Taste some local favourites

AS THE Tastes of Greater Geelong festival returns for its 14th year, the Bellarine Peninsula takes centre stage, celebrating our region’s talented chefs and growers.

This year’s festival features more than 80 homegrown businesses showcasing handpicked produce and exquisite multi-course meals across the Greater Geelong region.

With many local highlights in Ocean Grove, Wallington, Drysdale, Curlewis, Portarlington and beyond – there’s something for everyone.

If you’ve ever lined up outside Ket Baker in Ocean Grove on a Saturday morning, you already know their bread and pastries are worth the wait.

Known for their expertly crafted sourdough – you can learn from the secrets of owner Miek Paulus during the festival at her sourdough bread workshop.

Learn to mix, shape and bake the perfect loaf and take home two loaves as well as your own sourdough starter so you can keep up the baking in your kitchen!

Over in Drysdale, Farm My School is hosting a Cooking on Country workshop with Nornie Bero, Chef, author and founder of Melbourne’s Mabu Mabu.

This hands-on cooking and educational workshop will encourage you to slow down, connect with country, learn about regenerative farming, harvest organically grown produce and prepare a healthy meal.

You can also join celebrity chef Adrian Richardson for a masterclass of Italian cooking featuring standout produce from Lonsdale Tomato Farm and vintages from Lethbridge Wines.

Grown on the Bellarine, these handpicked tomatoes take centre stage in a celebration of freshness and delicious Italian flavours.

If you’re in Curlewis, Claribeaux will serve a sumptuous three-course Bastille Day dinner, and in Ocean Grove, The Dill is serving up a Ukrainian dinner menu – both are worth booking ahead of time.

Portarlington brings its maritime charm to the table with mussels fresh from the bay.

Meanwhile, wine lovers can head to Leura Park or Jack Rabbit for tastings and lazy lunches with views. It’s a good excuse to rug up and take it slow.

And if gluten’s not your friend, My Bellarine Kitchen is putting on a gluten-free high tea with the kind of care and detail that makes it feel like a treat, not a workaround.

Alternatively, cheese lovers can head to the High Cheese event at the Flying Brick Cider Co. This twist on a regular high tea offers indulgences such as baked camembert, brie souffle with apple butter and goat cheese croquettes.

We haven’t forgotten the kids. Children can embark on a culinary journey through Geelong’s streets during the school holidays to discover delightful dishes designed for young palates.

There’s also a program for teens to learn essential life skills such as food planning, budgeting, shopping and meal prep.

The festival officially kicks off in central Geelong with the Winter Festival, but you don’t need to go far to enjoy it – you’ll spot many Bellarine favourites in the lineup.

Tastes of Greater Geelong 2025 runs from June 20 to July 20.

For more information and the full program, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/tastes

Cr Elise Wilkinson

Connewarre Ward,

City of Greater Geelong