Local events you can taste

THE call has officially gone out to all food and beverage businesses throughout the Geelong region to participate in the 2026 program for Tastes of Greater Geelong.

The month-long schedule highlights destinations, flavours and celebrations as part of a broader plan to showcase our region’s hospitality expertise to both locals and visitors alike. After a personal chat with people at council involved in putting together the agenda, there is no themed dinner too small, nor event too obscure, to be considered for this year’s lineup. Any business with a clever and creative idea is invited to put theirs forward. Interested venues and operators have until 26 April to register their individual events online through the city’s website, with the full program due to be released shortly thereafter. I’ll be sure to report on some of the more landmark events for the festival as they come to light.

 

Ket Doof is a fun event happening in Wallington this weekend, inspired by the warehouse wine and bakery parties that happen across Europe. Although this is not a style of food event I’m familiar with, the mix sounds no less enticing, and it comes courtesy of the local oven master Ket Baker. The day-rave is set to offer good music, good vibes and (of course) good pastries, for all those in attendance for the relaxed event. Tickets are limited though, so best organise some if this is your sort of muffin-affair. And really, what could one want more from a lazy Saturday afternoon than wine, sweet bakery treats and DJs?

Another event that may be of interest to some of the younger people in your life, is the VicHealth funded Food 4 Future session, happening at multiple library locations across the region. This free workshop provides some of the fundamentals of good food practices, including food planning, budgeting and meal preparations. It also includes the chance for participants to complete a food handling certificate to support employability. What a great initiative, and a timely one at that, given it’s the school holidays.

 

The final occasion I’d like to report on is one a little left of centre, albeit no less intriguing. Lucha Fantastica is a Mexican wrestling event set to hit Geelong in just over a month. Yes, you read correctly – check out their website if you don’t believe me. Now, I’m not the greatest wrestling fan, but what I’m also really excited for is proper Mexican food. Forget the sweet/cheese-heavy Tex-Mex cuisine of the mid-90s, I’m talking about slow-cooked meats, complex sauces and fresh salsa tacos, that show off the street food culture the country is famous for. Lucha Fantastica promises to deliver in this department – plus some guys jumping around in spandex – as well as a strong lineup of tequila- and mezcal-based drinks and tasting. In fact, lots of tequila, which is why I’ve signed up already.

Opening shortly, James Street will have a new food tenant in Salad Station, a modern take on a salad bar experience. The concept in simple enough – select your bowl size, select your ingredients – which makes me think its success will be found in freshness and variety of contents on offer. Nothing (repeat, nothing) really compares to a wholesome salad for lunch if healthiness is your core aim, though it need not be boring at the same time. I’m actually looking forward to this opening, providing CBD workers with one of the more fresher take-away alternatives for their midweek lunches.

 

Another big opening on the cards soon is that of our long-awaited convention centre, Nyaal Banyul. If (like me) you remain completely unsure on the pronunciation here, I was told very accurately last week its articulation should sound like ‘Nye-ool, Bun-yool. After repeating this a few times, I’m actually really liking the name, also because of its significance from being gifted by the Wadawurrung People (it translates to “open your eyes to the hills”). Anyhow, I’m happy to report that the completion date is still on track for mid-year, with the huge venue set to start hosting major events from July onwards. The first of these will be Barwon Health Foundation’s inaugural, black tie gala ball in early July.