Gourmet Cinema is back this year, spread across three days from 9th to 11th June, to once again deliver the perfect pairing of food and film to the Sydney Film Festival. The concept is quite simple really, you sit back with a group of fellow cinephiles to enjoy a fine foodie film and then, following the screening, enjoy a full dining experience at one of Sydney’s top restaurants. Each restaurant has been tasked with creating a special menu for the night, based on the film preceding the dinner.
Now in it’s fourth year, the popular, well-curated program will be looking to stimulate all senses as it teams up with Eden Road Wines and Little Creatures to complete the experience and complement each dining experience.
Here are the three films and dining pairings which have been carefully selected for this year:
On the 9th June, the first Gourmet Cinema screening, ticket holders will be treated to the Australian premiere of Sergio Herman: FUCKING PERFECT, a behind-the-scenes portrait of the renowned and eccentric Dutch chef, who was behind the famous Oud Sluis restaurant until it’s closure in 2013. His restaurant was greatly awarded before it’s closure, managing Three Michelin Stars, placing as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and scoring a perfect 20 out of 20 from Gault Millau. After the film, the night will sneak into acclaimed restaurant The Bridge Room to take on a four-course meal prepared by Sydney’s 2014 Chef of the Year Ross Lusted. Expect cutting edge culinary perfection from both the film and the dinner.
The second night, 10th June, will see the Australian premiere of Foodies, a documentary exploring the excessive (and slightly obsessive) world of some of the highest ranked food bloggers. The film has been noted for it’s stunning photography, depicting artful plating throughout the film so viewers can eat with their eyes. Celebrated Japanese restaurant Azuma will host the post-screening dining experience with a three-course meal that promises to be a feast for every sense.
The third and final night of Gourmet Cinema for 2015 will see the Australian premiere of Good Things Await. The film is an insightful look into biodynamic farming in Denmark, preceded by a Peruvian foodie short film. Directed by Phie Ambo, Good Things Await promises a compelling look into biodynamic principles and practices as the feature-documentary follows Niels Stokholm, an eccentric organic farmer and supplier to NOMA – the world’s best restaurant – and his battles with the Danish authorities. After this screening ticket holders will head to the Museum of Sydney’s The Governor’s Table where they will enjoy a five-course menu influenced by contemporary Danish restaurants, using quality local ingredients. The main course will feature Gundooee Organic Wagyu Short Rib [worth the ticket alone].
Each dinner will be framed with communal seating, serving as a film club as the group is encouraged to share conversations and experiences of the films and food presented.
Sydney Film Festival also offers a range of Dining Delights with restaurant partners. Dining Delights provide great savings on regular menu prices at a delicious diversity of venues within easy reach of Festival screening locations.
Tickets to Gourmet Cinema are on sale now. Call 1300 733 733 or visit www.sff.org.au for more information. Flexipasses to Sydney Film Festival are also available.
The full Sydney Film Festival program will be announced on Wednesday 6 May at 11am.
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