Truffle magic and a whole lot more

Posted on 25 July, 2018

With this weekend set for 80% rain, we have the perfect solution.

With a mouth-watering line up of events, Westfield Belconnen’s Truffle Festival Market Day this Saturday 28 July has something for all ages, tastes and interests.

Whether you’ve been angling to try the mysterious magic that is the Canberra Region black truffle, want to sample some of our region’s most delicious non-truffle products or are looking for activities for the little ones, Westfield Belconnen is set to deliver.

First and foremost, visitors will be treated to a visit from MasterChef 2016 winner Elena Duggan, who will be sharing her tips for utilising fresh truffles in a series of cooking demonstrations in Centre Court. After wowing both judges and viewers alike with her bubbly personality and nuanced understanding of bold flavours during her season of MasterChef, Elena’s demonstrations are not-to-be-missed.

Elena Duggan

Ready to put some of those culinary tips into action? Head around to Hoyts. No, not to the Candy Bar, but to the Truffle Cocktail Masterclass that will be happening out the front of the cinema. Hosted by Canberra’s newest purveyors of boutique gin, Big River Distillery, the masterclass will allow guests to choose and mix their own ingredients under the watchful eye of Big River founder Clyde Morton. Bookings are essential here.

More of a grape groupie? You can sit in on a Truffle & Wine Education session, where truffle growers and winemakers from the Canberra region will discuss the relationship between grapes and truffles, as well as the art of pairing the two once they’ve been harvested. Happening at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.

Speaking of harvesting, lovers of fine foods won’t want to miss the Market Stalls, which will be spread around Centre Court. Featuring stalls from local producers (think wine, cheese, chocolate and more) as well as truffle products, there will be samples to try and boutique products to purchase.

If you have small people in tow and are not sure that truffles will be as alluring to them as they are to you, there’s plenty to keep them engaged.  At 10 am, head to the Fresh Food section for free kids cooking classes hosted by Kids Pantry as well as face painting and balloon bending. No bookings are required.

After a full morning of tastings, masterclasses and demonstrations, you’ll want to relax and, yes, that’s been taken care of too. Make your way to The Pop Inn Wine Bar near Hoyts for live music and a drop of something local from midday until 5 pm for the perfect wind-down to your Saturday.

the essentials

What: Westfield Belconnen’s Truffle Festival Market Day
When: Saturday 28 July from 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Various areas in Westfield Belconnen, Benjamin Way, Belconnen
More information: See the website

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