Healthy Food: 'Tasting Australia' Sydney Launch at The Devonshire, Surry Hills (13 Dec 2011)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

'Tasting Australia' Sydney Launch at The Devonshire, Surry Hills (13 Dec 2011)

204 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
http://www.thedevonshire.com.au

Destination Adelaide for foodies

Thanks to Bianca Alosi from PEPR Publicity for inviting me to the Sydney launch held at The Devonshire for Tasting Australia 2012. The food festival sounds similar to Crave Sydney with a multitude of events and will be held in Adelaide between 26 April until 3 May 2012. The lively Ian Parmenter introduced the likes of Justin North (Quarter Twenty One), Jeremy Strode (Bistrode CBD), Sammy and Bella Jakubiak (My Kitchen Rules), Miguel Maestre (Celebrity Chef), Andre Ursini (Adelaide Masterchef contestant), Matthew Kemp (The Montpellier Public House) and Jeremy Bentley (The Devonshire). It sounded like the kids will be in for a real treat for those hoping to attend the Kids in the Kitchen event.

The Coffin Bay Oyster and Cider Beignet reminded me of my visit to Berowra Waters Inn. I don't mind cooked oysters when served this way although there's nothing quite like a freshly shucked oyster if you're a purist. The Jacobs Ladder with Crisp Onion Rings went down a treat. I was worried about the precariously balanced onion ring on top but I managed to eat without dropping it. Tender beef brisket was inside and made for quite a tasty and filling canapé. The King Prawns with Watercress Mayonnaise looked great although I wasn't quite used to the texture of the prawns which were confit cooked to apparently retain their protein. I think my preference is more grilled for whiter and firm textured meat rather than sashimi like. The two handed eating Barossa Valley Chicken and Pigs Trotter Pie was a hearty taster and the rich flavours of the Kedgeree of Lightly Smoked King George Whiting certainly helped line the stomach for any further drinking of the sponsored James Squire beers and Peter Lehmann wines.