Discover the Food Fairs and Festivals During Eat Drink Perth
Growing up in a multicultural household, and having friends from a great variety of backgrounds, I often say I cut my teeth on what some might call exotic fare. For me, one of the most exciting things at the moment is Perth is the exploding culinary scene. The food options, the innovations and the sheer quantity of events taking place is greater than ever.
While restaurants and the odd fine dining night out definitely has an important place in any eating regime, street food, and in particular markets, are becoming more and more popular to us all. They’re a convenient way to expand our horizons through our palates, provide the opportunity to try something new or just reunite with dishes we might not usually be able to find out and about in our wonderful city.
I’ve put together a listicle of the Eat Drink Perth street food events I’m most excited about, with some ‘droolworthy’ bites that are too good not to try while there.
PERTH HOME GROWN
There’s an emerging trend of social responsibility that is becoming more prominent amongst food and produce nerds. Knowing where your edibles come from, and supporting the small businesses that create, farm or produce them is something really close to my heart.
So it’s no surprise that I love the idea of Perth Home Grown, which brings markets to the CBD each week. What a great way to mix shopping for your outsides with shopping for your insides! Whether it’s fruit freshly picked from the orchard, to newly baked bread or artisan honey… there’s so many options to satisfy all kinds of home cooks.
There are also some great local businesses selling handcrafted jewellery, gourmet gifts or the perfect homeware piece that finishes off your collection. By supporting local businesses, it provides us all with greater diversity, accessibility and fosters the WA entrepreneurial spirit.
Location: Murray Street Mall, Perth CBD
Hours: Sun: 11am-4pm
Website http://www.visitperthcity.com/events/perth-home-grown?subsite=eatdrinkperth
TWILIGHT HAWKER MARKETS
Friday nights, if you’re in the city or can make your way there, mean one thing. Twilight Hawker Markets. A cultural melting pot in every corner of Forrest Place, there’s sizzling, grilling, smoking, frying and more all happening consecutively to provide eager market goers the opportunity to try some truly delicious dishes.
It’s the best way to shake off the working week and celebrate the impending weekend. I love throwing myself into the heaving throng, soaking up the sounds and smells – and of course the tastes! From savoury to sweet, there’s something for everyone, and the variety of stalls present means you can visit week after week and not need to repeat (though I do tend to go back to my favourites when they’re there like Marcelitas Empanadas and The Hummus Club).
Location: Murray Street Mall, Perth CBD
Hours: Fri: 4.30pm-9.30pm
Website http://www.visitperthcity.com/events/twilight-hawkers-market?subsite=eatdrinkperth
CELLAR DOOR IN THE CITY
Wine is universal. Whether it’s a cold glass of Chardonnay on a hot summer’s night, or a spicy Grenache to keep you warm in winter, wine is more than a beverage, it’s something to be appreciated, savoured and celebrated.
Petition Wine Bar & Merchant are bringing the best of Great Southern winemaking to the CBD at a cost of just $30 per person. Canapés will be served while Petition Head Chef Jesse Blake showcases producers including 3drops, Howard Park, Castle Rock, La Violetta, Express Winemakers and Larry Cherubino Wines.
This is a must visit for those who consider themselves a wine aficionado, or just those who want to learn more about the incredible drops that originate from that lovely cooler climate right here in WA.
Location: Petition Wine Bar & Merchant, State Buildings, Corner St Georges Terrace & Barrack Street, Perth
Date: Saturday 16 April
Hours: 12.00pm-4.00pm
Website: http://www.visitperthcity.com/events/cellar-door-city-taste-great-southern
LOVE THE EARTH FOOD FESTIVAL
After indulging on too much chocolate over Easter (or just in general), the Love the Earth food festival might be just what the doctor ordered. Enjoy a night under the twinkling stars at our own urban oasis Perth City Farm and explore organic, vegan, raw, paleo and biodynamic foods.
If the idea of starting an organic food garden in your own backyard interests you (which I’ve been talking about doing forever), then make sure you stop by because there’s a great array of stalls that can get you up and running. This kid-friendly event is Perth’s best environmentally friendly food festival, and will have entertainment and local music to while away the night with.
Location: Perth City Farm, 1 City Farm Place, East Perth
Date: Wednesday 13 April
Hours: 4.00pm-9.00pm
Website: http://visitperthcity.com/events/love-earth-food-festival
YUM CHA IN THE PARK
If I’m being honest, I almost don’t want to mention this great event because it also means the end of Eat Drink Perth for another year. But I guess all good things must come to an end (at least until 2017 returns).
Whether you head in with friends or family, make sure you arrive hungry because there’ll be so many things to much on like fried squid, dumplings, bao, bubble tea and even more. Set on the lawn at Northbridge Piazza, this is the fifth instalment of the event and will see picnic tables, designated relaxation areas, Chinese movies shown on screen and live performers.
A bittersweet but umami rich ending to our month of eating, drinking and experiencing Perth.
Location: Northbridge Piazza, Corner James and Lake Streets, Northbridge
Date: Saturday 23 April
Hours: 11.00am-7.00pm
Website: http://visitperthcity.com/events/yum-cha-park
Learn more about Eat Drink Perth at the website
FOOD TRUCK RUMBLE
www.jarradseng.com
Are you ready to rumble? This Sunday is the Food Truck Rumble, our city’s largest food truck gathering, which is now in it’s third year of operation. Created and organised by passionate foodie Ai-Ling Truong, this year has an impressive lineup that features over 40 food options, a 2vs2 breakdancing battle, arts and crafts laneway, music stage and more.
With so many food options to try, it’s almost impossible to figure out what the must eats are. I’m thinking the James Street food-off which sees Sauma and Lot 20 battle it out for the best street food offering, Pash Froyo for their collaboration dish with Top Dup Donuts (think brownie sandwich with Nutella mousse and froyo) and Greek Streats for some Spartan fries (fries with crumbled feta). I think stretchy pants and comfy shoes are a must for this epic and incredibly exciting day.
Location: Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
Date: Sunday 3 April
Hours: Sun: 11am-9pm
Website
NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS
The Night Noodle Markets have returned for 2016 as part of Good Food Month – and they’re bigger than ever. Running for 12 nights until 10 April, they’ve brought the atmosphere and excitement of an Asian hawker market to the calm serenity of Elizabeth Quay. The result of the combination is local and interstate food, both fusion and traditional, which lets off the most incredible aroma even before you enter the markets.
If you’re already working in the city, head down straight after work to enjoy the last vestiges of sunlight for the day while munching on some signature dishes like Everybody Loves Ramen’s sakura fried chicken burger (yes, it’s that pink burger you’ve seen go viral on social media recently) or Black Star Pastry’s famed strawberry and watermelon cake which doesn’t just live up to the instagram hype, it’s beyond comprehension. Local favourites Turban Chopsticks and Dainty Dowager are also a must try.
Location: Elizabeth Quay
Dates: 30 March to 10 April 2016
Hours: Mon-Wed: 5pm-9pm, Thurs-Fri: 5pm-10pm, Sat: 4pm-10pm, Sun: 4pm-9pm
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