October . . . The Month to Dine Out on Macau

The former Portuguese enclave of Macau has taken centre stage in Sydney - as the flavour of October 2013.

As a tasty entree to the month, the plush Sheraton on the Park's Feast is hosting a 17-day Macau Food Festival (Oct 4-20), where the restaurant's popular buffet will feature dishes uniquely Macanese . . . a fusion of Portuguese, Indian, Malay and Chinese cooking.

As the main course for October, there will be the annual Macau Festival in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, a FREE two-day weekend family event (Oct 19-20), complete with fun-filled entertainment, children activities, information on the Asian centre and further Macanese, Portuguese and Chinese delicacies to whet the appetite.

In addition, visitors to the Darling Harbour event will be able to purchase packages of the tasty imported cakes and pastries from Choi Heong Yuen, a famous long-established bakery founded in Macau in 1935.

All guests who venture to both festivals will have the chance to be in the running for an exciting holiday for two to Macau, flying Virgin Atlantic and staying at the Sheraton Macao.

Dishes for the Macau Food Festival will be part of the extensive lunch and dinner buffet at Sheraton on the Park's Feast from October 4-20.

Among the Macanese delicacies prepared for the second successive year by the hotel's executive sous chef Desmond Carneiro will be the spicy African chicken, Macanese curry prawns, Caldo Verde (a Portuguese potato based soup), a casserole of bacalhau (cod), and Minchi (mince topped with a fried egg).

Desserts such as the traditional Serradura and the much sought-after Macau egg tarts are also on the buffet.

Meanwhile, grilled chilli prawns, a chorizo and brandy and a Macau seafood dish with rice will be among the delicacies served at the stalls during the weekend-long Macau Festival.

This festival will take place in Darling Harbour's Tumbalong Park from 11am until 5pm on the October 19-20 weekend, entry free.

As in previous years, the entertainment will be on going with a mix of traditional Portuguese and Chinese cultural dance and song, along with contemporary music and dance. For families, there will be free face painting, caricature drawings and balloon sculptures along with photographs superimposed for postcards on Macau.

There will also be a pavilion dedicated to the November running of the 60th Macau Grand Prix, complete with simulators to test your driving skills over the challenging road circuit.

Macau Food Festival: www.sheratonontheparksydney.com/macaufoodfestival

Macau Festival: (02) 9264 1488 or
http://www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/macau-festival-2013.aspx