Alice Desert Festival

10am
Bushfoods/Wildfoods Recipe Competition:
Launch
Stimulate your taste buds and start the heart with wild coffee
tastings followed by the launch at 11am. Where Afghan Traders,
Leichtodd Plaza

Saturday 30 August

10am-Noon
Bushfoods/Wildfoods Recipe Competition:
First Heat
Where Afghan Traders, Leichtodd Plaza

Saturday 6 September

10am-Noon
Bushfoods/Wildfoods Recipe Competition:
Second Heat
Where Afghan Traders, Leichtodd Plaza

Saturday 13 September

10am-Noon
Bushfoods/Wildfoods Recipe Competition:
Final Heat
The heat’s on for all domestic cooks and professional chefs
competing for these much prized awards which will be presented
by ‘foodie’ icon Stephanie Alexander at a special dinner at Olive
Pink Botanic Garden on Sunday 21 September.
Where Afghan Traders, Leichtodd Plaza Cost Free
Info 8953 6112 http://bushwildfoods.wikispaces.com

Wednesday 17 September

Evening Meal
Bushfoods/Wildfoods
Culinary Challenge
Last chance to taste Festival Dishes and vote! Several restaurants
around Alice. Info 8953 6112 http://bushwildfoods.wikispaces.com

Sunday 21 September

7pm for 7.30pm
Bushfoods/Wildfoods
Gala Awards Dinner
Special guest judge, Stephanie Alexander is on hand to present the
prizes and to announce winners of the Culinary Challenge People’s
Choice Award and the Recipe Competition Awards. An added
bonus is entertainment by living legend Neil Murray.
Where Olive Pink Botanic Garden Cost $120 per head - four
courses including all beverages and bush liqueurs.
Bookings 8953 6111 or info@alicedesertfestival.com.au
Info http://bushwildfoods.wikispaces.com

Special Event
Bushfoods/Wildfoods Culinary Challenge
An opportunity for the restaurants and eating houses of Alice to
get involved in the Culinary Challenge. This year’s task is to choose
wattleseed and one other desert product and produce a ‘Festival
Dish’ (entrée, main course or dessert) which goes on the menu
before, during and after the Festival. Patrons order the dish and
vote for the People’s Choice Award. Let’s find out which eating
establishment will have bragging rights for the next year! Look in the
window for special signs of participating restaurants!

Festival Dishes go on the menu Mon 18 Aug
Voting closes Wed 17 Sept
Awards Dinner Sun 21 Sept
Festival Dishes go off the menu (end of art at the heart) Sun 5 Oct
Info http://bushwildfoods.wikispaces.com

BUSHFOODS/WILDFOODS CULINARY CHALLENGE RESTAURANTS

These restaurants are competing to win the coveted Bushfoods/Wildfoods Culinary Challenge in Alice Springs for 2008. Why not make a booking and give them a try? You be the judge! Judging slips available when you order - rate the dish, then write a review and you could also win a prize!

Red Ochre Grill - Head Chef: David Salisbury
Wattleseed Potato Gnocchi: - served with roast pumpkin, spinach, samphire, wattleseed marinated feta and finished with shaved parmesan and parsley oil - also available with prawns.

The Jolly Swagman - Cook: Andrea Celofiga
Bushlava - wattleseed, date, and walnut baklava steeped in Red Gum honey syrup

Coolamon Café, Alice Springs Desert Park - Chef: Udara Gamage
Slow Braised Kangaroo- topped with pastry lid dusted with wattleseed spices

Samphire Restaurant Chef: Umesh Chand
Camel Carpaccio- baby herbs, truffle oil and balsamic vinaigrette served with a wattleseed twist - thinly sliced prime cut camel cured for 48 hours in our chef's finest brandy and her marinade.

Red Sea Restaurant – Head Chef: Paul Korner
Smoked Kangaroo Fillet – on top of a spicy tomato and wattleseed chutney with sweet potato ribbons.

Bean Tree Café, Olive Pink Botanic Gardens Head Cook: Gabriel Waterford
Wattle 'n' Hop - mountain pepper infused sweet potato mash topped with pan sealed Kangaroo fillets, garlic butter mushrooms and steamed green beans, drizzled with caramelised wattleseed and bush honey sauce.