Overview
Sydney Good Food Month is gearing up to turn the big 2-0 and it's set to mark the occasion with its most expansive program yet, dishing up a huge array of food-focused festivities across October.
This year's milestone lineup will both look back in time and nod to the future, celebrating the famed restaurants and innovative chefs that have made Sydney's food scene what it is today, as well as those young guns now carrying on the legacy.
The festival's Palm Springs-themed pop-up restaurant Hyde Park Palms makes its colourful return to Hyde Park North, hosting culinary greats from near and far across a program of inspiring feasts, talks and parties, from October 4–21. Home-grown heroes like Stephanie Alexander, Bill Granger and Lune's Kate Reid feature alongside international names including LA's Jason Neroni and Italy's Isabella Potì.
There'll be throwbacks aplenty, from a 20th birthday feast helmed by Christine Manfield, Neil Perry and Ross Lusted (The Bridge Room), to a long lunch that sees Andy Bowdy (Saga) and Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook) kicking it old-school with some quintessential 90s flavours, and a noughties lunch with ACME's Mitch Orr and the aforementioned croissant queen Kate Reid.
Acclaimed Smith & Daughters chef Shannon Martinez works her signature brand of culinary magic with a three-course vegan Italian dinner, and some of Australia's female food heroes — including Saint Peter's Alanna Sapwell and Momofuku Seiobo's Kylie Javier-Ashton — headline the Culinary Women of Influence feast. And the pasta battle returns, this time helmed by LuMi's Federico Zanellato, Federica Andrisani from Hobart's Fico and Joal Valvasori-Pereza from Perth's Lulu La Delizia.
Meanwhile, Ume and Cow & The Moon team up to deliver the ultimate date-night situation, complete with burgers, ice cream, booze and a screening of 10 Things I Hate About You.
And of course, Good Food Month's ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back for another season, taking over Hyde Park from October 4. Along with a tasty assortment of over 40 street food stalls, and a program of performers, live acts and DJs, this year's edition also features a pop-up stall showcasing a rotation of the city's hottest chefs and eateries.
For those not wanting to spend heaps of cash, the affordable Let's Do Lunch returns, allowing punters to dine at Good Food hatted restaurants for only $45 — which includes a lunch main and wine or beer.
Tickets to Sydney Good Food Month are on sale from 9am Tuesday, July 30, via the website.
Image: Night Noodle Markets, Letícia Almeida; Hyde Park Palms, Nikki To; Pasta Battle, Griffin Simm