Savour Tasmania’s mission is to promote the flavour, diversity and purity of Tasmanian produce. Now in its fifth year, the event has placed Tasmania firmly on the map of gourmet destinations around the world. Events include Pop up Pork Star featuring acclaimed Sydney chef Colin Fassnidge and Gourmet Farmer Matt Evans; and the avour Tasmania Long Table Dinner. There will also be a range of other events, including the Tasmanian Red Wine Weekend and master classes for the state’s chefs and apprentices. The event takes place 29 May through to 2 June.  For information about tickets, visit the web site.

On Thursday and Sunday evenings between May and October, all eyes and picnic blankets are drawn to Mindil Beach markets in Darwin.  The markets commenced in 1987, when a group of forward thinking people decided to bring a taste of Asia's night markets to Australia.  The markets are renowned for the truly magnificent sunsets that can be viewed from Mindil Beach. Take a picnic rug or BYO chairs, wander through the various stalls and choose from a diverse selection of foods. There's everything from freshly shucked oysters to fresh fruit salad, fish and chips, wood fired pizza, Asian foods, sweet things like churros and fairy floss, right through to crocodile and buffalo burgers, as well as 'beaut' Aussie roasts and lamb shanks!

Canberra Region truffle growers, chefs, restaurants and foodies are set for a big year of truffles with the 2013 Canberra & Capital Region Truffle Festival, which takes place from 21 June 2013 (until the truffles run out!).

'This magical, wintry time of year brings with it the Canberra region’s highly prized quality French Black Truffles and marks the start of truffle season in one of Australia’s key truffle growing areas,' Festival Director and self-confessed truffle groupie, Fred Harden says.

The festival will include activities such as the popular truffle hunts, master classes and cooking demonstrations led by esteemed chefs, truffle inspired menus and tasting sessions at some of the region’s best venues and educational truffle growing experiences.

I had the pleasure of participating in a truffle hunt and truffle lunch and would do it again in a heartbeat!

For more information  the Truffle Festival web site for a full list of events and participating venues. There is also plenty of information about Truffles, for those truffle aficionados.

The 2013 Wagga Wagga Food and Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, 23 March  from midday to 10.00pm at the Wagga Civic Theatre Garden, around the shores of the picturesque Wollundry Lagoon in the heart of the CBD. The event, run by Wollundry Rotary, promises a feast of food and wine stalls and a range of entertainment for all the family. The event supports charities in the region. For more information, visit the web site.

Two banquet style long table producer dinners at the Milk Factory Gallery, Bowral on Saturday, 4 May and Saturday, 18 May.  FoodPath, Café des Artistes and the Milk Factory Gallery are collaborating to put on a five-course meal created and presented by John Shelly, hatted chef, featuring local produce with matched local wines will be available by the glass.

These dinners are a ‘must do’ for everyone interested in local produce, good food, wonderfully inventive dishes, stunning artwork and good company.  Meet local producers and taste their food whilst enjoying the stunning ‘food inspired’ artwork by renowned still life artist, Steve Harris.

Producers represented will include: Beefalicious, Cuttaway Creek, dcider, Highland Organics, Graze and Flavour, Highland Gourmet Potatoes, Li-Sun Mushrooms, Maugers Meats, Moonacres Farm, Pecora Dairy, Small Cow Farm, Sutton Forest Olives, Tennessee Orchard. 

Diners will receive a complimentary gift from the gallery.  Early bookings are recommended, as seating is limited.

Dates: Saturday, 4 May and Saturday, 18 May
Time: 7 pm - welcome drink. 7.30pm - dinner
Price: $120
Bookings: Café des Artistes Mon – Fri on 02 48 62 1878

For further information call Jill Dyson on 0419 617 021, visit www.foodpath.com.au or www.milkfactorygallery.com.au

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival will be held from 1-17 March 2013. There's regional and metropolitan events and activities, including Masterclass, the world's longest lunch, gala dinners, artisan produce market and much more. For details and the full event program, visit the web site.

Recognised as the premier food and wine event in Australia, the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival boasts a line-up of more than 200 leading international and national chefs, winemakers, high profile food and wine media, restaurateurs and food enthusiasts who converge on Queensland's Sunshine Coast to taste, talk, debate, dine and indulge... Noosa Style.

Visitors can expect four action-packed days from May 16 to May 19 in 2013. For further information on the Festival visit the web site.

There's a great lineup of events at the Narooma Oyster Festival on the weekend of 4-5 May. Julie Goodwin of MasterChef fame is back. Events include an oyster opening competition, cooking demonstrations, boutique beer and wine sampling, and refreshments from a raft of waterside food and wine stalls will provide sustenance. The main feature, a vast oyster bar, will be serving freshly-shucked oysters alongside a selection of chilled whites. For more information and a full program, visit the web site. 

Food of Orange District (F.O.O.D.) Week takes place from 12-21 April 2013. Mark your diary, for this is when the shires of Orange, Cabonne and Blayney collectively celebrate local produce and fine food with an event that brings together growers, producers, chefs and restaurants. There are wine tastings, farm gate tours, cooking dems, picnics, music and entertainment. For more all the latest news and information, visit the F.O.O.D web site.