2008 Kings Cross Food and Wine Festival

By Jackie McMillan

If you fancy some colour and movement with your food, venture to the iconic El Alamein Fountain at Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Cross from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 4 May for the 2008 Kings Cross Food and Wine Festival. After all, what other food festival offers delights like seeing the recent winner of the coveted Miss Nude Australia 2008 title Suzie Q, and her pal Miss Pole Dance Australia 2007 Candice Leigh enjoying an ice-cream together’ According to the event’s producer, Stephen Carnell, it is a ‘bacchanalian concoction of gastronomy, viniculture, cabaret, eclectic music, burlesque and gender diversity‘; and it will accurately reflect the diversity that makes this zone – simply called ‘The Cross’ – such a legendary place in Sydney’s cultural life.

Hosted by drag chef identity Claire de Lune, the day will include a full menu of entertainment ranging from amazing a capella choir, the Honeybees; to cabaret performers like the bizarre vaudeville comedian The Birdmann (who juggles plastic bags); to a belly dancer called Shiva with, according to Carnell, an ‘abdomen to die for!’

And speaking of stomaches, there’s also a whopping forty food stalls from some of the areas best dining establishments. Zushi, recently voted Australia’s favourite Japanese (ahead of Tetsuya’s) in The Lifestyle Channel’s Food Awards will be selling their signature Zushi Spider Roll ($10). The Gazebo Wine Garden will have a range of dishes including a Lamb Burger ($10) and Chicken Liver Pate with port glaze and sourdough ($7) ‘ plus you can also drop into their neighbouring venue to enjoy over fifty wines available by the glass ‘ they’re open from midday.

Pasta fans head to the Bel Amici stall ‘ they’ll have a bowl of Orecchiette ($8.00) with house-made veal meatballs, olives, grape tomatoes and cavolo nero on offer; and a Bellini ($7.00) to wash it down with. Tomatillo, who have recently opened up serving affordable and authentic Mexican homestyle cuisine in the heart of Kings Cross, will be offering a range of dishes including quesadillas ($9), tacos ($10/3 tacos) and burritos ($9.90); and gourmet burger emporium Burger Fuel will have a range of burgers priced around the $5 mark. It’ll be a feast for the body and the mind, indeed!

More information: www.kingscrossonline.com.au