Feasting after Fasting Progressive Dinners are back!!!

After the recent Food & Faith Feast at the cultural heaven in Bonnyrigg, Taste Food Tours brings another unique cultural offering. Our successful Feasting after Fasting Dinners from last year are back! Taste Food Tours provides a unique insight of what it is like to fast in the Muslim faith.

Fasting has been  a part of different faiths from centuries. The annual month long fasting in Ramadan is observed by Muslims all over the world. Whether you are interested in learning about  other cultures or are an avid foodie this is a must attend event.

Learn how food binds families and friends together in this celebratory feast. Our local Taste tour guide will act as your dinner host and share the traditions and customs that go hand in hand with this Muslim obligation which is also  the 3^rd pillar of the Muslim faith.

Feasting after Fasting  Progressive Dinners are open to both Muslims and Non-Muslims. This is your chance to learn more about this important feast and taste some of the exotic Middle Eastern treats that are served only during this holy month. Come with your family and friends and experience the traditional hospitality as you gain valuable insight of why Muslims observe the dawn to dusk fast.

Click here for a review of our Feasting after Fasting Dinner held last year.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. This year Ramadan falls in July. This is an event that comes only once a year. Book your places now to avoid disappointment later. Visit www.tastetours.org.au for details.

Kefta Recipe by Fayza el Assaad-Taste Instructor

Ingredients
1kg fine lamb mince
1 bunch parsley
1 medium sized onion
1 tablespoon mixed spices
1 medium sized red capsicum
1 teaspoon kirkir
1 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Using a food processor, finely chop parsley with onion and the red capsicum.
2. Place in a bowl and add the meat and spices
3. Knead all the contents well to ensure the meat takes up the vegetables and the spices.
4. After you have combined so well that the meat has taken up everything, knead onto a skewer.
5. You can either BBQ or grill these keftas.
6. Alternatively, make into small balls or sausage shape and pan fry them.
7. Serve with salad or in a bun/ Lebanese bread with humus and eggplant.

Enjoy them hot!

Taste Food Tours Feb – July : New Food & faith experiences, Bus tours, more to eat and discover

Have you had a chance to look at our exciting tours this season? Whether you are looking at discovering new locations or want to get to know your own local suburbs better, Taste Taste Food Tours offer an irresistible array of culturally thematic tours that will appeal to both food and culture lovers alike. With new bus tours, progressive dinners and Food & Faith experiences get ready to embark on an enlightening and more satisfying journey this year. Cooking classes to be launched soon.

Every ticket you buy helps to create training and employment opportunities for locals. Taste is a social enterprise project, all profits are invested in community initiatives.

What’s New at Taste?

Pho’ – Traditional Vietnamese Beef Noodles

Arnabeet, Baba Ganouj & Fresh Salad at Al-Wadi

The classical Indian dance moves with the colourful dress and accessories were a treat for the audience

Food & Faith experiences
Join the Taste team on a spiritual and cultural immersion with our Food & Faith Feast at Bonnyrigg and the Feasting after Fasting Progressive Dinners. Food & Faith Feast is our star tour this year as we attempt to gain insight to the spiritual connections of the many cultures that dwell in Sydney. Join the Taste team on a foodie feast through one of the best all purpose grocery/deli stores in Sydney, Buddhist temples, a mosque, fabulous Lao restaurant, European clubs and much, much more! On the same note, be sure to book early for our special Feasting after Fasting Ramadan Dinners. Indulge in a Middle Eastern feast as you break fast with the locals and learn about the traditions that go hand in hand with the Muslim obligation of fasting.

Café Crawl
Don’t get deceived by the name! it’s not so much a Café Crawl, but an expedition that will take you through a range of quirky and quaint cafes sampling food from a variety of cultures in the heart of Parramatta CBD.

Babylonian Delights
Immerse yourself in the food and culture of the one of the world’s oldest civilisations, Mesopotamia, and indulge in ancient food delicacies of the Persian, Afghan and Kurdish kitchen that still makes its mark on menus and tables across the globe.

Bus Tours
Now you can discover more in a day tour by hopping on a Taste Bus Tour. After the successful launch of bus tours in Strathfield last year, we now have Bus tours in Canterbuy and Parramatta as well. Trust the Taste team to introduce you to the hidden foodie spots in these culturally diverse LGAs.

Seniors Discount
We now have a special rate for seniors on all our tours. Be sure to check out the seniors discount. Conditions apply.

For a full list of tours this season see below or visit www.tastetours.org.au;

Walking Tours -Every tour starts with a caffeine kick includes tastings in-store, lunch, recipes and a sample bag you will fill to bursting with goodies you collect along the wa
Adult tour price:$80 per person
Time: 10.30 am – 2.30 pm

23rd Feb South East Asian Odyssey
When it comes to cultural-fusion, Campsie is an absolute must visit. This tour through South East Asia has stopovers in India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Korea.

9th March Continental Cravings
This is a Deli Delights tour of the Mediterranean, from smallgoods to sweet treats from Greece, even Turkish delight, this tour is sure to satisfy every craving.

16th March Café Crawl NEW
Influenced by Italy, Malaysia, South America and the Mediterranean, the cafes offer an amazing range of different coffee & tea blends, mouth watering chocolates and much, much more. You’ll sample sweet and savoury dishes and even have a barista lesson!

23rd March Food & Faith Feast NEW
Bonnyrigg Town Centre is a unique place of cultural unity and diversity.The spiritual capital of Western Sydney and an undiscovered foodie “Heaven”, it is the embodiment of a modern multicultural community. It is a place that is waiting to be discovered by locals and visitors alike. If you enjoy learning about different cultures and their sacred traditions, then this is a must do event for you.

13th April Beirut to Bangladesh
Lakemba is a literal multicultural oasis! We will travel through Tripoli, Lebanon and Bangladesh sampling manoush and picking up tips for cooking with spices, middle eastern & Bangladeshi style.

20th April Indo Arab Adventure
Join the Taste team on an Indian & Arab adventure through the vibrant village of Harris Park. Immerse yourself in the colour and flavours of a literal feast of Indian & Middle Eastern treats.

27th April South American Food Trail
Fairfield is home to a thriving Spanish and Latin American community and this tour will share their food and culture.

11th May Little Korea
Step into the heart pf Seoul, right here in Sydney! From snack stalls and bbq to groceries and fresh food, we visit an array of fabulous Korean specialty stores where the locals share cooking tips and insights into their culture.

18th May World Food Trail
You don’t need a passport for this trip around the world! Our food trek across Bankstown will take us to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

25th May Mediterranean Feast
Join us on a culinary and cultural adventure that will blow your mind and taste buds.Indulge in a feast of Greek, Lebanese and Syrian delights.

15th June Arabic Adventure
Get ready to embark on an Arabic adventure. Greenacre village is home to some of the best foodie treasures in Sydney.

22nd June Bush Tucker to Biryani
Discover the impact of immigration on Australian food. This tour will delve into the historical evolution of food in Australia from the basic Bush Tucker to more exotic dishes from far away lands.

29th June Babylonian Delights
Savour traditional Iraqi breads such as Samoon baked in a tandoor and delicious dips are just some of the samples you will savour, you’ll also get to peek in the Iraqi pantry of culinary essentials-think dates, syrup, tahini, rose water and tamarind.

13th July Shanghai via Saigon
Jump onboard the Bankstown Orient Express! You will find out where to buy the freshest ingredients at great prices at Little Saigon.

Bus Tours – Every tour starts with a caffeine kick includes tastings in-store, lunch, recipes and a sample bag you will fill to bursting with goodies you collect along the way.
Adult tour price:$120 per person- includes bus fare
Time: 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

2nd March Strathfield on Wheels
Hop on board this exciting bus tour through the villages of Strathfield and surrounds. Experience the cuisines and cultures of South East and East Asia, Indian, the Middle East and Europe.

6th April Canterbury on Wheels NEW
Join this exciting bus tour through the foodie finds of Canterbury and surrounds. Hurlstone Park, Croydon Park and Earlwood are a food lovers paradise! This culinary adventure that will take you through Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, India and South East Asia.

4th May Parramatta on Wheels NEW
Hop on board this exciting bus tour through the culturally diverse town centres of Merrylands, Guildford and Granville. The best of the west is on offer here, the variety and quality immense!

6th July Strathfield on Wheels
Hop on board this exciting bus tour through the villages of Strathfield and surrounds. Experience the cuisines and cultures of South East and East Asia, Indian, the Middle East and Europe

Progressive Dinners
Adult tour price:$110 per person
Time: 4.45 pm – 8.00 pm ( Fast breaks at sunset)

19th July Feasting After Fasting @ Greenacre
26th July Feasting after Fasting @ Bankstown NEW

If you have ever wondered about Ramadan and want to experience the spiritual side of breaking fast, then join us for this beautiful feast of flavours and a unique cultural experience.

We would love to hear what you think of our line-up of tours this season. Feel free to send us an email or post on our facebook page.

Special corporate and group packages are also available for organisations. Choose from our themed walking tours or let us organise a progressive dinner, throw in a cooking demonstration, drumming workshop or a dragon dance for creating team harmony. The Taste Team can help organise that perfect event to suit your budget. Have fun and also feel the inner satisfaction of supporting a community project. For information on corporate and group tours please call or email Taste Food Tour co-ordinator, Zizi Charida on 9707 0802 or zizic@bensoc.org.au

We can cater for groups as small as 8 and as large as 100. Taste sample from a range of your favourite ethnic cuisines, discover foodie gems in local suburbs, collect lots of samples on the way and take home a bag full of goodies!.

Taste Food Tour gift certificates are also a novel gift idea for birthdays, special events and festive occasions. Treat your loved ones to a unique cultural experience without travelling overseas. Gift certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.

Help us support this social enterprise by fowarding our information within your network. Join us on facebook , twitter for updates and share your own passionate ideas about culture, food and the diversity around us. Read our blog for more stories about our work.

Indo Arab Adventure that rocked Harris Park

April from Seva International captivates the audience with her fusion Middle Eastern and Indian Dance to the beat of the Tabla

What a rocker!! A beautiful sunny day, 12 adventurous foodies set off to discover the exotic tastes of Harris Park in this fabulous new tour launched as part of the Sydney International Food Festival. The tour started with a beautiful performance created by Seva International especially for the event. It was not only a lovely surprise for the participants but the locals and passerbys all enjoyed this colourful entertainment in front of Sweet Land Patisserie.

Demonstration: Preparing Hummous Dip

With two demonstrations of using Chick peas in Middle Eastern & Indian Cooking, generous and hospitable restaurant owners,  a real foodie indulgence with sweet and spicy exotic flavours the tour was a great hit. And the visit to the Indian Designer shop turned out to be a special treat for the ladies as they oohed and ahhed and the fine emrodery and ethnic designs, playfully draping the fine silks and fabrics. After all the shopkeeper even threw in a special discount for the tour participants so who could resist! Check out this great tour yourself next year or simply buy a Taste Gift Certificate f0ryour choice tour. Gift Certificates are valid for 6 months from the time of purchase. Details: 02 9707 0801/2  email: strongcommunities@bensoc.org.au

Eat for a cause~A perfect end of year team activity with a social purpose

Looking forward to the festive season? Building up your Christmas list for pressies and must-do events? How about engaging in a unique experience that also helps to give back to the community while having fun!

 Whether you are organising end-of year activities for your staff, or having a family re-union or simply want to buy a present for your loved ones, share the joy by engaging with the local community, learn about different cultures and help us in creating social harmony.

 Every ticket you buy helps to create training and employment opportunities for locals. Taste is a social enterprise project, all profits are invested in community initiatives.

Exclusive Corporate/ Group Tours

Taste Food Tours offer special celebratory packages for your end of year activities. We can add that extra sparkle to your festivities by organising a  food tour tailored for  your group. Want to have a day/night out with special friends or organise a team building end of year activity with colleagues? Choose from our themed walking tours, bus tours or progressive dinners. Throw in a cooking demonstration, drumming workshop or a belly dancer!! The Taste Team can help organise that perfect event to suit your budget. Have fun and also feel the inner satisfaction of supporting a community project.

We can cater for groups as small as 6 and as large as 100. Taste sample from a range of your favourite ethnic cuisines, collect lots of samples on the way and also take home a bag full of goodies!For information on a tailored group tour, please call or email Taste Food Tour co-ordinator, Zizi Charida on 9707 0802 or zizic@bensoc.org.au

 Taste Food Tour Gift Certificates

Taste Food Tour gift certificates are a novel gift idea for all festive occasions. Buy Taste Gift vouchers for Xmas this year and share the joy of living in multicultural Australia. Treat your loved ones to a unique cultural experience without travelling overseas. Gift certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. Taste Food Tours 2013 calendar coming up soon.

Help us support this social enterprise by fowarding our information within your network. Join us on facebook , twitter for updates and share your own passionate ideas about culture, food and  the diversity around us. Read our blog for more stories about our work.

Taste in the News

 Do check out the links below to see what you help us achieve

Bankstown-Canterbury Express: Taste Food Tour has a taste of success

http://express.whereilive.com.au/news/story/tour-has-a-taste-of-success/

SBS Feature story: How to make it big in Australia

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1666452/Refugees:-How-to-make-it-big-in-Australia

ABC 7.30 Report: Shipping container brings taste of harmony

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-17/shipping-container-brings-taste-of-harmony/4206922

For online bookings and a  full description of our tours visit www.tastetours.org.au

 Like us on facebook for latest Taste News and special promotions.

See you on a Taste food Tour soon!

The lively Taste Food Tour joining in the fun

STRATHFIELD ON WHEELS – SO GOOD THEY RETRACED THEIR STEPS THE NEXT DAY by Lynn Teo

Taste Food Tours is going places!  We have started running our first bus tour: Strathfield on Wheels.

Some of our Tasters enjoyed this tour so much that they returned to the area to retrace some steps the very day after their tour.

In a bus provided by Strathfield Council, we take intrepid Tasters to explore the authentic ethnic pockets of Strathfield and three surrounding foodie areas.

We start with a traditional Malaysian breakfast of nasi  lemak, a comforting coconut rice served with flavour spikes from beef rendang and sambal, balanced with cool cucumber and crunchy anchovies.

Along the way, we ogle at glistening roasted meats and seafood so fresh it’s still moving.  We discover secrets to throwing together various speedy, tasty, cheap and wholesome meals, perfect for midweek when the exhaustion sets in and the fridge starts to resemble Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard.

Bbq Duck tongues

An introduction to smiling Sally is next.  Sally’s team makes over 45 types of yumcha items in convenient takeaway packs, at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a yumcha restaurant.  What’s more, our guests get a rundown on traditions behind certain dishes, and how to avoid looking like a novice when eating some items. 

Next, we take a side trip to India and Sri Lanka, via true blue Australia.  We discover a longstanding, unassuming but immaculately presented quality Australian butchery, located right opposite the very school where the butcher spent his formative years. 

Light Lunch Part 1 has a Sri Lankan theme, with an explosion of textures and tastes.  Have you had a super crisp dosa before?  Or tried a diced, spiced flatbread dish to which all our Tasters have unanimously given two thumbs up?

 

To arrest any post-prandial drowsiness, we have top- notch coffee at an emporium housing a completely over-the-top roaster in a room larger than your average kidili (that’s open plan kitchen-dining-living, to those lucky people for whom home renovations don’t chew up brain space).   Included in the tour is a behind-the-scenes look  at the roaster with the undivided attention of the barista.

Korean Meat

We then sample a range of Korean meats at an unusually spacious butchery with well-explained marinated Korean cuts of meat, and well-priced wagyu.  The secret of the Koreans’ healthy, delicious way of consuming meat is also revealed to us.  We find another source of an effortless dinner party dish.

Korean Food accompaniments

Light Lunch Part 2 is at a Korean restaurant, where we sample fare outside the sphere of the standard (albeit yummy) Korean barbecue.  This is accompanied by snippets of Korean eating practices and humorous proverbs, to complete the cultural experience.

Finally, we visit a Korean supermarket to learn about some unique and useful pantry items handy for everyday cooking (nor necessarily Korean cuisine).

Ah, did I fail to mention the tour also includes two sensational offerings guaranteed to please the sweetest tooth? 

Many of our Tasters have lamented not following our advice to bring ice bricks and chiller bags, as there were many items they would have loved to buy during the tour.  Now you have been warned!

One highlight of the tour is that our Taste guide will tell you stories of the business owners, and share light-hearted snippets on the cuisines and cultures you will encounter.  Best of all, you will find out local shopping secrets, and touch and see foods you haven’t come across before. 

We have one Strathfield on Wheels tour on 15  September and another on 1 December, both with limited places due to bus capacity.  So book early to avoid disappointment.

Like all other tours, exclusive bus tours can also be organised for organisations and private groups. For Details contact zizic@bensoc.org.au or call 02 9707 0802. Check out our full list of tours on www.tastetours.org.au. With walking tours, bus tours, cooking classes and progressive dinners you have ample choice to choose for a fun filled day/night out with friends.

Noodle Platter

Taste Food Tours latest Offerings

Doug shows off the unbeatable souvlaki at Sydney Best & Fresh

Hi Tasters,

 We are back with some exciting new tours this season. Now Taste Food Tours brings you a greater variety to choose from. With a combination of your favourite walking tours, we are sure you will be happy to see the amazing new line-up we have for you.

Bus Tours – Strathfield on Wheels

Yes!! now you can double the fun with a Bus tour that will take you around the food hubs in Strathfield. Let our friendly and competent guides show you around the best places to shop in Strathfield and adjoining area. Choose from 4 August, 15 September and 1 December. Be sure to book soon to avoid disappointment. Taste has now teamed up with Strathfield City Council to make this year’s Strathfield Food Festival a rocking success. Meet us at the festival.

Progressive Dinners

Feasting after Fasting

These fabulous Progressive Dinners promise to be a cultural explosion of flavours. The dinners will give you an insight about the tradition of the Muslim fast. You can choose from either Lakemba or Greenacre and  experience authentic dishes from the Indian Sub-continent and Middle East, especially made during Ramadan. Every participant also takes home a special Ramadan/Eid gift pack!

Seoul Food Nights

Discover amazing Korean food while enjoying Strathfield by night.

Cooking Classes – Lao Temple Food

Learn secrets of the Lao cuisine from friendly locals who help to prepare food for the monks at the Lao Buddhist temple. Get a guided tour of the temple and enjoy a spiritual and cultural experience. Pick from the morning or evening class.

We’ve developed new tours in Fairfield, Strathfield, Campsie, Lakemba & Belmore.  As always, you can go on every tour and never visit the same stop twice. Book your places for a foodie adventure from our list of Food tours with enough samples to fill your complimentary bag to bursting and let our enthusiastic local guides take you on a cultural journey and share their stories about food and culture.  Every Saturday walking tour starts at 10.30 am, finishes at 2pm and includes a sit down lunch & desserts.

A big Thank you to the teams at Strathfield City Council, Fairfield Migrant Resource Centre, Fairfield City Council and the Lao Buddhist Society of NSW who have partnered with us this year.

Special corporate and group packages are also available for organisations. Choose from our themed walking tours or let us organise a progressive dinner, throw in a cooking demonstration, drumming workshop or a dragon dance for creating team harmony. The Taste Team can help organise that perfect event to suit your budget. Have fun and also feel the inner satisfaction of supporting a community project. For information on corporate and group tours please call or email Taste Food Tour co-ordinator, Zizi Charida on 9707 0802 or zizic@bensoc.org.au

We can cater for groups as small as 8 and as large as 100. Taste sample from a range of your favourite ethnic cuisines, discover foodie gems in local suburbs, collect lots of samples on the way and take home a bag full of goodies!.

Taste Food Tour gift certificates are a novel gift idea for birthdays, special events and festive occasions. Treat your loved ones to a unique cultural experience without travelling overseas. Gift certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.

Help us support this social enterprise by fowarding our information within your network. Join us on facebook , twitter for updates and share your own passionate ideas about culture, food and  the diversity around us. Read our blog for more stories about our work.

See you on a Taste Food Tour soon!

Feasting after Fasting – Taste Progressive Dinners

Fasting is a spiritual experience observed in many faiths since centuries. Taste Food Tours brings you the opprtunity to experience the cultural and spiritual side of the Muslim fast through our new Progressive Dinners this Ramadan.

We have added two Ramadan Feast Dinners on our calendar this August. The dinners held in Lakemba and Greenacre highlight the cultural aspects of these South Western Sydney Suburbs. Our local guides will be acting as your dinner hosts and tell you stories about how fasting is traditionally observed in the Indian Sub-continent and the Middle East.

Check out this video of a recent Taste Food Tour in Lakemba to get an idea of what the food tours and dinners have to offer.

Taste is a social enterprise project of The Benevolent Society. All profits are reinvested in the community to create training and employment opportunities for locals. Book online www.tastetours.org.au or call 1800 819 633/97070802-1 for Details.

Looking for a great weekend activity? Look no further..

Looking for a great weekend activity? Look no further..

Taste Food Tours ~ A social enterprise project that helps to promote inspiring entrepreuneurs

Taste Food Tours are slowly becoming famous for not only the food and cultures they help people to explore but also for helping to support small businesses. The Benevolent Society’s innnovative project helps to bring communities together and bridge the social divide by helping to revamp the image of areas that mostly attract negative media attention.

People from different parts of the city are continuously intrigued by the suburbs introduced to them at the tours.

Making of Chicken Tikkas & Traditional Naan bread

“ I was not interested in coming to Lakemba, but after the tour I simply love this place and I am definitely going to come back!~Ms. Llanes, Taste Food tour participant.

” The tour helped to break stereotypes. I never thought Bankstown has such diverse cultures and great food!”~Taste Food Tour participant

” I love what Fairfield has to offer. I cant believe there is so much variety of great quality food and the amazing stories of the business owners is so inspiring!’~ Taste Food Tour Participant

“We get people coming from all over Sydney, from I suppose the more privileged areas, and they come out to places like Fairfield that are considered disadvantaged and actually see that, wow, these areas are actually quite amazing, colourful places,” says Zizi Charida, Taste Food Tour Coordinator while talking to SBS News.

“The people are absolutely friendly, the shop owners are so generous and people really discover that on the tours and that’s what we want to bring through,” she adds.

 ”Each stop on the tour reveals entrepreneurs who have turned turmoil into triumph.

Humanitarian arrivals are self-employed at rates higher than other migrant groups or even people born here, despite the fact refugees aren’t usually able to bring any capital and assets.

It seems risk-taking, opportunism and challenging the status quo are characteristics of both entrepreneurship and immigration…” reports Andy Park, SBS News.

Help to support this innovative social enterprise project by booking yourself a personal treat on a Taste Food Tour. From walking day tours, Progressive Dinners, Pampering experiences, cooking classes and exclusive group events there is something for everyone. Details: 1800 819 633/ 9707 0802 or email strongcommunities@bensoc.org.au

Lebanese Sweet shop