100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences
Australian Traveller Magazine
Tricia Brown
Sydney Seafood School [©Sydney Seafood School]
The best of the best foodie experiences from around the country as determined by Australian Traveller magazine's panel of experts has been unveiled.
The judging panel of respected experts, a who's who of Australian food and wine, consisted of Maggie Beer, Matt Moran, Jacques Reymond, Peter Russell-Clarke, Matthew Evans, Simon Johnson, Michael Ryan and Alla Wolf-Tasker.
Although restaurants, producers and providores are ranked almost every day, judging and ranking food experiences has never before been attempted. When you consider the number of great food experiences to be had as well as strong and expert opinions versus passionate arguments, it is no wonder there has been no such comprehensive list.
Some are big name restaurants like Tetsuya's, while others on the list are food markets and festivals, cooking schools, annual events right down to The Great Aussie BBQ and ANZAC biscuits, those national institutions we all know and love.
From eating fish 'n' chips on any beach to worshipping the heat at Spice Temple, catching up with Stephanie Alexander in her Collingwood Kitchen Garden to going European in Melbourne and churning at Pyengana Dairy in Tasmania, the list is comprehensive and varied and reflects just what we all love in Australia - great food and wine shared with friends.
And the winners are? Well, too many to mention just here - Read Australian Traveller for all the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences - but we do have our favourites at VisitVineyards.com and these include:
- The Agrarian Kitchen, Number 1 on the list, and no surprises here. A sustainable farm-based cooking school situated just 45 minutes from Hobart, this is Tasmania's first hands-on, farm-based cooking school - ''the ultimate Australian gourmet experience'. Cooking classes are led by the very personable food enthusiast Rodney Dunn, ex-Gourmet Traveller Magazine food editor and one-time apprentice to Tetsuya Wakuda. Most popular are the Whole Hog classes, a two day extravaganza of farm gate to plate experience. Go the Whole Hog at The Agrarian Kitchen »
- Cullen Wines restaurant in WA is "a dining experience that is wholly in sync with its region." It doesn't get more authentic than this. Renowned for its organic/biodynamic philosophy in the vineyard, Cullen restaurant follows suit producing outstanding food coupled with a relaxed atmosphere. Experience No. 81 - Go simply organic at Cullen Restaurant »
- Since 1989 the Sydney Seafood School, Experience No. 58, has been showing Sydney-siders just how easy it is to prepare a wide variety of seafood species at home. Widely regarded, the Sydney Seafood School, is one of the country's leading cooking schools and VisitVineyards.com Members can enjoy a tempting 10 percent discount off all classes »
- Located in the Grampians in Victoria, this stunning setting is just a backdrop to the food which is what draws visitors from far and wide. Head chef Dan Hunter's menu has made The Royal Mail (voted Experience No. 64) a gastronomic pilgrimage seeking out his inspired food. Winner 2009 Regional Restaurant of the Year - The Royal Mail »
- Coming in at No. 79 is one we nominated, Outback Encounter's Flying Food Safari, a foodie's dream come true flying across South Australia in a private charter plane meeting gourmet chefs, cheese makers, abalone farmers, olive oil producers, wine makers, tuna farmers and alike. Dedicated to 'off the beaten track' travel, Outback Encounter has a very special offer for VisitVineyards.com Members booking their very own Flying Food Safari safari, with a bonus (including Penfolds Grange 2004) worth a fantastic $800 »
- Nick Haddow's passion for all things cheesy has turned the Bruny Island Cheese Company into a Tasmanian icon, specialising in unique, handmade cheeses using cow, sheep and goats milk. Number 49 on the list - Bruny Island Cheese Company »
- The Wine and Truffle Company in WA, Experience No. 71, is the largest producer of fresh truffles in the Southern Hemisphere with over 13,000 hazel and oak trees. Combining truffle hunts (unfortunately finders are not keepers) as well as truffle and wine tasting, this is one experience you will not want to miss. Lucky VisitVineyards.com Members receive exclusive bonuses and benefits at The Wine and Truffle Company including complimentary wine and discounts. Find out more about the VisitVineyards.com Members' offer at the Wine and Truffle Company »
We are delighted to see a number of the top gourmet experiences mentioned are in Tasmania, our smallest state. With some of the cleanest air and water in the world and pollution not a problem, the island state is a haven for all things connected with food and a celebration of the diversity and richness of the produce available.
For all the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences see Australian Traveller »
You can also win your own copy of this collector's edition of Australian Traveller right here »
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Since 1989 Sydney Seafood School has pursued its mission of showing Sydney-siders just how easy it is to prepare a wide variety of seafood species at home. read more
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