Truffle season is in full swing!
The Truffle Festival is a 12-week celebration of the harvest of the Black Winter Truffle also known as Perigord Truffle grown in the Canberra region.
Celebrating 10 years, embrace the winter chill and indulge in a mid-winter feast of the senses at The Truffle Festival – Canberra Region. Local restaurants, cafes, bars and wineries are serving up truffle inspired menus to celebrate this seasonal delicacy.
Turalla Truffles Truffle Hunt
A must-do for foodies is to head out on a truffle hunt. There are plenty of truffieres dotted around the Canberra region offering the opportunity to meet the growers, pat the pups and get your hands dirty but our favourite is Turalla Truffles.
A truffle hunt at Turalla involves the cutest Jack Russell dogs as they scavenge for the elusive Black Truffle. We highly recommend you opt for their 'Hunt then Cook Adventure' where you'll join Damian and his family as you prepare and cook Truffle dishes, then enjoy the bounty with a glass of local Canberra wine.
Sage Dining Rooms Truffle Degustation
Once you've left the paddock, you'll want to enjoy truffles on a plate and you're in luck, with a host of top restaurants showcasing truffles on the menu during the season. Our pick of the festival program is the 10-course truffle degustation at Sage Dining Rooms. We were treated to a preview and can reveal details of all the decadent courses here! Your evening starts with truffle cream oysters and the most velvety pumpkin soup. It's a strong start with the soup a punchy mix of flavours with sage oil, nutmeg foam and shaved pumpkin seeds and of course truffles!
Your next series of dishes include smoked swordfish with truffle, celeriac and mandarin (pictured below) which is almost too pretty to eat. Followed by seared scallops with kale polenta and truffled hollandaise (pictured above) then get ready for mushroom agnolotti with shitake broth, nasturtium and black pepper oil.
I hope you've packed your stretchy pants for the main courses. Get ready for scotched eggs with truffle oil and truffle salt plus smoked free range chicken breast with smoked mushrooms, almond and madeira, but which to eat first? The chicken or the egg? These dishes show Head Chef Thomas Heinrich's sense of humour. The inventive dishes continue with beef short rib with truffle, parsnip and parsley.
I hope you've left room, because the dessert courses are a worth waiting for. Enjoy truffle gouda with candied walnuts and muscatels, just delicious. Finally, the simple description of truffle ice cream doesn't do this incredible dessert justice. The truffle icecream is served on Italian meringue, honey gel, dark chocolate and hazelnut all dusted in gold and is an absolute triumph! You don't want to miss this 10-course truffle degustation available Tues-Fri for $130pp during the truffle season.
Fyshwick Markets
If you've developed a taste for truffles, you'll want to procure some to take home. Therefore a visit to Fyshwick Markets is an absolute must. These markets are steeped in history, as Canberra's first farmers markets beginning when farmers, many of them Italian and Greek immigrants gathered on the block where the markets are now located to sell their produce. Fast-forward to today and the modern redevelopment still retains the heart, soul and sense of community of the past but with the convenience and range shoppers love. You'll find truffle products at Wiffens, Mart Deli and Deli Planet.
Poachers Pantry
We were treated to Poachers Pantry's one night only truffle degustation involving five fabulous courses enjoyed fireside with matched Wily Trout wines. A standout was the poached Moreton Bay bug, sweet corn, Blanc de Blanc emulsion and truffle pearl. While the restaurant is closed 2-22 July for a "small creative break" be sure to book in for their four-course set menu with Black Truffle during a la carte service. Enjoy spectacular cuisine in a beautiful country setting in the picturesque Canberra wine region, just 30 minutes from Canberra city.
The Truffle Festival Canberra Region continues from June to August with a range of delicious events and experiences.
Ovolo Nishi
We chose to stay at Ovolo Nishi in the New Acton Precinct. Formerly known as Hotel Hotel, the boutique hotel retains the same creative DNA as the original but now with added Ovolo benefits including free minibar, free wifi, free loot bag and more. Our Creative Sun room featured floor to ceiling windows to let in the golden rays and bushland views. The super spacious room boasted a king size bed, desk and separate sitting area with a funky turquoise chair, my favourite. We loved our dreamy room and didn't want to leave. Book Ovolo Nishi here or browse our full collection of Canberra accommodation.
Are you planning to travel to Canberra for the Truffle Festival? What events are you looking forward to most? Share your comments below, we'd love to hear from you!
The writer was a guest of Sage Dining Rooms, Poachers Pantry and Fyswick Markets and would like to thank Canberra Truffle Festival for their assistance with creating an epic foodie weekend.
