 | ||
Tasting Australia is a South Australian wine and food festival held in the capital city of Adelaide. It was first held in 1997 and managed by Marina Libia and event management company Consuming Passions, run by Ian Parmenter and David Evans. Each year the event attracts more than 200 national and international journalists and around 50,000 visitors.
Contents
The festival has been held biennially for 15 years and will become annual from the 2016 event. The next event will be held from Sunday 1 May to Sunday 8 May 2016.
The 2014 event hosted over 80 ticketed and free events throughout South Australia.
Creative Directors
In February 2015, South Australian Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell announced the two Creative Directors and Event Patron for the 2016 Tasting Australia event.
Simon Bryant
Simon Bryant is one of two Creative Directors for Tasting Australia. Simonworked with the Hilton Adelaide for more than ten years, culminating in becoming executive chef. He has worked alongside South Australian cook Maggie Beer, co-hosting more than 150 episodes of The Cook and the Chef on the ABC.
Paul Henry
Paul Henry is a wine writer and marketer, and one of two Creative Directors of Tasting Australia. Paul established Winehero Australia in January 2011, a company specialising in strategic planning, brand development and communication, where he acts as a director.
Maggie Beer AM
Maggie Beer acts as the Patron for Tasting Australia. Maggie has appeared as a guest judge on Masterchef Australia and runs Maggie Beer's Farm Shop in the Barossa with a range of products sold throughout Australia and overseas. Maggie was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to Australian society through cooking and writing, and was named Senior Australian of the Year in 2010. In the Australia Day Honours of 2012, Maggie Beer was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) "for service to the tourism and hospitality industries as a cook, restaurateur and author, and to the promotion of Australian produce and cuisine."