This year’s Festival theme, everyone’s taste, encapsulates both individual and shared experiences of food and culture. The program is presented in five sections. Each of these invites you to broaden your personal concept of taste by exploring your senses and enjoying the Festival.

Luscious berries and fruits, sun-ripened vegies, heady cheeses, fine quality meats and wonderful seafood will be complemented with award-winning cool climate wines, locally brewed beers and peat distilled malt whiskies to bring you a truly epicurean experience.

The Taste Festival embraces this rich heritage and is a celebration of the people of Tasmania through artistic, cultural and culinary expression.

Welcome to Hobart from the Lord Mayor

A much-anticipated highlight of Tasmania’s summer is the spectacular, colourful and vibrant Taste Festival as it comes alive on the Hobart waterfront.

With all the advantages of a capital city, Hobart retains a relaxed and quality lifestyle with many leisure activities. The Taste Festival welcomes hundreds of thousands of local, interstate and international visitors to the historic Sullivans Cove.

A festival is a huge team effort. Many thanks to my fellow Aldermen, the Festivals and Tourism Special Committee, the Taste Festival Working Group, the sponsors, artists, performers and community groups whose contributions are vital in keeping this event alive.

I look forward to experiencing Hobart in summer, the Taste Festival and seeing you there. Sit back, relax and immerse yourself in the festivities!

Alderman Rob Valentine
Lord Mayor of Hobart

Welcome to the Taste Festival 2008-09

Over eight days and nights, this 20th Taste Festival celebrates vibrant Tasmanian food, produce, arts, culture and sporting activities.

The working docks of Sullivans Cove provide an idyllic setting for locally grown culinary delights. With over seventy stalls featuring Tasmanian produce and provenance, the Festival offers a gourmet experience with stallholders selected for their use of local produce as well as for their food design and presentation.

With free admission, new stallholders, daily street food vendors, the MBF Food and Beverage Theatre, and our popular awards judged by prominent foodies, chefs and wine critics, there will be something for everyone.

We hope you enjoy all there is on offer this year at the Taste Festival.

Alderman Marti Zucco
Chairman Festivals and Tourism Special Committee