Symphony of the Senses promises an evening where music, flavour and atmosphere come together in luminous harmony at Sofitel Adelaide’s Garçon Bleu. Created for Illuminate Adelaide 2026, the candle-lit cocktail event pairs a roaming Adelaide Symphony Orchestra quartet with elegant canapés, free-flowing Pommery Champagne and a setting designed to heighten every detail of the experience. In this conversation, Bianca Perre and Shweta Ghate reveal how the event blends French-inspired Sofitel refinement with South Australian produce, creativity and a distinctly immersive sense of occasion.
Sofitel Adelaide is holding an exclusive event, Symphony of the Senses, for Illuminate Adelaide 2026. Please tell us about the event.
Symphony of the Senses is an exclusive, candle-lit cocktail-style event at Garçon Bleu as part of Illuminate Adelaide 2026, inspired by Fête de la Musique and celebrating South Australian culture and creativity. The evening features an immersive sensory experience with a live string quartet, roaming canapés, and free-flowing Pommery Champagne, creating an elegant and atmospheric setting.
In collaboration with partners including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Illuminate Adelaide, the event blends music, art and hospitality to showcase both local talent and international luxury. It is designed as a celebration of sound, flavour and culture within a truly immersive Sofitel experience.
the event blends music, art and hospitality to showcase both local talent and international luxury. It is designed as a celebration of sound, flavour and culture within a truly immersive Sofitel experience.
What made you decide to hold an event within the programme of Illuminate Adelaide this year?
Illuminate Adelaide has been a close partner of Sofitel Adelaide for the past few years, with each year delivering growing success and allowing the partnership to evolve and expand. As part of Sofitel’s global brand alignment with the French festival Fête de la Musique, we were inspired to develop a concept for 2026 that could bring this celebration of music and culture to life locally. This led to our collaboration with Illuminate Adelaide, alongside other key partners, to create an immersive event that reflects both international Sofitel brand heritage and South Australia’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Please tell us about the iconic Sofitel Candle Lighting Ritual that will illuminate the room. Has it restarted nightly again?
The Sofitel Candle Lighting Ritual has been a consistent part of the guest experience at Sofitel Adelaide since opening. Each evening it is shared in a more intimate way as part of our night-time guest journey, with more elevated and ceremonial versions presented during key events and festive periods. It remains a signature Sofitel moment, designed to create a sense of warmth, atmosphere and arrival for guests as the hotel transitions into the evening.
It remains a signature Sofitel moment, designed to create a sense of warmth, atmosphere and arrival for guests as the hotel transitions into the evening.
The event blurb promises an immersive evening of music (with a quartet from the ASO performing throughout the space), light, and gastronomy. What was the vision behind having the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra perform throughout Garçon Bleu rather than on a conventional stage?
Garçon Bleu is a highly distinctive space, featuring artworks, mirrors and architectural pillars that create a layered and immersive environment. Rather than positioning the string quartet on a traditional stage, the vision was to integrate the performance within the restaurant so all guests can fully engage with the experience.
This approach allows the music to sit naturally within the dining atmosphere, creating a more intimate and connected experience between guests, performers and the venue
Garçon Bleu is a highly distinctive space, featuring artworks, mirrors and architectural pillars that create a layered and immersive environment. Rather than positioning the string quartet on a traditional stage, the vision was to integrate the performance within the restaurant so all guests can fully engage with the experience.
How has this collaboration with the ASO worked? Have you chosen the music program or have you given them the dishes you propose and they are pairing music with it?
The partnership with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra has been a close working relationship, with us sharing the overall event concept, dining flow and the intended mood and atmosphere for the evening.
The ASO team has then developed a musical program in response to this brief, ensuring the performance aligns seamlessly with the pacing and energy of the experience. The music is designed to unfold throughout the evening as part of the guest journey, enhancing the overall sensory atmosphere.
How did you design the canapés and beverage pairings to complement the musical program?
Shweta : The canapé selection was curated to reflect the themes of illumination, contrast, and progression that defined the musical program. We wanted guests to experience a similar journey through flavour as they did through the performance, beginning with bright, delicate notes and gradually moving toward richer, more complex expressions.
The canapé selection was curated to reflect the themes of illumination, contrast, and progression that defined the musical program. We wanted guests to experience a similar journey through flavour as they did through the performance, beginning with bright, delicate notes and gradually moving toward richer, more complex expressions.
The Kingfish Crudo with Preserved Lemon Gel and popping Salmon Pearls tantalise the palate while attracts the eye with its vibrant colours, a truly Symphony of Senses. The classic Beef Tartare with Pomme Anna topped with creamy French Sturia Caviar introduced greater depth and richness while the Steamed Scallop with Cauliflower, beurre noisette and chives sing subtle French notes.
Vegetarians are having equal excitement for their senses with the contrast in texture of the smoky charred eggplants with a kick from the Harissa and pop of the fried chickpea. Charcoal Macaron with feta and Caramelised onion plays with your stereotypical senses of sweet macaron and instead adds a surprise element. Cassava Cracker with Salt-baked beetroot and rouille adds visual drama and unexpected flavour combinations reflecting the program’s more contemporary and expressive moments.
Vegetarians are having equal excitement for their senses with the contrast in texture of the smoky charred eggplants with a kick from the Harissa and pop of the fried chickpea. Charcoal Macaron with feta and Caramelised onion plays with your stereotypical senses of sweet macaron and instead adds a surprise element. Cassava Cracker with Salt-baked beetroot and rouille adds visual drama and unexpected flavour combinations reflecting the program’s more contemporary and expressive moments.
Beverage pairings were selected to enhance these transitions. Crisp sparkling wines and bright white varietals complemented the seafood canapés, while fuller-bodied whites and lighter reds paired beautifully with the beef and roasted vegetable elements.
How important was it to balance French-inspired Sofitel elegance with South Australian produce and flavours?
Shweta : Just as the Sofitel’s iconic link [logo] suggests, balancing Sofitel’s French heritage with the exceptional produce of South Australia was central to the concept. Rather than choosing one influence over the other, we wanted to create a menu that celebrated the best of both worlds, French culinary technique and sophistication paired with ingredients that are distinctly local and seasonal.
Rather than choosing one influence over the other, we wanted to create a menu that celebrated the best of both worlds, French culinary technique and sophistication paired with ingredients that are distinctly local and seasonal.
The French influence is evident in elements such as the beurre noisette, rouille, tartare, croquembouche, and the overall refinement of the canapé format. These classic techniques and flavour profiles bring the elegance and craftsmanship that guests associate with the Sofitel brand.
At the same time, we were committed to showcasing the quality of South Australian and Australian produce. The kingfish, scallops, beetroot, eggplant, and premium caviar and seafood selections were chosen for their freshness, provenance, and ability to tell a local story. Wherever possible, we highlighted ingredients that reflect the region’s rich agricultural and coastal offerings.
The result was a menu that felt authentically Sofitel while remaining grounded in its destination.
Which dish or drink on the menu best captures the spirit of the evening, and why?
Shweta: It has to be the Show Stopper ‘Croquembouche’ or ‘Tower of Power’ as I like to call it. The Sofitel Croquembouche will be the highlight of the night beaming with elegance, illumination and sophistication. Truly a sensory experience in its own way.
The Sofitel Croquembouche will be the highlight of the night beaming with elegance, illumination and sophistication. Truly a sensory experience in its own way.
The evening is said to be “Designed to delight and inspire”. Can you explain how Symphony of the Senses will inspire?
Symphony of the Senses is designed to inspire by bringing together music, gastronomy and atmosphere in a way that feels both immersive and emotionally engaging. The combination of a live string quartet from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, a candle-lit setting, curated cocktails and roaming canapés creates a multi-layered experience that encourages guests to slow down and fully engage with their surroundings.
Symphony of the Senses is designed to inspire by bringing together music, gastronomy and atmosphere in a way that feels both immersive and emotionally engaging. The combination of a live string quartet from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, a candle-lit setting, curated cocktails and roaming canapés creates a multi-layered experience that encourages guests to slow down and fully engage with their surroundings.
Beyond the sensory elements, the event also celebrates South Australian culture and creativity through partnerships with Illuminate Adelaide and local artistic influences, offering guests a unique perspective on how food, music and place can come together. The result is an experience that not only entertains, but leaves guests feeling connected, uplifted and inspired by the collaboration of art forms.
Symphony of the Senses is a cocktail event. Is it a standing event? Or a seated event?
It is a standing cocktail event
How did you want this event to differ from a traditional fine-dining or concert experience?
At Sofitel Adelaide, we focus on creating experiences rather than just events. Symphony of the Senses reflects this approach by combining music, food and atmosphere into one immersive evening.
At Sofitel Adelaide, we focus on creating experiences rather than just events. Symphony of the Senses reflects this approach by combining music, food and atmosphere into one immersive evening.
The string quartet performs within the candle-lit space, with canapés and cocktails served throughout, creating a relaxed and engaging environment. As a weeknight event, it is also designed to be social, allowing guests to connect with friends and colleagues while still enjoying a rich sensory experience.
What do you hope guests will remember most when they leave the evening: the music, the food, the atmosphere, or the combination of all three?
We hope guests leave remembering the feeling of the evening as a whole. It’s about how the music, food and atmosphere come together to create something immersive, social and a little unexpected in a luxury setting. The aim is that it feels memorable not just for what they experienced, but for the way it made them feel in the moment.
The aim is that it feels memorable not just for what they experienced, but for the way it made them feel in the moment.
—
We thank Bianca Perre and Shweta Ghate from Sofitel Adelaide and Garçon Bleu for this interview.
KEY INFO FOR SYMPHONY OF THE SENSES
WHAT: Symphony of the Senses
WHEN: Wednesday 15 July, 5:30pm
WHERE: Garçon Bleu, Sofitel Adelaide, ADELAIDE
HOW: Purchase your tickets via this link
HOW MUCH: $150 + booking fee
