The Taste of Summer will hand out storeholder awards for the first time this year, with a panel of three “incredible hospitality professionals” tasked with judging the best of the best.
75 stalls will take over Princess Wharf 1 from December 28, including 17 that have never featured at the festival before.
Celebrity chef Massimo Mele, wine distributor Louise Radman and hospitality professional Mia McIntyre will award the five gongs across various food and drink categories.
They include most unique spirit or liqueur, best local drink, best Tasmanian produce showcase, cultural cuisine and local excellence and best sweet treat or dessert.
A sixth award, the People’s Choice Award, will be decided by festival-goers on the final day of the event.
Festival curator Jo Cooke said they look forward to awarding a slice of the teams of chefs and staff that make up the event.
“It’s a huge effort for all these businesses to have enough produce for eight days. It’s a lot of work for them to be down there,” she said.
“This is just the best place for them to showcase what they do best.”
The Taste of Summer runs from December 28 to January 4.
