Calling all cute dogs: Night 'Poodle' Markets launches glitzy Paw Parade

The Sydney Night Noodle Markets co-presented by Citi and Optus have announced a new addition to the week-long food festival, taking place October 4the - 9th. For the first time, pet owners will be able to enter their furry friends in a costumed 'paw parade' judged by Sydney drag royalty Carmen Geddit.

The event, held at 2pm on October 9, is the highlight of the Night Poodle Markets Presented by Scratch, a one day pet extravaganza with free pet food samples, special edition doggy noodle boxes and photo walls.

Contestants in the paw parade will be judged on the character, costume and cuteness they bring to the pink runway, with one lucky pet taking home a year's supply of premium dog food by Scratch.

"The Noodle Markets has always had plenty for the kids, so we thought it'd be fun to make sure that Sydney's furry kids get looked after too," says Scratch co-founder Mike Halligan.

While there's little doubt the dogs will love their own noodle bowls, there's even greater culinary experiences on offer for their human counterparts.

The Night Noodle Markets celebrate Sydney's diverse food scene with more than 20 stalls and pop ups, and this year is taking place in a new venue, Prince Alfred Park (near Central Station).

This year, there will be decadent new additions such as the 15cm Matcha cheesecake (incorporating high quality, single origin matcha from Yame, one of the oldest tea producing regions in Japan); Wagyu beef don toasties with truffle mayonnaise from market newcomer ToastieSmith; and generous servings of fresh Australian seafood in Flying Noodle's 'Fist of Fury'.

"Every time the markets are on, stallholders will really flex their culinary prowess and create some of the most innovative, delicious and different dishes," says head of Night Noodle Markets Conor Farrell.

"The food and drink offering keeps getting better, and we're spending more time curating the offering to really enhance the visitor experience.

"We love how the dishes become social media stars in their own right."

Farrell refers to Donut Papi's infamous mie goreng doughnut, a viral internet sensation using IndoMie mie goreng noodles cooked and shaped like a doughnut. It won't be the only dish receiving social media attention, given a visually delectable lineup of bright purple ube churros (Donut Papi), noodles that appear to be suspended on floating chopsticks (Flying Noodle) and deep fried milo gelato (Gelato Messina).

"We're expecting some big crowds so we have extra customer service staff on to assist," Farrell says.

"There's really something for everyone, including your pet dog!"

The markets will open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday and lunch from Friday to Sunday. Entry is free.

For more info go to nightnoodlemarkets.com.au