Maitland Taste Festival returns to The Levee this weekend, bringing with it some of Australia's favourite cooking personalities.
In addition to MasterChef winner, author and television host Adam Liaw, Hunter-based My Kitchen Rules winners Matt Gawthrop and Luke Stewart are on the line-up.
They will be conducting a cooking demonstration - kangaroo tartare with lemon myrtle and nasturtium - and taking on MC duties at The Kitchen Stage.
The pair describe the dish (which they cooked in the semi-finals of MKR last year) as an "Australian take on a French classic".
Maitland Taste is a celebration of great food, wine and produce from the Hunter region and surrounds. Stalls and activities at the festival focus on sustainability and hero local or regional produce and organic products.
The Kitchen Stage will host a range of cooking demonstrations designed to educate visitors about cooking from paddock to plate; different cooking styles and techniques; and the different flavours in food.
The Farmers Table will be full of produce sourced from our local region. You can purchase fresh produce direct from the farmer and talk to them about biodiversity and experimenting with varieties that are not always found in supermarkets.
The Precinct will feature cooking demonstrations and children's cooking workshops using sustainable, local ingredients.
Then there's the Maitland Taste Kids Patch, a dedicated children's space with a wide range of activities suitable for all ages. This year, children will have the opportunity to paint their favourite fruit and vegetable designs on rocks as well as decorate a reusable calico bag with their own paintings. All activities are free to take part in.
Heather's Honey and Hives Beezone is another must-see. Watch the beekeeper open a hive while he talks about the life cycles of bees and functioning parts of a beehive; try local honey and honeycomb and taste the difference; and find out all about bees wax.
There's also food, wine and live music to consider. Maitland Taste 2020 is on Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, at The Levee.
