Fire performances, live music and circus acts will feature on the main stage during The Forage as part of Winter in the City festivities. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Canberra foodies gathered on a chilly night for a preview of The Forage, which this year is teaming up with Winter in the City to bring food, fire, and festivities to the centre of the city.
Belinda Neame is the founder of The Forage: a Canberra street food festival running for 11 years. Over that time Belinda has seen Canberra’s food landscape change dramatically, with a surge in food trucks, changes in hospitality culture, and growing recognition of Canberra’s culinary prowess.
In addition to a range of food trucks, this year’s Forage line-up also features eight Canberra restaurants offering festival menus.
“We’re responding to the saturation of street food in Canberra,” Belinda said. “Street food is very common now and we’ve noticed a drop-off in attendance where the offerings are very similar.
“We’ve asked our vendors to come up with exclusive menus for the forage … and we’re really excited to introduce capped pricing at $18. It’s really generous of them to provide that to the community, so the event is more accessible.”
Restaurant quality food will take to the streets at the Winter Forage on Saturday 19 July, like these delicious prawn tacos from Clover Dining. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Each vendor will have a maximum of four menu items, ensuring quick service and minimising queues.
The Forage will be held on the final night of Winter in the City: a free public program of events run by the City Renewal Authority. This program of fire performances, live music and circus entertainment will run throughout the day and night on the main stage.
Highlights of the menus include the crispy-shell prawn tacos from Clover Dining, a new Wafu-Italian fusion restaurant in the city. Spicy, aromatic and totally moreish, these satisfying bites are selling for just $8 each at The Forage.
Heartier bites include the smoked brisket burger from Big Box Barbecue, and grilled chicken skewers in banana barbecue marinade from Filipino favourites Lolo & Lola.
Founders Belinda Neame (left), Tim Bean (right) and fire twirler Guy Alias (centre) at The Forage Winter 2024. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favourite dish on the night, with a $500 voucher up for grabs. The people’s choice dish will be awarded Street Food Champion 2025.
“It’s restaurant quality food, coming to the streets,” said Belinda,
“We just want people to get out and support our local vendors.”
The Forage and City Renewal websites offer detailed information about parking and traffic access to the city. Canberrans are urged to get out and support city businesses during this transitional time.
The Forage is held in collaboration with Winter in the City and will be held on 19 July from 12 to 9 pm at City Walk. For more information on vendors and to see their menus visit The Forage website, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. Find out more about Winter in the City.
