South Australian chef Karena Armstrong will continue in her role as Tasting Australia festival director. Photo: Supplied.
Preparations are underway for the launch of Tasting Australia, presented by the RAA Travel 2024 program, as the festival’s creative team is announced.
South Australian chef Karena Armstrong will continue in her role as festival director, with fellow local chef Kane Pollard joining her as the new food curator.
Mr Pollard, executive chef of Topiary restaurant in Adelaide’s north-east and PLACE Dining, said joining the festival’s creative team was an honour.
“Tasting Australia is world-class. My role is to collaborate with chefs taking part in the festival, to share the quality and variety of South Australian produce, and in turn to help craft memorable experiences for our audience,” he said.
Growing up in an Adelaide Hills market gardening family, Mr Pollard is renowned for this sustainable use of unique produce and traditional methods.
Drinks curators Meira Harel and Banjo Harris Plane are set to deliver their second beverage program in 2024, while esteemed chef Simon Bryant remains the festival patron.
SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said Tasting Australia continued to cement its reputation as the nation’s best eating and drinking festival.
“Tasting Australia unites the elements that make South Australia such a compelling visitor destination: exceptional food and beverages, a thriving capital and diverse regions,” she said.
This year’s festival attracted more than 68,000 food lovers, and Ms Bettison said she was expecting another boost next year.
“We know the festival’s return in 2024 will offer more delicious adventures which attract visitors to our CBD and across the state,” she said.
Ms Armstrong thanked outgoing festival co-director Darren Robertson and food curator Emma McCaskill, who are moving on from their creative team roles amid busy professional schedules.
“We recognise Darren and Emma for their passion, their ideas and their huge contribution to Tasting Australia since 2021,” she said.
Mr Robertson said he was “proud to be associated with the festival” and looked forward to what was to come in 2024.
“South Australia will always be close to my heart and I wish Karena and all the team the best of luck with next year’s program,” he said.
Tasting Australia was established in 1997 and is the nation’s longest-running eating and drinking festival.
The 2024 program will be released later this year. For more information, visit https://tastingaustralia.com.au/.
