Sydney international food festival

(as heard on FBi Radio)

It wouldn't be October in Sydney without Good Food Month. Now that GFM's given way to the bigger, better Sydney International Food Festival this year, what can you expect to find?

The good news is that the quintessential Springtime in Sydney activities like the noodle markets, and Let's Do Lunch are still with us, but there are even more activities in store to experience this year.

If you're a chef whore groupie, prepare for gastronomic royalty to descend upon our humble city. Fergus Henderson, godfather and champion of 'Nose to Tail Eating' and who literally wrote the book on the matter is in town to host various events that'll have foodies squealing (sorry, couldn't resist a pig pun) with delight.

The Whole Beast: Nose to Tail Eating by Fergus Henderson

Local chef luminaries such as Adriano Zumbo and Neil Perry will also mix it up with the internationals in showcases featuring the latest innovations and creations that are sure to ingrain Australia on the world food map.







Here are my top three picks for SIFF 2009

Nose to Tail Barbecue hosted by Fergus Henderson

Special guests Fergus and Margot Henderson (Fergus championed 'nose to tail' eating in a book and is best known for his Michellin starred restaurant, St John in London) will lead a posse of flash barbie-meisters (including Alex Herbert from Bird Cow Fish, Martin Boetz from Longrain and Justin North from Becasse) as they fire up the coals for a nose-to-tail (whole animal) barbecue, sponsored by Australian Pork.

702 ABC Sydney Weekends with Simon Marnie will be there to join in the festivities.

When: Saturday, October 3, 9am-12 pm.
Where: Sydney Growers Market, Pyrmont Park, Pyrmont

Bookings: tickets sold on the day, $15 a plate.

Hyde Park Night Noodle Markets

A quintessential part of Sydney's springtime: the smell of wok-charred noodles, steaming dumplings and other Asian fare pervades Hyde Park for just two weeks in October. Combining the feel of an authentic Asian hawker market - we're talking down and dirty street food at it's best - there is Asian-inspired entertainment and fairy lights on offer as you watch the sun go down and your belly fill.

When: October 12-16 (Mon-Fri) and October 19-23 (Mon-Fri); dinner trading, 5pm-9.30pm.

Let's Do Lunch


If you love fine dining but find yourself a bit short of the dough to pay for it, Let's Do Lunch is a great opportunity to eat at some of Sydney's finest establishments for a fraction of the cost. For just $35, you'll get a main meal like "Filetto Di Barramundi Con Asparagie Cavalfiore" - Barramundi fillets with asparagus, cauliflower puree, pickled cauliflower and tomatoes at Otto Restaurant plus a glass of wine, beer or sparkling water.



















Otto's Let's Do Lunch 2007

Other restaurants include:

Aria, Quay and Restaurant Balzac

Check out the site for more details and make sure you act quickly...tables are booking fast!