Crave Sydney launches with barbecue madness, talks and thoughts

The Crave Sydney International Food Festival kicks off this week for an entire month to celebrate all things foodalicious.

To kick off a huge weekend Barbeque madness will see Stephen Hodges (Fish Face), Phil Wood (Rockpool on George) and Kylie Kwong (Billy Kwongs) lead a cast of leading chefs cooking up a feast at The Sydney Morning Herald's Growers' Market 7am-11am 6 October.

	Stephen Hodges (Fish Face) will join Phil Wood (Rockpool on George) and Kylie Kwong (Billy Kwong) for Barbecue Madness this Saturday.

This is a stellar prelude to The World Chef Showcase on 6-7 October at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour where some of the world's finest culinary talents will come together for a series of presentations, demonstrations and open forums specifically suited to those working in the foodservice sector.

On Saturday 6 October hear about the ideas and issues at the heart of the foodservice sector with key food and wine thinkers such as David Chang, Ruth Reichl, Colman Andrews and Andrea Petrini, as well as local stars Ben Shewry, Terry Durack and Maggie Beer.

Sunday 7 October is a must attend for all restaurateurs when Dani Valent chairs a panel of experts to discuss The Art of the Restaurateur.

Panel members Nicholas Lander, Barry McDonald, Licia Granello and Alex Herbert will talk about the messy and magnificent business of feeding people.

Following this Jill Dupleix will MC a session focused on the hottest eateries in town featuring Anton Forte (Baxter Inn, Shady Pines), Sarah Doyle (Porteno, Bodega), Jack Hanna (The Grounds of Alexandria) and Andrea Petrini (World's 50 Best Restaurants). 

Meanwhile senior journalist Helen Greenwood will go one on one with the one and only Ben Shewry (Attica) to discuss his ground-breaking book - Origin.

As reported previously on foodService online (Crave Sydney International Food Festival turns Italian), the 2012 extravaganza will put the spotlight on Italian cuisine by featuring the biggest Italian stars from home and abroad.

For more information go to cravesydney.com

Source: Foodservide, 2 October 2012