NightFeast: a tasty way to support local business

With the Territory’s annual flower festival “reimagined” this year, Canberrans are going to miss their instalment of Floriade’s NightFest.

Luckily, you can get your fix in another way when NightFest partners with some local eateries and food businesses for ‘NightFeast’, a Territory-wide feast tomorrow, Friday 2 October.

If you feel like venturing out to enjoy NightFeast, a number of local haunts will be serving up spring-inspired menus and entertainment. Think an Alice in Wonderland-inspired menu at Capitol Bar and Grill, live music, burgers and beers at Capital Brewing Co., a plant-based burger high tea at Beef & Barley, or floral-based takeaway desserts at Frugii – plus a whole lot more across the city.

Events ACT’s Ross Triffitt said NightFeast is a Canberra first, and will ensure punters don’t miss out on a foodie experience just because Floriade looks a little different this year.

“NightFest will connect Canberrans through a shared celebration of Canberra’s great food scene and empower our community to support local eateries,” he said.

“Each local purchase goes a long way, helping not only that neighbourhood business, but also their team, suppliers, growers, families and more.”

If you’d prefer to feast in the comfort of your own home (we get it), there’ll also be a range of at-home packs available so you can join in the feast-ivities from the couch in your PJs.

Lazy Grazer has teamed up with Contentious Character for the antipasto and wine pairing of your dreams, Underground Spirits has prepared two DIY cocktail kits, and Gourmet by Design has put together a range of hampers with local snacks, beers and wine.

Belinda Sciberras, owner of Gourmet by Design, says NightFeast is all about supporting local food businesses that have been doing it tough in 2020 after fires, hailstorms and COVID-19.

“It’s the restaurants, it’s the hospitality industry that’s been hugely hit by COVID,” she says.

“I think [supporting local] has been so much more important of late, but even now it’s a way of celebrating what we’re missing. We’re missing Floriade, we’re missing NightFest but also supporting small business.”

While you’re living it up at home, you can also try your hand at making one of the festival’s signature lanterns while you listen to a curated Spotify playlist featuring artists from festivals past.

Head to floriadeaustralia.com/nightfest for all the delicious details.