Pretty hard to look past a country that has about ten different regional cuisines that are each individually more complex, varied and delicious than the cuisine of a lot of entire countries. I did consider [UNDRAFTED] pretty hard, and maybe it's the better value pick, but personal preferences have to feed into this somewhere, and god dammit I just love Chinese food so much. From spare ribs and crispy seaweed as a kid, to the 'roast pig roast pork' I ordered blindly in [UNDRAFTED] that opened my eyes to the incredible and highly unhealthy world of siu yuk, to the tiny Sichuan restaurant near my old office that I used to go to weekly to try something else new on the absurdly long menu, to the 'grease down to your elbows' trashy deliciousness of Xi'an pork roujiamo, I've loved almost everything I've eaten, and know that there's much, much more out there that I've never tried, or never even heard of. And I've not even been to China, which is a source of great regret (one day, but probably once the kids are somewhat older).

And the regional varieties make for a natural setup for the food tent - one table for each region. A Cantonese table focusing on a variety of dim sum and tea. A Sichuan table with a hotpot bubbling away for you to cook your own meats in the communal broth, and various other spicy and numbing dishes. A table just dedicated to Peking duck prepared the proper way, left to hang for several days, because oh **** yes. A Shandong table with plenty of seafood. A Huaiyang table with...ok you get the message, and I'm beginning to know less and less about these varieties without looking them up, but then that's half the fun surely? Go on a culinary tour of China, experience both the familiar and the totally alien, all of it delicious, and all within the one tent.

and for the philistines who didn't really want to come to a food festival but got dragged along by their other halves, friends, whatever, we've set up a small table in the corner with Tsingtao on draft and a ****load of salt and pepper chicken wings, spare ribs, spring rolls and other inauthentic but undeniably brilliant drunk food, knock yourselves the **** out

Chinese food is equally comfortable being refined or trashy. Light or heavy. Mild or 'oh ****, I think I might have obliterated my tastebuds'. Whatever you're looking for, you should be able to find it here.

god I want some ****ing chinese food now

Italy,

Quality ingredients, simply and lovingly prepared. Italian cuisine has spread around the world, but is too often a pale imitation of the true flavor of Italy. If you've never had the good fortune to be invited into a real Italian Kitchen, let our festival correct that - you'll always leave satisfied.

No great meal starts without a drink. Start yours with a negroni, prosecco, or any of the many fine wines Italy has to offer. After your appetite has been whet, enjoy some simple antipasti. Proscuitto, caprese salad, or bruschetta. You don't need pretentious preparation when you are working with ingredients as delicious as these.



But we're just getting started. In the first course enjoy some pasta bolognese, carbonara, gnocchi, or risotto all topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Not the towering plates you might be used to, but a rich pasta dish to get you started, leaving you still wanting more.



Steak Florentine, Ossobuco, Chicken Cacciatore, Lamb Shanks alla Romana. Accompanied by polenta or grilled vegetables. Italy may be best known for pizza and pasta, but delivers top quality cuisine across all the courses.



The 'Dolce' course is no exception. Tiramisu, cannoli, gelato, panna cotta. With a small espresso alongside to capoff your meal. Enjoy a cappucino the next morning to get things started all over again.



Wait I forgot something? Oh that's right. Pizza. We aren't talking about that cardboard delivery stuff, hand kneaded and thrown by authentic pizzaiolos, cooked in wood fired ovens. Made for one with simple ingredients, authentic Italian pizza has been reimagined a million times, but never matched. Lunch, dinner or late night snack pizza never disappoints and our festival will be the only one offering it in its perfected form.



Often imitated, never duplicated. Our Italian chefs want to invite you into their kitchens to share their cuisine. A welcoming food culture, that wants to make sure you eat to your heart's content.