The Forage is back and making its way to a new venue at Enlighten

Canberra Day is looking particularly bright for foodies this year.

The Forage, our city’s leading street food event, has been bringing a cornucopia of unique vendors to hungry mouths since 2014. But like so many events across the country for the past two years, it’s been on hold. But with easing restrictions and a strong will to reconnect and feed the community they have built, they are making a comeback.

Their post-pandemic return will also mark their biggest event yet and their first appearance at the Enlighten Festival. The Forage will be in the middle of all the building illuminations and action, setting up their signature festive vibe at Reconciliation Place over the Canberra Day Long Weekend from Friday, 11 March to Monday, 14 March from 5 pm to 11 pm each night.

Canberra founded, owned, and operated since its inception, The Forage has been all about putting a spotlight on great local vendors and suppliers. Showcasing beloved cafes, restaurants, bars, wineries and breweries, along with innovative food trucks, has been a formula of success for the venture.

For their debut at Enlighten, they have pulled out all the stops, securing over 25 local businesses, offering a wide range of hot foods, desserts, and beverages, including Canberra favourites such as Bentspoke, Fricken Chicken and Cannoli Brothers.

Here are three cracking local vendors to start The Forage foodie adventure with:

Spritz & Co

Bringing their love of Aperitivos and the good life from their homeland, Italian husband and wife team Alice Anzanello and Gabriel Volpato launched Spritz & Co in 2019, opening Australia’s very first pop-up bar specialising in authentic Spritzes.

What is a Spritz? It is a refreshing effervescent Italian wine-based cocktail made with prosecco, a bitter liqueur like Aperol and soda water.

“Spritzes are happy and colourful drinks that bring people together,” said Alice.

“The menu we offer is in line with today’s offerings that you would find in the Veneto region of Italy, and by that, I don’t mean the touristy spots, but the real deal, where the locals go! Our offering includes four spritzes with a choice of different bitters of either Campari, Aperol, Select or Cynar.”

Miss Van’s

Who remembers Miss Van’s shipping container set up at the now-defunct Westside in Acton Park in 2015? Gosh, I loved their offering of Vietnamese street food eaten amongst that gloriously industrial activation of Lake Burley Griffin.

Now they have a fancy new restaurant in Civic, but they are going back to their street food roots with an appearance at Enlighten. They will be serving a scrumptious-looking flavour-laden Prawn Toast with cabbage and herb salad.

Kusukusu Crepe & Waffles

For something sweet, Kusukusu Crepe & Waffles will be serving their traditional bubble waffles.

The gorgeous, delicious golden treat is a fluffy spherical egg waffle served hot and filled with your choice of ice cream, fruits and sauce. Popular additions and toppings include marshmallows, Smarties and juicy plump strawberries.

The Forage is on at the National Triangle from 11 to 14 March, 5 pm to 11 pm. No tickets are required for this event.

Original Article published by Sophia Brady on Riotact.