8 Unforgettable Foodie Experiences You Need To Treat Yourself To In 2021

It’s no secret that one of our favourite past times is indulging in food. Whether it’s heading out for cocktails and share plates, treating yourself to a delicious banquet with friends or simply tucking into a delicious burger at your local—we’re up for any and every kind of foodie experience.

Spicers Retreats have the same passion for epic food and while they boast eight award-winning restaurants across Queensland and New South Wales, they also offer a range of next-level foodie experiences that will put your usual dinner plans to shame. So, to help you level up your foodie adventures for 2021, we’ve rounded up some of their best experiences on offer this year. 

Asian Food Festival

Maleny, QLD

Set amongst the beautiful rainforest surrounds of Maleny at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, there’s no doubting that every element of the Asian Food Festival is a winning combo. Get ready for a day filled with cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and of course mouthwatering Asian food. Make sure to arrive hungry, as your ticket to the festival will include five delicious dishes along with two expertly matched beverages. Oh, how we love a fancy festival. If you want your day out to be even more boujee, you can treat yourself to an all-inclusive ticket which includes the five dishes, two matched drinks, plus entry into a Riesling Master Class as well as a four-hour unlimited beverage package (excluding Champagne). All that’s left for you to do is throw down a picnic blanket and relax in the sunshine. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Tamarind Cooking School

Maleny, QLD

Whether you’re keen to pick up some new skills, you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift or you just love to cook, The Tamarind cooking school is the perfect opportunity to learn the intricacies of a range of cuisines including Thai, French, South East Asian and Italian. Get ready to be schooled by expert Chefs who will walk you through the tricks of the trade-in a state of the art cooking school surrounded by the beautiful Maleny rainforest. Keen to get on board? Classes are $195 per person and run every Saturday from 11am until 3pm and include your very own apron, lunch and wine. Click here to book. 

Mountaintop Picnic Experience

Maryvale, QLD

We all know that when it comes to the ultimate picnic, finding the perfect spot is imperative (along with a delicious spread, but that’s a given). So naturally, when we discovered we could picnic atop a mountain 1100 metres high with a backdrop of World Heritage Listed national park, we knew we’d found something special. Embark on a picnic of a lifetime at The Peak and explore this 8,000-acre property with your picnic basket in tow, complete with a picnic rug, cutlery, glasses, and food. With 180 degree views of the Scenic Rim, this is a picnic experience you will never forget. This experience is offered to guests staying at Spicers Peak Lodge. To book phone 1300 253 103.

High Tea At The Balfour Kitchen & Bar

New Farm QLD

The Balfour Kitchen & Bar is Brisbane’s local inner-city gem, serving up Vietnamese-inspired cuisine in a Queenslander setting like no other Brisbane restaurant. What you probably didn’t know though is that they also serve up a sumptuous high tea with a range of sweet treats and savoury sensations, alongside a selection of champagne and speciality teas. While the food is undoubtedly moreish, we can’t get enough of the unique surroundings—bliss out in the stylish restaurant, bask in the breeze on the wrap-around verandah or sit beneath a picturesque Frangipani tree in the courtyard. This is a high tea experience you’ll want to add to your bucket list. The high teas are served once a month from 11.30am, click here to book now.

Picnic In The Vines

Pokolbin, NSW

We’d be lying if we said that snapping an enviable pic of your picnic wasn’t almost as important as the food itself —which is why Restaurant Botanica’s Picnic In The Vines is one of our ultimate foodie experiences. Explore 22 acres of land laden with vines, gum trees and picturesque views of the Broken Back Mountain range, there are endless secluded spots to throw down a picnic rug. The picnic menu is ever-changing with the seasons, but you can expect a gourmet cheese platter, house-made quiches, sandwiches and sweet treats along with a bottle of sparkling wine. Picnic In The Vines is offered to guests of Spicers Vineyards Estate, bookings require 24 hours notice and the cost is $180 for two people. To make a booking, click here or phone 1300 192 868.

Watercolour And Wine

Bowen Mountain, NSW

Taking a boujee approach to sip and paint, Watercolour and Wine at Spicers Sangoma Retreat is all about mastering the delicate art of watercolour, drawing inspiration from the stunning surrounds of the Blue Mountains. In this two hour class, you’ll be led by a qualified art teacher on the best techniques to use while sipping on champagne, premium wines and a delicious grazing board. You’ll even get your final artwork framed to take home. Get your creative juices flowing for $250 per person or $350 for two people. This experience is offered exclusively to guests of Spicers Sangoma Retreat, to book your stay, click here or phone 1300 352 190.

Degustation Experiences At Amara

Bowen Mountain, NSW

Located within Spicers Sangoma Retreat you’ll find Amara Restaurant. Offering an intimate, personalised degustation experience of head chef Will Houia’s impeccable creativity and Spicers’ signature emphasis on locally sourced produce, this is an unparalleled foodie experience in impeccable bushland surrounds. Having previously only catered to in-house guests of the retreat, Amara is now taking bookings for external guests to experience a slice of Sangoma heaven. Prepare your tastebuds for a degustation menu of five or seven courses, where each course heroes produce available within 100km of the property — taking full advantage of the historic and highly fertile Hawkesbury region. To make a reservation, click here.

Picnic At Potts Point

Potts Point, NSW

Putting an urban spin on Spicers Retreat’s usual picnic offering, the Spicers Potts Point indoor picnic is the picture-perfect setting for a hens day, high tea or catch up with friends. Set within the historic terrace hotel, the thoughtfully designed interior alone is a serious drawcard, laden with stunning art, curated furniture and flooded with an abundance of natural light. From $95 per person, you’ll get all your delicious picnic food along with your chosen styled picnic set up (we’re talking a set up of Pinterest proportions). The entire space is yours for five hours between 11am to 5pm, seven days a week, with all beverages on consumption. To book call 02 9357 3200 or email reception.pottspoint@spicersretreats.com. Please note there is a minimum booking of 10 people and a maximum of 36.

Whether it’s a picnic in the clouds, a watercolour masterclass with Champagne or the iconic Asian Food Festival, there’s endless foodie experiences to help you level up your foodie lifestyle with Spicers Retreats. To discover more about their restaurants and experiences, click here.

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