Balmain Rozelle Food Week

There’s a thriving food community in Balmain and Rozelle, made up of a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and produce stores. But if you don’t live in the area, it can seem daunting to work out where to go, and what stores to visit. However during the inaugural 2008 Food Week from April 21st-27th, the area has come together to do that planning for you, showcasing local food businesses with a variety of events, special offers, talks, tastings and dining opportunities.

Sixty Darling is known in the area as the place to pick up a good-value bottle of hard-to-find plonk. On Saturday 26th April, between 1-4pm, they team up with Aunty Pasto to present a cheese and wine matching afternoon. For $10 you’ll get a tasting plate of hand-crafted gourmet Australian cheeses with a taste of matched Australian wines, to explore the theory that the best wine and cheese matches often come from the same geographic region.

There’s also the opportunity to learn more about oil, with local natural marketplace, About Life, being transformed into an olive grove for a week of cooking classes, workshops, talks and tastings. It culminates on Friday 25th April, when you can hear from five of Australia’s esteemed Olive Growers, (including my favourite, Joseph’s), as you enjoy a tasting plate representing each oil served with local baker Victoire’s sourdough, wine and antipasto for $25.

If pizza’s more your style, investigate local pizzeria Rosso Pomodoro, to see whether it is worthy of the accolades laden upon it for the simplicity, amazing Italian produce, traditional cooking techniques and fresh stone cooked pizza bases. They’ll be creating a special pizza that represents their take on a Balmain Rozelle classic all week, but they suggest you book in advance to try it. Just don’t ask for ham and pineapple.

Of course, that’s a just a small taste of the events on offer. If you’re still hungry, download the full program from www.balmainrozellechamberofcommerce.org.au

Aunty Pasto
58 Darling St, East Balmain
Ph: (02) 9818 7594

Rosso Pomodoro
Shop 90’91, 24 Buchanan Street, Balmain
Ph: (02) 9555 5924

About Life
604 Darling Street, Rozelle
Ph: (02) 8755 1322