Zumbo Italiano (pun intended)

On a brilliant autumn day in Sydney, two fun events occurred.

First up, the Primo Italiano Festival.

This festival was put on by the Sydney of City council and celebrated the Italian heritage of businesses and the community of East Sydney. Stanley, Riley and Yurong Streets in Darlinghurst were lined with stalls selling Italian food, and a lively atmosphere prevailed.

Street lined with tables in checked tablecloths; layer upon layer of ricotta zuccherati
from Bertoni Casalinga (my FAVOURITE!); cheese tastings from Formaggi Ocello

Throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish; accordian player above Verde restaurant; it was crowded!

It's not a festival without cute dogs; veges for sale; Bambini gnocchi-making classes

Then, it was back to Balmain to meet up with fellow foodbloggers for a tasting of the new Adriano Zumbo winter collection:

Reem from I Am Obsessed With Food did a brilliant job in organising for part of the Zumbo café to be set aside for us to photograph the new cakes to our hearts content. And consume them of course!

Summary of the new range

Detail of some of the colourful range (I can vouch for the ones in the glasses - they are divine!)

The cafe is made even more attractive/salubrious with the addition of rabid foodbloggers

Adriano chats with his fans; the lovely Rachael takes drinks orders

Thank you Adriano and Rachael for being so accommodating. The cakes we bought and tasted are a triumphant masterpiece!

Update: Because I am totally slack and do not pay attention (*slap on the wrist*), I have had to rely on others for a list of attendees at Zumbo. So thanks for that, and hi to everyone ...

Anita from Leave Room for Dessert
Chris and Tim from The Way It Crumbles
Karen from Citrus and Candy
Lili from Pikelet and Pie
Reem from I Am Obsessed With Food
Simon from The Heart of Food
Steph from Raspberry Cupcakes
Susan from Something To Nibble On
Trina from Foraging Otaku