Winter Feast 2018

A mainstay of the Dark Mofo festival, the Winter Feast is a sumptuous banquet and a delight for all the senses. At the entrance, great plumes of fire erupt from metal towers. Filled with expectation, the hungry are welcomed to the feast, Dark Mofo-style.

Tasmania prides itself on paddock to plate produce; here at the feast you can sample from hundreds of stall holders offering a huge variety of culinary delights. There is something to tempt all tastes, from Japanese okonomiyaki to farm raised pork souvlaki skewers grilled over hot coals, slow roast lamb and nasi goreng with pickled vegetables. There are also dozens of local beverage producers, showcasing craft beers and ciders, boutique gin labels and world-class wines.

Within the great hall, a dazzling sight awaits — long tables bedecked with hundreds of candles and neon red crosses hanging from the ceiling overhead. Serenaded by live jazz in a David Lynch-esque red velvet alcove, the atmosphere is further enlivened by wandering characters in fancy dress who mingle and interact with the crowds and add to the quirkiness Dark Mofo attendees have come to expect.

Outside there are yet more delicious offerings, under trees twinkling with pink fairy lights, comfortable places to sit around bonfires and smaller stages set for more intimate live music performances from ragtime jazz to folk and blues. This year there is also the addition of a Palawa fire pit, sure to be a hit with the carnivores in the crowd.

Allow a few hours to sample the Winter Feast. In the days of fast food, it is a pleasure to be reminded of the leisurely pace and decadence of eating banquet-style.