Tasting Australia Food Curator for 2021 announced

Byron Bay based culinary icon, Darren Robertson has been appointed as Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel Food Curator for the 2021 festival. Darren’s passion for farm-to-table cooking and his use of sustainable, ethically farmed produce are philosophies which align perfectly with the Tasting Australia ethos says Festival Director Simon Bryant.

“Darren is the ideal fit for the Food Curator role for Tasting Australia – he truly lives and breathes the same values as the festival which means that he can genuinely share and strengthen the Tasting Australia story to a global audience,” Mr Bryant said.

“Not only is Darren a down-to-earth chef and easy to work with, he is internationally respected. He will be selecting the food talent for the Tasting Australia program and I have no doubt that he will produce an exciting line-up through his networks.

“He gets what we are trying to do as a festival and the way he embraces and respects our local produce and regions makes him an honorary South Australian in my eyes.”

The association with Darren Robertson for Tasting Australia is great for the festival and for South Australia says Premier Steven Marshall.

“Darren Robertson is recognised nationally and internationally for his passionate and sustainable cooking. The fact that Tasting Australia attracts chefs of his calibre indicates the reputation of the festival nationally,” Mr Marshall said.

This is not Darren’s first visit to South Australia for the 10-day eating and drinking festival, he also featured as a guest chef at Tasting Australia in 2019, an experience he remembers fondly.

“I am absolutely thrilled to come back to South Australia for Tasting Australia as Food Curator in 2021. Having worked in the industry in Australia and globally for over 20 years, I've had the privilege of working with some of the most interesting, inspiring, creative and talented people and I'm really excited to have the opportunity to invite them to be a part of this world class event,” Mr Robertson said.

“Collaboration is exciting for both the tasters and tastemakers, and I can't wait to see our culinary greats cooking alongside up and coming rising stars with producers, brewers, wine makers in the mix.  I want both the chefs and visitors to leave this event as blown away and inspired as I was when I first came to Tasting Australia.  

“Especially in these current times, I think we've come to appreciate even more the significant role that food has in our culture and community and I think Australians are eager to get out and celebrate it,  and I couldn’t think of a better place to do that than Tasting Australia.”

Originally from the UK, Darren trained at the Michelin starred Gravetye Manor. He moved to Australia in 2001 and became Head Chef at Tetsuya’s. He is currently the co-owner and chef at The Farm in Byron Bay and Three Blue Ducks in Sydney and Brisbane.

Darren is recognised internationally, appearing on various cooking shows including Iron Chef USA, MasterChef, The Great Australian Cookbook and My Kitchen Rules, in addition to co-authoring three cookbooks.  Darren will work closely with his network of chef talent to create a compelling program for the 2021 event in collaboration with the Tasting Australia Creative Team.

Find out where you can see Darren Robertson at the 2021 event when the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel event program is released on 3 December 2020.

For more information about Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel 2021, go to tastingaustralia.com.au.

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel is where foodies come to discover what’s new on the menu. Be it a collaboration among world-class chefs, an inimitable tasting of beer, wine or spirits, or an evening soaking up the charred flavours and aromas of Town Square, Tasting Australia is a unique and moreish food and beverage experience.

For 10 days Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel is the passport to unique, unprecedented eating and drinking experiences that only South Australia can offer. As one of the country’s longest-running food and wine festivals, Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel has evolved with the industry and continues to offer innovative events and one of a kind adventures.

Tasting Australia will run from Friday 30 April – Sunday 9 May 2021 across Adelaide and regions.