A stellar lineup of chefs has been confirmed for the inaugural Horizontal Festival, taking place 4–5 October at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral. Food lovers can look forward to the festival's signature Masterclass program, headlined by some of Australia's most acclaimed chefs and producers.

Mark Best - Leading the program is Mark Best, one of Australia's most respected chefs, authors, and food ambassadors. A pioneer of contemporary Australian cuisine, Mark's newest venture, Infinity by Mark Best, offers a world-class dining experience celebrating provenance, storytelling, and an all-Australian wine list. His Horizontal Festival masterclasses will reflect this ethos, inviting audiences into his creative process and passion for local produce.

Joining Mark is Highlands local Eilish Maloney, whose career has taken her from Michelin-starred kitchens in London to innovative regional projects championing seasonal produce. At the festival, Eilish will bring her unique style and storytelling to the stage, highlighting local “hero” producers and the value of provenance in everyday cooking.

Simon Evans –Bangalay Dining is celebrated for his inventive dishes and strong commitment to locally foraged flavours. His masterclass sessions will showcase the creativity and flair that have made him an award winning leader in the South Coast dining scene, offering audiences a chance to taste his signature approach to Australian cuisine.
 
Mindy Woods – Rounding out the culinary program is award-winning chef, proud Bundjalung woman, and recipient of the 2025 Champions of Change Award at The World's 50 Best Restaurants Mindy Woods. Known for her work at Karkalla and Karkalla On Country, Mindy celebrates native ingredients, storytelling, and cultural connection. Her sessions will offer an immersive experience of Australia's oldest living food traditions, blending Indigenous culture with contemporary dining. 

Wine & Cocktail Masterclasses –Complimenting the chef lineup, wine and spirits expert Sarah McDougall will lead two engaging beverage-focused masterclasses across each festival session.

• Horizontal Wine Tasting: A guided exploration of five NSW wines from the same vintage, showing how different vineyards, winemakers, and techniques create unique styles. Sessions will be paired with NSW crafted cheeses.
• Cocktail Masterclass: A deep dive into three classic cocktails, revealing why these timeless favourites remain relevant in today's ever-evolving drink culture.

About the Masterclasses

Each masterclass at Horizontal Festival offers an intimate, interactive experience with Australia's most exciting culinary talent. Sessions will highlight NSW produce, wine, and culture through tastings, guided discussions, and storytelling. Guests will not only enjoy world-class food and drink but also gain behind-the-scenes insights into the people and philosophies shaping Australia's dining future.

With limited capacity, masterclasses are designed to be personal and immersive, ensuring every attendee experiences something unforgettable. Masterclasses are $39 per session for guests with a festival entry ticket.

Masterclass Session Details

A Taste of NSW - Mark Best and Eilish Mahoney
2.30pm – 3.15pm Sat & Sun
A magazine-style interview hosted by Eilish Mahoney from The What If Society alongside Mark Best, celebrating five local NSW “hero” producers such as Camden Dairy, with guided tastings and a paired glass of NSW wine. 

A Taste of Infinity - Mark Best and Amanda Fry 
6.00pm – 6.45pm Sat & Sun
An in-conversation session with Festival Director Amanda Fry exploring the creation of a uniquely Australian menu at Infinity by Mark Best. Includes a signature sampler dish that reflects the flavours and culinary values behind Infinity by Mark Best.

Ancient Flavours, Modern Tables: A Native Food Journey - Mindy Woods 
1.30pm - 2.15pm & 8.00 – 8.45pm Sat & Sun
Mindy Woods presents a unique take on her immersive On Country Experience offering cultural immersion and storytelling centred on her Bundjalung identity and First Nations connection, all through a culinary lens that connects food, land, and stories of place.

Native Flavours - Simon Evans 
12.30pm - 1.15pm & 7.00pm – 7.45pm Sat & Sun
Chef Simon Evans demonstrates one of his signature dishes – slow-cooked kangaroo tail with mushrooms, pickled muntries, and yarrow – featuring locally foraged ingredients and prepared over a hibachi grill.

Horizontal Wine Tasting -Sarah McDougall
1pm – 1.45pm & 6.30pm – 7.15pm Sat & Sun
Horizontal Wine tasting showcasing five NSW wines. Sarah and guests will taste and compare different wines from the same vintage/ year of production. The focus is on the differences between various winemakers, vineyards, or production methods within that single vintage and how it affects the final flavour of the wine. NSW cheese will also be served.

Cocktail Masterclass -Sarah McDougall
2.00pm – 2.45pm & 7.30pm -8.15pm Sat & Sun
The rise of the classic cocktail – Sarah and guests will look at three favourites and how they have stayed in timeless in an ever-changing food and drink culture.

Festival Details

Set in the picturesque surrounds of Centennial Vineyard in Bowral, Horizontal Festival is more than just a food and wine celebration—its part concert, part degustation menu, part art show and part wine, craft beer and distillery tasting – it's a curated sensory journey. Over two unforgettable days guests will experience the very best of NSW regional produce, paired with world-class wine, beer and cocktails as well as art, design, music and culture.

Where: Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, Southern Highlands, New South Wales.
When: Saturday 4 October - Sunday 5 October 2025
Session Times: Day – 12:00pm - 4pm, Evening - 5:30pm–9:30pm
Ticket Price: $59 General Admission and $149 Platinum packages.

Platinum tickets for the Horizontal Festival are available at horizontalfestival.com.au General admission & Masterclass tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.au. Parking and buses are also available to book through Ticketmaster.

For all festival information, program highlights, ticket sales, and the latest updates, visit the official Horizontal Festival website at www.horizontalfestival.com.au.  

For further information please contact:
Emma Sturgiss
PR, Comms & Marketing
Horizontal Festival
Tel: 0408 626 142
Email: media@horizontalfestival.com.au