Brisbane Times Good Food Month returns in 2015

After the runaway success of its inaugural year in 2014, Brisbane Times Good Food Month, presented by Citi, has launched a 2015 program that promises to be even bigger and better.

Long-time Brisbane food writer and program creative director Natascha Mirosch officially launched the program at the CBD riverside restaurant Sake on Wednesday morning.

Last year's overwhelming success story, the Night Noodle Markets at South Bank, will return in 2015 but Mirosch said there was a huge array of events for Brisbane foodies to sink their teeth into this year.

The month-long program kicks off on July 9 and features more than 200 events.

In a coup for the still relatively infant event, highly respected Melbourne chef Ben Shewry will this year make the trip north to headline a panel discussion at the Gallery of Modern Art tackling the age-old question, "Is there such a thing as Australian cuisine?"

Shewry's much-lauded restaurant Attica, in Melbourne's Ripponlea, recently came in as the highest placed Australian eatery in the influential annual list, the World's 50 Best Restaurants by British magazine Restaurant.

Chef James Viles from the double-hatted Biota Dining in Bowral, New South Wales, and Mark Best from Sydney's prestigious Marque will also feature in the program.

Adding to the returning Hats Off dinners that will showcase some of Brisbane's best restaurants this year, new in 2015 is the Ultimate High Tea program at a number of venues across the city, Rooftops and Skylines, which will offer some of the city's best vistas, Pop-ups & Precinct Parties, World Safari Dinners and Cider & Slider venues.

Mirosch said this year's program had something to suit everyone, from families, to professionals, night owls and everyone in between.

"It was great to see how Queensland embraced Good Food Month last year," she said.

"It's been a lot of fun planning this year's program. We've managed to include something for everyone, from keen cooks who want to learn a new skill, to those who prefer to have their meals cooked for them by top chefs."

The hugely popular Night Noodle Markets has been extended to 12 nights this year, from July 22 to August 2.

More than 30 different stalls will this year offer extended operating times, including weekend yum cha opening hours from noon.

For food lovers keen to sharpen their writing skills, Brisbane's Good Food Month will also this year offer Food Writing 101 for the first time with academic Dr Roger Haden from Le Cordon Bleu and food writer Barbara Sweeney.

The restaurant program with new categories will run throughout the whole month with both regional and metropolitan venues at the heart of this gastronomic event.

The Brisbane Times Good Food Month official program is available on Sunday, June 7 in The Sun-Herald. See brisbane.goodfoodmonth.com