Plate Up Ballarat 2019

Overview

Following its massively successful inaugural year, Plate Up Ballarat returns in 2019 with another scrumptious lineup. Across May, Ballarat's best growers, producers, restaurants and chefs will offer more than 50 delectable food and drink experiences. The special events, which include dinners, workshops, markets, guided tours and tastings, aim to showcase the region's diverse and high-quality produce and talent.

One way that locals are getting involved is through Toast of Ballarat. Throughout the month-long festival, venues across town will be serving up their best take on the humble snack. You can take yourself on a toastie tour, hitting up classics like Drive Cafe's Philly cheesesteak and Electic Tastes' croque monsieur, and braving some more inventive options — like a rhubarb crumble jaffle at The Local Cafe, anchovies, micro radish and pecorino from Olive Grove Delicatessen and a lamb ragu and Meredith goats cheese toastie from The Forge Pizzeria.

This year also sees an emphasis on plant-based dishes and menus. Across the first weekend of the festival, May 4–5, restaurants and cafes around Ballarat will be experimenting with plant-based menus, using fresh produce from the region.

But there's plenty more to fill your food-loving calendar with. You can get a little bit fancy and join a truffle hunt, or test your taste buds at a dinner in the dark or the chilli fest, featuring chilli beer, ice cream, hot wings and more. There's also baking workshops, free talks on food waste and a foraging-focused degustation dinner. Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 4, The Mining Exchange will host local artisans and producers for the Made of Ballarat Marketplace.

Plate Up Ballarat will take place from Wednesday, May 1 to Friday, May 31. For more information on the program and to purchase tickets, head this way.