Known for its pristine beaches and pumping surf, Newcastle is one of New South Wales top tourism towns, and being located a little over two hours north of Sydney, it’s an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. But over the past couple of years the steel city is also emerging as a hot food and wine destination, thanks to its cracking restaurants and bars good enough to rival the Big Guys, as well as its annual Newcastle Food Month, which is coming back this April for its fourth year.
A celebration of the chefs, hospitality workers, farmers and passionate producers of the region, Newcastle Food Month sees the entire city come alive for the month of April, with events and shenanigans happening every day of the week. From cheese and wine pairings to live gigs and a very schmick dinner held in a top-secret location, the line-up features events for food and wine lovers at all price points (and hunger levels).
Last year, more than 80 local businesses were involved with Newcastle Food Month – including favourites Humbug, Flotilla, Customs House Hotel, Jana, Harrison’s, Arno Deli and Elementa – with organisers Louise and Gus Maher keen for this year’s festival to be even bigger and better. The Maher’s told Time Out their end goal is for Newcastle Food Month to be Australia’s biggest food festival, and that is something we can definitely get behind.
The annual foodie festival, which actually kicks off this year on the Easter long weekend in March, is broken up into three elements, or ‘three courses’: feature events, 'Plate Date', and the headline signature event, Le Dîner en Blanc.
The feature events span everything from chef takeovers to pop-up restaurants, live music, wine tastings and street food markets.
Plate Date is where Newcastle’s restaurants, eateries and bars put their best foot forward, offering a meal and a drink for $30. Plate Date is a great way to check out your hit-list restaurants, discover new gems, and revisit old faithfuls, all while doing a food tour of Newcastle.
Last but not least, Newcastle Food Month’s signature event is Le Dîner en Blanc, a special dinner with an all-white dress code, and a yet-to-be-revealed location.
Highlights from the line-up include killer wine and snacks Sunday Session at bar Vecina; house-made pasta and a glass of chianti at the Alfie’s Italian; a mezze plate and beer or wine at Euro-inspired Blanca; Italian cheese and wine masterclass as Arno Deli; a luxe high tea with sweet treats from Icky Sticky Patisserie at Crystalbrook Kingsley; and a ‘Chardy Party’ at Humbug. You can find out more info about Newcastle Food Month here.
Dreaming of a relaxing weekend away? You could also win a two-night stay at the five-star Crystalbrook Kingsley, plus breakfast for two at in Roundhouse, a gourmet hamper filled with local delicious treats and a $100 in-store gift voucher from Pork Ewe Deli, three bottles of wine from First Creek Wines, and dinner for two at the award-winning Humbug restaurant. Keen? All you need to do is pop your details in here and Bob’s your uncle! (Good luck.)
