Local flavours take centre stage at Eat Local Week 2022
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week bites into second decade of celebrations with over 125 events at 42 locations: June 25 to July 3
Proving that from little things, big things literally do grow, the 11thScenic Rim Eat Local Week will feature over 125 events from 25 June to 3 July, in a joyous and flavour-filled celebration that stretches across the famous region, from Beaudesert to Beechmont, Kerry to Kalbar, and Mount Alford to Mount Tamborine!
Famed around the country as one of most authentic celebrations of local produce, the program includes an incredible line-up of long lunches, flavour-filled dinners, farm gates, degustations, culinary celebrations, food walks, tastings, tours and talks, masterclasses, workshops for all ages and more, including the Winter Harvest Festival on 2 July. Simply put, Eat Local Week places food and its creators centre stage.
The real stars of Eat Local Week are the award-winning producers, growers and flavour-makers, with the event providing the ultimate backstage pass to the farms, wineries, faces and food stories of the Scenic Rim, named by travel bible The Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 regions in the world to visit in 2022.
Tickets went on sale TODAY and are expected to sell quickly.
IMAGERY:
Just a taste of the program includes the Kalbar-BQ, Jamming with the Lambs at Towri, Breakfast with the Jersey Girls at Tommerup Farm, Brunch & Beer Banter at the Scenic Rim Brewery, the Paddock Feast at Hazelwood Estate and the City Chef Series at Blume in Boonah (both new), an Italian Feast at the Overflow Estate 1895, the Longest Lunch at O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards, Pinot & Picnics at Binna Burra, hands-on workshops from bush tucker cooking to vegetable bouquet making, and Sunset Cocktails with the Camels at Summerland! There's the Meet the Producer BBQ Lunch at Picnic Real Food Bar featuring Running Creek Beef, Alpaca Picnics in the Vines, Tamborine Mountain Distillery and Macadamia Farm tours, the brilliant Kalfresh Carrot Day (FYI the Scenic Rim produces 600 million carrots!), Towri's Kids Cheese Making Workshops and of course the Winter Harvest Festival. And that's just first course!
The event is supported by serious food names, with the rollcall of 11 (fittingly) ambassador chefs the envy of the country - Alison Alexander (Queensland Food Fellow), Ash Martin (Spicers Hidden Vale), Dan Groneberg (Kooroomba Vineyard), Brenda Fawdon (Picnic Real Food Bar), Cameron Matthews, Caroline Jones (Three Girls Skipping), Glen Barratt (Wild Canary), Javier Codina (Moda), Josh Lopez (Monstera Group), Kate Raymont (Scenic Rim Farm Shop Café) and Richard Ousby, (Sixes & Sevens and Cru Bar).
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen said he was thrilled Eat Local Week was back in 2022 after having to cancel the latter half of the event in 2021 due to COVID.
"Prepare to eat the rainbow, meet the growers, walk the fields, sip the wines, learn the secrets of the land and take deep, flavour-filled breaths of Scenic Rim goodness because there's nothing else in the country like Eat Local Week, and you are all invited!" he said.
"Scenic Rim Eat Local Week is more than just tasting our amazing local produce. It's also about discovering breathtaking landscapes and meeting the hardworking people who create this produce. It's a chance to fully immerse yourself in the richest place on Earth, our incredible region. Connecting our farmers and growers with chefs to create incredible dining experiences, and then witnessing the looks on people's faces as they taste the produce, see the settings or meet the locals, is truly memorable. Paddock to plate is a term used all too often in restaurants around the world, but it is practised first hand here during Eat Local Week, and indeed every week," he said.
"The event also showcases the region as a leading destination, driving tourism, fostering community pride and generating ongoing economic benefits. In 2019 Eat Local Week generated nearly $2million for the regional economy and attracted nearly 40,000 people to the region, an outstanding result and we all look forward to doing this again in 2022."
The official launch was held today at the stunning Scenic Rim Farm Café near Kalbar under towering 120-year-old Jacaranda trees, and involving almost 40 producers and 200 invited guests. It was truly Eat Local Week on a platter.
Eat Local Week started in 2011 when a group of local producers, farmers and tourism operators planted the idea as a way to shine the light on the flavours and faces of the region; an event to encourage people to look to their backyard for seasonal food and pay tribute to the people that produce it. That year 10 events were staged. This year, there will be over 125. In 2015, acclaimed chef Josue Lopez was invited be the first Regional Food Ambassador. He has since been joined by an extraordinary line-up of flavour-makers who now showcase Scenic Rim ingredients on their menus. Each year the event has grown in size and prominence. Testament to this, is the award for Most Outstanding Region in the prestigious Harvey Norman delicious. 2019 Produce Awards, selected by a voting panel featuring Maggie Beer, Matt Moran, Neil Perry and Guillaume Brahimi.
Then came The Lonely Planet's inclusion of the region as one of the one of the top 10 regions in the world to visit in 2022, with authentic food experiences a major component of the reason why.
Importantly, Eat Local Week has been the catalyst for growth and diversification and the inspiration for exciting collaborations between producers. Think Carrot Beer, Milk Stout featuring local sheep and cow milk, beef and vegetable sausages, beetroot and carrot bread, and Camel Milk Vodka just to name a few! Eat Local Week is set against the natural beauty of the Scenic Rim, a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators. There's also a full line-up of delicious entrée events in June to tantalise the tastebuds.
