The Taste Festival: a Hobart summer highlight

Hello, trusty Planetarians! I'm waiting for Mr PB to return home so I can ‘knock off my shift’! I thought you might like to see one of the highlights of summer in Hobart which Mr PB and I enjoyed recently – the Taste Festival. The Taste (as locals call it fondly) is Tasmania's largest food and wine festival. It runs between 28 December-3 January, tying in perfectly with the arrival of the yachts finishing the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race I mentioned here. Hobart is *the* place to be at this time of year with an abundance of Tasmanian produce, arts, crafts, and entertainment, all enjoyed well into the long, warm summer evenings.

Tasting Tasmania

The celebrations are centred on a long storage shed next to Hobart’s waterfront – a glorious location. It’s lined with stalls selling delicious Tasmanian food (only local produce is permitted) and beverages including wine, beer, fruit juice, cider, ginger beer and sparkling fruit drinks. Tables and seating are located both down the shed’s centre and outside next to the water under large umbrellas (always the preferred option!). There are also outside stands. The meals are offered in small portions with reasonable prices (about $A8-14), glasses of wine are about $A7 and bottles about $A25-30 to encourage you to try several. The quality is just fantastic and it’s a delight to discover new companies and products, as well as visit some oldies-but-goodies.

So, how about you join Mr PB and me as we enjoy a couple of hours at the Taste sans the pixies? You’re up for it? Great. Okay, here’s Mr PB waiting for us at the entrance to the shed (excuse his back).

Let’s step inside and have a wander (for the ex-pats like Ann reading, the shed has been refurbished with a fancy new floor so it’s a lot more attractive and user-friendly). It’s enormous, isn’t it? Now just stick close by us so we don’t get lost. Let’s do a lap of the shed and pick our favourites on the way – how does that sound?  Hmm, so many choices…

Now – what takes your fancy? Remember it’s all fresh and seasonal summer food here. The seafood, dear Planetarians, is just sensational! The crumbed blue eye trevalla is one of my faves but today, I’m buying some fabulously fresh Spring Bay scallops.

Maybe some plump Pacific oysters grown off Bruny Island, just south of Hobart? Mr PB is most partial to them.

The sumptuous platters of fresh Tasmanian strawberries, raspberries and blueberries get me every time. Add some scrummy pancakes and you’ll be in heaven!

This time, I’ll have some of that luscious looking summer pudding, thanks. Yum!

Okay, let’s find a table outside, next to the water’s edge. Look, there are some free seats just here. Now would you mind taking a photo of me with my Piper’s Brook riesling and Spring Bay scallops? Thanks, you’re a darling.

And now a close-up of my lunch. Mmm, those at those lovely, plump scallops and their pink roes. Oh, yes, with a squeeze of lemon, they’re just delicious.

Here’s a view in the other direction with the River Derwent as the backdrop. It’s relaxing, isn’t it?

And just turn your head around to see these Sydney-Hobart yachts moored alongside the nearby pier.

Here’s another view of some of them around the corner, moored in Constitution Dock in front of the old Customs’ House.

At the Taste, attentive volunteers regularly collect patrons’ rubbish and deposit it into the relevant bins (biodegradable or recyclable packaging is used and there’s a big emphasis on recycling). As you can see, they’re a friendly lot, engaging in good-natured banter along the way.

Vibrantly clad entertainers continually stroll around, cheerfully jesting with the crowd.

Oh, and take a peek over there, at those strong chaps!

What’s that – you need to go? What a shame. It’s been such fun showing you the Taste. How about we make a date for the same place, this time next year? Excellent! I think Mr PB and I will linger here a little longer…