Rice is one of the most popular foods in the world, a staple in many cuisines. Last year only, .
“Each country and continent has its own very unique rice culture and we want to share these interesting stories,” says Emil Ridwan, founder of the . Launched last year in Sydney, the family-friendly festival is coming back this weekend, and launching for the first time in Melbourne the following weekend.
Stallholders will be selling rice dishes from all around the world, while cooking demonstrations and cultural performances will be free.
Sydney: rice pudding, ball-shaped sushi and taco rice
In Sydney, , of Masterchef fame, will demonstrate how to prepare halawet el riz, a rosewater and orange blossom water rice pudding made with cheese. “It sounds weird, but it’s actually delicious,” she tells SBS Food, laughing. “It’s something different and I don’t think that many people have tried that.”
You’ll be able to taste it at her stall, . She’ll also be selling a spiced rice flour pudding called (usually served to celebrate births and Christmas) and another type of rice pudding, riz bi haleed, which comes in rosewater, chocolate, coffee and spiced brûlée flavours.
“Rice plays a really big part in Lebanese cuisine. I think it plays a big part in a lot of cuisines. It’s an amazing concept; it brings people together, it’s something that people have in common and can talk about,” she says.
Before you get your dessert, stop by the stall for temari (ball-shaped) sushi, and grilled . Chefs Takumi Kawano and Tomoyuki Matsuya will also be taking the stage to give you tips on how to prepare classic sushi dishes.
The team behind will introduce a new concept, Don Taco. The Japanese/Tex Mex fusion originating from Okinawa is a take on the taco bowl. It comes with mince, cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, lotus root crisps and rice crackers.
Satay Bros' satay chicken with coconut rice. Source: World Rice Festival
Another dozen food stalls will serve , tom yum fries, rice burgers, , carioca doughnuts, deep-fried ice cream and more.
To top everything off, there will be live music and cultural performances like a Thai rice planting dance and Indonesian rice harvesting dance, in both Sydney and Melbourne.
1 – 2 December 11 am – 6 pm
The Showring, The Entertainment Quarter, 125 Lang Rd, Moore Park
Melbourne: Dosa, paella and mango sticky rice
Over 20 food stalls will take over Birrarung Marr the following weekend for the first Melbourne edition of the festival. There will be sticky rice and grilled pork shoulder box sets by , dosa by , a traditional Mexican tomato rice by , Wagyu donburi by , paella by and horchata-flavoured frozen treats by .
Crowd-pleaser restaurant will sell some of their most loved dishes; sticky pork belly, lamb ribs and tofu rendang (served on rice, of course), as well as mango sticky rice.
If you’re jealous of the spiced rice pudding brûlée in Sydney, fear not, has its own torched Thai rice pudding, infused with coconut, cinnamon and vanilla.
Barbecued lamb ribs from Rice Paper Scissors. Source: World Rice Festival
Ahead of her , Indonesian singer will perform a ceremony to bring good fortune to rice harvests.
7 December 5 – 10 pm, 8 December 12 – 10 pm, 9 December 12 – 5 pm
Lower Terrace, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne
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