From May 17 to May 19, Maitland Taste, presented by Mutual Bank, returns to The Levee all in the name of celebrating good food, wine, and produce from the Hunter Region and surrounds.

With Maitland's reputation as a hub for quality local produce, restaurants, and home cooks growing, the three-day event features an array of stalls and activities showcasing local, regional and organic produce.

The program includes a long lunch, gourmet food and artisan markets, food trucks, cooking and garden demonstrations, live music, kids activities, and more.

The fun extends into the night with vibrant lighting installations and pop-up eateries found in the precinct's laneways. Visitors will be able to taste their way through the many local restaurants and food trucks peppered throughout The Levee while taking in the sounds of live music from talented local musicians.

Long Lunch

New to the Maitland Taste program this year is the Long Lunch hosted by Acacia Dining on May 19. Expect a three-course shared feast showcasing the best local produce matched with Usher Tinkler wine. Make sure you book through Acacia Dining directly.

The Levee Shared Zone

The Levee Shared Zone will be home to a host of local food and wine market stalls, food trucks, activities for kids, and cooking demonstrations.

From wine, cheese and flowers to freshly baked bread, delicious meals and decadent sweets, there'll be something for the whole family to enjoy.

Choose from food stalls like Smokin Hot ‘n Saucy, James and the Chocolate Berry, and Wagyu Blacks, or explore wineries, breweries, and distilleries with the likes of Phoenix Distilling Co, Hungerford Hill Estate, and The Mulled Wine Co.

Pop-up eateries

In addition to the incredible range of stallholders at The Levee Shared Zone, Maitland Taste will be featuring two exciting pop-up eateries, offering two unique and immersive experiences.

Coffin Lane, off Bourke Street, will transform into Boydell’s Bubble Bar with a burlesque twist. Serving local wines, courtesy of Boydell’s, the laneway will be sure to create an effervescent atmosphere to enjoy your Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings.

Dive into Dransfield Diner, a diner-styled laneway with delicious aromas and retro vibes at Dransfield Lane. Indulge your senses with artisanal pizzas, gourmet burgers, waffles, creamy milkshakes, and more! The cozy diner will be complete with twinkling lights and seating areas that will transport you back to the 1950s.

Lighting installations

Over the weekend check out a new immersive inflatable art landscape inspired by Andy Warhol’s Soup Cans. Love Pop, created by artist Matthew Aberline and writer Cath Moore, reimagines love and diversity as giant oversized products belonging to an imaginary oversized supermarket, incorporating games for the whole family. The installation is made from 100% recycled PET drinking bottles – go and see it transform as it illuminates each night!

Make sure you tag your photos of the installation with #MaitlandTaste and #TheLeveeCentralMaitland.

Entertainment

The Levee Shared Zone will turn into a music lover's haven with a range of pop-up spaces located through the precinct. Catch some of Maitland and the region's most talented musicians, performers, and independent songwriters while visiting Maitland Taste, ensuring every bite is accompanied by the perfect soundtrack.

Kitchen Stage 

The Kitchen Stage, hosted by Matt McFarlane, will feature a range of cooking demonstrations on Saturday May 18, showcasing local chefs and some of Maitland Taste’s very own stallholders. 

Whether you’re a home cook or simply interested in the art of cooking, the kitchen stage is the perfect place to gain inspiration and insight.

Garden Stage

For all you green thumbs out there, a range of garden demonstrations will be taking place on Sunday May 19. The Garden Stage demonstrations will give you the opportunity to learn from the best on how to make your backyard more self-sufficient and explore the many practical ways you can get your backyard thriving with food, herbs, and flowers using organic and permaculture techniques and more.

Bee Zone

Meet backyard beekeepers Geoff and Heather from Heather’s Honey and Hives. Make sure you visit their bee stall to see live honey bees in an observation hive, plus a working native bee hive, taste honey, learn how to make beeswax candles, and even try your hand at making bee hotels.

Pumpkin Precinct

Thanks to Slow Food Hunter Valley, the Pumpkin Precinct will be jam packed over the Taste weekend with produce sourced from the Hunter region.

Enjoy fresh produce direct from the farmer, including a range of seasonal winter vegetables. There’s also a range of kid's workshops where they can learn to make some delicious pumpkin arancini with ingredients sourced from local producers (bookings are required).

Nature Nurture

Nature and Nurture will be facilitating engaging and creative experiences on Saturday and Sunday for people of all ages. 

Explore your creativity and connect with nature through craft, watercolour painting, and sensory play.

Whether you're a foodie looking to discover something new, or you're just looking for a great day, afternoon, or evening out with family and friends, Maitland Taste is the place to be.

Maitland Taste

When: 17 May - 19 May 2024
Where: The Levee Shared Zone, Central Maitland
More information: Check out The Levee's Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on Maitland Taste 2024 or visit maitlandtaste.com.au