Riverlea Food Festival 2025: A Flavour-Filled Celebration of Community
What a day! On Saturday the 20th of September 2025, Riverlea came alive with flavour, fun, and community spirit as we hosted the Riverlea Food Festival — and what a turnout it was!
From 12pm to 5pm, Milner Place was transformed into a bustling hub of multicultural food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities, bringing together residents and visitors alike for a celebration of everything that makes our community so special.
A Taste of the World
Our incredible lineup of multicultural food trucks served up delicious flavours from across the globe — whether you were craving dumplings, burgers, or churros there was something for every palate.
The team from Pick a Local also joined the fun, handing out free fresh fruit — because nothing beats a crisp apple or juicy orange straight from the source!
Star Power in the Kitchen
We were thrilled to welcome none other than Laura Sharrad, the 2025 MasterChef Winner, who wowed the crowd with two amazing live cooking demos at 1pm and 3pm. Her energy, creativity, and down-to-earth nature had the audience completely engaged — and left us all feeling inspired (and hungry!).
For those who watched (or wished they had!), we’re excited to share the recipes Laura demonstrated live on stage. Now you can bring the flavours of the festival to your own kitchen.
Hand-Rolled Cavatelli with Basil Pesto
Cavatelli Pasta Dough Serves 2-3
• 200g semola rimacinata
• 90ml warm water
Method:
1 - Mix the dough by hand (or use a stand mixer for larger batches).
2 - Knead until the dough just comes together. If it feels dry, add a touch more water.
3 - Knead for 3–4 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, then knead again. Let rest until needed.
4 - Roll the dough into thin ropes, cut into small pieces, and shape on a gnocchi board.
5 - Cook in salted boiling water for 2–3 minutes or until al dente. The pasta will have a deliciously chewy texture.
Fresh Basil Pesto
• 2 large bunches fresh basil
• ½ cup pine nuts
• 100g Parmigiano Reggiano
• 2–3 garlic cloves
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt flakes
• Black pepper
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
Method:
1 - In a food processor, blitz pine nuts, Parmigiano, and garlic into a coarse crumb.
2 - Add basil and slowly stream in olive oil while blending to desired consistency.
3 - Season with salt, pepper, lemon zest and juice.
4 - Store covered with a thin layer of olive oil.
Sicilian Cauliflower & Pork Ricotta Gnocchi
Ricotta Gnocchi Dough
• 500g ricotta
• 250g finely grated pecorino
• 400g 00 flour
• 2 eggs
• Salt
Method:
1 - Combine all ingredients in a mixer until a soft dough forms.
2 - Rest the dough for at least 1 hour or overnight.
3 - Roll into logs and cut into thumb-sized pieces.
4 - Roll on a gnocchi board or leave as rustic cubes.
Pork & Cauliflower Sauce
• 1 brown onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 1 long red chilli, finely diced
• 250g pork mince
• 1 small head cauliflower, chopped into small florets
• ½ cup white wine
• Salt flakes & black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil
• ½ bunch parsley, finely chopped
• Parmigiano cheese, to serve
Method:
1 - In a large frypan, heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, and chilli with salt and pepper until soft and caramelised.
2 - Add pork mince and cook until browned.
3 - Stir in cauliflower and cook until tender.
4 - Deglaze with white wine and let simmer.
5 - Cook gnocchi until al dente, then toss into the sauce with a splash of cooking water and fresh parsley.
6 - Serve topped with plenty of Parmigiano.
A Day for the Little Ones - Thanks to Simmonds
It wasn’t just about the grown-ups — the Kids Zone, proudly sponsored by Simmonds, was a hit with families, packed with exciting activities including:
• A hands-on fruit skewers activity
• Temporary tattoos for a bit of colourful fun
• Balloon twisting brilliance that brought big smiles all around
And let’s not forget the ultimate crowd-pleaser — FREE ice cream for kids, thanks to our sweet friends at Burbank!
The Ultimate Foodie Prize
Festival-goers also had the chance to enter a draw to win an unforgettable dining experience — a $300 gift card to Fugazzi, one of Adelaide’s most celebrated restaurants. A big congratulations to our lucky winner, who will be enjoying a night of modern Italian indulgence on us!
More Than a Festival
This wasn’t just a food festival — it was a celebration of community, culture, and connection. Seeing everyone come together, share a meal, and enjoy the atmosphere reinforced what Riverlea is all about.
We’re already looking forward to watching this event grow and evolve in the years to come, right alongside our community.
Watch the Highlights
Relive the day by checking out our video highlights below!