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28 Jan 2020

Foodie heaven on the foreshore

Relax harbourside on the foreshore lawns at the Tomato Festival Sydney on 15 and 16 February. The Festival Village is located within the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and will celebrate all things tomato with a new theme - the joy of the kitchen garden.

Botanically a fruit, but classified as a berry, the tomato is an indispensable part of our lives and enjoyed the world over. From salads to sauces, pizza to pastas, the tomato has become a versatile staple in the diet of many. Check out all the festival fun and delicious activities in the video below.

Be inspired and entertained

The Tomato Festival Sydney is all about local and seasonal produce, heirloom varieties, bush tucker, as well as growing and preserving the season’s bounty in an imaginative and accessible way.

There are free gardening talks and cooking demonstrations in the Community Greening Cooking & Learning Hub for foodies and green thumbs alike. Sessions include how to make delicious dishes from your kitchen garden, demonstrations by award-winning chefs along with gardening talks from industry experts. Learn how to grow heirloom tomatoes and get top tips for keeping away pests and disease in an environmentally friendly way.

Cooking Demonstrations

Come and learn the secrets of simple seasonal Italian dishes, from celebrated chef Luca Ciano who honed his skills in the 2 Michelin-starred restaurant ‘Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia’ in Milan, for free in the Commmunity Greening Cooking & Learning Hub.

Don't miss Doctors Pietro and Sandro Demaio for a masterclass on food and family. Learn timeless Italian techniques to preserve the seasonal bounty from your garden to share with family and friends. This father and son duo combine their medical knowledge and health advocacy with a shared passion for family and food. Tickets to their masterclass Preserving the Italian Way (lunch included!) can be purchased here.

costa georgiadas, tomato festival sydney, royal botanic garden
Meet Festival ambassador Costa Georgiadis

Hear from the pros

Meet Festival Ambassador Costa Georgiadis around the Garden and join unconventional artist Charlotte Thodey for a wild tomato-inspired art class. Find out more about vegetable art and secure your tickets here

Jac Semmler from The Diggers Club ​will host Establish a Kitchen Garden in any Space at The Calyx, proving that anyone can grow their own vege.

See the full program of events here.

Festival favourites

Naturally, there are plenty of opportunities for you to taste tomatoes at the Tomato Festival. Check out the market stalls, go along on a free garden tour or marvel at the Harris Farm Markets Tomato Mandala. 

Share your experience with us by using #TomatoFestivalSydney and #RBGSydney. 

More information about the Tomato Festival Sydney can be viewed here

tomato festival sydney, royal botanic garden, harris farm
Can you guess how many tomatoes it takes to make the Harris Farm Markets Tomato Mandala? Come down to the Festival 15 – 16 February and enter!
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