Tastes of Greater Geelong returns to warm up winter

A MUCH-LOVED winter tradition returns for its 14th year, as the region’s annual month-long culinary festival once again serves up a feast of flavour and community spirit.

The 2025 edition of the Tastes of Greater Geelong festival, to take place between June 20 and July 20, will feature more than 80 events, spanning venues across the municipality, from Armstrong Creek and Corio to Portarlington.

Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj said the city was delighted to present the most engaging festival of culinary experiences the region had seen yet.

“There are countless vibrant and inclusive activities and experiences for the Greater Geelong community and visitors to participate in and enjoy the winter,” he said.

Aiming to this year spotlight the array of international cuisines available in Geelong, the festival’s program includes a wide variety of events, hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities intended to cater for every palate.

The festival’s opening night event, the one-day Tastes Winter Festival, will take place at Johnstone Park, and see the heart of the city transformed into a winter wonderland, with firepit-toasted marshmallows and mulled wine on offer.

Tastes ambassador Lyndsay Sharp, co-owner of The Sharp Group, said the region is truly blessed with talent and flavour.

“Tastes of Greater Geelong shines the spotlight on the artisan producers and suppliers, restaurants, cafes, winemakers, distillers and brewers,” she said.

Her venues, Leura Park Estate, Jack Rabbit and The Range @ Curlewis will host a variety of events and activities across the festival, including a paint and sip evening on June 27.

Dervilla McGowan, co-founder of Anther Distillery in North Geelong, said the festival offered a brilliant opportunity to experiment with bold flavour pairings and collaborate with like-minded innovators.

The distillery will partner with Baah Lah!, a Geelong West-based restaurant known for its produce-drive menu and Singaporean flavours, for an eight-dish feast on June 26 that pairs a menu created by chef Brian Anderson with cocktails featuring Anther’s spirits.

“Partnering with Baah Lah! restaurant has sparked some truly exciting ideas that celebrate local ingredients in fresh, unexpected ways,” Ms McGowan said.

Other festival highlights include a sourdough bread workshop from acclaimed bakery Ket Baker, a head-to-head competition between the region’s best bartenders, a pottery and lunch experience with renowned ceramicist Elizabeth Bell and Provenance Wines, a high tea at My Bellarine Kitchen and a twilight market with winter treats and live music at Little Creatures Brewery.

For the full program, head to geelong.link/Tastes2025 or pick up a printed guide from the city’s Wurriki Nyal civic precinct in Mercer Street or any of the event’s host venues.