There was a time, not so long ago, when music festivals announced food line-ups like they were headliners, boasting a snack smorgasbord to keep you fuelled between sets. The 2018-2019 festival scene has been a lot quieter on the food front, but Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham of the Mary's empire are changing the script with the announcement of their curated food offering at the heavy metal Download festival in Sydney and Melbourne in March.
Sure, you might have bought your tickets for the chance to see Slayer, Ozzy, Judas Priest and Pennywise live, but in between bone-rattling sets you can head to Hells Kitchen and eat food from heavy-hitters in the cheffing world like Paul Carmichael from Caribbean fine-diner Momofuku Seiobo, Ali Currey-Voumard from Tassie's famed Agrarian Kitchen and Enrico Tomelleri from Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William Street. Smyth and Graham will be slinging food on site too, joined by Gelato Messina, Chat Thai, Chaco Bar, Yulli's, Bovine and Swine, Nighthawk Diner, Happy As Larry pizza truck, Sol Y Luna, Ryan Gozleme, Superior Burger and Birdman.
It's an all-killer, no-filler parade of quality snackage, which makes sense given the sheer calibre of performers on the line-up for those who love their tunes heavy and their T-shirts black.
Keen to road test more of Sydney's best? Here's our 50 best restaurants list for your dining pleasure.