A culinary adventure awaits: Annual Geelong food festival to return

GEELONG’S annual food festival is set to return next month with a three-week program of events celebrating the region’s best food, drink and hospitality offerings.

Now in its 13th year, the festival, previously known as Tastes of Central Geelong, has this year rebranded as Tastes of Greater Geelong and aims to showcase the region’s gourmet delights and hospitality scene.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the festival was a yearly highlight for both the local community and visitors to the region. “Tastes of Greater Geelong is an opportunity to indulge in local and international cuisine, attend demonstrations and masterclasses and support local businesses,” he said.

“Council is thrilled to expand the festival, encourage the community to get out and try new things in the cooler months, and boost the local economy.” The festival will begin on Friday, June 21 in Little Malop Central with ‘The Winter Warm-Up’, a laneway event which will bring a taste of European winters to Geelong’s CBD.

The family-friendly event will coincide with the winter solstice and feature marshmallow roasting, mulled wine and a variety of sweet treats, along with light projections and a snow show.

Central Geelong will then be on display on Saturday, June 22, with taste trails guiding attendees through the CBD’s hidden hospitality gems.

Co-owner and director of The Sharp Group, Lyndsay Sharp, said Tastes of Geelong was a great opportunity for people to explore the array of gastronomic experiences that exist within their own backyard.

“We are really blessed with a bounty of amazing foods, wineries, breweries, distilleries and artisan producers,” she said.

Anthony Hammel, the Arborist’s executive chef, celebrated the opportunity to be involved in the festival.

“I am super excited to be a part of Tastes of Greater Geelong to help tell the stories of local growers and producers and to showcase what a great food scene we have here in Greater Geelong, from great venues, pubs and cheap eats to rival any major city.”

The festival will run from June 21-July 14, with the full program to be announced in early June.

For more information, head to geelong.link/tastes2024