Kimchi is not only an essential part of Korean cooking and culture but it's also a covetable condiment enjoyed around the world. So much so that it's warranted its own global festival and a nod from UNESCO. The collective practice of making kimchi (kimjang) by preserving autumn's vegetables to last households through the winter has been honoured on the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Korea Kimchi Festival aims to replicate the sharing and collaborative art of kimjang by celebrating with the diverse communities of Sydney. This year they'll be enjoying all the fermented fun in a semi-online and part-offline festival.
Popping up in the Korean Society of Sydney Memorial Hall in Croydon Park you can tune in online or visit in person (with extra health and safety measures, of course) to experience all the kimchi festivities. Highlights include a special Samulnori (traditional percussion quartet) concert, taekwondo demonstrations and, of course, live kimchi making, cooking displays and ample tasting opportunities.
Chefs and participants will be making kimchi at the festival with some special guests beaming in on the big screen from their homes. Notable chef Heather Jeong, of Double Delicious fame, will be sharing some of her mouth-watering Korean recipes at the event and leading the collective kimchi making. The 2016 Masterchef winner Elena Duggan and journalist and author Jane Hutcheon will also be in attendance.
Online participants will receive a free kimchi kit so they can work alongside the festival participants at the same time. Be sure to check the Korea Kimchi Festival call-out here, and register your interest if you'd like to beam in from home and join the kimchi action virtually.
Be sure to bring your grumbling bellies to the Korean Society of Sydney Memorial Hall on Sunday November 22 from 12pm, or tune in from home and participate in the fun of the kimchi ritual online.