How to Graze Your Way Through Taste of Sydney

It seems pretty safe to say that us Sydneysiders are absolutely, undeniably food obsessed. And not just in an instagramming our food way. Just check out how many food festivals we have. Yup, it's a lot.

Taste of Sydney is the next one on the food calendar, running from March 14-17, and if you've never been before, just picture Centennial park covered in food, alcohol, and chefs under white tents. It's kinda like the food and cocktail circus is in town. You might also want to drop by one of the 20 restaurant stands, like 4Fourteen, The Woods, or Efendy. Here are our picks of the best stuff on.

Dilmah Chef's Skillery in association with Gourmet Traveller

If watching chefs filleting fish or showing off their knife skills gets you hot under the collar, head to the Dilmah Chef's Skillery tent. You might want to come up with some super-tricky questions before you go, too, because there's a Q&A section. Surely chefs have a take on the meaning of life question too, right? You're also allowed to get "up close and personal" with the chefs, although we assume this means more along the lines of getting tips on how to host the ultimate dinner party and food trends than getting a free hug. But you just never know.

Bertolli Taste Kitchen

This is the spot to check out "Sydney’s top chefs" cook up a storm. And if you're a My Kitchen Rules fan: winners of series two, sisters Sammy & Bella Jakubia, will also be handling the pans. They'll be doing what they call reinvented Polish cuisine. If you aren't a fan, just ignore the above and go there to watch chefs do their thing. And yeah, you get to taste it.

Miele Taste of Sydney VIP Lounge

If the thought of not being a VIP fills you with dread (all that mingling with the 'common people') this might be the option for you. You get two free drinks thrown in, $30 worth of crowns (the currency of the event) — oh and unlimited access to the VIP area, dahlink. You can take a moment to digest and rest your weary feet that have been dragging you around all day in pursuit of things to quaff and gorge yourself. It's a tough life for some.

Plumm Wine Theatre presented by Gourmet Traveller WINE

Wine tastings, wine glass education ($50 and you get to take home four Plumm wine glasses with you) — oh yeah, and wine. Did we mention there will be wine? Wine experts, winemakers, and sommeliers will talk all things wine, like cellaring tips, food and wine matching, and all that kind of stuff. Even wine critic Nick Stock will be there, and for 6 crowns you can see what he has to say about the liquid stuff.

Malaysia Kitchen

If you're already head over heels for all things Malaysian (foodwise), then we needn't say more. Celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow will be there for some Malay cooking tips, and there will be Malay food and Malay food cooking demonstrations. So yeah, all things Malay.

Tasmanian Pavilion

This is a newbie to the Taste Sydney festival, and as its name suggests, it's focused on Tasmanian produce. Kylie Kwong will be there cooking Flinders Island Wallaby, and you can enter a comp to win a trip to the Apple Isle. Some of the Tassie produce on offer is beer from Moo Brew, Franks Apple & Pear cider, mussels from Spring Bay Seafood, and gourmet pies from Tasmanian Bakeries.

Rekorderlig Cider Bar

This is where Rekorderlig Cider lives (we assume). Or at least, its vacation home. You'll be able to try the regular apple or pear, strawberry-lime, wild berries, apple & blackcurrant and their new passionfruit flavour at their bar set up in the Star Marquee. While you down a cider, some live tunes will be a happening to get your dance on to, or you can just chill out and relax in a lovely cider haze.

Sensology presents The Art of Cocktail Making

For when it's time to get your Tom Cruise on and make some cocktails. Remember to shake it, and shake it good (only if it calls for it of course). You'll be taken step by step through cocktails like the Viva la Cuba Classic Mojito and Mad Men-inspired classics such as the espresso martini by mixologists. Then you can whip them up at home later to impress everyone you know. And remember to invite us.

Sail and Anchor Beer and Cider Hall with Beer & Brewer Magazine

And now one for the beer and cider lovers. You can get on down to demonstrations, free tastings (of up to five Aussie and overseas labels) and brewing masterclasses. Some of the brews available to try will be Sail & Anchor (WA), Sol / Dos Equis (Mexico), Crabbie’s Ginger Beer (UK), Chang (Thailand), The Australian Brewery (NSW), and Kopparberg Cider (Sweden).

Taste of Sydney is on at Centennial Park from Thursday, March 14, to Sunday, March 17, 2013. See their full program of events on their website. Tickets start from $25.