Scenic Rim Eat Local Week starts Saturday, June 24, with a delicious schedule of food and farming events.
The festival is now in its seventh year and this year’s event is the biggest yet, featuring more than 90 individual food and farming events.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week showcases the bounty of fresh produce, wine, beer, milk and gourmet products that grow in the region’s fertile volcanic soil and runs from June 24 to July 2 and features more than 90 individual events – from farm tours, to cheese and wine tastings, to cooking classes and exclusive producer dinners, curated by some of Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s leading chefs.
Throughout the week there will be farm tours, cheese and wine tastings, cooking classes and exclusive producer dinners, curated by some of Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s leading chefs.
Eat Local Week culminates in a signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival, on Saturday, July 1 at Aratula. On this day, the region’s producers come to one location to sell their produce. The day features free kids rides and activities, a Tractor Pulling competition, live music and cooking demonstrations by leading chefs.
Scenic Rim Mayor, Cr Greg Christensen, says while Eat Local Week has grown significantly since it first started the core principles remain the same – to connect consumers with the people who grow their food and provide a real food experience.
“This is an authentic celebration of the range of fresh produce which grows in the fertile Scenic Rim,” he says.
“People are often surprised to discover just how much of their food is grown in this region, just one hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
“The event is held during the first week of the school holidays and it’s a really unique opportunity for people to give their children an insight into the paddock to plate journey.
“Some of the experiences on offer are a visit to Queensland’s largest carrot farm, an open day at a robotic dairy, a Farm Gate Festival in the Lost World, a Beer & Brewing night, a Crop to Cup tour at a Tamborine Mountain coffee plantation and an open day at the Scenic Rim’s new Camel Dairy.”
The Scenic Rim Council has partnered with several leading Brisbane and Scenic Rim chefs, who will represent the region as Eat Local Week ambassadors.
Eat Local Week has grown in size and popularity, with a number of farmers and participants reporting sold out events. Mayor Greg Christensen says it’s heartening to hear but urged visitors not to be put off – there are still plenty of opportunities to be involved.
“Jump in the car and head to the Scenic Rim for a delicious food and farming experience,” says Cr Christensen.
“Bring the whole family and meet the men and women who grow your food. Eat Local Week is a unique opportunity to visit large working farm, as well as boutique operations; a chance to taste the local produce and get your hands dirty picking your own.”
Download the full event program at www.eatlocalweek.com.au