In this sponsored post, “CityNews” speaks to the Canberra businesses who represent some of the region’s finest in food and beverages. Bon appétit!

CANBERRA’S food and beverage scene is a true celebration of local, national and international flavours.

Whether it’s about highlighting the tastes of India, focusing on fresh produce, or locally made barrel-aged whisky, “CityNews” speaks to the Canberra businesses that represent some of the region’s finest in food and beverages.

Bon appétit!

Festival celebrates the tastes of India

EXPERIENCE the soul of India at the upcoming “Taste of India Mega Food Festival” at the Lyons Church of Christ, 9am-7pm, on October 9, says convenor Jacob Vadakkedathu.

Jacob says the event brings together the best of the best from the Indian sub-continent and offers a great opportunity for the local community to taste vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian dishes that are delicious and nutritious.

“This sprawling, outdoor festival has plenty of stalls set up in an open-air market serving all varieties of Indian delicacies including masala dosa, ghee dosa, plain dosa, idli sambar, poori, fried rice and butter chicken, chicken biryani, samosas, and everything in between,” he says.

“In addition to some mouth-watering Indian delicacies, the festival offers plenty of sweets, refreshing drinks, farm-grown honey and homemade cakes.”

It’s not only delicious food that will be on offer though, there will be music along with a child-friendly section for kids to enjoy playing games.

Organised by the St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, a not-for-profit organisation in Canberra, Jacob says the festival will also fundraise for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“As the name suggests, the event brings some fabulous tastes of India to visitors,” he says.

Expect to experience scrumptious food, refreshing drinks, grooving music and a cosy ambiance, he says.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation Jacob says the event is still planned to go ahead in October, however it will be postponed if circumstances require.

Taste of India Mega Food Festival, at the Lyons Church of Christ, 2 Marrawah Street, Lyons, 9am-7pm, October 9.

‘Exquisite’ wine that’s critically acclaimed

FOR more than 20 years Shaw Wines has been making exquisite reds and whites in the region’s largest vineyard, says business development manager Karen Shaw.

And lockdown isn’t an excuse for not enjoying them, she says. Shaw wines specialise in all the classics, such as riesling, shiraz, semillon, cabernet and merlot.

“Our wines are available through the website with free delivery on orders of 12 bottles or more.”

Once locklown is lifted, Karen says guests will be guaranteed a special experience.

“Our winemaking team has selectively picked the finest parcels of fruit direct from the estate vineyard to craft the limited production reserve range,” she says.

“Our estate label is our cellar door range, where we have won most of our critical acclaim.

“The whites are lightly pressed using free run juice and the reds are oaked in predominantly French oak barrels for two years prior to bottling.”

Shaw Wines offers keen connoisseurs membership to a special wine club, too.

“Members of the club get 20 per cent off all their wine, and also 20 per cent off all the Italian ceramics available in the building,” says Karen.
“They also get special invitations to our wine dinners when we can hold them downstairs in our cellar.
“The award-winning space is purpose built to offer seated wine tasting where people can relax in the lounge with a glass of wine, a cheese plate and take in the gorgeous view.”

Shaw Wines, 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman. Call 6227 5827 or visit shawwines.com.au

Fresh seafood in the heart of Belconnen

BEST Seafood City is dedicated to providing quality and affordable seafood products, says owner Ramiro Vasconez.

Located in the heart of Belconnen at the Fresh Food Markets, Ramiro says the shop is one of the best seafood providers in the region, with a commitment to providing fresh seafood all the time.

“Best Seafood City has a great selection of seafood available in store,” he says.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know what to pick but if you’re ever finding it hard to make a choice the team are always happy to help!”

He says customers of the shop love the “massive” range that’s available, with some having told him it’s the freshest seafood you can get.

Best Seafood City, Shop 5, Belconnen Markets, Lathlain Street, Belconnen. Call 6251 2552.

Deli offers an ‘international’ experience

A FAMILY-owned and operated business for more than 20 years, Deli Cravings values quality, with a range of fine meats and delicacies authentic to their countries of origin, says owner Christa Potter.

“We specialise in unique imported European and Australian products,” she says.

“Offering all sorts of accompaniments for your next best entertaining spread we’ve got you covered. Pate, olives, dips, quince and the usual cheese, of course.”

Christa’s love of delis started at age 13 working in her mother’s shop, Ingrid’s Delicatessen and Health Foods, in Wanniassa.

Now the owner of her own deli, more than four decades later, Christa says she continues to source new products to keep up the demand for Canberra’s multicultural community.

And following family tradition, Christa says her son Sam is part of the team and works alongside the motivated, friendly, knowledgeable staff.

“We strive to provide a truly international eating experience through a selection of products that will transport you to the streets of Prague, Paris, Hamburg and many more,” says Christa.

Deli Cravings, Shop 15 Belconnen Markets, Lathlain Street, Belconnen. Call 6251 4056 or visit delicravings.com.au

Taste the difference… immediately

AFTER customers have shopped at The Chicken Coop, owner Che-to Lo says they can taste the difference immediately.

“Every day we break down and process freshly delivered free-range chickens and have a large range of ready-to-cook products and meals that offer that extra level of quality,” says Che-to.

“The products are incredibly versatile, whether customers need our chicken for casseroles, chicken tagine or any other recipe and we also make our own dumplings and wontons.

“We often have people come back, especially if they’re a first-time customer, and say they’ll never go back to the supermarket for chicken again.”

It was Che-to’s parents who started the family business in 1989, with Che-to taking over in 2017.

“Mum and dad are still very much involved in the business and it’s great to have their experience and expertise,” he says.

But it’s not just chicken that the Lo family specialise in, says Che-to, with free-range turkey also being a highly popular choice at the shop.

“We offer very nicely presented turkey rolls with different types of stuffing,” he says.

“Customers can also bring their own stuffing and we can do it for them, and then roll them back up into a nice presentation, ready to bake.”

The Chicken Coop, Shop 3, Belconnen Markets, Lathlain Street, Belconnen. Call 6251 1510 or visit thechickencoop.site

Capturing the region on a plate

PIALLIGO Estate’s premiere restaurant Pavilion Dining has been designed to immerse guests in the natural beauty of the region,” says marketing manager Bianca Board.

“We pick all of our produce fresh every morning at 6am when the sun is coming up, then we take it to our kitchen 500 metres away, prepare it and serve it that same day,” she says.

“We also have a working farm here that our menu is sourced from giving meals stronger and fresher flavours.”

Award-winning bacon from the Estate Smokehouse, fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden tended by horticulturists, or wine produced from the vineyard are just the start of the selection on offer at Pialligo, says Bianca.

“Part of what makes it so special out here is that the menu is changing all the time because it is dependent on the produce,” she says.

“One dining experience can be completely different from the next.”

And while guests enjoy their meal, Bianca says they’ll be treated with spectacular views out over the Molonglo River as well as the estate’s olive groves and vineyard.

“We have our own selection of regional wines as well as a range from other regional winemakers,” says Bianca.

“The fine wines represent an expression of regional style and the application of traditional winemaking techniques.”

Pialligo Estate, 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo. Call 6247 6060 or visit thepialligoestate.com.au

Special whisky tasting experience

PROHIBITION Bottle Shop Kingston is offering Canberrans a special tasting experience with a locally made, barrel-aged whisky from the Canberra Distillery, says owner Paul Cains.

“We’ve had a 100-litre barrel ageing in store for two years and it’s been off-site for 12 months so it’s spent a total of three years ageing,” says Paul.

“The experience offers you the opportunity for two exclusive tastings from the barrel before the end of the year and a bottle of this delicious, smooth elixir of your very own to savour when it’s ready at the end of 2021.

“For $200 you’ll get to come in for one tasting in September with the head distiller and one in December where you’ll be provided with a bottle.”

Paul says it’s just one part of an extensive range of options available at the independently owned store located at Kingston Foreshore.

“We’ve got a great selection of local spirits from ACT, NSW and right across Australia,” he says.

“There’s also a large range of local wines and we carry all the local beers like BentSpoke and Capital Brewing.

“Customers can always feel free to have a chat with our team of great staff, who do a wonderful job.”

Prohibition Bottle Shop, 39 Eastlake Parade, Kingston. Call 6295 0864, email prohibitionbottleshop@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/prohibitionkingston