Calling all foodies: celebrate local producers, farmers and chefs at F.O.O.D Week 2020
This is sponsored content for Orange 360.
With just four weeks to go, Orange's local food heroes are preparing for NSW's must-visit foodie destination. The region's 29th F.O.O.D Week is an annual celebration of the produce, producers, farmers, chefs and restaurants of the area and definitely worth a visit for all food lovers.
The celebration kicks off on Friday March, 27 with the popular Night Markets, and runs for ten jam-packed days until April 5. This year's F.O.O.D Week is already shaping up to be the biggest and best yet said F.O.O.D President James Sweetapple.
"The 2020 program has nearly 100 events across a very busy ten days for the region," he said.
"It's our biggest ever undertaking, but the enthusiasm and collaboration throughout the region, in the face of drought and bushfires no less, has been incredible. We look forward to celebrating and acknowledging our hardworking farmers, producers and chefs."
Six local F.O.O.D heroes have been selected to showcase the best of the region at F.O.O.D Week's first ever 'Meet The Producers' workshops, held across April 1 to 3 and giving visitors the opportunity to meet local producers, hear their stories, and get involved in interactive workshop activities.
Some of the activities on offer include:
High Tea and Coffee: Kerrie from Sweet Treats Connection shares her secrets and tips for the perfect afternoon high tea using her locally made exquisite gourmet sweets. And for coffee lovers, the Bills Beans approach to coffee is simple: source well, continually chasing the best coffee the world has to offer and improve the lives of our coffee farmers and their pickers along the way. Discover the history of roasting coffee right here in Orange.
Cheese and Honey: SJ from Second Mouse Cheese Co will tell her special story about how she creates unique local gourmet cheeses from earlier European influences. Learn about bees and honey and new ways to have honey in your life every day from Claire from The Beekeepers Inn. Prepare to be surprised by her stories!
Venison and Sausages: Sophie Hansen, local venison farmer and celebrated author, shares her story with cooking tips, recipes and a taste of one of the delights from her book A Basket by the Door. Champion butcher Craig Munro will delight you with techniques for making perfect sausages. Using local produce, he'll demonstrate how it's done so you can sample them and try it yourself
In addition to the three 'Meet The Producers' workshops, the pop-up F.O.O.D HQ will be operating out of the Orange Visitor Information Centre and is a one-stop-shop to learn what's on for the week, find last-minute availability and tickets to festival events and purchase local produce.
Festival highlights include:
F.O.O.D Week Night Market: Join fellow foodies for this annual festival favourite. Enjoy a night of local food, wine, cider and beer from the region's top chefs, cooks and makers, with music and communal dining under the stars in Robertson Park. Relish all the market has to offer for just a gold coin entry starting from 5.30pm until 8.30pm, Friday March, 27.
Autumn Grazing Dinner in Blayney: Meander from beautiful Blayney Village to Carrington Park for a culinary feast of local wine and seasonal produce, courtesy of guest chef Tony Worland from hatted institution Tonic restaurant in Millthorpe. Cost is $140 per person, from 6:30pm, Monday March, 30.
Taste Local on the Lawn: With a spectacular view over Orange CBD, savor gourmet Producers' Platters matched with local cool climate wines and beer. This is the perfect pre-dinner event! The cost is $30 per person and starts at 4.30pm and runs till 6.30pm daily, Wednesday April, 1 to Friday April, 3.
Sunday Producers' Market and Brunch: Take in cooking demonstrations by local chefs, stroll stalls of delicious produce and kick back for brunch in the spectacular setting of leafy Cook Park all for a gold coin entry on Sunday April, 5.
The full program is available to view at www.orangefoodweek.com.au with tickets to all events now on sale, unless sold out prior. You could even extend the weekend in Orange, NSW and plan your trip by visiting www.orange360.com.au.
This is sponsored content for Orange 360.
