The Ten Tastiest Events at Brisbane's Good Food Month 2016

It’s the main reason most of Brisbane has made their way to Good Food Month over the last couple of years, and in 2016, the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back — and they’re bigger and better than ever.

Sure, every event says that these days. However, when 25 different food stalls take over the South Bank Cultural Forecourt for 12 days of Asian-inspired eating delights — and Harajuku Gyoza will be bring their take on the famous clear raindrop cake to the food free-for-all for the first time — that claim seems pretty accurate. Come for the likes of Pasar Malam’s pork belly satay slider on a black bun, and stay for the vibrant, delicious atmosphere.

Who said Good Food Month was a Brisbane-only culinary celebration? Not the folks in charge. For one special event, they’re directing hungry foodies up to Noosa — and making the trek to the Sunny Coast absolutely worth it. When and where else are you going to experience a floating street food market in Queensland, after all? Pretend you’re in a Southeast Asian city, wander through stalls and soak up the watery atmosphere. And when you’re not indulging in edible delights whipped up by chef Shane Bailey, you can knock back a craft beer, wine or cocktail. It’s all happening Sunday, July 17 from noon till 3pm.

Trust Good Food Month to combine two of Brisbane’s favourite things: degustation dinners and Luke Nguyen. And with the celebrity chef’s celebrated Queensland signature restaurant Fat Noodle the city’s pride and joy, there’s only one place this alchemy can happen. You’ll not only eat ten courses that showcase Nguyen’s acclaimed cooking skills — you’ll also watch him make them. And, afterwards, he’ll join you for more chats at the dinner table. With all that on offer, $79 actually seems a small price to pay.

If ever an event summarised just how we feel on pretty much any given day, it’s John Mills Himself’s So Much Gin, So Little Time… In fact, during July, the Charlotte Street bar is almost daring you to prove otherwise. For the affordable price of $40, you’ll taste six of the country’s best craft gins, and learn the stories behind each — as well as some facts about the fast-growing Aussie industry in general. You’ll also receive a gin cocktail too, should you need any more convincing.

Okay, so this July-wide eating extravaganza has been officially dubbed Good Food Month, but we think it could count as Good Wine Month too. There’s more than a little grape-centric goodness on offer, including a booze-soaked chat about making Plonk, the Australian comedy television series all about wine.

Join Yalumba winemaker and storyteller Jane Ferrari as she tells the tales of making the television program, and serves up her preferred tipples as well. Don’t worry, something to eat is also part of the equation, with $65 per person getting you a winning food and drink combo.

Good Food Month isn’t just about sit-down meals and special events — it’s also about jumping between happening joints and grabbing a few drinks. Enter Bar Hop. Yes, the name says just about everything. Every evening in July, you can stop by Bucci Restaurant, Kerbside, Public Bar and Restaurant and Canvas for a $20 cocktail and a perfectly matched bar snack — or, as the title suggests, hop between all four. And if you’re wondering what’s on offer, that’d be Tanqueray gin concoctions, the perfect, light libation for a multi-venue escapade.

Are you the type of person who sits down at a restaurant and asks them to whip you up whatever takes their fancy? If you are — or if you wish you were, and want to see how it feels for an evening — then Good Food Month’s special event Trust the Chef is your kind of meal.

First, you pay between $99 and $159 depending on whether you’d like matched wines. Then, you sit back and let 85 Miskin St head chef Brent Farrell strut his stuff. Just what he’ll cook is anyone’s guess, but given how mouth-watering his dishes normally are, we’re certain that the eight-course degustation menu is going to be mighty delicious.

If there’s one thing Good Food Month boasts in abundance, it’s degustation dinners. Don’t discount Darling & Co‘s take on the trend, though. Yes, you’ll get five small courses — but you won’t get anything that could be an entree or a savoury main meal.

You did indeed read that correctly — the glorious treat we all wish we could eat all day long is the only thing you’ll find on this menu. It’s an entire dessert degustation. Pastry pro Nicholas Waring will showcase dishes using fresh, seasonal fruit, Maleny Dairies products and premium chocolate. For $59 (or $89 with matched wines) you’ll indulge in the lifelong dream of only having dessert for dinner.

It’s not everyday that Peter Gunn and Zach Furst shower Brisbane diners with the gastronomical delights that have made Melbourne’s IDES such a hit. In fact, there’s only two days when that’ll be the case: July 25 and 26 during Good Food Month.

That’s when the duo will be teaming up with Gauge for an up-close-and-personal evening of dinner and drinks. Over eight courses paired with appropriate beverages, you’ll discover the truth behind the rave reviews. Our advice: if you want to make the most of this rare opportunity, you might want to arrive hungry.

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled due to permit restrictions. 

Since it opened back in 2001, you’ve probably done a lot of things on the Goodwill Bridge. Chances are you’ve walked, jogged or cycled over it, looked out over South Bank, enjoyed the sunset from its vantage point — the list goes on. And yes, you’ve probably devoured a coffee or eaten a snack, too. But we’re guessing you haven’t had a full three-course evening meal on it.

For $155 per person, Dinner on the Bridge offers up just that, including three courses of gourmet fare with matched wines and twilight views as far as the eye can see. It’s the kind of event that could only be a collaboration, with Stokehouse Q joining forces with Cafe on the Bridge for a night — and plenty of food — to remember.