Gather Round is back this weekend, and Norwood is set to host some of the most thrilling matches at its iconic oval. And to celebrate the footy fever, the Norwood Food & Wine Festival is returning on April 7! 

For the first time since 2012, the free event, which coincides with the Richmond vs St Kilda game at Norwood Oval, will transform the precinct’s leafy streets into a buzzing hub for footy, South Australian flavours and the state’s top booze producers. Kicking off at 11am along The Parade (from Portrush Road to Osmond Terrace), here’s what to expect from the Norwood Food & Wine Festival.

FOOD & DRINKS 

The Parade’s eateries are spilling onto the street this April 7, inviting Norwood Food & Wine guests to graze on some of the best produce found in the state.

Arkhé is one local trader you can expect to see at the event, with the famed restaurant set to serve reimagined versions of its charcoal-fired dishes to the footy festival attendees. Favourites like The Bath Hotel and 30 Acres will also be operating pop-up stalls, as will Fair Seafood, Norwood Hotel and Danny’s Thai Bistro. 

As for drinks, the curated line-up pulls from all corners of South Australia, with local and regional heroes like Amadio Wines, Pirate Life and 23rd Street Distillery just some of the bespoke producers pouring on the day.

If you want even more, Callum Hann and Themis Chryssidis – the culinary heads behind Sprout, Olive and eleven – will host some of South Australia’s standout chefs on a pop-up Tasting Australia Kitchen Stage. From midday, you can expect to see live cooking demonstrations by Duncan Welgemoed (Africola), Karena Armstrong (The Salopian Inn), Jake Kellie (arkhé), Kane Pollard (Topiary) and more. 

RIVALS LONG LUNCH 

Can’t get enough of the Gather Round action? Start your celebrations a day early on April 6 at the Rivals Long Lunch, hosted on the grassy stretch of lawn outside Norwood Primary School. On the eve of the blockbuster match between Richmond and St Kilda, guests are invited to indulge in an exclusive, open-air culinary experience. 

MasterChef star Malissa Fedele and Sam Worrall-Thompson from acclaimed restaurants Bar Lune and Dolly will host the event, with Malissa using her talents to curate a farm-to-table menu using the freshest local produce found from the Food Secrets of Stepney and Glynde producers. From start to finish, each course champions South Australia’s rich tapestry of flavours – an afternoon of food to match the pedigree of footy action hosted at Norwood Oval the following day. The Rivals Long Lunch will be exclusively paired with Amadio Wines and The Suburban Brew.  Tickets cost $150 per person and the event starts at 12:30pm. You can find out more here.

MUSIC 

Multi-ARIA award-winning band The Temper Trap will be performing exclusively to guests at the Norwood Food & Wine Festival. The five-piece are the creative brains behind some of Australia’s biggest tracks from the 2000s, with songs like Sweet Disposition, Love Lost and Fader still iconic hits more than a decade after their release. Joined by local support acts, Dusty Lee Band and Motel Music, this headline show isn’t one to miss. Best of all, it’s free! The Temper Trap will play in the afternoon.

FOOTY FUN

Of course, Gather Round is all about the footy, and the Norwood Food & Wine Festival is elevating the AFL atmosphere with huge pop-up screens along The Parade streaming the Richmond vs St Kilda game! Move through the street party and soak up the game day vibes, making pit-stops at the roving entertainment, or cosy up inside one of Norwood’s favourite hotels and watch the blockbuster match live. The Richmond vs St Kilda game kicks off at 2:50pm. 

Celebrate the best of Gather Round for free this April 7 at the Norwood Food & Wine Festival. For more information, head online here.