Celsius Pop-Up Dinner

Overview

Sydneysiders are getting an unexpected foodie treat straight from Adelaide's award-winning Africola. The restaurant's executive chef, Duncan Welgemoed, is set to take over Commune Waterloo in partnership with Taylors Wines next week. Dubbed Celsius, the pop-up will run from Wednesday, February 7 through Saturday, February 10 for two sittings each night at 6pm and 8pm.

The name comes from the event's focus on temperature and how much it affects the flavour of both the food and wine we consume. Taylors is taking this theme to a rather unusual level by providing each guest with a Flir One thermal device that connects to your smartphone and allows users view the world in, well, temperature. Taylors will likewise pour each wine at its 'ideal' drinking temp, instead of just following the blanket rule of cold whites and room temperature reds.

While we're skeptical about the thermal theme, a chance to taste Welgemoed's dishes is well worth the $99 ticket price in our book, especially considering that Africola's set menu — which features African-inspired smoked meats and veggies — normally runs you $110 with booze, not counting the flights down to Adelaide. This ticket will get you a three-course meal paired with wine, along with the use of a Flir One for the evening, if you're into that type of thing. We're more into the African barbecue bit.