Global Food Menu

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Pako Festa has always presented a unique once-a-year opportunity to sample unfamiliar cuisine from foreign lands, or to revisit popular international dishes, in this unique multi-cultural street party celebration that Geelong has enthusiastically embraced since 1983. In pop-up food vans and marquees across the length of Pakington Street Geelong West and at West Park, passionate volunteer local community groups will represent the culture and cuisine of their homelands with lovingly prepared authentic home-cooked food.

So in 2023, Pako Festa visitors can once again celebrate Geelong’s extraordinary cultural diversity and taste a vast array of delicious cuisine from far flung corners of the globe plus, they can also purchase a recipe book showcasing a collection of signature dishes you can prepare at home. We urge you to support these local communities to ensure they can continue to share their culture and traditions with the Geelong Community for many more years into the future.

SO, WHAT ARE THE PAKO FESTA COMMUNITIES COOKING? 

Be challenged by the Indonesian community and try to choose from either Chicken Satay, Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, Beef Rendang or curry puffs.  The Filipino community will prepare the popular “Inihaw” (Pork skewers), this dish has been a highlight since the inaugural event in 1983 and continues to live up to its reputation.

Cevapi is a grilled dish of minced meat either lamb, veal, pork or beef, a type of kebab, found traditionally in the countries of south-eastern Europe. Pako Festa is the only event where you can sample a variety of Cevapi from our local Croatian, Macedonian, Bosnian and Serbian communities, each with their own special spice and unique style.  If a traditional bush tucker BBQ is more your style visit the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative food stall, you cannot miss the sizzle and aromas of this floating through the street and don’t forget to try the selection of sweet treats using native ingredients.

Suitable for vegetarians, you cannot go past the Polish Stall offering Traditional Pierogi Dumplings or sample Ukrainian Varenyky Potato and Cheese Dumplings.

New to 2023 is the local Club Italia Geelong and the Fijian Communities returning to the event and introducing the Nigerian, Pakistani, Bangladesh and the Bantu Collective representing African nations serving up a traditional Southern African BBQ including Boerwors Hot Dogs. 

Finally, if dessert is your weakness the French community will tempt you with a collection of packaged treats. The Polish, Russian, Bosnian, Croatian, Greek, Serbian and Macedonian food stalls also have a variety of sweets on offer. The event program map will highlight the locations of all community food stalls so there is no excuse to miss out on your entree, main, snack and dessert on the day!

In addition, the street is lined with over a dozen food stalls offering a diverse range of menu items for you to enjoy. Pakington Street businesses are so excited to have you back in their street, ready to showcase their wares and all the eateries will be cooking up a storm.

PAKO FESTA COMMUNITIES

Geelong Bangladesh Society, Bantu Collective – African Influence, The Bosnian Lily Geelong, Chinese Association of Geelong Association Inc, Alliance Francaise de Geelong, Geelong Croatian Community HKUD Lado, Fiji Geelong  Friendship Club,  Filipino Social Club of Geelong Inc, Club Italia, Indonesian Association of Geelong, Japanese Association Geelong, Hellenic (Greek) Orthodox Community of Geelong, Macedonian Community of Geelong, Geelong Malayalee Association Inc, Nigerian Association of Geelong, Geelong Pakistani Community Geelong, Polish Community Association in Geelong, Russian Orthodox Community Geelong, Serbian Parish Youth Club, St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Parish, Ukrainian Community Geelong ,Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op

PAKINGTON STREET BUSINESSES

Kebab G, Taco Plus Geelong West, Pollo Rotisserie, Bao Place, Pizza Bar, , For Poke Sake, St George Workers Club, 7 Origins, Splatters Cheese Bar, The Village Door, Enzo’s On Pako, Kalye Marinas, Tastes of Jamaica, 63 Degrees and the Geelong West Neighbourhood House with Devonshire tea in their club room in West Park.

FOOD TRUCKS

Korean traditional Twistto Potatoes, Yummy Churros Donuts, Traditional Gozleme, Melbourne Paella, Healthy Slushies, Mr Pro Whipp Ice-cream Vans, OMG Decadent Donuts Geelong, Shumeis Dumpling Company, Co2ade Lemonade, Dolci Momenti Sicilian inspired sweets, The Lil Dimpling, Rockin Donuts Coffee Van, Sweet Sandys Cafe de Wheels and Miss Wonton serving up sugar cane and fresh fruit beverages.