Through the hustling and bustling of North Terrace at the end of another busy workday, I was greeted by a friendly Eco Bike Rider to take me to the Seven Network’s Adelaide 2017 Program Launch. Passing by celebrities, journalists and media personnel’s alike, we soon arrived at the Sculpture Courtyard in the Art Gallery of South Australia. Being offered a drink of our choice at the door, the venue glistened with fairy lights under a large carnival tent, as the space filled with chatter, laughter and excitement. Set against the backdrop of the tent was a large wire framed statue of the Channel Seven logo, and easels scattered throughout the area of new promotional television shows.

With an almost ‘electromagnetic’ buzz in the air, actors of new and returning shows, Adelaide’s most loved TV & radio personalities – including Jane Doyle, John Riddell and Amos, Cat & Angus from the weekday Hit 107 Morning Show – and local football players enjoyed a drink or two, a bite to eat and exclusive preview screenings of the exciting year ahead for the channel. Even the stars and co-hosts of Channel Seven’s popular show ‘My Kitchen Rules’ Manu Fieldel and Pete Evans joined us this evening as well as actor Erik Thomson who has starred in both ‘Packed to the Rafters’ and now ‘800 Words’.

There were plentifully crafted, delicious canapés supplied by AGF+W (Art Gallery Food +Wine). Firstly, in celebration of South Australia’s premium local delights, guests were served Vietnamese Spencer Gulf Prawns that were fresh out of the sea being so fresh, juicy and tender even from the first mouthful.

The Seared Beef Fillet with Salsa Verde was complimented nicely with crunchy crouton bread that was bursting with a tangy goodness that made your tongue want to dance.

The Mini Blini’s of Harris Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Crème was as dainty as a pikelet but was burst in flavour, once again show casting some of South Australia’s best produce with salmon supplied by ‘Harris Smokehouse’ in Hahndorf.

The Middle Eastern Style Lamb Meatballs were neither too big nor too small but were perfectly sized with a generous lathering of seasoning that made me want to stand right in front of the kitchen doors so as to grab as many more for myself before they walked on by!

Barely audible amongst the laughter and chatter of the guests, the DJ announced that it was time to move into the auditorium with glasses so full they would last the entire proceedings. John Riddell and Jane Doyle took to the podium to MC the proceedings, and after casual interviews with Manu, Pete and Erik, the Network presented a ten-minute exclusive clip of the programs to come for the Channel in 2017. As the screen went dark, the auditorium filled with cheers and claps as a final ‘thank you’ was given and we were ‘let loose’ back into the courtyard encouraged to continue drinking and eating as much as we can.

In an exclusive interview with Manu, co-host of the popular show ‘My Kitchen Rules’, Adelaide Food Central asked him where his favourite places to eat were in Adelaide. He excitedly reminisced about his “many visits” to ‘Madame Hanoi’ with Pete and the fresh and delicious food from ‘Sean’s Kitchen’ – both located in SKYCITY Adelaide on North Terrace.

Adelaide Food Central would like to give their sincere thanks to Manu for giving up his time to speak to us, AGF+W for their generous and personal hospitality, The Art Gallery of South Australia for hosting and to Channel Seven Adelaide for the invitation to an event that embraced all the exciting developments that 2017 has to offer; there is no doubt that I will be glued to Channel 7 on my TV set in 2017.

Words and images by James McArthur