Asia – and Adam – on your doorstep

Sydney is arguably up there with Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Tokyo as one of the culinary and cultural hotspots of the Asian region.

The onetime Anglo-Celtic nature of Sydney, itself an aberration after thousands of years of Aboriginal settlement, is clearly taking on an Asian countenance, with Asian influences extending well beyond the Harbour City’s burgeoning Chinatown.

But Chinatown remains the focal point of Sydney’s Asian cultures and is, fittingly, the home of the second annual Asia On Your Doorstep Festival.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the festival was a unique opportunity for diners to sample delicious cuisine from around Asia in one of the city’s most popular precincts.

“Chinatown is such a drawcard for Sydney,” said the Lord Mayor. “This festival gives people a chance to step behind the scenes, see Chinatown’s chefs at work and try out some of the area’s most delicious food.”

Key components of this year’s festival will include the ‘Eat Your Way to Thailand’ competition, with entries available to diners at Haymarket eateries until October 31; a ‘Little Eat Street Market’ in Little Hay St on October 25; and special appearances by Adam Liaw from MasterChef Australia.

The winner of the 2010 MasterChef series, Mr Liaw will show off some of his favourite dishes in cooking demonstrations at Market City each lunchtime from Thursday, October 10 to Sunday, October 13.

Mr Liaw will also judge an Asian cooking competition, which will see local TAFE students battle it out with their best Chinese, Korean, Malaysian and Japanese creations.

Meantime, students from the City of Sydney’s International Student Leadership and Ambassador Program will act as festival ambassadors by visiting businesses in Chinatown, and nearby Thaitown (Campbell St) and Koreatown (Pitt St).

For more information on the festival visit www.asiaonyourdoorstep.com.au.