🍂 Feast, Forest, and a Map to Keep

Good morning, Hills lovers. Spring is taking its time this year. The mornings still have that sharp edge, but by midday the sun feels warm. This week we have plenty on from long table dinners to a forest bathing experience, and then more about a map you can cherish.

Before we get into it, I just want to say a quick thank you from the Stirling Players. More than 80 Pantry readers got a ticket to the preview night, which is just brilliant to hear. This is the last weekend if you’d like to catch it before the curtain falls.

One last thing, if you had issues with the link in the KIDS LOVE WOODHOUSE story last week here it is again —> Unplugged Holiday Program and don’t forget to use PANTRY5 for 5% off, for as many kids and days as you like.

Let’s get into it.

DEGUSTATION & WINE PAIRING
Marshi’s Kitchen x Paracombe Wines

Every so often, Marshi’s Kitchen in Stirling turns a Thursday night into something quietly extraordinary. I went to the first of their special degustation and wine pairing evenings last month and walked out feeling full in every sense of the word. Two long tables, about twenty-five guests, six generous courses, and six perfectly matched wines.

Marshi’s cooking carries a blend of Sri Lankan influence with contemporary Australian simplicity: vibrant, aromatic, but never too heavy. My favourite dish was the barramundi, a crisp fillet set over rice in a silky coconut gravy, brightened with lemon and fresh greens. The lamb roti was tender and juicy. This time, I’ve heard they will begin with tuna sashimi, which feels like the perfect way to start.

What lifts this night beyond food and wine is the storytelling. With each course, Chef Marshi shares why the dish belongs on the table, weaving in memories of growing up in Colombo, flavours learned by heart, and her belief that food made with love tastes different. You can feel that passion in the room.

This upcoming evening also brings the family behind Paracombe Wines. Their story is one of resilience. After the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, they took on a burnt-out dairy farm, planted vines and fruit trees, and slowly shaped a vineyard now recognised around the world. On the night, they will not just pour. They will share their journey, from planting seeds to crafting the wines chosen for each dish.

I went solo to the last one but never felt alone. Conversation flowed easily and I even left with a new friend I’ve kept in touch with. But you can also simply sit with your person, listen, and let the flavours do the talking.

These nights are rare occasions when the right opportunity comes along. If you are looking for something intimate, story-rich, and exceptionally good value, this is it. Treat yourself and be sure to bring an appetite. Limited to 25 people, secure a seat here.

FINDING STILLNESS
Forest Bathing in Spring

There’s something different about walking into the bush when you’re not rushing. No step count to hit, no hill to climb, just the hush of gum leaves overhead and the slow exhale you didn’t know you were holding.

This spring, certified guide Deborah Fehler is inviting small groups into that quiet space for Forest Bathing, a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-Yoku, which simply means “taking in the forest.” It’s less about doing and more about being. You’ll be gently guided through a series of invitations: to notice, to breathe, to soften back into your senses.

The science tells us it lowers stress and calms the nervous system. But the experience itself feels even simpler, like remembering something your body always knew. Many describe it as “a massage for the soul”. At the end, there’s a shared tea ceremony with light, a final nourishment that brings the group back together.

Deborah brings a background in social work and emotional regulation coaching, and it shows. The group is intentionally small, just ten people, so there’s room for stillness and space to breathe. Come as you are. Leave with a little more of yourself. 👉 Book your spot here.

THE ROADSIDE STALLS
An Illustrated Map To Cherish

A few weeks ago, I shared a little dream that has been bubbling away for years: an illustrated map of the Adelaide Hills roadside stalls. With local artist Chris Edser sketching the vision to life, I knew it would be special. What I did not expect was just how much excitement from you it would spark.

I asked what you would love to see the map turned into. A tote bag? A tea towel? An art print? Out of 400+ responses, 41% simply said “all of the above.” The rest were spread evenly across the options, with so many heartfelt comments. Here are just a few that made me smile:

I’ve shared the latest sneak peak below, you may be able to guess some of the stalls that will be included! I hope to share the final design with you within the next week or so, and the keepsakes themselves not long after.

For now, I just want to say thank you. Your enthusiasm, as always, is such a wonderful motivator! If you have any thoughts or ideas about this, email me.

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I love booking my kids into Woodhouse during the holidays – they come home tired, grubby, and full of stories. The UNPLUGGED program runs daily from 9am–5pm (drop-off from 8:30am) with new adventures each day like survival skills, science experiments, laser tag, Challenge Hill and the tube slide. It’s more than care – it’s adventure, fun and new friends. Woodhouse is a not-for-profit, and with the code PANTRY5 you’ll get 5% off for as many kids and days as you like. 👉 Book your kids in here

Unwind with an evening of creativity and calm at The Retreat at Stirling. Learn block printing, design your own tote bag, enjoy nibbles, then finish with sunset yoga (BYO mat). Every $10 ticket supports Catherine House. Tickets are $160 but Adelaide Hills Pantry readers get 10% off with code FRIENDSYOGA10. Book your spot here.

MARKETS

🛍️ Woodside Market
| MARKET | Woodside
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Browse stalls of fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, plants, and more at this monthly market by the Rotary Club of Onkaparinga.

🌿 Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
| MARKET | Mount Pleasant
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Spend your Saturday morning exploring fresh seasonal produce, gourmet goods, and handmade delights at this beloved country market. With live music, coffee, and local charm, it’s the perfect weekend outing.

🥕 Adelaide Hills Farmers Market
| MARKET | Mount Barker
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Set under the elms at 23 Mann Street, this weekly market is the heart of the Adelaide Hills, bringing together fresh produce, local artisans, and a vibrant community spirit.

🍎 Uraidla Market
| MARKET | Uraidla
📅 Sunday, 21 September | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Browse fresh produce, crafts, art, plants, and local goods at this much-loved twice-monthly market. 

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

💐 Flower Farm Experience and Wildflower Bouquet Masterclass
| WORKSHOP | Balhannah
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy a guided flower farm walk, hands-on bouquet masterclass, and afternoon tea with bubbles at Kidman Flower Co. INFO

🍸 Gin Blending Masterclass
| FOOD & DRINK | Hahndorf
📅 Saturday, 20 – Sunday, 21 September | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Create your own gins in a hands-on masterclass at Ambleside Distillery, complete with tastings, botanicals, and bottles to take home. INFO

🦋 Insecta Botanica Art Exhibition Opening
| ART & NATURE | Norton Summit
📅 Thursday, 18 September | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Celebrate the hidden world of insect pollinators and flowering plants through artworks in photography, painting and taxidermy, plus an optional butterfly pinning workshop led by Tiahbugz. INFO

🍰 Baked Cheesecake Masterclass
| FOOD & DRINK | Beerenberg Farm, Hahndorf
📅 Friday, 19 – Saturday, 20 September | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Learn to bake Beerenberg’s signature cheesecake pie from scratch in a hands-on masterclass with farm chefs. INFO

🖼️ Crafting Memories: Migration Museum Community Banners
| ART EXHIBITION | Lobethal
📅 Friday, 19 September – Sunday, 16 November 2025
Explore banners created by South Australia’s migrant communities, preserving heritage and celebrating cultural diversity through art. INFO

🐾 Pinot and Pooch
| FOOD & WINE | Woodside
📅 Sunday, 21 September | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Enjoy a vineyard walk, local produce platters, warming jaffles, and treats for your furry friends at this family-friendly day out. Booking required. INFO

🌸 PETALS, POSES & POTTERY Spring Day Retreat
| WELLNESS RETREAT | Crafers
📅 Sunday, 21 September | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Unplug for a soul-nourishing day of nature journaling, slow flow yoga, sound bath, seasonal food, and mindful pottery in a beautiful spring setting. INFO

📚 Maths Meets Storytime: Fun in Every Tale
| FAMILY & LEARNING | Stirling
📅 Thursday, 18 September 2025 | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Adelaide Hills Council Libraries and UniSA present a playful storytime series for preschoolers and families, blending stories with maths to inspire curiosity and confidence. No bookings required. INFO

🎨 Thursday Craft’ernoon at Gumeracha
| COMMUNITY & CRAFT | Gumeracha
📅 Thursday, 18 September 2025 | 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Bring your materials and join a welcoming group for an afternoon of quilting, crochet, card making, and more. INFO

🃏 Cribbage and Company: Social Card Play Sessions
| COMMUNITY | Gumeracha
📅 Thursday, 18 September 2025 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Join a friendly group for social cribbage play, open to beginners and seasoned players alike. INFO

🎉 Oakbank Kindergarten 50th Anniversary Celebration
| COMMUNITY | Oakbank
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Celebrate Oakbank Kindergarten’s 50th anniversary with games, activities, treats, and a chance to reconnect with friends and teachers. INFO

🌸 Spring Garden Festival
| GARDEN FESTIVAL | Mount Pleasant
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Celebrate all things green and blooming with vibrant stalls, garden art, expert talks, delicious local food and drinks, and a festive atmosphere perfect for the whole family. INFO

🎉 It’s Our Birthday At FABRIK
| COMMUNITY | Lobethal
📅 Saturday, 20 September | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Celebrate FABRIK’s anniversary with the unveiling of the hand-stitched Signature Cloth and a community gathering of art and connection. INFO

💻 CoWork Club
| COMMUNITY & NETWORKING | Stirling
📅 Wednesday, 24 September | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
A welcoming coworking session for remote workers to connect, focus, and share the morning together, hosted by Spark Connection.INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🎡 Uraidla Show 2025
| COMMUNITY FESTIVAL | Uraidla
📅 Sunday, 2 November 2025 | 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Enjoy a full day of food, wine, rides, animals, competitions, and entertainment at this award-winning country show in the Adelaide Hills. INFO

🥘 An Iranian Food Journey
| FOOD & CULTURE | Balhannah & Littlehampton
📅 Friday, 24 October | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Savour authentic Iranian dishes and stories in a shared dining experience supporting refugee communities, hosted by Circle of Friends Australia. INFO

🏍️ Veteran and Vintage MCCSA Motorcycle Swap Meet
| COMMUNITY & HERITAGE | Balhannah
📅 Sunday, 5 October 2025 | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Explore an incredible showcase of motorcycles plus parts and memorabilia at the 24th MCCSA Swap Meet and Show. INFO

🧚 Fairy & Elf Picnic
| FAMILY | Aldgate
📅 Saturday, 4 October | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Step into a magical day of fairy fun with entertainers, activities, face painting, and sweet treats in the enchanting gardens of Stangate House. INFO

🐦 In Flow with the Birds: A Mindful Bird Photography Walk
| NATURE & WELLNESS | Mount Barker
📅 Friday, 26 September – Saturday, 27 September | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📅 Sunday, 28 September 2025 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
A slow, mindful bird photography walk at Laratinga Wetlands blending photography tips, bird insights, and guided mindfulness. INFO

_{Thanks for reading Adelaide Hills Pantry. I hope it added a moment of enjoyment to your day.}

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the traditional custodians of our land. We recognise Peramangk and Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the place where the content in this newsletter is featured and where the newsletter is created. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future and to the cultural authority of First Nations Peoples from other areas of this country.