MEAL PLANNING

Having been starved of foodie events in the past year, it is time to start adding a few choice festivals to your calendar for the year ahead. Cheers to that!

MELBOURNE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL will return to generate a buzz in and around the Victorian capital when it takes place from 12–31 March.The program this year includes everything from a sausage feast to long lunches to picnics by the sea and so much more. Check out the extensive program at

melbournefoodandwine.com.au.

Another triumphant return will be staged by TASTING AUSTRALIA, which is taking place in South Australia from 30 April – 9 May. Big names already confirmed include a who’s who of the Aussie food scene, from Sean Connolly, Maggie Beer and Lennox Hastie to Duncan Welgemoed, Christine Manfield and Emma McCaskill, and there is a new-look Town Square, which forms the central hub for food events and good times. tastingaustralia.com.au

ORANGE FOOD WEEK, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will take place in the charming regional NSW town from 9–18 April.

orangefoodweek.com.au

Queensland’s premier festival, NOOSA

EAT & DRINK FESTIVAL, promises ample food, drink, live music and entertainment – and endless sunshine – from 10–13 June. noosaeatdrink.com.au

Pencil in WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOURMET ESCAPE for November when the festival will return with a roster of events, including its famed Gourmet Beach BBQ, spread across Perth, Fremantle, Margaret River and Swan Valley. gourmetescape.com.au

OYSTER GARDENS will be Sydney’s first dedicated oyster event, to be held at Fleet Steps in the Royal Botanic Gardens on 21–22 November.The menu will include oysters from the best coastal regions of NSW (washed down with Clarence House NV Vivace Sparkling), as well as locally sourced seafood.There will also be tasting sessions, live music and roving oyster shuckers. Tickets are $270 (available for purchase in tables of six). oystergardens.com.au