Cellar Sessions Masterclasses with Whistler & Smidge– August 17 and 31

The August 17 masterclass at the National Wine Centre will showcase Whistler Wines from the Barossa, to be followed by Smidge Wines on August 31, with tickets costing $25 for the 5.30pm-6.30pm structured tasting (bookings essential). The masterclasses are held in conjunction with the centre’s free Cellar Sessions, which are held fortnightly on Fridays from 4.30pm and include live music.

Cupcake Day at the Central Market – August 17

Masterchef contestant Kristen Sheffield will present a cupcake baking demonstration at the Central Market to celebrate the RSPCA’s Cupcake Day campaign. Sheffield will share baking and decorating tips in the Gouger dining area from 11am. Cupcakes will be available for purchase for a gold-coin donation to the RSPCA. 

The Great Tonic Taste Off – August 18

Gin enthusiast and judge Caroline Childerley will be in Adelaide as part of her national hunt for the best-tasting tonic to accompany G&Ts. The Adelaide event will be hosted at Hellbound Wine Bar on Rundle Street and will feature gin cocktails, a presentation by Childerley on the history of the G&T and a blind tasting of six different tonics. Mitch Wilson from Maison Ferrand will then present the final round of blind tastings with Citadelle gin. Tickets are priced at $25 and include all drinks.

Pirate Life + Oyster Festival Dinner – August 21

It’s all about oysters this month at Sean’s Kitchen.

As part of its month-long Oyster Festival (more about that here), Sean’s Kitchen is presenting a $75-a-head dinner at which Pirate Life beers will be matched with dishes such as Oyster Po’ Boy, Beer & Oyster Stout Pie and Oyster Taco. And for dessert? A Pirate Life Stout Tiramisu. You’ll find more details about the dinner here.

Whisky Live & Fine Spirits – August 24

A large selection of top-shelf whiskies from distilleries around the world will be available for sampling at Whisky Live at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Hindley Street. For the first time, the event also includes other spirits such as vodka, gin, rum and cognac. There will be experts on hand “to inform and educate”, with the $110 entry price including a spirit glass to keep, a tasting guide and “gourmet eats” to line your stomach. A special bar will offer a selection of rare and old whiskies which can be sampled from $22 per 15ml serve.

Last Friday of the Month at The Pot – August 31

Wagyu beef producer Mayura Station and Torbreck wines are the producers being showcased at the next “Last Friday” lunch at The Pot by Emma McCaskill. The menu will include pickled tongue and piccalilli sandwiches; hanger steak tataki; braised beef cheek with wagyu fat potatoes; and wood-roasted Wagyu rump cap ($95pp for four courses). Also coming up at The Pot on September 5 is a yum cha experience presented by McCaskill and Salopian Inn chef Karena Armstrong. Details and bookings here.

Barossa Gourmet Weekend – August 31 – September 2

This year’s Barossa Gourmet Weekend will comprise more than 30 events showcasing the region’s food and wine, from tastings and masterclasses to long lunches and garden parties. A few ticketed highlights include a cooking demonstration and lunch presented by award-winning Bistro Blackwood restaurateur and chef Jock Zonfrillo at the Yalumba Cooperage, an American barbecue with live music at Kellermeister’s mud-brick cellars, a game-cooking demo and three-course degustation hosted by executive chef Saskia Beer at Chateau Tanunda, an “exotic South American feast” presented at a secret location by the folk from Barossa Underground, a Back to the Future Friday lunch at Langmeil Cellar Door, and the Grapes of Mirth comedy night – featuring comedians including Merrick Watts, Luke McGregor, Tom Ballard and Fiona O’Loughlin – at Seppeltsfield’s vintage cellar. See the full program here.

Meet the Brewers at Smiling Samoyed – September 4

This event at Myponga’s Smiling Samoyed includes a tour of the brewery followed by lunch with the SS brewers and representatives of Migration Brewery in America. The shared feast will feature items from Chef Outta Water’s Chris Holen and include local cheeses and smallgoods, squid, wood-oven pizza and more. Tickets (available here) are $55, including three complimentary drinks.

Paella Masterclass – September 8

Panacea head chef Andrew Curren will present a paella masterclass at the Westfield Marion restaurant. Described as a “small intimate event” with a limited capacity of 25 participants, the masterclass will include a drink on arrival, paella dinner, a “secret recipe” and take home ingredients to cook paella at home. Tickets are priced at $62 and are still available to purchase here.

Chinatown Tour – September 20

Masterchef runner-up Teena Yeow will take foodies on a guided tour of Chinatown, featuring a tasting of Yeow’s signature Indonesian Layer Cake and Kuih Lapid. The tour will include visits to Asian eateries serving street food and drinks, as well as a discussion of the history and culture of the iconic city precinct. Tour organisers have advised guests to skip breakfast, as tastings will be on offer throughout the tour. Details here.

Royal Adelaide Wine Show Public Tasting – September 28

Guests at this event at the Adelaide Showground’s Wayville Pavilion will have the opportunity to pour their own tastings from a selection of more than 2500 new-release vintages and award-winning wines entered in the 2018 Royal Adelaide Wine Show. Tickets ($70) include a tasting glass to keep, live entertainment, cocktail food and a catalogue of results listing all the wines on offer. Details here.

Ceduna Oyster Festival – September 28-30

As well as loads of fresh oysters from growers in Smoky and Denial Bays, this annual festival will feature a free seafood tasting with guest chef Simon Bryant, cooking demonstrations, fish filleting and oyster-shucking competitions, bars, food stalls, live performances, sailing trips and more. See the full three-day program here.

McLaren Vale Spring Affair Festival – September 30

To celebrate the Labour Day long weekend, Maxwell Wines, Paxton Wines, Coriole Vineyards, Serafino Wines, Penny’s Hill and d’Arenberg will participate in a spring-themed festival at McLaren Vale. The festival will feature food and wine tasting and live music. Several pubs are offering Spring Affair tours (see full list here) with return bus transport from Adelaide. Tickets are priced at $35 with different festival packages available for purchase (note some have already sold out). Details here.

Mercedes-Benz Unley Long Lunch – October 12

The Mercedes-Benz Unley Long Lunch will feature grazing platters and shared plates provided by King William Road restaurants.

The Mercedes-Benz Unley Long Lunch returns this year to King William Road as part of the Adelaide Fashion Festival. The event features a preview of new season styles featured at the festival, as well as grazing platters and shared plates provided by King William Road restaurants. Tickets can be purchased individually or for tables of up to ten guests.

News, tips and information?

Please send details of any upcoming food and/or drink events to: [email protected].­­