Winter is all about cosying up by the fire with soul-warming hot drinks, wholesome fare and indulgent desserts. Winter in Ballarat is no exception, with a series of foodie events set to entice and delight the palette as part of their year’s Ballarat Winter Festival.
Here is our guide to four food and wine winter festivals set to keep you fuelled (and warm) throughout the chilly season.
The Ballarat Potato Festival
July 1, 2017
Experience the potato in a variety of dishes and forms and watch as the produce of the western region is put under the spotlight. This festival will showcase the versatility of the spud, stimulating all of your senses with a range of creations that go beyond fries or potato salad.
Think hand-forged potato and parmesan gnocchi in rich winter-warming lamb ragu with Grana Padano, baby spinach and crisp potato crumb, potato string-wrapped Australian king praws, potato pizza or Lebanese golden potato.
Sweet treats more your thing? Perhaps the sweet potato loaf cake, chocolate brownie or potato gelato will be more satisfying?
With Mount Prospect Produce supplying all the festival food operators with potatoes, this festival is the perfect excuse to carb load.
Baker’s Exchange Pop-Up Market
July 15 and 16, 2017
The Baker’s Exchange, presented by the iconic Hank Marvin Market, will see the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange transformed into a pop-up market featuring more than 15 of Victoria’s finest bakers. Selling everything from bread to patisserie, doughnuts to sweets and desserts, this is a winter treat for all pastry enthusiasts.
Design your own take-home packs from the huge range, or sit down to enjoy your favourite treat with an exceptional Coffee Supreme. Heaven.
The Ballarat Brew Festival
July 22, 2017
Taste the hops, ales, and liquid gold that have become synonymous with Ballarat at the Ballarat Brew Festival. Three new beers are set to be launched at the event in celebration of the Winter Festival, with master classes, talks and entertainment featuring throughout the day.
But it’s not only beers that are set to take the stand. With mulled wine, hot chocolate and even tea, there is something for all brew lovers!
Local stallholders including Athletic Club Brewery, Red Duck, Kilderkin Distillery, Grounded Pleasures, One Little Leaf, 321 Cider, Cubby Haus, The Mallow and Hop Temple will showcase their products at the event, cementing Ballarat’s place as a craft brewing capital for all tastes.
The Red Series Wine Festival
July 29, 2017
Ballarat and the surrounding Pyrenees Wine Region is known to produce some of the state’s most stunning wines and is home to several James Halliday five red-star rated wineries.
The Red Series Wine Festival will showcase the award-winning offerings of the region with numerous stallholders from Ballarat, The Pyrenees and beyond. Experience the top drops and warm up with vino worth writing home about.
For more info about the wonderful food and wine events in Ballarat this winter, visit ballaratwinterfestival.com.au
