Celebrate Australia this January with events across Canada and special travel offers

Tourism Australia and Wine Australia serve up Australian food, wine and travel at local restaurants, provincial liquor stores and online during the month of January

TORONTO, Jan. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Tourism Australia and Wine Australia have partnered with Australian Chef John Placko to create a celebration of Australian food, wine and travel for the entire month of January, leading up to Australia Day on January 26. Canada is invited to experience the best of Australia in a promotion called Restaurant Australia which showcases the destination's most unique food and wine experiences.

Those living in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal will be able to experience the distinctive ingredients and flavours of Australian food at select local restaurants and extensive wine selections at provincial liquor stores.

Chef John Placko is an Australian-born chef who has worked in Canada for the past 18 years and participates in culinary competitions around the world. A student of molecular gastronomy, John brings the element of surprise to his dishes. Along with Placko, Mark Davidson, Education Director from Wine Australia has been curating wines. Together they've created menus and a wine selection celebrating Australian destinations and the best of Australia.

For those looking to learn more about Australia, there are other ways to get involved. Air New Zealand is also celebrating Australia Day by offering one low fare to six of its Australian destinations through February 6. For airfare details visit www.airnewzealand.ca/flights-to-australia.Air New Zealand flies to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide and Coolangatta (Gold Coast) from four North American gateways: Vancouver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. They've also worked with partners to create special food and wine themed travel offers. For more information, visit www.goway.com/australia-vacations/vacation-offers/best-australia.

Theloop.ca/travel/Australia will also feature a month of Australia travel content and stories to inspire Canadians to experience Australia and help plan their trip.

"Australia offers very different food and wine tourism experiences from those found anywhere else in the world," said Tourism Australia's Jane Whitehead, Vice President, the Americas.

"Australia food and wine itself is world class, thanks to the range and quality of fresh ingredients and the influence of Australia's multicultural population which has produced a diverse, innovative cuisine.  But it is best enjoyed at its source, celebrating Australia's natural beauty in the company of friendly Australians. So this promotion is aimed at encouraging Canadians to visit Australia and dine in the real Restaurant Australia," added Mrs. Whitehead.

"We invite you to experience the deeper story of Australia's regional and boutique wine culture and enjoy our unique expressions of Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay, old-vine Grenache, Cabernet and Shiraz", said Angela Slade, Wine Australia's Regional Director, North America.

Restaurant Australia 2014 Events include:

• January 13 - George Brown College - Toronto
• Industry event themed as 'Modern Australian Cuisine', hosted by John Placko
• January 17-18 - BCLBD in-store wine tastings - Vancouver
• January 17-18 - LCBO in-store wine tastings - Toronto
• January 22 - CAFP Event at Humber College - Toronto
• Industry event themed as 'Modern Australian Cuisine', hosted by John Placko
• January 24-25 LCBO in-store wine tastings - Toronto
• Spin Club - Toronto
• Australian themed 'Shhh' menu for the month of January
• El Gastronomo Vagabundo - Toronto
• Special Australian dish on Canada's first mobile food truck for the month of January
• King Edward Hotel - Toronto
• Australian themed bar menu (at the Consort Bar) served from noon to 10:00 p.m. for the month of January
• Australia Day celebrations at The King Edward's Famous Sunday Brunch - January 26, 2014
• Mono Cliffs Inn - Toronto
• Australian themed menu from Thursday to Sunday for the month of January

For updates about events, where you can have a taste of Australia and travel offers, visit Theloop.ca/travel/Australia starting January 10, 2014.

About Tourism Australia
Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for promoting Australia to the world as a destination for business events and leisure travel. Tourism Australia's purpose is to increase the economic benefits to Australia of tourism, supporting the industry's Tourism 2020 strategy, which aims to grow the overnight annual expenditure generated by tourism to as much as A$140 billion by 2020.

Connect with Tourism Australia on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information on Australia visit www.australia.com

About Wine Australia
Wine Australia is an Australian Government statutory authority established in 1981 to provide strategic support to the Australian wine sector. Its mission is: To enhance the operating environment for the benefit of the Australian wine industry by providing the leading role in: market development; knowledge development; compliance; and trade. Wine Australia provides a collaborative framework for the Australian wine category to secure maximum trade, press and consumer visibility.

In the North American market, Wine Australia is based in Washington DC and led by Regional Director, Angela Slade. Ms Slade's team of industry professionals are dedicated to increasing demand for Australian wines through extensive education, promotional programs, public relations, and events.

SOURCE: Tourism Australia

MEDIA CONTACTS:

For general program and tourism information:
Stacey Grimshaw
Tourism Australia
T: [phone]
[email protected]

For wine events and information:
Angela Slade
Wine Australia
T: [phone]
C: [phone]
[email protected]