Overview
The program for Good Food Month 2017 has landed, announcing a 31-day program to feature 180+ events this year. You can expect the return of some old favourites — like the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets — as well as some ambitious new initiatives.
First up, Hyde Park will play host to an epic new festival hub, inspired by California's Palm Springs, dubbed 'Hyde Park Palms' and designed by Sydney design studio Caroline Beresford (The Cannery). The hub will host a bunch of talks, parties and feasts, starting on October 5 with an opening night party overseen by The Rockpool Group. Two days later, South African chef Duncan Welgemoed of South Australia's Africola will be swinging by for an evening of drinks, snacks and beats.
Then, on October 8, Neil Perry and Marco Pierre White are taking over the hub kitchen to prepare a three-course dinner emceed by Jill Dupleix. And, if Mexican's your thing, grab a ticket for October 14, when Sydney's Dan Hong (Mr Wong) and Mitch Orr (ACME) will be joining forces to share street food they sampled on a recent trip to the country, as well as dishes inspired by Los Angeles and a Noma pop-up.
Lazy Sunday brunches will be happening throughout Good Food Month — on October 8, 15 and 22 — with guests to include Matt Stone and Jo Barrett of Oakridge Wines. Finally, you can work off all your indulgences at Not Another Manic, a Lycra-clad workout/dance party with Retrosweat's Shannon Dooley planned for October 16 and 17.
Also opening on October 5 are the aforementioned Night Noodle Markets. This year, look out for House of Crabs, Din Tai Fung, Chur Burger, Indu, Gelato Messina and Black Star Pastry, plus the usual mix of live music, DJs and dancers.
Meanwhile, if you've been hankering after a meal at high-end restaurants like Aria and Catalina, but haven't been sufficiently cashed up, you'll be pleased to know that Let's Do Lunch is making a return. This event gives Good Food Month guests the chance to eat fancy-pants food at more-affordable-than-usual prices.
On top of all that, there'll be an assortment of one-off happenings about the city. There's little info as yet, but expect a sushi and whiskey party at Sokyo, as well as a feast at Pilu at Freshwater transporting you to Positano, Praiano and Sorrento with matched wines.
Good Food Month runs October 1-31 at various locations across Sydney. For more info, check out the website.