Gourmet highlights unveiled for Dark Mofo

 

Probably the best time to visit Hobart is during Dark Mofo's annual Winter Feast, where visitors can eat and drink the finest produce from Tasmania's gourmet artisans. 

Crackling fires, live music, warming comfort food and a range of delectable drinks will be on offer on the Salamanca waterfront for five nights from Wednesday, June 16 to Sunday, June 20. 

Returning for its eighth year, the Winter Feast is a contemporary take on pagan solstice celebrations and is the hedonistic hub of the Dark Mofo festival. 

Continuing the event’s long-running 'cooking with fire' theme, the 2021 Winter Feast will host more than 80 stalls offering a diverse array of ethically-sourced Tasmanian produce.

Winter Feast food curator Jo Cook said this year’s event would feature a range of returning favourites alongside 30 first-time stallholders - including several exciting new collaborations which emerged during the pandemic.

“We have many stallholders who are thrilled to return with new and delicious menus, and a whole lot of stallholders who will be showcasing their products for the first time,” she said.

“There's rare-breed beef from regenerative farms, free-range pork from small producers, filter-feeding bi-valves such as fresh oysters and mussels, octopus from Bass Strait, Maria Island arrow squid, scallops from the east coast, and a variety of Tasmanian-grown mushrooms and other vegetables.

“Mona’s Heavy Metal Kitchen has gone vegetarian, and teamed up with other local businesses Annapurna, Urban Bounty and Tunnel Hill Mushrooms," Cook said. "There's also plenty of plant-based foods including desserts like ice creams, apple pies and marshmallows; and a massive range of exciting new-release spirits, craft beers, wines, ciders and low-sugar soft drinks.” 

All Winter Feast stallholders are going completely cashless this year, meaning all transactions will be digital for the first time. 

New measures have also been introduced to ensure the event complies with Covid protocols, including capacity restrictions. Patrons are advised to arrive early, and allow extra time to buy tickets and enter the site - there may be a queue. 

Patrons will also need to check in with the Tasmanian Government’s ‘Check in TAS’ app, individually or as a group. 

Visitors will need to be seated while at the venue, except when browsing stalls and buying food and drink.

Additional seating will be available both indoors and outdoors. Limited standing drinking and dancing will be permitted, but patrons may be asked to take a seat if things get too crowded. 

A number of stages across the Winter Feast precinct will host live musical performances, with the program to feature King Stingray, Boil Up, Baba Bruja, Claire Anne Taylor, Son Del Sur, Arauco Libre and many more.

The venue for the festivities is Princes Wharf No.1, Castray Esplanade, Hobart waterfront

See www.darkmofo.net.au