Peninsula Piers & Pinots on Sunday 9 March 12noon – 3pm

As the grand finale to events throughout the region and in Melbourne, just follow the flags at Flinders Foreshore to the finish line of the Piers & Pinots yacht race.  There, Mornington Peninsula vignerons will showcase their pinots with matched food by The Long Table Restaurant. Wineries include Tucks Ridge, Box Stallion, Lindenderry, Red Hill Estate, Morning Sun Estate, Montalto, Elgee Park, The Cups Estate, Stonier Wines, The Duke Vineyard, Willow Creek Vineyard, Baillieu Vineyard, Winbirra, Nazaar ay, T’Gallant, Rahona Valley, Rigel Wines, Prancing Horse and Whinstone. Enquiries & Bookings: Mornington Peninsula Vignerons 03 5989 2377 or visit www.mpva.com.au

BACK ON TOP AGAIN

Despite Cyclone Larry in March 2006 and the resulting huge damage and losses which closed the winery for some time, Mary Lankester of Paradise Estate Wines was awarded Most Successful Professional Winemaker 2007, at the prestigious Australian Fruit Wine Show in 2007. In 2008 Paradise Estate Wines will produce its first wine since cyclone Larry. Due to the lack of fruit, stress on the fruit trees and fruit prices they haven't been able to make wine since the cyclone. However this year they will be restocking their supplies of wine made from lychees, red dragon fruit, mangosteens, mangoes, bananas and more. All wines will be back soon and available to the public. Well done all!

ALLA CARTE

If the amazing success story of Lake House in the Spa region of Victoria has long enthralled you, you can now meet the chef behind it all on a sensational culinary journey in Normandy from 24- 30 July 2008 OR 1-7 August 2008. Alla Wolf-Tasker will be the Chateau Bosguet's resident chef and will gently guide groups of up to 10 gourmands through the sourcing and using  of the wonderful local produce. Details on www.lakehouse.com.au

SEMILLON AND SEAFOOD TIME

From Friday 18th to Sunday 20th April, 2008 the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association will once again host the popular Hunter Semillon & Seafood Festival to be held over three days and incorporating more than 20 events involving several Hunter Valley Vineyards.  Over 150 Hunter Semillons and sumptuous seafood will be available to delight the senses. The main event will take place on Saturday 19 April, from 11:00am to 4:00pm at  Tyrrell’s Vineyard and is expected to be the biggest yet.  For all details go to www.huntersemillonandseafood.com.au or call 02 4991 4533.

TOMATO LOVERS – THIS IS FOR YOU

OK, this isn't Australian regional food, but this site www.tomatofest.com is quite inspirational for all who love tomatoes. It may even give tomato growers some ideas for new varieties to grow. Did you know there were so many varieties, or that the tomato is one of the newest plants to be used on a large scale for human food?

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS .......

.......to Daintree Ecolodge & Spa, situated in the dense tropical rainforest of Far North Queensland, and recently announced as the World’s Leading Eco-Lodge in the World Green Category at the 14th World Travel Awards (WTA). www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au

PERTH TASTES

The Mid Summer's Feast in the Swan Valley 15–17 February promises to be a treat for foodies, lovers of wine and the arts. Renowned for award winning wines and fresh local produce, the Swan Valley Chef’s plan to show diners why this area is truly “Perth’s Valley of Taste”. www.swanvalley.com.au

FOOD OF LOVE

The Waddi Music Festival at Badgingarra on WA's Turquoise Coast will be held on Saturday March 1st and 2nd (Labour Day long weekend) from 12 noon until late then starting again with a bush poetry/breakfast on Sunday morning then more music finishing Sunday night. Event organiser TV celebrity Martin Gillespie, Retro Chef from Channel 7/GWN’s Home in WA programme says ' it will be a resounding success' featuring local and WA musicians and “street theatre events”, as well as local wine makers, regional produce and arts and crafts. Gillespie will be the MC as well as cooking regional produce. Details: Waddi Bush Resort 02 9652 9071.

POSITION VACANT

ACF Victoria is looking for an experienced individual to manage the culinary events section at September's Fine Food Melbourne. Key duties include: managing various events and reporting to ACF Victoria, preparing documents including guides, rules and vision of the competition; and preparing records, budgets and reports associated with the administration of the Fine Food events. Applications need to be submitted by Tuesday January 22, and should be sent to Steve McFarlane

On the South Burnett trail 

A new food and wine trail for  Queensland in the South Burnett highlights wineries, eateries and accommodation from Blackbutt to Kilkivan. The trail includes 14 wineries, 14 eateries and three places to rest your head. The South Burnett is scenic patchwork of deep red soils and vivid green crops, which produce a variety of fruits, nuts, vegetables, cheeses and other gourmet foods. It is also one of Australia's newest wine producing regions with many vineyards and olive groves complementing the traditional crops, all only a two hours from metropolitan Brisbane.
More information: www.southburnettholidays.info

Tropical taste treats

Further north, Queensland's Great Tropical Drive has a number of hidden treasures to discover. Home of the annual Australian-Italian Festival, Ingham serves up some of the best Italian fare around. Other places serve up crab, local tea and coffee, and gourmet food. It's definitely not all bananas and sugar cane. More information: www.GreatTropicalDrive.com.au

GRAPE GRAZING 08

To mark the 21st birthday of Victoria’s premier food and wine event, the 2008 Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival has been extended to include a two week celebration – from Saturday 9th to Monday 18th February - featuring exceptional wines, outstanding food and welcoming hospitality from some of the Yarra Valley’s best wineries and restaurants. 

The wide variety of events will include degustation experiences and gourmet cooking classes, culminating in the traditional Grape Grazing weekend on Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th February. 

Note that for the first time, some venues now require bookings for lunch. Please check the brochure or website for details.
The special events include The Ultimate Pinot Noir Experience (Monday 18th February) at Kiltynane Estate to allow guests to pick grapes and make wine the biodynamic and traditional French way, followed by a decadent private lunch with The Press Club’s renowned master chef George Colombaris. 
Tickets for the Grape Grazing pass and booking details for Grape Grazing events are available on the website www.grapegrazing.com.au For information on the Grape Grazing Festival phone +61 (0)3 5962 6600.

COUNTRY DOES IT AGAIN

UK's Conde Nast Traveller magazine has just released its annual gold list of "Best Hotels in the World for Food" based on reader's responses to it annual survey. While it is no surprise that Sydney's Shangri-La Hotel is there, it is worth noting that the only other Australian hotels on the list were Cape Lodge in WA and Freycinet Lodge in Tasmania. Well done all!

SUNNYBRAE RETURNS

Great news from George Biron. Sunnybrae Restaurant & Cooking School near Colac in the Great Ocean Road region of Victoria will be reopening in April-May 2008. You can keep up with developments with his interesting and informative blog

Parties, picnics, platters and Pinot 

Victoria's Mornington Peninsula is already shining the glasses and cutlery for 2008 Harvest to Table Festival. This annual festival will romp through a delicious series of parties, picnics, platters and Pinot tastings, with more than 20 events from Friday February 29 until Victoria’s long weekend on Monday March 10. Events range from sumptuous High Tea at luxurious Woodman Estate and a ‘Mad Hatters Pinot Party’ at Hickinbotham Winery to a Red Hill Market visit with Chef James Redfern of Vines of Red Hill, followed by a ‘Menu Spontanee’ lunch. Accommodation packages are available. Visit www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org or call 03 5987 3078.

MUSIC IN THE VINES

Joadja Winery & Cellar Door, the NSW Southern Highlands’ first established vineyard, is presenting music, food and fun in their first Music in the Vines event on  Sunday, 27th January. Take a picnic, listen to live music, taste the best of the cool climate wines of the Southern Highlands and enjoy Tandoori dishes & naan cooked on site by local chef Man Raj in the wood-fired oven. Specialist Joadja wines such as Port, Boysenberry Liqueur - all made on site - will be available and visitors can also take vineyard walks and guided tours. Joadja Vineyards, Cnr. Greenhills & Joadja Rds. Berrima, NSW,  www.joadja.com,  02 4878 5236.

GOOD NEWS

News just in from the Mid North Coast of NSW assures us that the area 'is not under flood and its business as usual for this popular holiday haven.'

“In fact there are holiday makers further north looking to the Mid North Coast as a close and drier alternative,” said Marketing Manager, Ms Belinda Novicky. “We have had heavy rains and rough seas and encourage all locals and visitors to be particularly cautious on our roads, rivers and beaches at this time. The majority of our eight member council Tourism Managers report little or no flooding  and today we have enjoyed clear, bright skies. They have reported no major road closures in Port Stephens, Great Lakes, Manning Valley Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour.”

Despite  minor flooding in Bellingen and the Macleay Valley Coast, the waters in Bellingen have now receded, rivers are filled to the brim, magnificent waterfalls are being fed by the heavy rains, the tropical rainforests are at their glistening best and pastures and forests are lush and green, is the assurance by locals. 

For Sally's recent Good Living article about Gordon's and her trip along this bountiful coastal area click here.

IT ISN"T EASY

As we sun ourselves, surf and relax this month, let's spare a thought for those battling nature in our own country areas. Northern NSW is taking a battering with torrential rains and flooding. Those wondrously wide northern rivers are delightful to photograph when they are dawdling through the lush countryside, but right now they are terrifying. And you can bet there will be devastating losses of stock, crops and wildlife as a result. In southern NSW a couple of weeks ago, Batlow's apple crops  were almost destroyed by hail and the word is that the trees won't be back to full strength for a couple of years. Regional producers can lose their entire year's income (or more) in a night, so rather than complaining about increased prices in the supermarket, let's all support them by buying what is available or putting our tourist dollar into the towns as soon as they return to normal.

MURRAY MARKETS

One way to fully support a region is to visit the local farmers' market. Most towns seem to have one these days so check the Markets button to the left on this page for one near you. If you know of one that we have missed, please email us or let us know on 02 9918 2997  

We visited a market last year in South Australia. The Riverland Farmers' Market at Berri is held every Saturday morning has a great sense of community and provides a meeting place and a forum to share ideas and advice on local produce and products. The organisers say "There is nothing more satisfying than being able to offer locally grown seasonal vegetables, fruits, wines, even flowers and plants. In addition to this, while you purchase your fresh produce (and we have organically grown produce too!) you can also enjoy tasty bakery items such as woodfire oven breads and pizza bases, biscuits, pavlova shells and a variety of multicultural delicacies which window our Riverland heritage. We are proud of the fact that all of this is produced locally. There is more: fresh local eggs and honey, fresh olives and locally produced olive oil, locally reared emu and goat meat. On the antipasti side our rich multicultural heritage at the Riverland means that we can offer a wonderful choice of Italian, Greek, Indian, Lebanese delicacies, just to mention a few." More details: www.riverlandfarmersmarket.org.au

SLOW-L-Y DOES IT

Quick! Make plans to attend Slow Food Orange’s second annual mini-festival — Slow Summer from February 8-10. This weekend is all about enjoying the region’s produce and saying thank you to those who grow/make/prepare it. Bookings are essential for all events (02 6360 1990) or online (www.tasteorange.com.au  and click on the events page to download a booking form). Saturday night has been deliberately left free so all may enjoy some slow dining at their own pace. Or visit the farmers' markets on Saturday morning, stock up and cook dinner for your friends and family. More information: www.tasteorange.com.au call the Orange Visitors’ Information Centre on 1800 069 466 or check out the cellar door booklet which lists all of Orange’s restaurants, cellar doors and producers

THIS PUB'S NOW GOT PLENTY

Can you think of a more appropriate place to spend out national day? Australia Day Weekend @ The Pub with No Beer, Taylor’s Arm on the lush and lovely Mid-North Coast of  NSW would have to be one of the best around the country with entertainment, cricket on the big screen, face painting, tours of the brewery and more. Ph: 6564 2100

CHANCE TO STAR

Applications for the annual Lexus Appetite for Excellence awards, the ultimate competition for young hospitality professionals, has recently opened with entries being accepted in the categories of Lexus Young Chef and Lexus Young Waiter. The awards' judges are searching for Australia's hottest young restaurant and catering talent. Founders Chef Luke Mangan and business partner Lucy Allon believe that the future of the industry lies in continuing to motivate, innovate and educate young chefs and waiters.2008 application forms and further information can be found on www.appetiteforexcellence.com

 AUSSIE LYCHEES

Australian Lychees are widely acclaimed as the best in the world as Australian growers don’t use sulphur dioxide, a treatment used in many other countries to maintain skin colour which can diminish the taste.  Australian Lychees are also only picked first thing in the morning when it’s cool, then are quickly packed and transported to market – a short supply chain. In fact, Chinese producers (the home of lychees) are now in touch with Australian growers for help in improving their supply chain and post harvest handling. Lychees are high in antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C and also contain good levels of calcium, fibre and thiamine and less than 65 calories per 100g of flesh. Australian Fresh Lychees are in season from October to March and available from major supermarkets and green grocers. More information: www.lycheesonline.com/origin.cfm

FRASER FEST

Christmas at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Queensland's Fraser Island will feature fresh local seafood. The Resort’s signature Seabelle restaurant is offering a 5-course set Christmas menu featuring a 'cornucopia' of local seafood including Moreton Bay Bugs, Burrum Blue Swimmers, King Prawns, Rock Oysters and Barramundi. Chef Ferrall and his team are planning to feature bush foods too. The menu includes turkey with a munthari berry, macadamia nut, cranberry salad with a lilli pilli vinaigrette, and chicken, asparagus, leek and wild lime terrine. Of course mango features for dessert. Bookings are essential on 07 4120 3311, other details: www.kingfisherbay.com

TASSIE TOPS AGAIN

Tasmania scooped three awards in the annual The Australian Travel and Tourism Awards for 2007 as voted for by readers of The Australian.
• Best Lodge Accommodation - won by The Lodge at Tarraleah in Tasmania's central highlands.
• Best Echo/Wilderness Experience – won by the Bay of Fires Walk on the state's north east coast.
• Best Food Experience – won by Launceston's Stillwater Restaurant and The Mill Providore (pictured).

GOLD AGAIN

On Tuesday 11th December Lake House Daylesford was awarded Best Australian Boutique Property in the Luxury Travel Magazine’s 2008 Gold List Survey. Tens of thousands of Luxury Travel Magazine’s experienced and travel-savvy readers are asked each year to nominate their best experiences. This year Lake House was the firm favourite. The magazine has noted “Lake House truly is a culinary destination worth making a journey for”. High praise for what started as a 40 seat restaurant in the middle of “far from anywhere“ over two decades ago. Since then Lake House has blossomed into one of the country’s most desirable retreats.This award is just one more to add to a swag of awards Lake House has collected this year. 
For Reservations: Lake House (03) 53483329; info@lakehouse.com.au, www.lakehouse.com.au

Faraway FARE

The famous Kimberley Cooking School at Faraway Bay the Bush Camp will take place between 12-16 May 2008.  Each year, Perth chef Chris Taylor joins a select group of 12 guests in a four-day all-inclusive experience of a lifetime. The ambience is laid-back and informal, and as hands-on as guests want it to be, with plenty of time for sightseeing and excursions during the day. Packages cover air transfers, the cooking school and all activities as well as all meals and beverages. www.farawaybay.com.au

New Distillery to launch in the South West

The Great Southern Distillery Company has just launched its second distillery in partnership with Margaret River winery The Grove. Due to open this summer, The Margaret River Distillery will produce premium vodka, gin and eventually brandy. www.distillery.com.au

BON VOYAGE!

The Open House e-newsletter (www.openhousemagazine.net) reports this week that the dairy produce committee from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW is inviting interested parties to register for an international tour of the British and French cheese and dairy industries. The tour is open to anyone involved in the local cheese industry, either as a large-scale producer or a cottage-industry maker. With a focus on the production, marketing and retailing practices in the UK and France, the tour will take in both large and small-scale cheese manufacturers and retailers across the two countries. Planned for the European Spring, the group will depart Sydney on May 16 next year for an 18-day educational led by Yves Boutonnat, who recently retired as the chief of the French Dairy Authority and Eurwen Richards, a former Royal Agricultural Society judge. Contact the committee for further details.

DIARY DATE

Bong Bong Boot Picnic + Family Day. This inaugural event will showcase the foods and wine of the Southern Highlands plus entertainment, at the Bong Bong Picnic Race Track, Kangaloon Rd, Bowral, NSW, Sunday 9 March 2008  -  11am to 4pm. Tickets 02 4869 1340, or admin@southernhighlands.net.au www.southernhighlands.net.au

WINERIES GO TO THE DOGS

Great concept, lovely books.The latest edition of Wine Dogs is out, just in time for Christmas. It's a fact, winemakers love dogs. Wherever wine is made, you’re likely to find a good dog stalking the cellar or the vineyard. Wine Dogs is a celebration of the working (and relaxing) dog in the winery, vineyard and tasting room – created all for the love of dogs and wine. Wine Dogs editions are photographic journals of stunning pictures interspersed with short essays by Robert Parker Jr., Huon Hooke, Max Allen, Cole Danehower, Dan Berger, Ralph Steadman and many more. More details: www.winedogs.com

FIRST FOR Gold Coast's GWINGANNA

Gwinganna’s first recipe book, “From Garden to Gourmet” is now available. In hard cover format with over 140 pages of recipes, beautiful images and information on Gwinganna's optimal wellness philosophy, $59.95 per copy, plus postage and handling. Phone 1800 219 272 or 5589 5000, email info@gwinganna.com

BIG DRY COSTS MONEY 

Drought is having an impact on our pockets with higher retail prices according to  John Baker, Managing Director of Produce Marketing (www.producemarketing.com.au). Click here to see how the lack of rain is affecting fresh produce.

ELECTION PROMISE

Let's keep the new Federal government to its promise to spend $12.8 million over the next four years setting up school kitchens and gardens in 190  Australian primary schools. Stephanie Alexander's excellent model at Collingwood should provide other schools with the way to do this. For inspiration go to:
www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

STOP PRESS

There is still time to hop down to Princes Wharf, Hobart, for its foodlovers' festival of the year, Taste of Tasmania, planned for December 28th, 2007, to January 3rd, 2008. Now in its 18th year, there are dozens of food and wine stalls and entertainment. More details on www.hobartsummerfestival.com.au

PLAN YOUR QUEENSLAND SUMMER FUN

The Ginger Flower Festival, 24 - 27 January.
Colour your world with the flavours and the flowers of the 11th annual Ginger Flower Festival showcasing the gastronomic genius of internationally recognised chef Philip Johnson of Ecco, along with top tips from some of Australia’s leading green thumbs. The Ginger Factory is located at 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina. Access from the Bruce Highway is via the Coolum/Yandina exit, www.gingerfactory.com.au

Feast of the Senses, 1 - 16 March. 
See, hear, taste, touch and smell the delights on offer at this fortnight of festivities featuring a market day, formal dinner, industry development workshops, music workshops, concert, and art and cultural exhibitions in Innisfail. More details:  info@feastofthesenses.com www.feastofthesenses.com.au

Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, 7 - 9 March. 
This three-day event celebrates the Granite Belt’s booming horticultural and tourism industry with fine food, winning wines, plenty of music and a grand parade. More details: info@appleandgrape.org www.appleandgrape.org 

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Lifestyle Food Channel recently launched a search to find Australia’s favourite places to eat out.  Restaurants around Australia were contacted to encourage their guests to vote in the awards to create a eating out guide for the channels website. www.lifestylefood.com.au. Category winners are announced on Monday 10th Dec on the lifestyle food channel and Grafton’s Georgie’s café restaurant (www.georgiescafe.com.au) received the following three awards: NSW Favourite Place to Eat; Australia’s Favourite Modern Australian; and Australia’s Favourite Place to eat.

HAPPY (ORGANIC) CHRISTMAS!

The BFA – Biological Farmers of Australia (www.bfa.com.au) suggest trying preservative free and organically cured Christmas ham or organic turkey for Christmas lunch this year. Suggestions include: preparing organic Christmas meals and treats at home, putting organic chocolates in Christmas stockings or tippling certified organic wine. The BFA reminds us that when purchasing organic, shoppers should always look for a logo such as the recognisable BFA/ ACO "Bud" logo to be sure of the product’s organic integrity and the benefits of buying organic are 100% certified.

DO SOMETHING FOR THE FISH

The trade magazine, Open House (www.openhousemagazine.net)reports that on average, Australians eat 20kg of seafood each year, per person. That means our annual consumption of seafood is about 400,000 tonnes. Yet we only produce around 230,000 tonnes of seafood (including farmed aquaculture) and exports account for around 50 per cent of that. Initiated by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Sustainable Seafood Day will highlight the need to take responsibility for our fishing practices. The MSC is urging Australians who love their seafood to participate in Sustainable Seafood Day on March 4 next year by demanding evidence of sustainable practices from their local seafood supplier.

KEEP IT CLEAN

If you run a commercial kitchen, you may be interested  in the latest edition of the Restaurant & Catering Australia Food Safety & Hygiene charts recently. The eye-catching guides are designed to promote better business practices, with easy-to-follow advice on food safety and hygiene. To receive a copy call Pro-Visual Publishing on 02 8272 2611 or email enquiries@provisual.com.au

HUH?

Can you say for sure what a tangelo is? Or where your should store artichokes? A US-based website Produceguru.com , provides a central source of information, tips and recipes on fruits and vegetables ranging from apples to zucchini, you can find out each of them as well as nutritional value, recipes, and news.  

SOUNDS LIKE FUN

Paddle down the Goulburn River on a wine tour with a difference. Combine kayaking down a river with visits to local wineries with Canak Adventures, a new tour operator operating out of the Central Victorian Goldfields town of Bendigo. With a stop at the famous Mitchelton Winery for a gourmet morning tea and hot drink, participants can continue kayaking or go by bus to the lunch venue, Tahbilk Winery, the final destination. For more information or bookings call Kirstie on 0409 874 661 or visit www.canak-adventures.com

Great Ocean Road’s new foodie hub

An 80-year-old railway shed has been transformed into a new foodie hub along the Great Ocean Road, with the opening this month of the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery. There's a whisky distillery where the distilling process can be observed and tastings done, as well as a café and produce store, created by the owners of Timboon Fine Ice Cream (wholesale only). The distillery will make single-malt whiskey, gin and vodka, and is already producing a strawberry schnapps (using local fruit) and Irish cream.  The produce store features a wealth of local product under one roof, including Timboon Farmhouse Cheese, Red Duck Beer, Shultz Organic Yoghurt, local honey, wine and of course Timboon Fine Ice Cream. For more information visit www.timboondistillery.com

First truffle produced in ACT

Great news from Australian Capital Tourism (www.visitcanberra.com.au). It weighs just five grams yet it’s worth $12 on the market and even more to its owner, Sherry McArdle-English, who has unearthed the ACT’s first truffle. Duncan Garvey, of Perigord Tasmania, who has been helping Sherry and her husband Gavan in their venture, believes it is the youngest tree in history to produce a French Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum). The tree it was found on was not even three years old. 

NSW 2008 FOOD FESTIVALS 

In summer - discover who has the biggest tomatoes in the land? You’ll find out at the National Tomato Contest which is held each year in Gunnedah to coincide with National Tomato Day in January.  
In autumn, visit the annual Collector Pumpkin Festival (4 May). A celebration of regional produce and food, plus some quirky competitions such as Best Dressed Fence. www.pumpkinfestival.com.au 
Then there's a food-related event, the Stroud International Brick & Rolling Pin Contest has been held in the world’s four Stroud townships (in Canada, UK, USA and Australia) since the 1960s. Women throw rolling pins and men hurtle bricks through the air in a contest of strength. www.greatlakes.org.au 
Could you let us know of any others please............?

Sydney Travel XPO

The 2008 event at Sydney Exhibition Centre, March 15 and16, provides a unique opportunity for representatives from regional tourism organisations and their regional partners to meet face to face with their target market.  For more information contact David Mordecai, Expertise Events on 02 9452 7 572 or email davidm@expertiseevents.com.au or visit www.travelxpo.com.au

Tourist Signposting guidelines now available

The Tourist Attractions Signposting Assessment Committee (TASAC), a joint initiative of Tourism NSW and the Roads and Traffic Authority has finalised new guidelines for attractions wishing to apply for signposting (‘brown and white tourism signs’) on NSW roads. The new guidelines simplify the application process for many attractions.New application forms have been created for all types of attractions from wineries to museums, and outline the specific signposting criteria which must be met by the applicant. The forms are available on the Tourism NSW website and can be lodged with the TASAC Secretariat for consideration. 

BOOKMARK THIS

The Mid North Coast NSW Regional Tourism Organisation which covers Port Stephens, Great Lakes, Manning Valley, Greater Port Macquarie, Macleay Valley Coast, Nambucca, The Bellinger and Coffs Coast, has launched a new website featuring a new Mid North Coast Touring Club, its new Food and Wine Guide, a Travel Industry Forum and direct links to its eight member regions stretching from Port Stephens in the south to Coffs Coast in the north. Free membership of the new Mid North Coast Touring Club is easily accessible on line at www.midnorthcoastnsw.com.au and this website is the best starting point to start mid north coast vacation planning.

CELEBRATIONS

Victoria’s premier food and wine event, the 2008 Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival will be 21 years old in 2008 and to mark the event, festivities have been extended to two weeks - from Saturday 9th to Monday 18th February. The celebration will feature a wide variety of events, including musical performances, degustation experiences and gourmet cooking classes, to showcase the exceptional wines, outstanding food and welcoming hospitality of the Yarra Valley’s best wineries and restaurants. The culmination will be the traditional Grape Grazing weekend on Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th February. Tickets for the Grape Grazing pass and Grape Grazing events are available from Thursday 1 November, 2007 and can be purchased on the website www.grapegrazing.com.au  For information on the Grape Grazing Festival phone (03) 5962 6600.

'CHAMPAGNE' OF ALES

Ageing quietly in shiraz oak casks for months now, Murray’s Craft Brewing Co’s Anniversary Ale 2, called by some the 'champagne' of Australian beer, will be ready to pop its corks in December. Made by the busy brewers at Taylors Arm on the NSW mid-north coast, Murray’s Anniversary Ale is an American-style barley wine with the unique addition of wheat. It is designed to improve with age – for up to 10 years – and is made only once a year to celebrate the anniversary of the internationally-awarded craft brewery’s opening in December 2005. With an alcohol content of 10% by volume, Murray’s Anniversary Ale 2 is intended to be sipped, not skulled, so only 1000 bottles have been brewed. Murray’s Anniversary Ale 2, corked, caged and sold in 750ml champagne bottles for a RRP of $30, will be available in December from select premium retail outlets or online at www.murraysbrewingco.com.au. Full retailer list will be available online from early December.

PIE TIME

As reported in eatdrink e-news (www.eatdrink.com.au) the Queensland Meat Pie and Gourmet Pie competitions have now become the second largest pie competitions held in Australia – second only to the Official Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition in Sydney and entries are now expected to come from all parts of the country. Judging will take place on all three days of Fine Food Queensland and entrants who visit the show get the chance to speak with the judges. Show visitors will also be able to watch the judging, as well as visit the hundreds of commercial suppliers who will be exhibiting the latest in food, drink and equipment. Fine Food Queensland runs from 9-11 March, 2008 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information on the pie competition call John Ross on (07) 5437 2126 or visit www.greataussiepiecomp.com.au

SUNNY STORIES

If you'd like to keep up with doings on the Sunshine Coast, log on to www.localharvest.com.au Learn about purple potatoes and a new cooking school and farmers' market – and much more.