Spring Racing – October

Racegoers who visit the Festival Gardens at the Morphettville Racecourse this month can enjoy a cocktail menu designed by SA Jockey Club executive chef Mark Cooper. It will offer a taste of a range of foods, including seafood, beetroot and goat cheese salad, and passionfruit and blueberry tartlets. The Festival Gardens will have a full bar with a fresh theme each race day, including a taste of Pimms on Caulfield Cup Day (October 15), James Squires on Cox Plate Day (October 22) and Moët on Victoria Derby Day (October 29). Cost is $59 per person.

A Day of Rosé – October 15    

Celebrate spring this October with a day of Rosé at 2KW. Guests will have the opportunity to try wine from Chateau Des Ferrages, The Lane, Hewitson, Mitolo, Bird in Hand, Longview, Hentley Farm and Pierre-Henri Morel. Cost is $90 per person, including food and live entertainment.

Oktoberfest in the Gardens – October 15

The first Oktoberfest in the Gardens will be held in and around the Jubilee Pavilion at the Adelaide Showgrounds from 2pm until 11pm, offering authentic German food and drink alongside live entertainment. There will be bratwurst, pork knuckles (hocks), Bavarian meatloaf, schnitzels, pulled pork and beef sliders, fondue cheese, Laugenbrezel (pretzels), crepes and more, all of which can be washed down with German beverages such as Weihenstephan Pilsner, Hofbrau Original Lager, Weidmann Pilsner, and peach and apple schnapps.

Pretzels for sale at Oktoberfest.

Champagne Festival – October 23

The National Wine Centre is hosting a festival dedicated to champagne and sparkling wine, with varieties from regions across France and Australia combined with local seafood and entertainment. The event runs from 11am until 5pm. Cost is $25 for earlybirds or $30 for purchases on the day, with a champagne glass and a $6 drink token included. At 11.30am there will be a French Champagne vs Australian Sparkling master-class with GH Mumm and Deviation Road ($30 per person).

Henschke Spring Banquet – October 21

Join Henschke Wines for a four-course meal matched with 10 wines chosen and presented by Stephen and Prue Henschke at Concubine restaurant in Gouger Street. The event is to launch the award-winning 2012 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon, aromatic whites and spring reds. Cost is $250 per person, including canapes and a sparkling on arrival.  The event runs for about four hours from 6.30pm.

Clare with Fresh Eyre – until October 31

Clare with Fresh Eyre is a month-long celebration of the region’s spring 2016 Rieslings paired with Eyre Peninsula seafood. It features more than 15 events, including long lunches, seafood dinners and degustations. More events can be found on the full program.

Big Cake Bake – October

The national Big Cake Bake helps the Red Cross raise funds for those in need.  Participants simply register on the official website – which also offers suggested recipes for inspiration – then host a morning tea, cake sale, workplace bake-off or cake decorating competition on the official date of October 28 (or any time in October if that doesn’t suit).

Strawberry sponge cake from the Big Cake Bake recipes.

Alternative and Emerging Varietals Tasting – October 24

Join Apothecary 1878 on Hindley Street for an alternative and emerging varietals wine tasting experience. Tastings from 34 wine producers will be on offer throughout the evening, with 32 varietals from 60 different wines. Cost is $28 per person. Bookings are essential (call 8212 9099).

Kangaroo Island Art FEASTival – until October 29

Celebrate the food and arts culture of Kangaroo Island during the Kangaroo Island Art FEASTival, with more than 150 of the island’s artists, chefs, winemakers, distillers and cider makers coming together to present a range of experiences. 

Melbourne Cup at the Mayfair – November 1

Mayfair Hotel is hosting two Melbourne Cup day events: a high tea including seafood buffet in its Mayflower Restaurant, and a cocktail party with live entertainment and a fashion parade in the Hennessy rooftop bar. The Hennessy menu will include New England Lobster Rolls, Peking Duck Puffs, Braised Pork Baos, Mini Wagyu Burgers with Slaw, Choux Swans and a Macaron Tower, plus a a glass of Moet and drinks package. Details and bookings here.

Beer and Bubbles – November 12

Vardon Avenue’s annual laneway party offers the chance to taste some of South Australia’s best sparkling wine, cider and craft beer, plus a range of street foods from East End eateries Nola, Mothervine, Soi 38 and East End Cellars. Bookings and more information here.

United Nations Day Dinner – November 13

ABC presenter Sonya Feldhoff will MC this annual dinner which brings together members of the local community to celebrate the work of the United Nations. It will be held at the National Wine Centre from 6.30pm, with Amorelle Dempster, Australian Councillor on the International Slow Food Board, as guest speaker. Cost is $85 per person. Bookings can be made here.

Variety Vintage Wine Auction Luncheon – November 18

Enjoy a three-course lunch and the opportunity to taste and purchase wines at the National Wine Centre in support of Variety. The event includes a silent auction of private-cellar collectables and a main auction of 12 wine barrels donated by prominent South Australian winemakers from their finest 2015 vintage wine which has been bottled and uniquely labelled for the auction. Olympic gold medallist Jared Tallent will be guest speaker. Tickets are $140 per person or $1400 for a table of 10. More information and bookings here.

Great Food Rescue Race – November 4 

Register your team now for Oz Harvest’s Great Food Rescue Race to help raise money to deliver meals to those in need. The event will include a range of challenges and rewards celebrating Adelaide’s food culture. It aims to raise $100,000, which will provide 200,000 meals delivered by Oz Harvest.  Registration is $275 per team of five, which includes race T-shirts, food and drinks.

News, tips and information?

The Forager would love to hear about your news, events and suggestions. Please contact us at [email protected].