I’m in Adelaide for Words to Go, a forum (and chinwag) for Australian food and travel writers. If you haven’t visited Adelaide or South Australia, you should if you are a food and wine lover. South Australia has a booming food and industry down here and one reason is because the state government pulls out all the stops to promote it. Yes, they need good soil, plenty of sun and good use of water, but unless people know they exist, they’re out of luck.
I arrived at 9pm last night and found Caitlin, an official from Words to Go waiting for me. That sort of hassle free arrival means I love writing about Adelaide. I’d been flying most of the day with planes filled with babies. Crying, screaming babies were beside me, behind me and in front of me. Nothing parents can do if the babies aren’t happy.
I was taken straight to the Hilton right next to the Adelaide Central Market. I’ll only have to walk a few steps to get anywhere I need to be.
I’m very near China Town and had the most spectacular baked custard and almond bun for breakfast. It was lighter than air and John would have said, OMG that’s so sweet. That’s what I liked about it!
At noon, Tasting Australia got in full swing in Victoria Square across the street. Ever the inquisitive one where food is concerned, I headed over at 12:01. From the steps of the hotel the aroma of food being cooked made me want to cross the street like they do in cartoons – floating on the delightful smells.
As I meandered along the pathway, it struck me how diverse the Australian palate is. There were stalls for Spanish, Mexican, Argentinian, Malaysian and others. Even the clever fellows from the Hilton were smoking beef brisket for BBC. THIS American/Australian felt right at home.
Then when I was full of food, who shows up but Joanne from whatsonthelist.com. Joanne is a fellow American/Australian who has lived in Adelaide with her husband Chef Georgia for many years. It was fun to talk American for a while.
Off to a cocktail party – more soon!
Ohhh, how fun to talk American with such a lovely person!!! 🙂 I’m really looking forward to talking American with you one day. 🙂 Until then I’ll watch NASCAR. 😉
How fun for you! Enjoy; I’ll just dream I’m along for the ride. 🙂
It looks like you are being treated well by the organisers. If I can’t be there I’ll continue reading, salivation and envying, just a bit, those of you who are.
Sounds like a fun event! And you get to talk American, too. 😉 Have a great time, but we need loads more details and pictures!
Sounds like your getting the royal treatment Maureen, what a fantastic event.
How fun Maureen! It sounds like it was worth the crying babies. Knowing you, you’ll get a zillion wonderful new ideas. Have a great time and tell us more!!
I’m with John, loads more pictures and details. Have fun. GG
I’m so jealous. I really enjoyed Adelaide when we were down for EDB but I’d love to venture a bit more.
The travel down to Adelaide sounds horrendous but how lovely that someone was there to greet you and you’re at the Hilton! I remember going there for dinner at EDB. And yes, you’re in a very central part of Adelaide, although nothing in Adelaide is terribly far or difficult to get to. How lovely that you caught up with Joanne! I hope you’re having a relaxing and enjoyable time xx
Sounds like you’re having a ball! Enjoy!!
Jealous. Wish I was there, it all sounds spectacular!
maybe one day…. the world could be a little smaller…. or a transporter like Star Trek could be invented….
Awesome! I wish I was there to have some fun with you Maureen…. enjoy yourself! xox
G’day! I was very happy to read that you are enjoying our great state and WHERE did the time go?
It was beyond great in meeting you and enjoyed the stories, the laughter … and the A & W Root Beer introduction too! lol
Cheers! Joanne
Off to a cocktail party and leaving us your devoted readers hanging. Look forward to Part 2.
Sounds like a fun trip for you. Can’t wait to see more. Have fun and be safe, Maureen. 🙂
Can’t wait to read more….enjoy Maureen!
Looks like you’re having a ball, I look forward to the next installment. 🙂
Great fun, Maureen. Good for you! 🙂 ela
Looks like you’re having a great time M! And how lovely to meet Joanne too 😀
Great to have dinner with you last night, Maureen. Sorry that we missed the opportunity to say goodbye today. Love your blog and will be a firm follower. Happy eating travels 🙂
What a fun day!!!!! Looking forward to reading more.
love the pictures! Thanks for taking us along the ride by posting on your travel! I only wish I could go to Australia! Maybe one day when the kids are older:)
Hi Maureen,
I’ve never been in Adelaïde, I like the way you speak about this town. There’s no doubt that I’ll visit it one day.
Thank you for sharing those moments.
I’am happy to stop by here.
Chantal
That sounds like fun, Maureen. I have visions of you floating down the street in harmony with the food smells- lol! It’s wonderful to have some many food choices! I like variety too:)
How fun! I’ve seen a couple of your photos on instagram! Cheers to you and Joanne!
All I know about Australian food and local produce is by watching Master Chef Australia!
Callum Hann from Australian Masterchef went on the tour of the Adelaide Central Market and he convinced me to buy some honey that’s made by the only pure colony of Italian bees on the planet that live on Kangaroo Island. So every time I think about lugging that big jar of honey around, I’ll think of him. 🙂
How great to meet Joanne – and get to talk American too. Sounds like a fun, fun trip.
Looking forward to reading through more. Excellent post.Really thank you! Would like more.
Haha – love how you ended this one, Maureen!
Your trip to Adelaide sounds like its off to a great start – hope the rest of it is even better!
You’ve already sold me on Adelaide – especially with that kind of welcome! I’ve still never visited Australia and high time, especially as we love wine as much as food, ahem.
Enjoy yourself, Maureen.
ohhh la la your room looks so nice! Look forward to seeing what shenanigans you got up to!
AND I didn’t have to get seasick 🙂
Sounds lik a lot of fun. I’d love to visit Australia sometime. I’d especially love to see the Australian beaches!
What a great opportunity. Looks like it was tons of fun, Maureen! That smoked beef brisket… have mercy. I could scarf the whole slab! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful recap – I love seeing new places and hearing all about it. Can’t wait for more! Hope you had fun at the cocktail party – it’s nice to get out sometimes. Enjoy!
Sounds like your having a great time Maureen, so looking forward to hearing more about it. Australia is currently so very high on my to visit list 🙂
I’ve been watching your Facebook photos and grinning with envy, you lucky duck! I can hardly wait to hear what was in store for you. Hope you have a great time.
Looks like you’ll have a blast! And how fun that Joanne is there, too! Can’t wait to hear more.
Actually, Joanne didn’t attend. We met the day of registration and sat on the curb at Tasting Australia’s ‘Fork in the Road’ festival across from my hotel.
Sounds like you are having a fabulous trip Maureen! We have South Australia on our “Bucket List” and you must be excited to taste all that delicious food + wine from the region 🙂
Enjoy and Cheers,
J+C
Any visit to Australia must include a trip to food-mad South Australia 🙂 It puts Queensland to shame in the way they promote their food. We have as much food grown up here but it’s not marketed anywhere near as well as SA.
So much fun that you ran into Joanne! Such a small world sometime! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip and I can’t wait to hear about it!
Oh boy, tomorrow (Friday) I’m signed up for the demo “Smoking in the Kitchen.’ Maybe I’ll run into you sometime then!
oh bummer. I only realized that you might be in Adelaide on my way home. I wish you’d been with us for Words to Go – it was so much fun and the food writers I spent time with are very cool!
Oh boy, tomorrow (Friday) I’m signed up for the demo ‘Smoking in the Kitchen.’ Hopefully, I’ll run into you then!
Hello Maureen, I have been enjoying all your photos on instagram and am so happy you at at this event. It sounds like the place to be if you are a foodie! Have a super time and can’t wait to hear more about your event. Take Care, BAM
Wow, it really sounds that you are having a lot of fun…look forward to more 😀
THIS REALLY IS FUN… enjoy your time .. I’m looking forward to meeting Joanne myself such a lovely person.
Sounds like a great event to be at Maureen. Can’t wait to hear more about it 🙂
Krissie x – http://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com.au
Another post of yours that brought up a smile on my face and while I didn’t care about this festival before reading this, I do want to beam over asap right now!
So what did you girls do there. I can imagine some mouthwatering good food must be involved. =D
I want a baked custard and almond bun for breakfast!!!!!!!
What a blast!
Wasn’t it such a wonderful few days! So lovely to eventually meet you in person 🙂