Taste of Sydney 2010

I didn't expect going to "Taste of Sydney" this year. I knew it was coming up, I heard of people who bought tickets and were excited about all the food on offer, but I didn't think I'd be lucky enough to go. There are just too many birthdays and celebrations coming up for the next 2 months that I told myself I'd be good and not spend the $30 per ticket for Taste of Sydney (which is just the entry price). Maybe possibly next year? Anyway, as luck would have it I was catching up on some Facebook gossip when I saw a competition being posted up as a status by one of my favourite food bloggers Not Quite Nigella. The first person to email their address to her would get two tickets for free. I saw that her post was up 1 min and thought I might be in for a chance and guess what? I won! Thank you so much Lorraine!!!

Now on to the food...

Restaurant Balzac: Saddle of Suckling Pig with Garden Peas and Smoked Bacon Jus (12 crowns)

This was my favourite out of everything we had. You did not need a knife to cut this, just a slight poke with a fork was all you needed for the meat to fall apart. Even the crackling was super crunchy

El Toro Loco: Paella a la Maestre (10 crowns)

The best seafood paella I've had. I really want to buy a paella pan now and try make my own. Talk about being inspired. This was my husbands favourite for the day.

Preparing the paella

I heard the chef call out that he will need 3 bags of seafood for each pan of paella plus another 3 bags of mussels to go on top. That looks like a lot of seafod. This was reflected in the portion we got.
I was too busy taking photos of the process and eating and forgot to take a photo of the bowl of paella. Darn.

We passed by the Planet Cakes stall where they were holding demonstrations.

So cute!

Bird Cow Fish: Braised Cape Grim beef cheek and glazed onion pie in a sour cream & puff patry case; red wine veal jus (12 crowns)

This is no ordinary pie.....it is a gourmet pie....and a very nice one at that

This insides of the gourmet pie. Yum.

ARIA: Slow Roasted Moran Family Lamb Spit Roast (12 crowns)

We weren't expecting it to be in a bread roll but glad it was. And it came with rocket and some type of sweet relish. This wasn't initially highlighted on my menu list, but we saw so many people walking around eating one we just had to try it. And just as well we did. Delicious!

Danks Street Depot: Beef Ribs Smoked in Watermelon with a Watermelon and Avocado Salad (12 crowns)

I've never been a fan of fruit with meat in a dish, but this was surprisingly really good. The beef rib itself was juicy and tender and the watermelon salad was really refreshing alongside it.

Plan B: Organic Grass Fed Wagyu Beef Burger (12 crowns)

I still hadn't gotten around to trying this burger from the cafe so was delighted to see this available.

We didn't go for desserts in the end. We were so fixated on all the heavy meaty meals we just tipped ourselves over the edge. Full and satisfied, we rolled out of Centennial Park and back home. Now that's what I call a great day out!

Thank you again Not Quite Nigella! Love your blog!