Newcastle Food Month is back for the third year and is fast becoming a popular regional event on the national food festival calendar. The month-long festival showcases over 100 local cafes, bars, restaurants, producers, winemakers and businesses across the region.
With Featured Events dotted throughout the program, “it’s a great opportunity to support the local hospitality industry after a couple of really tricky years, and for us to celebrate all the incredible food offerings we have in this great city. We urge locals and visitors to Newcastle to try somewhere new in 2023.” said event organiser Louise Maher.
This year’s program includes everything from Beer degustations, to Cake Boi Hotel High Teas, a Good Friday seafood feast, Italian Cheese and Wine Masterclasses and an epic dinner where famed Sydney Chef Matt Kemp comes to town do battle with three of his former apprentices who now heads up kitchens in the region, guests will be spoilt for choice.
Almost 50 restaurants will be plating up a special dish for the month with a matching beverage, this year’s Plate Date is a month worth of grazing goodness. A slew of Newcastle’s eclectic cafes, restaurants and pubs, will be putting up a brunch, lunch or dinner, including a beverage for just $25.
How many will you fit in this April? Here’s our top picks of the program:
Cake Boi High Tea | Friday-Sunday in April
Ms Mary/Crystalbrook Kingsley
Enjoy a sweet high tea prepared by Reece Hignell aka Cake Boi and Matt Smith (Crystalbrook Kingsley). Expect high tea stands brimming with goodies, unlimited T2 tea and a glass of Peterson House Sparkling all served up in the Newcastle boutique hotel’s lobby level café Ms Mary.
Good Friday Seafood Lunch | 7 April 2023
Earp Distilling Co
The team from Earp Distilling Co bring you a culinary experience showcasing the best of local seafood in a four-course degustation matched with a selection of Dirt Candy Wines and Earp Spirits.
The Master & Apprentice | 20 April 2023
The Lucky Hotel
Three Newcastle Chefs will battle it out against renowned Chef Matt Kemp for the best four-course meal judged by you! Matt Smith (Roundhouse Restaurant), Joey Ingram (Margan Estate) and Stephen Scott (Lucky Hotel) have all worked as apprentice to Kemp and will be pitted against their mentor as you experience a meal to remember, paired to perfection with Margan wines while you declare who truly is the Master.
West Walk | 22 April 2023
Independent Galleries
West Walk will be a progressive degustation and gallery hop through independent art galleries in Newcastle’s West End. Combined with live music, a seasonal menu of food and wine and savour impressive exhibitions at each of the 4 stops.
Bottomless Brunch | 29 April 2023
Neighbours
Enjoy a bottomless brunch of mimosas, rose, breakfast spritzes and espresso martinis while grazing on brunch favourites like smashed avo, bacon bruschetta, shakshuka, corn fritters and hot cakes. Sounds like fun? Responsible service of alcohol still applies.
Enjoy a month-long toast to good food and wine in one of the countries most exciting food destinations. Located just 2 hours from Sydney, Newcastle is the ideal foodie getaway. Browse the full program, purchase tickets here and plan your mini-break with alluxia's handpicked collection of Newcastle accommodation.
Images: supplied
