Central Geelong will come alive with the Tastes Of Central Geelong, a celebration of food and drink. This event is a great opportunity for foodies, wine lovers, craft beer enthusiasts, and anyone who loves to discover new flavours.
Tastes of Central Geelong, with its 60 events, spread over multiple venues, promises an unforgettable experience. It combines local cuisine and world-class entertainment. There’s a lot to choose from, including wine masterclasses, exclusive dinners and cooking demonstrations.
The excitement in the city is growing as the program begins. We are excited to share all the details and give you an idea of what this event will bring. Grab your calendar and clear your schedule to prepare for an unforgettable culinary experience.
What is Central Geelong Tastes?
Tastes Of Central Geelong, a vibrant food festival, showcases Geelong’s best food and beverage scene. This multi-day festival invites foodies, families, tourists and locals to explore Central Geelong’s local restaurants, cafés, bars and specialty shops that make it a must-visit location. Over 60 events will be held in various venues. This is a great opportunity to enjoy unique dining experiences, discover flavors, learn from chefs, and take part in the vibrant atmosphere that makes Geelong so special.
The festival is spread throughout Central Geelong, and events are held in the most popular venues. There’s something to suit every budget, group size, and taste.
Tastes of Central Geelong Program Highlights
You won’t be able to resist these standout events during Tastes of Central Geelong:
1. Wine Tastings and Masterclasses
The wine masterclasses offered by Tastes Central Geelong will not disappoint if you are a wine lover or just enjoy a good glass of vino. These intimate sessions, hosted by local sommeliers or winemakers, will introduce you the world of fine wine appreciation, food pairings, wine tasting and more.
Discover the differences between grape varieties and how to pair them with food. Get expert advice on choosing the right bottle for every occasion. These masterclasses are perfect for anyone who is a wine enthusiast or wants to learn more about the world.
Check out the Geelong Wine and Food Experience for a truly immersive culinary experience. You’ll be guided by a top chef through a carefully curated selection, paired with delicious dishes. This is a great opportunity to learn about wine nuances from professionals in the industry while discovering new flavours.
2. Exclusive dining experiences and Chef’s table dinners
The exclusive dining experiences are a central part of Tastes of Central Geelong. Chefs and restaurateurs from the local area have created a series chef’s tables that offer a unique experience to enjoy a meal specially designed for this event. These are not your usual dinners. They feature tasting menus paired with local wine, showcasing Central Geelong’s culinary talent.
As you are guided through the menu, chefs will explain the inspiration for the flavors and ingredients that make the meal special. It’s perfect for foodies who want to see the art behind creating a memorable dining experience.
If you’re looking for something different, check out Sustainable Seafood Feast. This event celebrates locally sourced seafood prepared using sustainable practices. Enjoy fresh, ethical food while supporting local chefs and fishermen who are passionate about sustainable practices.
3. Good Chef, Bad Chef Live Cooking demonstrations
The live cooking demonstrations with the popular Good Chef Bad Chef team, Adrian Richardson, and his cohost are one of the most exciting parts of the Tastes of Central Geelong event. You will have the opportunity to watch the chefs as they prepare delicious dishes in front of you.
You can expect a fun and energetic session, where you will be able to ask questions, make notes and sample the food as it is being prepared. The dynamic duo showcases simple, yet delicious recipes you can replicate at home using locally sourced food that highlights Geelong’s rich culinary culture.
The Good Chef Bad Chef demos will encourage you to be creative in the kitchen while also enjoying the banter between these two culinary superstars.
4. Hop-A-Long Geelong Beer Festival
Hop-A-Long Geelong is a beer festival that offers something different for beer lovers. This event brings some of the best craft breweries in the area together, giving you a chance to try a variety of beers, including hoppy IPAs, rich stouts and crisp lagers.
This festival is unique in that it focuses on exploration and education. You can talk to the brewers and learn more about the brewing processes. You may even try new beer styles that you have never tried before. This is a great event for those who want to learn more about craft beer and enjoy the relaxed social atmosphere in Central Geelong.
The festival includes live music, local food trucks and artisan stalls. It is the perfect afternoon out with family or friends.
5. Interactive Workshops & Hands-On Experiences
Tastes of Central Geelong is more than just watching the chefs at work. It’s also about getting your hands dirty and participating! The festival offers a variety of hands on workshops to help you learn new skills.
Among the many exciting workshops are:
In this interactive workshop, the whole family can learn how to make perfect pizza toppings and dough. You will leave this workshop with the skills to make your own pizzas.
Chocolate making: Discover the art of creating beautiful, decadent truffles at a chocolate workshop with a local chocolatier.
Cocktail masterclasses: Learn to make classic cocktails using local ingredients and fresh seasonal ingredients, which reflect the flavours in Geelong.
These workshops are great for anyone, whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced chef. You will learn new techniques and be inspired to use them at home.
6. Live Music and Street Food Markets
Tastes of Central Geelong focuses on more than just the food. It’s also about enjoying the vibrant atmosphere in Central Geelong. You’ll also find street food markets, live music, and street performers all over the city.
Enjoy a tasty bite at one of the food trucks that serve up local specialties. There’s a wide variety of food to choose from, including gourmet burgers and Asian street foods. Live performances will be taking place throughout the festival, so you can enjoy great entertainment as you eat, sip, and mix with other festival goers.
7. Family Friendly Activities and Events
Tastes of Central Geelong is a fun event for all the family! There will be many family-friendly activities, such as interactive cooking classes, food tasting sessions and even competitions for children. These events aim to inspire and encourage young chefs from an early age.
Central Geelong is a vibrant food scene with a lot to do. You and your family will enjoy exploring the local chefs and discovering new tastes.
Get involved
Tickets for many events have already been released. There are over 60 events available, so it is important to secure your place early. This is especially true for the exclusive workshops and dinners, which can sell out fast.
Browse the website to see the complete program and find the events you are most interested in. There’s something to suit everyone, whether you want a wine tasting dinner, a family cooking class or a tour behind the scenes of a brewery.
A Celebration of Food, Drink, Community, and Community
Tastes Of Central Geelong celebrates Geelong’s vibrant community and rich culinary culture. There’s no better place to have fun and enjoy the best food and drinks in Geelong with your family and friends than Tastes of Central Geelong.
Mark your calendars and book your tickets to enjoy the best of Geelong’s food scene. We are excited to welcome you to Tastes Of Central Geelong where the food is fresh, the entertainment lively and the memories lasting a lifetime.