A thrifty guide to Tasting Australia
As Tasting Australia kicks off its 2025 program, CityMag has curated a selection of free and budget-friendly ways to experience South Australia’s premier food and beverage festival.
The city’s foodie festival has begun as Tasting Australia opened its kitchen today. If you’ve failed to snag a ticket to one of its events – they’re notoriously hard to get a hold of – CityMag’s got you covered.
We’ve scoured the program and found the best events on offer that won’t break the bank.
Read on to see how we’d enjoy Tasting Australia for $50 or under.
PAID EVENTS
Aged Care – Hospitality: Cooks and Chefs
Join the Maggie Beer Foundation and Adelaide’s aged care homes as they highlight the benefits of food, nutrition and dining at every stage of life.
Enjoy a morning tea featuring foods from an educational cooking demonstration, and a panel presentation with Maggie Beer AO, director at Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Jessica Zilujko and more.
When: Tuesday, May 6 at 10.30am
Where: Drinks Academy, Town Square
Cost: $20
Tickets
LOT.100 x Kitchen Farm
Expect a cosy autumn night of firepits, live music and s’mores in the heart of the Adelaide Hills at Kitchen Farm.
There will be LOT.100 wood oven pizzas, salads, a barbeque offering along with local juices, sodas, Ngeringa wine, Mismatch Brewing beers and 78 Degrees gin. The ticket gets you a s’more by the fireplace and a drink on arrival.
When: Friday, May 9 at 5pm
Where: Kitchen Farm at 162 Flaxley Road, Adelaide Hills
Cost: $25
Tickets
Image: Tasting Australia
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Beer and Tacos
Independent brewer Little Bang Brewery – which started with two friends and a gaming turned home brewing obsession – is launching its Mexican Dark Cerveza.
The ticket gets you a first sip of the newly poured beer and three tacos. There will also be additional food stations with a wider selection of beer available for purchase.
When: Saturday, May 10 at 12pm
Where: Little Bang Brewing at 25 Henry Street, Stepney
Cost: $35
Tickets
Learn – Cellaring: Building a Cellar and Ageing Wines
Up your cellaring game in this immersive workshop at Town Square.
Enjoy tastings while top sommeliers and winemakers explore food and wine pairings, fortifieds, natural drops and more.
Come along with questions and leave confident in the direction for your own collection.
When: Saturday, May 3 at 4.30pm-5.30pm
Where: Drinks Academy, Town Square
Cost: $49
Tickets
Vareniky/Ukrainian Potato Dumplings Workshop
A Ukrainian take on dumplings, learn from experienced cooks at this hands-on workshop in Hindmarsh.
Make your own dough, add fillings and enjoy your creations at this experience suitable for the entire family.
When: Saturday May 3 at 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
Where: Ukrainian Hall, Kozak Club
Cost: $50
Tickets
FREE EVENTS
Town Square
Tasting Australia’s Town Square in the middle of the city is its hub and offers food, drink and fun for visitors of all ages.
It features 15 vendors – among them returning favourites Gang Gang, Shibui and Braising Boy, plus newbies Comida Hahndorf and Dolly – four bars and live music.
Town Square will be open the entire festival and is free to enter.
When: May 2-10, Monday to Wednesday at 11am-9pm, Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-midnight, Sunday 11am-9pm, Sunday, May 11 11am-8pm
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Where: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga
Town Square at Tasting Australia 2024. This picture: supplied.
Waiters’ Race
For the first time at Tasting Australia, the Waiters’ Race will celebrate front-of-house teams and their grace under pressure during this South Australian spin on an international competition.
Watch as local waiters navigate a course in Town Square, with pride and two tickets to the sold-out Sunday Supper Club up for grabs.
Who will be first to finish with their tray contents intact?
When: Sunday, May 4 at 4.30pm-5.30pm
Where: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga
Savour the Yorkes
Tasting Australia heads west for Savour the Yorkes.
The best of the Yorke Peninsula will be on display as producers set up shop at Barley Stacks Wines.
Accompany your food with the region’s wines, beers and spirits, plus enjoy tunes from local musicians and lawn games.
The event is ticketed at no cost, with food and drink available for purchase.
When: Saturday May 3 at 12pm – 5pm
Where: Barley Stacks Wines
Tickets
Hutt Street Cupcake Creations
Suitable for beginners and bakers looking to refine their skills, learn from an experienced pastry chef at this sweet, hands-on event.
With variations available for children and adults, the sessions focus on decorating techniques while channelling patterns, floral and animal themes.
Leave with a delicious cupcake and the confidence to impress your friends and family at your next tea party.
The event is ticketed at no cost.
When: Wednesday, May 7 and Friday, May 9
Where: Hutt Street Library
Tickets
Image: Adelaide Central Market/Mandy Hall
Adelaide Central Market
An associated event program of this year’s festival, the Adelaide Central Market will host a series of cooking demonstrations in the Community Kitchen.
Presented by food and media identity Mandy Hall, the series will collaborate with some of South Australia’s most talented chefs, including Gabriele Pezzimenti, executive chef at Market & Meander, Terry Intarakhamhaeng, executive chef at Soi 38 and more.
The cooking demonstrations will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
When: Friday, May 2 and Friday, May 9
Where: Community Kitchen, Adelaide Central Market