Never Never Gin Tasting Masterclasses – March 10 and 17

Never Never Distilling Co has established a pop-up distillery door upstairs at The Stag Public House for the duration of the Adelaide Fringe, and between 2pm and 3pm every Sunday it’s offering a gin tasting/masterclass hosted by one of the distillery’s owners. Tickets (here) are $22, including your drinks, and each class will end with a Fancy Fruit Cup cocktail. The “distillery door” is open from 1pm-8pm on Sundays during Fringe.

Edge of Chaos + Moon Safari Sensory Degustation – March 7 & 17

Presented by Cake Wines, the Moon Safari Sensory Degustation at RCC Fringe (University of Adelaide) is described as a “sensory journey across food, wine, music and lights”. The $120-a-head, 2.5-hour event (tickets here) will take place on March 17 and include food by Africola and a wine list centred around Cake Wines’ new Moon Safari rosé. Next Thursday (March 7), the winemaker and Fringe venue are also teaming up to host a free event exploring the Edge of Chaos and its application to winemaking.

Beer v Wine Degustation ­– March 1 & 16

Hosted by Barossa Valley Brewing as part of the Adelaide Fringe, this event includes a tour of its Tanunda brewery, six beers, five wines, a five-course dinner (featuring winemakers and brewers) and a chance to vote for the best beer/wine of the night. The March 9 degustation has already sold out, but tickets are still available for the March 1 and 16 events.

Just Desserts – until March 9

Singing cook Michelle Pearson (best-known for her Fringe show Comfort Food Cabaret) is presenting this “adults-only tasting” in the courtyard at Treasury 1860. The new musical-food cabaret, inspired by her recent trip to Edinburgh, will see Pearson serve up “a taste of tantalising desserts under the stars”. There are shows this Thursday-Saturday and next weekend. Read The Forager’s interview with Pearson about her new cookbook here.

Cellar Door Fest – March 15-17

A Cellar Door Fest masterclass. Photo: supplied

The Adelaide Convention Centre’s three-day food, wine, beer and spirits festival returns next month with tastings, interactive masterclasses (including gin blending and cheese + wine), long-table dining and an Emerging Winemakers’ Zone. New features will include “Dude Food” in the Wintulichs’ Beer Garden, a New Orleans-inspired long-table lunch by NOLA Adelaide, and a long-table dinner presented by Jacob’s Creek. A range of ticket options are available – see the website for details.

Autumn Days and Chardonnays – March 17

Winemaker Rob Moody is promising to pull out some stunning wines from his museum for this long-table event at Somerled Cellar Door in Hahndorf. Guests will also be able to feast on foods that pair well with Chardonnay, such as “anchovy sticks, figlets and manchego on crusty loaves dripping in olive oil as well as a few of those crispy parmesan puffs straight from our oven”. Tickets (here) are $79.

Magnum Champagne Dinner – March 21

To be hosted by Champagne expert Tyson Stelzer, this $299-a-head dinner degustation at Sprout Cooking School will see five Champagnes (including the likes of Bollinger Special Cuvee NV and Pol Roger Vintage Brut – all served in magnums) matched to five courses including oysters, scallop carpaccio, chicken liver parfait, confit salmon and duck. Read more in thisForager story, and book tickets here.

East End Wine Down – March 23

More than 100 wines will be available to sample at this annual laneway festival hosted by East End Cellars in Vardon Avenue. You can also expect cider, gin, street-style food from local restaurants and tunes by Skin Contact. The Wine Down is on from midday until 5pm, with tickets costing $37.

Tasting Australia – April 5-14

Themed dinners with top national and international chefs in the Glasshouse Kitchen in Victoria Square, and masterclasses and tastings covering everything from gin blending and Tasmanian whisky to Bollinger Champagne will be part of this year’s 10-day Tasting Australia Festival. At the top end of the program is The Great Henschke Vintage Dinner ($950 a head) and Tasting Australia Airlines excursions to places such as the Barossa, Coffin Bay and Kangaroo Island, but there are also plenty of more affordable experiences. See the full program here.

Vegan Palooza – April 14

One vegan festival a year simply isn’t enough, so the team behind October’s Vegan Festival Adelaide have created this autumn event to be held at the Main Assembly Building, Tonsley Innovation District. Running from 11am-6pm, Vegan Palooza promises plenty of local vegan food and drinks, with details of stalls to be released in coming weeks on the Facebook page.

Chocolate Factory High Tea – April 14

Stamford Plaza Adelaide has taken inspiration from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for this showcase of “scrumdiddlyumptious delights”. Guests will be greeted with an espresso martini (hot chocolate for the kids), and in addition to the finger sandwiches and other savoury items, you can expect chocolate scones, white chocolate and Tonka-bean meringue tart, opera slice, dark chocolate biscuit roll and chocolate hazelnut macaroons. Chocolate Factory High Tea tickets are $59 (plus booking fee) for adults and $35 for children.

News, tips and information?

Please send details of any upcoming food and/or drink events to: [email protected].