14 Feb 2025

More delicious events on the menu for Tasting Australia 2025

Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond has unveiled more events, rounding out an already bursting festival program. New events include a table styling masterclass with iconic Australian homewares brand In the Roundhouse, Sunday Supper Club in Town Square and an afternoon of Lawn Bowls with Justin James and other South Australian stars at the Sturt Bowling Club. 

Justin James will also host an exclusive, intimate dinner party at a secret location, offering 16 lucky guests the rare opportunity to engage with the chef firsthand as he presents his seasonal fine dining creations.

Aperitivo Hour is another new addition to the Tasting Australia program, a series of collaborations between iconic bars and chefs showcasing snacks and drinks for $50. Featuring renowned bars Embla, Bar Heather, Thelma and Omotenashi Hobart, Aperitivo Hour is the perfect pre dinner event and will be held in the new-look Drinks Academy presented by Adelaide University in the festival hub, Town Square, Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga. 

There’s even more to enjoy in Town Square with the Matchmaker Series, think speed dating with wine makers, and Top 3 featuring former Port Adelaide Football Club captain Tom Jonas’ three favourite drops.  

Sunday Supper Club is Sunday night dinner in Town Square only elevated. An Italian inspired, family style feast will be prepared by a dream team of hospo stars – two duos – Mug Chen and Chia Wu, together with Jimmy Toone and Jo Leal – alongside Calum Horn of Adelaide’s Longplay Bistro and Sydney-based Annita Potter. Tickets are $79 and include a selection of snacks, spaghetti bolognese recipes with a twist plus salad, garlic bread and dessert.

New hands-on events include MAKE: Table styling with In The Roundhouse and Casa Carboni where guests will learn how to style their table with the team from In the Roundhouse, as well as a pasta cooking class led by Barossa based Casa Carboni. Lawn Bowls promises a relaxed Sunday afternoon featuring snacks by Justin James and Jess Spiby, drinks hosted by Sharon Romeo, sampling wines from Riley Harrison, Crispian Fielke of S.C. Pannell and Shane Eldridge from Hills Collide and lawn games with Edinburgh Cellars manager Sam Taylor. 

Fifteen food vendors will feature in Town Square including eight NEW options: Athena Greek Eats, Comida Hahndorf, Dolly Bar and Eatery, Francesca’s Pizza and Sandos, Le Cordon Vert, Motherlode Nuggeteria, Kha Nom and Meet Me Coffee Co alongside returning favourites Africola Canteen, Braising Boy, GANG GANG, ONG NOI Vietnamese BBQ, Phat Head Dumpling, The Filipino Project and Shibui. 

Another new element for Town Square is The Ghan Experience showcasing Journey Beyond’s commitment to going further and taking travellers beyond. 
 
As guests step inside the train carriage-themed activation, they’ll be whisked away to life onboard the icon of the Outback.  Visitors will be immersed in a sensory experience with the sights, sounds, and scents of this famed journey, capturing what the experience aboard The Ghan is all about. On board, guests will gain an insight into the incredible off-train experiences on offer, including the majestic arid scenery of Outback SA, a spectacular sunrise in Marla, the unique charm of opal mining town Cooper Pedy, or the breathtaking Kanku Breakaways, and much more.
 
This first-person perspective evokes the thrill and wonder of embarking on this remarkable adventure for the very first time.

Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond runs from 2 – 11 May 2025 across Adelaide and regional South Australia. More information and tickets are available at tastingaustralia.com.au. 

Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond new event highlights –

  • Secret Dinner Party by Justin James
  • MAKE: Table styling with In The Roundhouse and Casa Carboni
  • Aperitivo Hour series
    • Embla
    • Bar Heather
    • Thelma
    • Omotenashi Hobart
  • Sunday Supper Club
  • Top 3 with Tom Jonas
  • Lawn Bowls
  • Matchmaker Series
    • Grenache
    • Sparkling Wine
    • Riesling and Friends
    • Pinot Noir
    • Rose
  • Global Exploration of Shiraz, anchored in the Barossa by Seppeltsfield
  • Magical Martini Moments presented by Never Never
  • Pirate Life: Beers from the decade that was
  • A Tasting Journey from Adelaide to Bordeaux & Hawke’s Bay 

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said with excitement building for this year's Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond, it is a thrill to see more unique events added to the festival lineup that will elevate the experience to new heights.

"From exclusive collaborations to intimate wine tastings, we're creating opportunities for guests to explore, indulge and celebrate the incredible world of food, drink and producers South Australia has to offer in ways never seen before," Minister Bettison said.

Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond Festival Director, Karena Armstrong said it is beyond exciting to reveal even more events for Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond 2025, bringing together new experiences that celebrate the very best in food, drinks and talent.

"From the hands-on table styling masterclass with In the Roundhouse to the relaxed yet lively Lawn Bowls afternoon with South Australian stars, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Aperitivo Hour offers a chance to indulge in creative collaborations between some of Australia’s most iconic bars and chefs, while the Sunday Supper Club is set to elevate Sunday dinner with an unforgettable feast prepared by a dream team of hospitality legends," Ms Armstrong said. 

"With so much to explore, we can’t wait to share these new moments with you."

Journey Beyond, Executive General Manager – Marketing, Justine Lally said amidst Tasting Australia’s bustling Town Square, locals and visitors can escape the city by being transported from Town Square to the middle of Outback South Australia.

"We encourage you to explore The Ghan experience and escape the hustle of the city to an adventure onboard The Ghan," Ms Lally said.
 
"Many are curious about what extended train travel and life onboard The Ghan is like, and whether it’s right for them. This is a chance for visitors to experience it firsthand before making the decision to book."