Sake Pairings for the Australian Table - Melbourne Sake Festival 2026

A valid Melbourne Sake Festival Entry Ticket covering the seminar time is required.

Don't have a Melbourne Sake Festival Entry Ticket yet? Purchase one here.
Melbourne Sake Festival 2026

Join renowned sake educator and Sake Samurai Simone Maynard, together with Australia's specialist sake brewer and winemaker Matt Froude for a unique tasting experience that explores how sake pairs beautifully with everyday Australian favourites. 

Through three carefully selected food pairings and three distinct styles of sake, you'll discover why sake is one of the world's most versatile beverages at the table.

Guided by Simone and Matt, you'll explore each pairing from both sake and wine perspectives, gaining practical insights into flavour, texture, umami and balance, while learning what makes sake such a unique and versatile partner for food.

Whether you're a wine lover, a sake enthusiast, or simply curious about food and flavour, this seminar offers a fun, practical and delicious introduction to sake beyond Japanese cuisine. 

What You'll Experience

• Taste 3 different styles of premium sake• Enjoy 3 carefully matched food pairings
• Compare wine and sake pairing approaches
• Learn from a Sake Samurai and Australia's specialist sake brewer & winemaker Featured Pairings
• Premium Prosciutto × Junmai
• Soft Creamy Cheese  × Junmai Ginjo
• Vanilla Shortbread & Dried Apricot × Nigori Sake

About the Presenters

Simone Maynard
Sake Samurai and one of Australia's leading sake educators, dedicated to introducing sake through education, food culture and hospitality.

Matt Froude
Sake brewer, winemaker and founder of Municipal Wine & Sake. Matt specialises in helping wine drinkers understand sake through familiar wine concepts and tasting techniques.

*This is a paid add-on event. A general admission ticket to the Melbourne Sake Festival is also required.

*Please make sure to choose the session that corresponds to your general admission ticket’s date and time.

*The seminar will start on time. Please arrive at the seminar area entrance at least 10 minutes before the session begins.

*Please bring your photo ID and the order confirmation email with you. These will be checked by staff at the seminar area entrance on the day of the event.

*Alcoholic beverages will be served at the seminar. Only attendees aged 18+ with a valid ticket will be permitted entry to the seminar area. No minors allowed.

*By attending this event, guests acknowledge and accept that food and beverages may contain common allergens such as gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, seafood, and others. The Australian Sake Festival accepts no liability for any adverse reactions caused by the consumption of food or beverages served during these sessions.

  *Please read our Terms of Use and Refund Policy before purchasing. All ticket holders are deemed to have accepted these upon purchase.

Select a session：
 • Saturday, 4 July 2026 1:30PM – 2:10PM
 • Saturday, 4 July 2026 6:30PM – 7:10PM
 • Sunday, 5 July 2026 1:30PM – 2:10PM
 • Sunday, 5 July 2026 6:30PM – 7:10PM

Ticket fee is $45 (incl. GST)