Snippets – March 2007

March 30

SOUTHERN AURORA

An autumn evening at Woolloomooloo Wharf. Sydney’s popular and glamorous Otto Ristorante . Friendly faces and fine wines. Could it get any better?

Well, yes, actually, it could – and did.

I was fortunate enough to be amongst a group of food media people invited to sample a new range of premium lamb this week. Aurora Gourmet Produce has developed what has to be termed ‘deluxe’ lamb.

From the world’s toughest climates – comes the world’s best produce, say the Aurora people, and certainly Tasmania is about as bleak as it gets in Australia. The sheep are raised at Cressy, south of Launceston, are 100 percent grazed on natural grains after weaning, and drink pure Tasmanian water.

This southern island is known for its clean greenness, and certainly the lamb I tasted was some of the sweetest and most tender I have eaten. Of course the fact that these hormone and antibiotic-free babies (they reach just five months) are coddled and protected – gentle handling, no dogs allowed, minimal transport – means that their meat is tastier and more tender.

Otto’s chef James Kidman’s deft touch with the mini-degustation we received was an added bonus. The group smacked collective lips over succulent braised shoulder of lamb with orecchiette pasta, black olives and rosemary and rolled saddle of lamb with potato puree, served conveniently on a spoon (it was a stand-up affair). Then there were slices of miniature leg of lamb tartare on a crouton, lamb back strap with spiced eggplant and chickpea puree, a most elegant taste of creamy lamb sweetbreads with cuttlefish and Pedro Jimanez reduction, and baby crepinette of lamb shank with lentils and Muscat liquor reduction.

It’s a hard life being a food writer, but we did it all for the greater good and came up smiling. Seriously, we were mightily impressed.

Michael Doherty, CEO of the family-owned company, Aurora Gourmet Produce, spoke to the group. “Aurora lamb is marbled and lighter in colour, smell and texture, than conventional grass-fed lamb,” he told us, “but also juicier and more intense in flavour.” We knew that already, having tasted some of the dishes.

This lamb is already being exported to China, Hong Kong and Singapore, with other countries targeted by the end of the year. It will be on the menus of top restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne and available to consumers through retail outlets such as Mr Gordon’s Selected Fine Foods in Neutral Bay (Sydney) 02 9953 0854, and Bouchiers of Malvern Road (03 9827 3629) in Melbourne.

With such intensive farming and high standards, this meat is understandably not cheap. But I guess that is the price of premium produce.

_____________________________________________________________________

MELBOURNE COMES TO SYDNEY

The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival came to Surry Hills last night (March 21st) with a hosted dinner for local media and industry friends. La Sala restaurant under the direction of Chef Darren Simpson turned on a classy Italian meal, and guests heard from Melbourne's The Age reviewer Matt Preston, Rose Gray (left) from London's River Cafe, and Tourism Victoria. Also present were Jill Dupleix and Terry Durack visiting from the UK, and Sam and Sam Clark, from Moro, in London.
From a regional food point of view, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is not just city-based. During the festival (March 16-30) many regional centres join in the action with a wide variety of events and activities. There's still time to be involved (although the premier events are pretty much sold out, we're told) so see what is still to come on: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

VICTORIAN REGIONAL CENTRES: let us know how your event went (send us a picture too) and we will put it on the site. sally@sallyhammond.com.au.

_____________________________________________________________________

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I was lucky enough to be at the 2007 Vogue Entertaining + Travel Audi Produce Awards and see the winners presented with their awards.
The big winner on the night was David Blackmore of Blackmore Wagyu Beef in Alexandra, Victoria, who won both the From the Paddock Award and the prestigious Producer of the Year. Blackmore Wagyu is exported to, among other places, Thomas Keller’s famed New York restaurant Per Se.
The Awards ceremony was the culmination of more than 12 months of tracking down and tasting a whole variety of Australian produce. The judging team – Philip Johnson, Matt Moran, Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, Cheong Liew, Chris Jackman and Sophie Zalokar – then spent two days in Sydney during January deciding on the winners.

Vogue Entertaining + Travel is a most prestigious food, travel and lifestyle publication with an impressive 28-year history in Australia, making it the ideal publication to promote awards like this. Details: http://promotions.vogue.com.au/2007/produce-awards
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

Follow this link for a complete list of winners

_____________________________________________________________________

AUSSIE TRAVEL

Hot off the press is one of the most comprehensive Australian travel guides you could find. The Australian Adventure Atlas has everything you need to know to help you plan an adventure-packed holiday in Australia.

Author Lee Atkinson is one of Australia’s leading experts on travelling in Australia. Author of On the Road: 40 Great Driving Holidays, she is the former editor of the country’s highest circulating motoring and travel magazine, The Open Road. Lee has been writing about her adventures on and off the road since 1991. She is the past president of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, and when not travelling on assignment, divides her time between Sydney and the NSW mid-north coast.

follow this link for more

Cellar Door Pass, new initiative for NSW wineries.
New marketing initiative for NSW wineries Tourism marketing and technology company, Smartvisit Solutions, is offering a new marketing initiative called Cellar Door Pass for NSW wineries, following the product’s success in South Australia. Nick Carter, the General Manager of Wine and Regional Tourism at Smartvisit Solutions, is currently visiting wineries around the State to demonstrate the Cellar Door Pass system. Up to 60 NSW wineries have the opportunity to participate in Cellar Door pass, which offers benefits to wineries and consumers. This product has the potential to increase visitor numbers to wineries and improve marketing to visitors. Special deals such as free wine and collateral including touring maps, a CD and a smart card are provided to consumers. For more information click here or contact Nick Carter on 0408 146 00

Country and outback operators urged to enter this year's Inland NSW Tourism Awards
The best of country and outback NSW tourism operators were encouraged to seek recognition for their businesses by entering the CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards 2007 this week. The Minister for Tourism and Sport and Recreation, Sandra Nori, launched the awards in Sydney in her final week as NSW Minister for Tourism. Ms Nori urged tourism businesses from Central NSW, New England North West, the Outback and Riverina to enter.
The Inland NSW Tourism Awards demonstrate the quality of experiences available for visitors in country and outback NSW. Two of the finalists from last year’s awards, Tri State Safaris, Broken Hill and two eight two eight, Gulargambone went on to win the NSW Awards in November and Australian Tourism Awards in Sydney last month. The sponsors of this year’s awards are CountryLink, Country Energy, McGuigan Wines, AusIndustry, Tourism NSW and the Wentworth Community.
Application forms will be available on the Inland Tourism Awards website on April 2 and entries close May 25. The Awards presentation and dinner will be held in Wentworth on July 29

PAWPAW RETURNS
Great news, the Australian Pawpaw and papaya industry is finally back on its feet and the fruit back on shelves after Cyclone Larry destroyed over 95% of the Australian crop in March 2006.
The facts of Larry are distressing to revisit:
• 110 papaya farms destroyed, another 20 severely damaged equating to over 7,000 acres or 1,200 football fields in total area affected.
• The cost to the industry has been in excess of ten million dollars and the problems continue one year on.
• Employment in the area for the Papaya industry was around 550 in March 2006, that number is now less than half that as many packed up and left the area, not to return.
Papaya and pawpaw are available all year round and are quite different to each other. Papaya has a red coloured flesh, and is usually a pear shaped fruit, with a sweet flavour good for drinks and both hot and cold dishes. Papaw is a rounder and larger fruit, with yellow flesh, slightly more savoury in taste. There is also green papaya, an ingredient essential in Asian salads.
www.australianpapaya.com.au

SLOW TOWNS:
Recently the historic Riverport of Goolwa in South Australia was recognised as the first Australian Cittaslow or slow town. The announcement was made by Roberto Angelucci, President of Cittaslow International (and Mayor of Francavilla al Mare, Italy) who was visiting Australia with the Vice President of Cittaslow Sefano Mocio (Mayor of Orvieto) and Cittaslow Manager Pier Giorgio Oliveti. The Delegation also visited the Blue Mountains and presented the Cittaslow flag to Katoomba. Goolwa and Katoomba are the first non-European towns to pass the assessment requirements and show a commitment to providing a good quality of life for its citizens. These two towns have also been charged with the responsibility of establishing an Australian Cittaslow Network.

Any towns with a population of less than 50,000 is eligible to be considered. Any town that has already established a Slow Food convivium is already moving along the road to Cittaslow recognition. Anyone wanting more information about Cittaslow which has developed from the Slow Food movement should contact Lyn Clark, Convenor, Goolwa Cittaslow, 33 Cadell Street, Goolwa SA 5214, Tel. (08) 8555 5801 lyn@riverdolls.com.au www.saba.org.au/cittaslow.html

FINE FOOD CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Fine Food Perth
Perth Convention
Exhibition Centre
25-27 March 2007
www.foodperth.com.au

The Good Food & Wine Show
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
1-3 June 2007
www.goodfoodshow.com.au

The Good Food & Wine Show
Sydney Convention
& Exhibition Centre
15-17 June 2007
www.goodfoodshow.com.au

The WA Food & Wine Festival
Perth Convention
Exhibition Centre
6-8 July 2007
www.wineandfood.com.au

Retail Expo
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
14-16 August 2007
www.retailtechexpo.com.au

Fine Food & Hotel Australia
Sydney Convention
& Exhibition Centre
24-27 September 2007
www.finefood.com.au

Fine Wine & Spirits
Wharf 8, Darling Harbour
24-26 September 2007
www.wineandspirits.com.au

The Good Food & Wine Show
Brisbane Convention Centre
9-11 November 2007
www.goodfood.com.au

Fine Food Queensland
Brisbane Convention Centre
9-11 March 2008
www.foodqueensland.com.au

OCEANAFEST TURNS NINE
Oceanafest is the recognised international culinary event for the Pacific Rim. This year competitors from across Australia and Asia will converge on Perth from 25-27 March to display their culinary skills in a range of team and individual events. They will be judged by international chefs including Otto Wiebel (Raffles) and Rudolf Muller (Disney Hong King). Oceanafest is staged within Fine Food Perth. Visitors to the show will be able to watch the competitors in action and also purchase a seat in one of the competition restaurants. www.foodperth.com.au

Hunter Semillon & Seafood 2007
For the first time in six years, this Tourism NSW flagship event, will be held over three days from April 13 to 15, 2007 with an estimated attendance of 3,000 visitors. The Main Event on Saturday April 14 will be hosted from 11am to 4pm at picturesque and historic Tyrrell’s Vineyard. Over 60 local producers will showcase the Hunter’s “unique gift to the world” – Hunter Semillon, buckets of fresh seafood and live music. For more information, ticketing and a full program of activities go to www.huntersemillonandseafood.com.au or call 02 4991 4533.

OTHER REGIONS – TAKE NOTICE
The NSW Government, through the Department of State and Regional Development and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, is running a series of events at Parliament House to showcase regional NSW food and wine to Sydney-based buyers, providores, distributors and media. Two Parliament House showcases have been run so far with great success. The Northern Rivers has been successful in gaining one of three showcases for 2007. The Northern Rivers Showcase will be held in August 2007.
There are two major components to the showcase. The first being a week-long set menu in the Parliament House Dining Room based around available regional product. The second is a major launch attended by up to 200 invited food industry representatives, including providores, restaurateurs, sommeliers, hotel food and beverage managers, caterers, speciality food and wine retailers, export consolidators, media representatives, and key influencers. This function represents a significant opportunity for regional suppliers to network and form new commercial
relationships.
Participating suppliers are responsible for:
- providing sample product for evaluation purposes;
- providing samples and collateral for information kits/sample bags;
- providing product on complimentary or at-cost basis for launch function;
- providing product on commercial terms for week-long set menu;
- nominating invitees from the supplier’s perspective;
- supporting promotion of the event;
- setting up and staffing a tasting table at the launch function, if appropriate;
- reporting on commercial outcomes to the regional partner organisation.

If you are interested in nominating your region for inclusion in the showcase contact your local NSW State and Regional Development office or www.business.nsw.gov.au

ELECTRONIC SELLING
FruitOnline is a new electronic marketplace for the fresh fruit business.  FruitOnline e-Market
acts as a vertical portal and B2B exchange for the European Fresh Fruit industry. Buyers, sellers,
intermediaries and other users regularly visit the site to find industry contacts, news and industry
information and access 3rd party services whilst also buying and selling Fresh Fruit.
The marketplace offers following functions and services:
* creation and selecting RFQ/RFB Trading Leads;
* creation and tracking Favourite Trading Partners;
* database with more than 1200 Fruit Varieties;
* SMS alert;
* online Members directory;
* news and Market information; and
* low-cost advertising space.
FruitOnline, available in four languages and seeks to become the preferred European Fresh Fruit
eMarket for the trading of fruit and fruit-related products. Because this is a new marketplace, the registration and use is completely FREE!!! For more
information, please visit www.fruitonline.net

Exporting Processes - Food and Beverages – Interactive workshop
The New South Wales Department of State and Regional Development is offering an interactive
full-day workshop for manufacturers of processed food and beverage products on Tuesday, 29 May 2007 from 10am to 3pm at NSW Dept of State and Regional Development, Western Sydney, Business Centre, Level 2, 470 Church Street, North Parramatta. The content of the workshop is focussed on the food & beverage industry and covers a range of topics such as:
· market entry platforms and strategies;
· market segments and distribution;
· client contact strategies;
· effective negotiation and selling (including after sales service);
· E-marketing for increased effectiveness;
· export planning and finance; and
· managing your export risks.

KIDS TASTE
Kids stay, play and eat for free in Sydney. Tourism NSW has launched a Sydney For Kids card where kids can stay, play and eat for free in Sydney until August 2007*. A range of family-friendly attractions, restaurants and hotels is offering exclusive deals for kids, such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World. Families can order their complimentary card via www.seesydney.com now. *Terms and conditions apply

Le Cordon Bleu Farm To Table Challenge
The latest Campion & Curtis newsletter (which is terrific reading and worth subscribing to: www.campionandcurtis.com/newslett.html) has news of the next Le Cordon Bleu Farm To Table Challenge which asks schools to grow, produce, package, market and sell regional food using traditional or artisan growing or production methods. Students must be "hands-on" growing or farming one of the raw ingredients and using the artisan methods employed. They must engage in direct marketing, promotion and sales, and among other things take the pictures and write or film the reports. This is a contest worth supporting. What better way for the next generation to begin to understand and appreciate food and its provenance. Full details: www.younggourmet.com/a/76.html

Country fare– Oyster Farming in NSW
Renowned for producing succulent tasty oysters, NSW offers a variety of regional oyster farms that specialise not only in tastings and dining, but informative tours and direct sales.
• Wheelers Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Farm in Merimbula offer tours of its modern factory, where you can learn about the history of oyster farming and the life-cycle of oysters, as well as having a taste of the local produce on offer. www.wheelersoysters.com.au
• The Hawkesbury region, famous as the set for the celebrated Australian film ‘The Oyster Farmer’ (starring Kerry Armstrong and Jack Thompson) offers a hands-on seafood experience with the Crab‘N’Oyster Cruise. Catch a crab, open an oyster and exp erience the sights and sounds of the magnificent Hawkesbury River. www.crab-n-oystercruises.com.au
• When in Port Stephens, a stop at the Holberts Oysters Farm in Salamander Bay is a must! Enjoy the finest quality oysters and cooked prawns straight from the farm. www.holbertsoysterfarm.com
• The Woy Woy Bay Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour is a great way to get up close and learn about the local oyster farms - while paddling around them! Lunch is on a secluded beach in Waterfall Bay where you’ll dine on freshly picked oysters and a full buffet lunch. oystertour@southernadventures.com.au

Go Bananas in Coffs Harbour The home of The Big Banana now boasts a new high-tech banana-themed attraction. World of Bananas features a children’s games hall, a guided tour through a banana planta tion, an interactive banana-packing shed, as well as state of the art hologram shows. www.bigbanana.com

ALMOST TOO LATE...
.......to experience a special a taste of Victoria.
Although 90 percent of the Melbourne Food & Wines Festival events now sold out, limited tickets left for the remaining events.
MasterClass at the Langham Hotel, Melbourne (24 and 25 March) is completely sold out – as are many of the exclusive dinners with the international culinary talent. Restaurants are reporting solid bookings throughout the festival dates of 16-30 March. For the first time this year, the festival’s World’s Longest Lunch went international with a sold-out Long Lunch in Singapore and the plan is to widen this concept to other countries in future years. Still to come, the International FLOUR festival (24 March)and Wicked Sunday (25 March) at Fed Square where over 100,000 people will be entertained by chefs, music and wonderful food and wine across the weekend. Details: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

QUEENSLAND GINGER
From the factory floor direct to your door, Buderim Ginger’s extensive range of conserves, cordials, snacking and specialty lines are now a secure, simple click away with the launch of www.orderginger.com

Toast to the Wineries
The new Cellar Door Pass Victoria combines more than 50 cellar doors and winery restaurants into a single flexible-itinerary package from this March. The pass will retail for $99 and provides a total value to the consumer of over $300. Benefits to the consumer include premium wines, wine tasting, winery tours and other special offers and dining reward vouchers. Victoria’s leading wine regions included in the first year of the program are: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Macedon Ranges, Pyrenees, Grampians, Bendigo, Heathcote, Goulburn Valley, Rutherglen and Alpine Valleys, King Valley and Geelong and Bellarine. It is anticipated that further wine regions and additional wineries will be included in the future. Passes will be available from the Best of Victoria desk at Federation Square Visitor Information Centre and selected regional Visitor Information Centres and wineries. For further information visit www.cellardoorpass.com and follow the prompts.

CASTING FOR TV DOCUMENTARY:
Channel 7 is casting for the new series of the television program called "The Real Sea change". It is an observational documentary series featuring real families, couples and singles embarking upon a "sea change", leaving big cities behind and jeopardising it all in search of a better life. Anyone planning on moving from the city to a small rural town and perhaps starting up/buying a farm we would love to hear about. Log on to www.bfa.com.au or phone 02 8905 3267.

NEW ORGANIC INITIATIVES FOR NSW:
A new $250,000 Organic Industries Initiative package has been launched at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Bathurst Agricultural Research & Advisory Station. The Initiative will fund two new organic agricultural positions & new infrastructure at Bathurst as well as the creation of the NSW Organic Ministerial Advisory Council. The Councils role will be to advise the Minister for Primary Industries on important matters facing the NSW organic industries & help harness the full potential of prospering organic markets by developing a strategic plan for the industry, and an approach to further developing the organic farming sector in NSW. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
This year BFA (Biologiocal Farmers of Australia) celebrates two decades of organic advocacy, policy making and standard setting. Today the BFA is Australia`s main representative grouping of organic and biodynamic interests with over 1200 members, 1600 certified organic operations and over 70% of Australia’s organic produce estimated to carry the BFA/ ACO famous Bud logo. The BFA group now certifies approximately 70% of all of Australia’s organic industry. More details or to subscribe to the free newsletter: www.bfa.com.au

NOOSA CELEBRATES
Noosa is getting ready for Queensland's biggest-ever food and wine event a mega-celebration at Settlers Cove from May 18-20. Celebrity chefs and food and wine experts from across Australia will join talented locals to present cooking classes, lunches, dinners and talks. Ticket bookings: 1300 797 723, and more details: www.celebrationofaustralianfoodandwine.com.au

WINNERS!
Crystal Bay Prawns, bred in a pristine environment next to the World Heritage listed regions of Hinchinbrook and the Daintree Rainforest, have been awarded both Gold and Silver Medals at this year’s Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, and judged on March 1st, 2007. Crystal Bay Prawns have proudly won awards every year since the Competition’s inception in 2001 to recognise and reward excellence in Aquaculture. The prawns are judged on flavour, visual appearance, texture, shell hardness, aroma and freshness and it is an intensive business. Raising these prawns takes approximately six months of constant round-the-clock nurturing and care for the prawns to be at their premium and ready for harvesting. More information: www.crystalbayprawns.com.au

IMPROVE YOUR FIQ (Fruit Intelligence Quotient)
Learn more about Custard Apples, those creamy, delicious fruit, high in vitamin C and in season from now until September. www.custardapple.com.au

AND THEN THERE'S PERSIMMONS
Australian sweet persimmons* are a delicious, crisp and crunchy fruit are in season from late February to early June. Originally from China, persimmons contain high levels of vitamins A and C, potassium and beta carotene as well as minerals. They have been grown commercially here since 1982 and are perfectly suited to Australian conditions, preferring sub-tropical to mild climates, being tolerant to heat and drought resistant. They are grown commercially all over Australia, including southeast and subtropical Queensland, NSW, Shepparton, Mildura, the SA Riverlands as well as the Snowy Mountains and southwest WA.

SERIOUSLY!
The Seriously South Australian® concept was the foundation of The Brasserie Restaurant relaunch in 2006 and provides a showcase for local produce. Hilton Adelaide also offers a ‘Seriously South Australian®’ banquet menu, retail produce for sale in the Brasserie Restaurant and Deli, produce gift hampers, Guest Room amenities including Coriole olives and Buzz Honey and even a Seriously South Australian weekend package. The Brasserie was recently recognised for its commitment to South Australian produce winning the Rural Solutions ‘Services to the Industry award at the 2006 Premier's Food Awards, a true testament to the restaurant’s innovative work in promoting regional South Australian produce. Seriously, it's what every major hotel in a capital city should do for its state.www.thebrasserie.com.au

ON AGAIN
Celebrity chefs, scrumptious foods and luscious wines to taste and buy, this year's Good Food & Wine Show is expected to be even bigger with exciting new food and wine theatres and exhibitor attractions. Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show, Friday 1 June – Sunday 3 June, Melbourne Exhibition Centre; Sydney Good Food & Wine Show, Friday 15 June – Sunday 17 June, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. Tickets are $24.90 and are available through Ticketmaster 13 6100 or www.goodfoodshow.com.au

TWEED HOSTS IMPORTANT MEETINGS
ATEC (Australian Tourism Export Council) will hold Symposium 2007 in The Tweed region of NSW from April 17-20. For the first time the Symposium will be held in an “emerging” international destination. As the 30th, this is one of the longest running tourism trade events in the country. Features will include workshops, famils, networking events, business development breakout sessions and delegates will also see some exciting new initiatives in an action-packed four day program to maximise networking and business opportunities. Details and bookings: www.atec.net.au/symposium07

MORE WINNERS
The gongs have been handed out at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and Sydney Royal Easter Show quite rightly was named the winner in Major Festival and Special Events category. Bimbadgen Estate Wines, in the Hunter valley, NSW (ARFG p.78) was named best Tourism Winery, and Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, WA (ARFG p. 420) again was named best in the Ecotourism category.

PIE TIME
If you are interesting in knowing where to find the best pies in Australia, check this website: www.greataussiepiecomp Regional Australia is well-represented with a Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, pie-maker (Merwan's Pies, Langwarren) taking out the spot as Overall Champion. Good to see Parker's Pies at Rutherglen, Victoria (ARFG p.337) and Mick's bakehouse at Leeton and Wagga Wagga, NSW (ARFG p. 54) taking out awards too. Bakeries in Dubbo, NSW, Mooroopna, Vic, and Pinjarra, WA, all were winners too.

NSW Vineyard Accommodation
On the wine trail but can’t face the bus ride home? Make a weekend of it! Many wineries across NSW have established boutique B&Bs and cottages in the heart of their vineyards, so you can spend the day touring and tasting, and then have a quiet night in with a bottle of your favourite local drop.
Visit and stay at:
• Petersons Guesthouse, a new property near Armidale. Located on the award winning Petersons Armidale Winery, the boutique guesthouse offers comfort and relaxation in the heart of the cool climate vineyard. www.petersonswines.com.au
• Drink in the view from the classic country style house at Tatler Wines in the Hunter Valley. Relax in the lounge room, have a glass of wine and take in the peace and quiet. www.tatlerwines.com.au
• Thistle Hill in Mudgee has a fully self-contained bed and breakfast cottage, nestled among established vines and an olive grove, overlooking the picturesque Erudgere Valley. Enjoy absolute privacy, with native birds in the morning and millions of stars at night. www.thistlehill.com.au
• Coolangatta Estate at Shoalhaven Heads on the South Coast offers unique heritage accommodation in a picturesque setting overlooking the ocean and surrounded by vineyards. You don’t have to go far for a good meal: dine at Alexanders, a fine dining restaurant featuring regional produce and estate wines, or the James Busby Vineyard Marquee, which has coastal views. www.coolangattaestate.com.au
• Emma’s Cottage Vineyard at Lovedale, in the Hunter, features two private vineyard cottages and a self contained loft above the cellar door. www.emmascottage.com.au

Upcoming Events, NSW

Albury Wodonga’s Longest Lunch 16 March
A memorable day of locally grown and prepared food, regional wines to match, enjoyed as ever, on the edge of the river. Ph 02 6058 2996

La Festa – Faces of Australia, Griffith, 7–11 April
La Festa celebrates Griffith’s unique cultural diversity, with international music and local food and wine, stalls lining the streets and a main stage showcasing a huge variety of talent. ~A 2007 Tourism NSW Regional Flagship Event~ www.lafesta.org.au

Hunter Semillon and Seafood, 14-15 April
Featuring top chefs, wine tastings, seafood demonstrations, live entertainment and the lion’s share of Hunter Valley wineries under one roof. Great food, wine and education in the wine-making process. ~A 2007 Tourism NSW Regional Flagship Event~ www.huntersemillonandseafood.com.au

Looking for a farm-stay with a difference? Or maybe you need some more hands to help on your own organic farm. WWOOF (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) have a range of opportunities for volunteers looking to travel around regional NSW. WWOOFers live and work as family with host farms, and learn about the skills of organic growing and the area they are visiting. www.wwoof.com.au

CHOCOLATE COUNTRY
From chocolate fudge to chocolate cake, chocolate fondue to chocolate fruit, regional NSW boasts some of the best chocolate companies, tours and tastings around. Chocoholics are spoilt for choice when seeking that sweet satisfaction.
Sweet tooths – go here:
• Café Josophans at Leura, in the Blue Mountains specialises in fine delicious treats including handmade Swiss, French & Belgian chocolates. In the tradition of European chocolate salons, the owners also sell a variety of treats and delicacies in their brand new emporium, Josophans at Blackheath. www.josophans.com.au
• Chocolate can be a healthy indulgence! At the Junee Chocolate and Licorice Factory, you can taste-test organic Be lgian chocolate, made using the full cocoa bean rather than substitute additives. www.greengroveorganics.com
• At Blue Mountains Chocolate Company in Katoomba, enjoy chocolate-making demonstrations by European chocolatiers, interactive displays about the history of chocolate and sample cakes, toffee, fudge, ice cream and more than 50 different flavours of hand-made delights. You can even make your own hot chocolate with real milk, dark or white chocolate melted in a cup over a candle. www.bluemountainschocolate.com.au
• For absolute guilt-free chocolate pleasure, try the exotic chocolate pudding fruit at Tropical Fruit World in the Tweed Valley. With the same consist ency and luscious dark brown chocolate flesh, chocolate pudding fruit contains no fat, and is a rich source of vitamin C, zinc and calcium. www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au
• Indulge in chocolate goodness at My Chocolate Shoppe in Shellharbour, on the South Coast. Be tempted by handmade brownies, cakes and high quality Belgian chocolates, or enjoy a latte, hot or iced chocolate. Ph 02 4296 961

BIMBADGEN ESTATE WINS
Bimbadgen Estate, home to the Bimbadgen Blues (p 78) and other popular annual events, once again received top honours at the National Tourism Awards Gala Dinner held at the Star City Sydney on Friday night - winning the highly sought after 'Tourism Wineries’ category. The Tourism Wineries category is open to wineries offering a tourism experience. It is not a wine award, but recognises a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of direct services to the general public. Bimbadgen Estate celebrated a highly successful year in 2006 and received a number of major industry awards prior to the Australian Tourism Awards including a second consecutive win for Bimbadgen’s , Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant being awarded “Best Tourism Restaurant”, at the Restaurant and Catering Regional Awards in June 2006.
www.bimbadgen.com.au

The Sydney Royal Coffee Competition has announced the awards and many regions can celebrate with a double shot of what they can prove is a top drop.
CHAMPION ESPRESSO went to High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW and GOLD medals to Global Coffee Solutions Fairy Meadow NSW and High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW. Regional SILVER medals went to Byron Bay Coffee Company Newrybar NSW, Five Sense Coffee Victoria Mornington VIC, High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW, Kasmack Coffee Coffs Harbour NSW and Zeta’s Coffee Carool NSW.
BRONZES to Australian Estate Coffee Alstonville NSW, Bangalow Coffee, Nashua NSW, Byron Bay Coffee Company Newrybar NSW, Coffee Republic Launceston TAS, Echidna Coffee Erina NSW, Five Senses Coffee Victoria Mornington NSW, High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW, Mahalia Coffee Robe SA, Mareeba Coffee Mareeba QLD, Premium Coffee Roasters Wagga Wagga NSW, The Coffee Bean Roasting House Tamworth NSW, Yahava Koffee Works Busselton WA, and Zentveld’s Australian Coffee Newrybar NSW and CONGRATULATIONS to all!

MUSIC AT THE MARKETS
Fruit and forklifts will make way for glistening chandeliers, flying banners and music when Opera In The Market, one of Melbourne’s most exciting philanthropic arts events, returns to the Queen Victoria Market on Monday March 26 and Wednesday March 28, 2007. Now in its eighth year, Opera In The Market raises money for world-leading medical research at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Top performers ensure a superb evening of entertainment. Food and wine available from 6pm, Performance begins at 8pm at ‘K Shed’, Queen Victoria Market. General tickets:
Ticketek on 132 849, details: www.operainthemarket.com.au

BOOK RELEASE. New book from Sunday Life columnist Lynne Mullins, was launched at the Good Living Growers Market on March 3rd. Based on the popular Whip it Up column in Sunday Life magazine, author and TV chef Lynne Mullins presents three quick ways with 75 ingredients - proving you don’t need exotic or gourmet produce to prepare healthy, interesting and delicious meals. Whip it Up, Fairfax Books, rrp $24.95.

FIESTA IN THE FLEURIEU
Visitors to the Fleurieu Peninsula for Fiesta! events can taste their way across four wine regions this spring - McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek and Southern Fleurieu - over five weekends between September 28-October 28. It is also a fantastic opportunity for local chefs, growers, food producers and winemakers to showcase their products and extraordinary abilities. New release wines and olive oil tastings will be available at cellar doors across the region, while special regional dishes will be showcased at participating restaurants.
View the full Fiesta! Program of events online at www.fleurieufood.com.au and at all Visitor Centres across Fleurieu Peninsula in October, or contact the McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitor Centre on 1800 628 410.

BEER AWARDS
The beer awards at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show have been decided and it's good to see some regional winners including Grand Bridge Brewing Company Mirboo North, Vic, Hunter Beer Company Nulkaba, NSW, Jarrah Jacks Brewery Pemberton, WA, Murray’s Craft Brewing Company Taylors Arm, NSW, Northern Rivers Brewing Company Alstonville, NSW and Red Hill Brewery Red Hill South, Victoria.
Full details of this and other awards at www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au

WINTER WINE WEEKEND IN THE SHOALHAVEN
On the long weekend of June 9th to 11th the cellar doors of the NSW Shoalhaven Coast wine region will once again open their doors and invite visitors for the Winter Wine Weekend, a perennial feast of fine wine, food and fun. Entertainment includes wine tours and dinners, music and gourmet delights, lawn games, kite flying, live music and show bags.The Festival kicks off with a Launch Party at Coolangatta Estate on Friday June 2nd, and will feature special guest, Elise Pascoe of the Elise Pascoe International Cooking School. Further information please contact: Joan Swarbrick, 02 4448 5466, email: joanswarbrick@sevenmilevineyard.com.au

BACK TO SCHOOL: The Jamberoo, NSW, based Elise Pascoe International Cooking School teaching schedule for the first semester of 2007 is now on www.cookingschool.com.au offering two seasonal terms which can be booked online. Gift Vouchers are now available online.

Cyclone Larry Milk Blows away Top Dairy Judges
Flattened by Cyclone Larry last March, Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands have proved they are back on the map by winning the nation’s top dairy foods honour. Dairy Farmers Milk, processed at the Malanda factory using milk from farms ripped apart by 290kph winds was judged Australia’s grand champion dairy product only eight months later. It beat premium yogurts, luxury ice creams and quality creams for the top honour at the industry’s major awards, the 2007 Australian Grand Dairy Awards on February 9.

Olivado Moreton Bay Seafood Festival
Relax and unwind, enjoy the sea air and feast on succulent seafood and wine at the Olivado Moreton Bay Seafood Festival 2007, right on the waters of Moreton Bay at the Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Cleveland/Raby Bay on 9 – 10 June (Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend). Food, cooking, celebrity chefs, music and all kinds of activities run over two days of entertainment, education and fun. More information: www.moretonbayseafoodfestival

HARVEST HELP: The 2007 Australasian Postharvest Conference with the theme is ‘Postharvest at Work’ will be held in September this year on the Central Coast. Conference participants will hear about new packaging, storage and transport technologies, as well as innovative approaches to marketing and ways to encourage industry to adopt new technologies. The Conference t. It is to be held from 10-12 September the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Terrigal. For further information, contact: Jenny Ekman, Gosford, on 4348 1942 or jenny.ekman@dpi.nsw.gov.au

BREAKING NEWS: The world's biggest food and wine festival, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is planned from 16-30 March, 2007. Highlights include: The World's Longest Lunch, which will return to Melbourne around the boundary line at Telstra Dome (16 March), return of The Original MasterClass (24 & 25 March), Cellardoor at Southgate (24 & 25 March), and much more. Full details: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

HOME