Parklands Food Fest celebrates best of Western Sydney

Dan Hong's favourite free food festival returns to Western Sydney Parklands this Saturday with over 50 tasty stalls.

Over 50 food stalls celebrating the best of Western Sydney will descend on the Parklands Food Fest. Source: Parklands Food Fest

Now in its sixth year, the free community event supporting local food heroes returns to Western Sydney Parklands this weekend.

It's supported by The Chef’s Line host Dan Hong (Ms G’s, Mr Wong) who kicked off his food career in his mother Angie’s Cabramatta restaurant, Thanh Binh. So it seems fitting that he’ll be cooking up his mum’s Vietnamese dishes on the day – with a Dan twist, naturally: think cheese burger-inspired spring rolls, etc.

“I’m very excited to cook alongside my mum at Food Fest and I can’t wait to show off my style of cooking," Dan says. "I’m a huge fan of Western Sydney where I first started cooking. It’s the first place I take visitors: to Cabramatta, Canley Vale or Fairfield for Lao, Vietnamese and other great Asian eating."

Parklands Food Fest is the brainchild of Dan Hong, who began his cooking career in his mum Angie's Cabramatta restaurant. Source: Parklands Food Fest

Angie Wong migrated to Sydney from Vietnam in 1971 as a student. Following a chemical engineering degree at UNSW, she changed paths and opened the now cult Cabramatta eatery, Thanh Binh, which today has a second home in Newtown. Angie will be cooking on the day using just-picked ingredients from Parklands farmers.

“I’m very excited to working in the heart of Western Sydney once again and I look forward to using such super-fresh vegetables and herbs,” Angie said.

The OzHarvest Food Truck will be pulling up to serve a tasty zero-waste meal while shining the light on the issue of food waste. Source: Parklands Food Fest

The theme of this year’s festi is ‘Home Grown’ and pays tribute to local western Sydney heroes. Alongside Angie and Dan, James Tran (Huong Xua in Cabramatta, Canley Vale and Liverpool) and Frank and Therese Abdo (Frank’s Lebanese Restaurant in Fairfield) will also be firing up the stove.

Or, stop by for a taste of El Qahirah’s koshary (Egyptian meat pie), Mirtha Gonzalez’s seafood paella, Pasalubongs’ Filipino soul food (chicken with rice and pickled papaya), Raza Central’s pupusas (Salvadoran corn tortillas stuffed with savoury mince), and more.

El Qahirah’s koshary will be serving up tasty Egyptian food on the day. Source: Parklands Food Fest

Dan will also be taking to the stage with chef Karen Martini to share their cooking arsenal. There’s 50 food stalls spruiking Parklands’ own fresh farm produce, cooking demos, free gardening workshops with Little Vegie Patch Co, plus live entertainment and a petting zoo for the kids.

The OzHarvest Food Truck will be pulling up to serve tasty zero-waste plates while shining the light on the issue of food waste.

If you ever wanted to own your own chickens, you can learn all the ropes during beginners' guide free workshops from Calmsley Hill Farm on the day.

Parklands Food Fest is happening this Saturday 9 September, 10am – 4pm, at the Lizard Log Amphitheatre, Abbotsbury NSW. For more details visit their website.