Good food has a funny way of bringing people together. Whether it’s discovering a tiny country pub with a roaring fire, finding a bottle you’ll buy again and again, or stumbling across a festival that suddenly finds its way onto your calendar, Australia has no shortage of delicious experiences waiting to be uncovered.
Like any good menu, Uncorked & Forked will change with the seasons. Some favourites will return each week, while others will pop up whenever we discover something too good not to share.
Here’s what’s whetting our appetite this week…
Fire, food and one unforgettable night under the stars
Some dinners fill your stomach, while others become the sort of night you’re still talking about six months later.
Sydney’s beautifully restored Old Clare Hotel is hoping its newest dining experience falls firmly into the second category.
For one night only on Friday, August 28, the hotel’s rooftop will swap its famous swimming pool for something far more dramatic including an open-fire kitchen where flames, smoke and premium Australian produce take centre stage.
Forget hushed dining rooms and stiff formalities, and instead picture long communal tables, glowing embers, exceptional food, matched wines and conversations that linger well after dessert.
TV personality and storyteller Arrnott Olssen joins chef Jason Roberts (main image) for their first public dining collaboration, serving a multi-course feast showcasing Humpty Doo barramundi, Spencer Gulf kingfish and seasonal produce sourced from around Australia.
Between courses, guests will hear the stories behind every dish: the growers, producers and communities whose passion ultimately lands on our plates. It’s a lovely reminder that great food is rarely just about the food.
With just 80 guests attending, this promises to be one of those intimate experiences that feels a little special from the moment you arrive.
The Verdict: There’s something timeless about gathering around a fire with great food, good wine and interesting company. If Sydney’s on your radar in late August, we’d be booking sooner rather than later.
Every wine region has one bottle people quietly tell you not to miss and in the Barossa, Kellermeister’s Wild Witch Shiraz has built exactly that sort of reputation.
Produced only in vintages the winemaking team believes are truly exceptional, this flagship Shiraz has earned a loyal following among collectors and judges alike. Since Kellermeister opened its doors in 1976, Wild Witch has amassed an enviable list of accolades, including Best Shiraz in the World, Best Barossa Shiraz and Wine of the Year at major international competitions. More recently, it has continued to impress on the global stage with international gold medals and consistent praise for its quality, balance and elegance.
It’s a wine celebrated for its depth and refinement, with rich dark fruit, hints of spice and chocolate, subtle oak and a finish that lingers long after the last sip.
This isn’t the bottle you open in a hurry on a Tuesday night, it’s the one you reach for when there’s a slow-roasted lamb on the table, good friends gathered around it and nobody’s watching the clock.
The Verdict: Every now and then you come across a wine that’s already won over the experts but still feels like a discovery. Wild Witch has that rare combination of power and polish that reminds you why the Barossa remains one of the world’s great Shiraz regions.
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Best with: Slow-roasted lamb, chargrilled steak or a hearty winter casserole.
Australian rum has quietly grown up.
Once overshadowed by Caribbean labels, local distillers are now producing spirits that can comfortably hold their own on the world stage, and Karu Distillery’s Outcask Wild Rum is a terrific example.
Crafted at the foot of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, this limited-release rum delivers rich caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and warming spice, balanced by the complexity that only careful barrel ageing can achieve.
Whether you enjoy it neat by the fire or stirred into a classic Old Fashioned, it’s a bottle that deserves a place on the shelf.
The Verdict: Australian rum has come of age, and this beautifully crafted drop proves we should be looking closer to home.
Port Douglas, Queensland | August 6–9
Sunshine, reef-fresh seafood, tropical produce and some of Australia’s leading chefs combine for one of the country’s most picturesque food festivals. Add wine masterclasses and the stunning backdrop of Tropical North Queensland, and you’ve got every excuse to swap winter woollies for shorts and sandals.
Why we’d go: The seafood alone is worth the trip.
Find out more at the official website
Orange, New South Wales | August 7–16
Winter doesn’t get much better than this. Think crackling fire pits, cool-climate wines, long lunches and regional produce served by some of Orange’s best restaurants. It’s cosy, colourful and a wonderful celebration of everything the region does so well.
Why we’d go: Great wine always tastes even better beside an open fire.
Find out more: Orange Region Fire Festival
Rutherglen, Victoria | August 7–16
Historic wineries lit by thousands of candles, night tastings, live music and the rich flavours of one of Australia’s oldest wine regions. The Dark Side of Wine transforms Rutherglen into one of the country’s most atmospheric winter destinations.
Why we’d go: If you’ve never experienced Rutherglen after dark, this is the perfect place to start.
Find out more: Explore Rutherglen
A cookbook that proves restaurant-quality food can be made at home
Fresh onto Australian bookshelves is Nothing Matters But Delicious by award-winning chef Greg Baxtrom.
Released this month, the beautifully photographed cookbook features 75 approachable recipes inspired by the acclaimed New York restaurants Olmsted, Patti Ann’s and Five Acres. More importantly, it strips away the intimidating techniques and focuses on food that’s achievable, generous and, above all, delicious.
Why it’s on our radar: Every now and then a cookbook comes along that makes you want to cook, not just admire the photos. Behind every great meal is a story… and sometimes, even a museum.
The pie stop that’s become a Queensland institution
Ask almost any Queenslander driving between Brisbane and the Gold Coast where to stop for lunch and chances are you’ll hear the same answer — Yatala Pies.
What began more than 130 years ago as a humble pie shop on the old Pacific Highway has grown into one of Australia’s most famous roadside food stops. Traditional ceramic ovens are still part of the baking process, while generous fillings and good old-fashioned word of mouth have helped build its legendary reputation.
Generations of holidaymakers have built family traditions around pulling into Yatala, stretching the legs and tucking into a piping hot pie before continuing north or south. In an age of fast food chains, there’s something reassuring about a business that’s become famous simply by doing one thing exceptionally well.
The Verdict: Some places become famous because of clever marketing. Yatala Pies became famous because generations of travellers kept telling the next generation to pull over.
Find out more: Yatala Pies
It’s a reminder that behind every great meal is a story — and sometimes, even a museum.
Pasta, anyone? Italy’s pasta museum is serving up a slice of history
If you thought pasta was just dinner, think again.
In the Italian city of Parma, there’s an entire museum dedicated to one of the world’s favourite comfort foods.
Visitors can wander through centuries of pasta-making history, from antique rolling pins and early presses to fascinating displays celebrating the hundreds of shapes and traditions that have made pasta a global icon.
It’s a reminder that behind every great meal is a story — and sometimes, even a museum.
Until next Friday… keep discovering, keep tasting and never drive past a country pub on an empty stomach.
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