The Sydney Food and Wine Fair

It has been a busy month... 

This year's Crave Sydney International Food Festival has hosted a degustation of exciting events over the course of October. However it wouldn't be complete with The Sydney Food and Wine Fair to wrap it all up.

 

The Food and Wine Fair is the flagship fundraiser for The AIDS Trust of Australia and is held in the heart of Sydney's CBD, in Hyde Park. I love the idea of local and renowned cafes, restaurants and beverage establishments donating their time and effort to raise money for much needed organisation. Some businesses include Brasserie Breads, Long Grain Restaurant, Tempus Two Vineyards, Lucio's Italian and Jimmy Liks.

Every year the fair takes place on the last Saturday of October from 12 - 5pm and is an important event on any foodie's calender. This year was the 20th Anniversary and to no surprise was a huge success. 

 A small group of friends and I enjoyed the tastes and sounds together.

Each buisiness has a designated stall and food and drinks can be swapped for pre-purchased vouchers.

We decided to grab a bite to eat first.

Chorizo on sourdough was available from Brasserie Bread.

Soft bread, spicy sausage topped off with sweet grilled capsicum.

Brasserie Bread

(13) 0096 6845

1737 Botany Rd

Banksmeadow

Fish Ball Curry

Sweet and spicy sauce, fluffy white rice with crunchy bean sprouts and garlic chips.

After browsing the food stalls we decide to get a few glasses of sparkling, sit on the grass in the sun and enjoy the live entertainment.

Performers on the stage included 70's NZ rock band Dragon, cabaret dancers and an opera act.

It couldn't of been better weather and was a great afternoon. We will definitely attend again next year.

For more information on;

The Sydney Food and Wine Fair 2010

The AIDS Trust of Australia

The Crave Sydney Food Festival

Special Thanks to Adrian De Brock and all the volunteers who made it possible.

Night Noodle Markets

It wouldn't be the Sydney Food Festival without the Night Noodle Markets. 

For the next two weeks, a portion of Hyde Park in the CBD will be sectioned off for local restaurants to set up stalls and serve authentic food.

 The market is only open weekday nights from 5 - 9:30pm and has lots to offer, download a copy of the Night Noodle Markets Map here.

We decided to check out opening night, so we had a chance to get around to most of the stalls. I suggest arriving early to beat the crowds, especially in the second week when it's busier.

This year's markets is double the size of last years with over 40 stalls. It has a variety of cultural influences, from Thai and Malaysian to Turkish and Lebanese.

A few must see stalls are;

DIN TAI FUNG - Chinese dumplings

Set up just like the restaurant kitchen in World Square. Chefs carefully rolling dough to order, weighing every filling to go inside. Great to watch.

Pork Dumplings - 4 for $6
Lot's of flavour, great with ginger and black vinegar.

 Sweet Taro Buns - 3 for $6
Soft, sweet and sticky filling.

Din Tai Fung

CBD
644 George St
(02) 9264 6010

 

EAST OCEAN RESTAURANT - Chinese seafood and Dim Sum

It takes a double sized stall to fit all their cooking equipment in. 

Heaps of hot steaming dim sum ready to go.

 San Choy Bau - $6

 We decide on San Choy Bau and some deep fried items. I think $6 is a little steep for one serve, but their someone's favourite and were full of flavour.

East Ocean 

Haymarket

421 Sussex St

02 9212 4198

 

JACKIE M MALAYSIAN CUISINE

Definitely a highlight.

 

We watch the chefs tossing their woks in a smokey kitchen as we wait for our food.

 

Otak Otak - $4

Grilled spicy fish cake in banana leaf.

Smells slightly like a cigar, slightly sweet and very tasty.

 Char Kway Teow (CKT) - $9

 Stir fried egg and rice noodles with garlic, egg, beansprouts and chives.

Available with chicken or beef too, for a little extra.

Jackie M Malaysian Cuisine

Concord
85 Majors Bay Rd

(02) 9743 0390

 

 

CHAT THAI

 

We decide to try Chat Thai's desserts. 

Their skewers and noodles are also available, sold next door.

 

 Coconut Ice Cream - $8

 With toasted peanuts and soft jellies.

 Banana Fritters - $8

You get a box stuffed full. Sweet and crunchy and coated in sesame.

 

Chat Thai

Haymarket

20 Campbell St

02 9211 1808

MINI PANCAKES

They seem a bit out of place amongst all the other stalls.
Feeling quite full, but we manage to stuff these light, fluffy and dripping in syrup morsels in, somewhere.

 If your after a drink there are three bars stationed around the area serving wine by the glass or bottle, beer and soft drinks.

You can relax and enjoy some music in the beer garden.

Don't forget to see the Art and About works hanging around Hyde Park too.

These are just a few of the stalls and sights at the Night Noodle Markets.
There is way too much to see and to fit in our stomachs for just one night, I think we'll go again before it ends.