Curries join pies on Show menu
Perth diners' more discerning palates and preference for healthy food options are being reflected in the multicultural feast on offer at the Royal Show, with chefs catering to a demand for fresher food made on-site.
Dim sum, empanadas, satay, arancini, salads, fruit, rogan josh and sushi are proving just as popular as traditional Show fare including pies, chips and fairy floss.
Hot dogs and burgers remain a favourite among young and old, but some food vans have revamped them as part of the American-style "dude food" revolution, with wagyu burgers and pulled pork sliders on menus as well as giant turkey legs, ribs and corn on a stick.
Espresso machines are ensuring coffee aficionados are getting their regular caffeine hit complete with latte art, while those with a sweet tooth are flocking to stalls making everything from waffles to churros and doughnuts.
Perth restaurateurs Sarah Gosavi from 2 Fat Indians and Mela owner Shelly Grewal joined forces to create a pop-up restaurant in honour of the Royal Show's guest nation, India.
They said the Show was a multicultural event celebrating food delicacies from around the world.
"Normally in a show-type of atmosphere people are happy to have a hot dog or a pie and they're satisfied, but customers are telling us that they would rather have substantial food like a curry with more flavour," Ms Grewal said.
"I've seen the tastes of Australia in general – and definitely in Perth – have changed considerably in the past 12 years from an exposure to a lot of the south-east Asian style of cuisine."
Their Indian restaurant has dishes ranging from samosas to butter chicken and kulfi and Ms Grewal said they were pleased with the response from diners who appreciated freshly prepared dishes.
"We're cooking the food on-site – not bringing it from either restaurant – so we're actually cooking even the base of each curry here," she said.
