Madame Hanoi Chilli Festival – Until May 12

Things are heating up at Adelaide Casino restaurant Madame Hanoi with the start of its month-long Chilli Festival. The festival involves a special lunch and dinner menu of dishes highlighting different sorts of chillies, ranging from the low-heat cayenne and jalapeno right up to the Caroline reaper, considered one of the hottest chillies in the world. Dishes include the likes of spicy beef bao, cayenne pork skewers, SA kingfish with fermented chilli, and chocolate chilli cake, plus drinks such as a chilli mai tai. See the full Chilli Festival menu here.

Easter Entrada at Victor’s Place – April 20

Victor’s Place at Old Noarlunga is hosting a two-course Spanish-inspired lunch to celebrate the release of its new release, the “Entrada” Garnacha Monastrell. The menu includes pickled baby octopus, parsley and lemon; jamon, Santa Claus melon and tomato; Entrada sorbet, and turron. The $65 price includes a glass of Victor’s Place beer or wine, and there will be live Spanish music throughout the day. Details/bookings here.

Nutella Palooza – April 20

More than 50 food trucks and vendors – including the likes of Bracegirdles, Lukoumades, The Creperie Cart and Churroz – will be serving up hundreds of Nutella-themed treats at this chocolate-fuelled Easter Saturday gathering at Morphettville Racecourse, with menus featuring cocktails, waffles, pizza, milkshakes, a new Nutella Danish being launched by Baker’s Delight, and even beer (yes, Nutella beer, brewed especially for the event). Nutella Palooza will also include an Easter egg hunt, cooking demonstrations and a 50SIXONE pop-up restaurant. Entry tickets are $10, and it’s on from midday until 7pm.

Evil Rising – Mismatch Tap Takeover – April 22

Mismatch Brewing is taking over the taps at Hains & Co on Easter Monday to celebrate the resurrection of its Evil Archies Red IPA. It will also be pouring its San Diego IPA, lager, and a “top secret, new release Berliner”. On the menu is braised beef brisket bathed in the Evil Archies Red IPA and Evil Archies spicy sauce wings. The Evil Rising fun begins at 5pm. 

Barossa Vintage Festival – April 24-28

This year’s Barossa Vintage Festival will feature around 50 food and drink experiences, including masterclasses, long lunches, picnics, vertical tastings and a wine auction. A few highlights include a Barrel Tasting Experience at Chateau Tanunda – a “sensory adventure” in the cellars where participants will taste wines straight from the barrel; a four-course Laneway Brunch including Rasa Wines at Fleur Social in Nuriootpa; a 20km Barista, Brewer, Wine Cycle Tour hosted by Barossa Bike Hire; a Sunset Dinner at Bethany Wines (Tanunda) featuring six courses matched to wines from its Blue Quarry range, and Say Cheers with Cheese and Chocolate sessions at Grant Burge Wines. See the full program here.

Gin Blending Masterclass with KI Spirits – April 27

The Stamford Grand Adelaide in Glenelg has teamed up with Kangaroo Island Spirits to hold a series of special events, first of which is a $126 gin-blending masterclass from 7-9pm on April 27. Participants will get guidance on how to blend their own unique gin, plus a 200ml bottle of the blend to take home. Next up will be a $73 tasting event in the hotel’s Horizons Cocktail Lounge on June 9, where guests will try different KI gins and explore combinations of tonics and garnishes. Details of both events can be found here.

Mechanics of Botanics at Uraidla Hotel – April 28

Never Never Distilling’s Tim Boast and Sean Baxter will lead this $30 tasting masterclass exploring the classic botanicals used in gin production. Mechanics of Botanics guests will receive a tasting of the Never Never range, as well as getting the chance to sample natural botanicals in their raw form. You’ll also receive a Fancy Fruit Cup (a gin-based drink) and be invited to join a “Garnish Garden” experience in the hotel grounds.

Sprout Seasonal Dinner – May 3

Following on from it recent Magnum Champagne Dinner, Sprout Cooking School is now planning its next special event – a “seasonal dinner” featuring five dishes it says will showcase the best of SA’s fresh, season produce paired with local wines. Tickets are $100pp; details here.

National Wine Centre’s Cellar Reserve Dinner – May 15

The National Wine Centre is promising to bring out some of the “hidden gems” from its cellar for this Cellar Reserve Dinner which will be hosted by wine critic and Tasting Australia beverage director Nick Stock. The wines will be paired with a four-course meal, and tickets are $159pp.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend – May 17-20

Pikes Wines will host a five-course degustation dinner in its SLATE restaurant overlooking the vineyard.

More than 25 Clare Valley wineries will take part in this year’s Gourmet Weekend, with events including blending sessions and masterclasses, cellar door picnics and live music sessions, plus long lunches and degustation dinners. Ticketed highlights include a 50^th Celebration Dinner at Taylor’s Wines ($165), including four courses matched to its St Andrew’s Wines, and long-table dinners at Skillogalee Wines ($155), Pikes’ Wines’ SLATE restaurant ($165) and Reillys Wines and Restaurant ($130). Six wineries are also teaming up with chef Stuart Oldfield and his team from Hand Made Catering to present The Gourmet Hub in the Clare Valley Showgrounds on the Saturday and Sunday. See the full program here.

Urban Wine Walk – May 18

This self-guided cellar-door experience in the West End sees local bars and restaurants team up with winemakers, with pairings announced so far including Prohibition Liquor Co with Hither & Yon, Udaberri with Coulter Wines, Hains & Co with Bondar Wines, Electra House Hotel with Eight at the Gate, and La Buvette with  Camwell Wines (see the full list here). Tickets for the 12-4.30pm Urban Wine Walk are $65 plus booking fee, and include entry to participating venues (subject to capacity) plus 35+ tastings.

Adelaide Wine Markets – May 25

Wine, beer, cider and gin tastings and sales from more than 25 SA small and boutique producers will be on offer when the Adelaide Wine Markets pop up at The Market Shed on Holland next month. Tickets ($30 plus booking fee) for the 5-10pm event include tastings, a take-home glass and live music, with food also available for purchase.

News, tips and information?

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