.

DRUNKEN DUMPLING BAR

83 Little Malop Street

Our friends at Sober Ramen have recently opened a new restaurant in Central Geelong. Drunken Dumpling Bar has some delicious authentic mouth-watering dumplings for you to indulge in for date night or a night out with friends and family.

GOGI KOREAN BBQ BUFFET

52 Moorabool Street

Enjoy a buffet at Gogi Korean BBQ house, located in the heart of Central Geelong. This buffet-style Korean restaurant will provide you with the best cuts and selection of options you just cannot resist.

LOUKOMADNESS

65 Little Malop Street

Do you have a sweet tooth? Mavs Greek Restaurant has just opened a dessert bar in Geelong offering a range of delicious loukoumades flavours blended to perfection.

MOVIDA - COMING SOON!

Keep an eye on our socials for updates!

LITTLE TASTEBUDS

EDIBLE CREATIONS

Join us for a family-friendly workshop guiding you through edible creations using various foods to create your masterpiece.

When: Saturday 25 March | 10am - 12pm

Saturday 1 April | 10am - 12pm

Where: 111-113 Little Malop St

Cost: FREE Find out more: CentralGeelong.link/TastesEdible

KITCHEN OF DELIGHT

Junkyard Beats will be bringing their Kitchen of Delight interactive kitchen themed jam space to the Tastes of Geelong Festival! Come stop by between 11am and 1pm to catch the crew playing music with pots, pans, graters, and other interesting up-cycled instruments! Pick up a pair of drumsticks to join in the fun and cook up some beats and rhythms with Junkyard Beats!

When: Sunday 2 April | 11am - 1pm

Where: Geelong Waterfront

Cost: FREE

Find out more: CentralGeelong.link/TastesKitchenDelight

NEW GAMES: TOGETHERNESS THROUGH PLAY

Come along to an afternoon of games and playful activities at Tastes of Central Geelong! Join artist game-maker duo Chad Toprak & Helen Kwok as they introduce and facilitate a series of outdoor games 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. The New Games movement celebrates togetherness and joy through shared experiences, connection, and cooperation. Learn new games, meet your community, and have a laugh as we enjoy an afternoon of playing together.

When: Saturday 25 March | 2pm - 4pm

Where: Johnstone Park

Cost: FREE

Find out more: CentralGeelong.link/TastesNewGames

MARKET SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE

Join us at The Original, Market Square for “Lucky Seat” as part of Tastes of Central Geelong, for your chance to WIN a $100 Market Square voucher daily! Simply take a seat at any participating venues within the dates listed below, for your chance to be drawn.

Participating venues:

• Degani Cafe: Thursday 23 MarchMonday 27 March

• Neo Cafe: Tuesday 28 MarchSaturday 1 April

• Rook Sri Lankan Fusion: Thursday 23 MarchSunday 26 March

GOOD LUCK!

When: Thursday 23 March - Saturday 1 April T&Cs apply: CentralGeelong.Link/TastesMarketSquare

WORKSHOPSCANNOLI PIPING WITH CAKES & VASES

Have you ever wondered how cannoli is made? Learn how to pipe your own cannoli, gain tips and tricks of the trade. Plus indulge in your sweet treat creations.

When: Saturday 25 March | 3.15pm & 4pm

Sunday 26 March | 12pm & 1pm

Wednesday 29 March | 5.30pm & 6.30pm

Saturday 1 April | 3.15pm & 4pm

Sunday 2 April | 12pm & 1pm

Where: Cakes & Vases

Cost: $10

Bookings (essential):

CentralGeelong.link/TastesCannoliPiping

SLOW STITCHING MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP

Slow stitch at the National Wool Museum with Lee O’Hera. Join in the mindfulness practice of stitching, learn about health benefits along the way and produce a small artwork to feature as part of a coaster or a small bag.

When: Saturday 25 March 2pm - 4.30pm

Where: National Wool Museum

Cost: $35

Find out more: CentralGeelong.link/TastesSlowStitching

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