With over 300 local and national exhibitors, the Good Food and Wine show returns to Brisbane (Oct 24-26), and after two decades it doesn’t fail to deliver.
From the moment we joined the entry queue, the energy buzzed in anticipation of what our tastebuds would be dazzled with. The well prepared and seasoned regulars came armed with empty shopping trolley bags to fill with goodies.
Once inside, the layout is very organised, with a large physical map also offered as digital/hard copy form. Merchandise is very practical with tasting glass lanyards, aforementioned trolley-style shopping bags and large totes for stocking up. An Australia Post booth is a clever addition to offer postage for those purchases you’d rather not haul around for the day.
Figuring I have two options for my approach, either going in with a definite plan or allowing my senses to guide me, I take the latter approach and veer off to the Cheese corner. I was happily halted by the Smelly Cheese Co display and enjoyed a Raclette ($15) a generous serve of traditional melted French cheese scraped onto sourdough bread. Cheesy heaven!
Navigating away from the cheese corner, I sample ‘Tipsy Tea’s’ vodka iced tea which offered a refreshing reset to continue my mobile tasting journey. At about this time I felt like a walking human charcuterie board-sampling, sipping and nibbling my way through a range of flavours all vying for attention. If you can’t satisfy your tastebuds with food or drink at this event, then it might be time to question how fussy you are!
The Harvey Norman Kitchen offers free live on-stage demonstrations from some well-known culinary icons. Chocolate Queen Kirsten Tibballs engaged us with her warm and playful energy and there was a sense that we were guests in her own kitchen with her sharing tips for the perfect choux pastry and chocolate Chantilly cream. Host Alistair McLeod kept the atmosphere lively with his humorous asides and even cameraman Ben had a playful rapport with Kirsten giving the demonstration a behind-the-scenes vibe. Generous giveaways added to the fun, including a challenge to name the dessert with a Brisbane tribute-my favourite being the cheeky “Sunny Choux Drops”.
Just when we were on the verge of our mid-afternoon lull, Miguel Maestre’s session, provided a true to life ‘fiesta en la cocina’ with a lively atmosphere, with music playing for his guests. A dash of playful chaos added to the mix with the audience dancing quite literally for the chance to catch flying bags of crisps. In his demonstration of the ‘2-minute noodle’ challenge, quick fire tips created a frenzy of energy. Special mention to the multi-media team for adding quick-witted on-screen puns with the aim of tripping up Miguel and adding to the fun.
Overall, there was a robust crowd present, and given everyone’s many opportunities to satisfy their hangry undertones, people were polite and pleasant.
And finally at the end of the day the free slushie station at the Smooth FM stall is a refreshing pitstop before heading home!
Watch out for next years show release dates and get those trolley cases ready!
To book tickets to Good Food & Wine Show – Brisbane, please visit https://goodfoodshow.com.au/.
