This Friday, our beautiful region Orange kicks off its 25th F.O.O.D Week festival with the annual, and awesome Night Market in the centre of town (Robertson Park). And then for the next ten days, we producers/farmers plus chefs and proud Orange locals will be hosting a packed program of events showcasing not only the area itself but the good things it produces and the good people behind it all.
No doubt that those who know and love the area are already across this year’s F.O.O.D Week program but if you are planning a bit of a last minute trip west to help us celebrate this week of feasting and exploring then here’s a little round-up of the events I’m particularly looking forward to this year (mostly because they involve our Farm Kitchen and Mandagery Creek Venison – please excuse the obvious bias!) and of course, this is just a wee sample of what’s on offer, for the full program please jump over here.
F.O.O.D Week Night Market, Friday 8 April
Over 50 stalls of local food and wine with live tunes and great company. 5.30-8.30pm, Robertson Park.
Orange Region Farmers Market, Saturday 9 April
An absolute must for locals and visitors – our market rocks and this one will be a doozie. 8.30-12.30pm, Orange Gallery Northcourt.
Mandagery Creek Venison Pop-up in the Paddock lunch, Saturday 9 April and Sunday 10 April
We are so proud to be teaming up with chef Daniel Backhouse for this truly unique paddock to plate experience. The lunch is $100pp, and this includes five courses with a glass of bubbles on arrival, thereafter guests can purchase wine by the bottle or glass from See Saw Wines (Justin and Pip Jarrett). We kick off at 12pm. Due to a last minute cancellation, we have four spots left for our Saturday Lunch (Sunday is fully booked) so if keen please call me on 0400 032 326!
‘Just What it Is’ Photography exhibition by Pip Farquharson, April 12-17
Pip is a seriously talented photographer and an all-round fabulous person and I am SO excited about this exhibition of food and flower-filled photographs. The venue is attached to one of my favourite cafes ever so pop in for a good fill of beauty and a great coffee from Good Eddy at the same time! Ludlow Creative Space, 187 Lords Place.
Meet the Producers Lunch in Country Style, Thursday April 14
Always a really gorgeous day out, we will be there cooking our venison alongside other local producers contributing both to the menu and holding a mini farmers market on the day. Great value and always lots of fun. Nashdale Hall, 11.30-2.30pm, $75pp call for bookings – 0425 259 350.
Farm Gate Tour – Borenore/Mandagery Creek, Friday April 15
There are still some places left for this great morning out; visit an apple orchard, olive grove and stop in on us at the Farm Kitchen for a look around the farm before finishing up at Orange Mountain Wines. Departs rear of Orange Civic Theatre 9am-1.30 (ish), $55pp, call for bookings – 0425 259 350.
Forage, Saturday April 16
This is a very special event and always books out within minutes so Tim and I are so excited to be actually going as ‘real people’ not in any working capacity this year! It feels like cheating somehow but goodness we are excited to experience this day out, wandering through vineyards, enjoying course after course of gorgeous local food and hanging out with some good mates (images below).
Sunday Producer’s Brunch and Market, April 17
Held in gorgeous Cook Park, this is going to be a great way to finish up a whopper of a F.O.O.D Week, there’ll be cooking demos, activities for the kids and lots of good coffee and food, including, hopefully our venison! Cook Park, Orange 8.30-11.30am
Oh I am such a foodie – this looks so lovely! Would love to visit in the Autumn months, it would be so pretty x