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Archived Snippets - March 2008
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SAPPHIRE COAST A WINNER
Arc-en-Ciel at Hanging Rock in NSW received a bronze for its rainbow trout gravlax, and Hazelgrove Oysters at Pambula picked up two bronzes. Bronze too for Petuna Seafoods in Tasmania, Shoalhaven Oyster Service, Greenwell Point, NSW. Congratulations all! |
DOWNS ARE UP
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MELBOURNE CATCHES UP
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CHEERS ALL ROUND!
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Slow Food Shoalhaven, NSW, is inviting everyone to A Harvest Celebration, Long Table Banquet and Farmer’s Market on Sunday March 9th at Cupitt’s Winery, 60 Washburton Road, Milton. It's the time-honoured celebration of the grape harvest, time to enjoy the fruits of the vine and the fields. The day begins at 11am with Slow Food activities. Watch local oysters being shucked (and eat them later) then wander around the farmer’s market of superb local produce, listen to music by Rod Cockle, take in a winery tour and “step up” to the challenge of treading grapes. Learn about pasta and passata-making from local legend Zia Rosa and hear the pans rattle at the hands of guest chef Andy Bunn of Sydney’s famed Fratelli Fresh, then feast on a fabulous four-course banquet served long-table style in convivial company. RSVP to Cupitt’s Wines (02) 4455 7888 or email cupittwines@bigpond.com by 5th March. |
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AND MORE PLAUDITSBrasserie Bread was awarded Champion Pastry & Champion Biscuit in the Sydney Royal Bread, Cake & Pie Competition, part of the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, regarded as the most prestigious food competition in Australia. Mick’s Bakehouse,Wagga Wagga, awarded Champion Meat Pie & Champion Gourmet Pie. This year a record number of entries was submitted and, after being judged by leading bread and pastry industry experts, 72 medals were awarded. Mick's Bakehouse also picked up four gold medals and five silver in the competition. |
FOOD OF LOVE
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GATE TO PLATEOn Sunday 25th May 2008 join special guest Ken Done and celebrity chef John Meredith from the James Street Cooking School at the inaugural ‘Clarence Valley Gate to Plate’ an innovative regional event celebrating Clarence Valley, NSW, produce. The Clarence Valley is best known for its beautiful beaches and green valley’s but now we are giving everyone the chance to experience our regional cuisine and put our local producers on the menu. From Yamba prawns and Wooli oysters to Nettle Creek Beef and Dorrigo cheeses you will finally be able to sample it all! Contact the Grafton Regional Gallery, 02 6642 3177 for more details. |
ATTENTION EXHIBITORSThose who would like to be part of the ‘REGIONAL FLAVOURS OF NEW SOUTH WALES’ STAND FINE FOOD AUSTRALIA 2008, at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, from 22 - 25 September 2008 should know that since 2001 the Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) has organised the Regional Flavours of New South Wales (NSW) stand at Fine Food Australia - Australia’s largest food, wine and hospitality show (see www.finefood.com.au). The stand gives NSW companies the opportunity to gain trade show experience as well as to secure buyers and distributors for their products. The stand is funded through DSRD’s New Market Expansion Program which assists regional firms develop the confidence and skills to pursue new markets and break the cycle of dependence on traditional markets and/or local economies. Assistance to participate in the show is offered and details are available from Sue Wadley sue.wadley@business.nsw.gov.au Closing date for applications is March 20, 2008. |
The Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition component of the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show was launched in 2001 to reward and celebrate the outstanding quality of Australian farmed seafood. Judging takes place twice a year, Spring and Summer, to reflect seasonality. Categories in the Summer show include farmed prawns, Sydney rock oysters, smoked salmon and ocean trout (cold and hot smoked), salmon or trout caviar, smoked rainbow trout, salmon or trout pate and other salmon and trout products. In 2008 entries for all categories were up, except oysters, as a result of recent bad weather. Thirty-three medals were awarded, including two Gold, fourteen Silver and seventeen Bronze. 
When explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell travelled through Queensland’s Western Downs more than 150 years ago, he was the first of many to see the potential of the area as a rich agricultural district. This richness is captured in the region’s new and glossy 56 page guide that presents the attractions of the area in a colourful and easy to read format. Produced by Toowoomba and Golden West Tourism, with many of the images shot by local photographer Dan Proud, the guide also provides information on the rich tapestry of near Outback experiences which begin only three hours from Brisbane. Popular events such as Easter in the Country and the Chinchilla Melon Festival are listed, as are camping and fishing spots and unique experiences including Roma’s Big Rig Night Show. To obtain your copy visit 
After two years of the hugely successful Sydney restaurant show, this year Restaurant 08 happens in Melbourne at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 26-27 May 2008. This inaugural dedicated event for the restaurant industry, will showcase the very best in regional produce and innovative products and services and provide expert advice from professional industry leaders. Although there are over 12,000 restaurants and cafés in Melbourne, to date there has never been an industry event in Melbourne that gives restaurateurs and chefs an exclusive opportunity to network together and meet face to face with the suppliers. This event is expected to showcase over 150 leading restaurant suppliers to the industry and incorporate interactive and educational features such as wine discussions and tastings, 
Congratulations to winners in the second annual Sydney Royal Beer Competition, judged at the Sydney Showgrounds recently. Over 100 Australian commercial and boutique beers were judged on criteria including: flavour, balance, aroma, palate, appearance and drinkability, the only competition to judge exclusively Australian commercially available domestic beers. An award in this competition represents excellence and innovation in beer production. It's a tyough job, but someone had to do it, and the judges finally came up with the winners, Matilda Bay Brewing in Melbourne took out the Grand Champion medal for its Alpha Pale Ale, and regional golds went to Murray's Craft Brewing at Taylors Arm, NSW, for Murray's Grand Cru, and new brewers b at Port Macquarie for their Wicked Elf Pale Ale. 
COFFEE TIME
The 18th Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) will open with the stunning food and music event, Chefs in the North on Thursday evening, July 3. This extraordinary culinary experience, merges fine food, wine and music under a marquee on the lawns of Jupiters Townsville. As a prelude to the opening of the world class festival five leading chefs from across Australia and New Zealand with five of Townsville’s best, will prepare a six course degustation celebrating Australian produce and award winning wines accompanied by sublime musical interludes.