Georges on Waymouth Cognac Masterclass – May 12

Taste some of the finest French brandys produced in the appellation d’origine contrôlée region of Cognac. Presented by Cerbaco’s Mikael Gillard and hosted by Georges on Waymouth, this aperitif and digestif masterclass includes the following liqueurs: Pineau Blanc Francois Voyer, Cognac Paul Giraud VSOP, Cognac Jean Filloux 1992, Armagnac Delord 1985, Armagnac Comte de Lamaestre 1979, Calvados VG 2000, and Rum Chairman Reserve St Lucia. Tickets are $65 per person including food and drinks. Bookings essential by calling 8211 6960.

Stone Ground at Leonard’s Mill Restaurant – May 13

Step back in time at Leonard’s Mill Restaurant for Stone Ground, a three-course candlelit buffet dinner of 1880s fare celebrating the 2016 History Festival. Guests, who are encouraged to dress in a costume from the era, will enjoy a night of food, music and glimpses of performance from Sealand Theatre. The event starts at 5.30pm with the launch of Leonards Mill’s historic plaque at the start of the Second Valley Historical Walking Trail and a welcome glass of mulled wine; the dinner will then be hosted in the 1880s Wheat Shed with entertainment including live music by The Fiddle Chicks. Tickets are limited to 80 guests and cost $65 per head. For information and tickets, phone 8598 4184.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend – May 13 to 16

More than 5000 visitors are expected at this weekend’s annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, which offers a variety of events highlighting the region’s food, wine and hospitality. As well as cluster events such as the Gourmet Hub and Clare Valley Cuisine’s Gourmet Market Day, there are ticketed culinary events at wineries and restaurants, day-trip options, weekend packages and more. Visit the Clare Valley Wine Facebook page for details.

A wine dinner at Jim Barry Wines held as part of last year’s Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend.

Secret Dinner Society dinner – May 14

Sew & Sew Wines is hosting the first in a series of dinners set in secret locations this Saturday night. For this first event, chef Billy Dohnt (ex-Salopian Inn) will create three courses matched to Sew & Sew wines at a McLaren Vale location to be revealed upon booking. Cost is $120 per person and includes all food, wine and entertainment by burlesque performer Georg Armstrong. Transfers can be arranged.

Georg Armstrong, burlesque performer for Sew & Sew Wines.

The Future of Australian Wines dinner @ 2KW – May 17

Offering four courses matched with wine from Daosa, Kaesler, Tapanappa and Yarra Yering, this unique event promises great food, iconic wine and lively debate from two ‘Australian heroes of wine’ – Brian Croser and Ed Peter. Cost is $165 per person. Bookings essential by phoning 8212 5511.

Howard Twelftree Memorial Stir – May 22

Mushrooms are the ingredient of choice for the seasonal South-West City community cooking competition at the Duke of Brunswick Hotel. Chef Cheong Liew will judge the autumn competition, which will take place at 12.30pm on May 22. Information and expressions of interest for entries can be directed to the hotel manager.

Up close and personal with Feudi Bizantini – May 24

Join La Cantina as it presents an evening with Marco di Paolo, Feudi Bizantini’s export manager, who lead a tasting of six wines from the Italian winery based in Crecchio, Abruzzo, as well as sharing stories behind the label. Cost is $20 per person. Limited numbers. Bookings essential.

NWC Wine Dinner with Hentley Farm – May 25

Celebrate the food and wine of the Barossa Valley region at the National Wine Centre with a four-course dinner prepared by executive chef Tze Khaw featuring wines from Hentley Farm. Tickets are $120 per person. Bookings essential by phoning 8313 3355.

National Wine Centre will host a dinner with Hentley Farm.

Waywood Wines Long Table Lunch Series #4 – May 28

Celebrate Aussie Wine Month with Waywood Wines at its McLaren Vale cellar door in May and enjoy a four-course banquet prepared by caterers Luscious Red, matched with a selection of Waywood’s favourite McLaren Vale Cabernets. Limited tickets are available at $120 per person. Bookings and more information here.

No Meat May – Until May 31

‘No Meat May’ is an initiative that challenges Australians to eliminate meat from their diets for 31 days. It aims to address four key issues related to the over-consumption of meat (environment, personal health, animal welfare and food equity), and challenge meat eaters to make more sustainable and animal-friendly food choices. Those who sign up for No Meat May can choose to donate or raise funds through sponsorship for its four aligned not-for-profit organisations: Greenpeace, Animals Australia, Cancer Council Australia and Oxfam Australia. Participants  will be provided with free vegetarian and vegan recipes, nutritional information and professional advice. More information can be found here.

Three Food Icons: Cheong, Maggie and the Market – until June 2

South Australian photographer Tony Lewis presents a collection of his favourite food-orientated work featuring the food of Cheong Liew and Maggie Beer and a look at life in the Adelaide Central Market. The Three Food Icons exhibition can be viewed at the UniSA Kerry Packer Civic Gallery Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Thursdays until 7pm. Get a taste of what’s in store here.

An image from photographer Tony Lewis’ exhibition ‘Three Food Icons: Cheong, Maggie and the Market’.

City Cellar Sessions – June 3

The 365 Days of Wine and Food wine pop-ups have moved indoors for the winter months, into the historic surrounds of the Grand Ballroom at the Masonic Lodge on North Terrace, offering a chance to relax after work and sample some great South Australian wine. The June 3 session starts at 4.30pm and the $5 entry fee will buy you a souvenir glass and the chance to purchase glasses of wine and chat to the makers and sellers from 30 wineries from across South Australia’s wine regions, including Torbreck Wines, Purple Hands, Bremerton, Bleasdale, The Pawn Wine Co, Ngeringa, Mitchell Wines and Shottesbrooke. More information can be found here.

Sea & Vines – June 10 to 13

Now in its 24th year, the McLaren Vale Sea & Vines Festival celebrates the region’s culinary and wine traditions. Showcasing 25 wineries and 35 food and wine events over the June long weekend, this year’s festival includes highlights such as a five-course degustation dinner event with jazz virtuoso James Morrison; a dinner at Salopian Inn matched to wines selected by Matt Dunne, sommelier at Sydney’s Aria; a six-course long lunch at Serafino prepared by former MasterChef contestant Jessie Spiby and executive chef Sarah Contin; and a collection of seafood masterclasses led by Michael Angelakis and Michael Keelan. The full program can be found here.

Losing the plot – until June 26, 2016

Losing the Plot: food gardening in South Australia is a Migration Museum exhibition that explores the history of growing food in South Australia and examines the stories behind the food on our plates, from Aboriginal food production and school and community gardens to the home garden and market gardens in SA. The exhibition is accompanied by a program of workshops and talks focussing on food gardening and the use of garden produce in preserving and cooking.

A school garden at Rowland Flat, 1945.

News, tips and information?

The Forager would love to hear about your news, events and suggestions. Please contact us at [email protected].