Following the staggering success of the inaugural Sample Food Festival – A Taste of Northern NSW last year, which attracted an estimated 10,000 visitors, the celebration is on again in 2012.
October 6th will see the Bangalow Showground filled with restaurant stalls and exhibitions from the region’s finest food producers. Scarlett Affection is just one of many live acts performing throughout the day, entertaining guests and food celebrities aplenty.
There will again be cooking classes, the morning farmers’ market, a vibrant childrens’ entertainment program and the highly coveted Golden Fork Award for the best tasting plates. Judges Simon Thomsen, Ben O’Donoghue and Belinda Jeffery will determine the winners of the best $5.00 and $10.00 plates.
Now officially a part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, the Sample Food Festival has introduced a suite of new offerings including
Sample Launch Pad See some of Australia’s favourite food identities launch new products, including the release of Belinda Jeffery’s much anticipated book Desserts.
Plumm Wine Experience Come glass to glass with celebrated sommelier Matt Skinner, the young darling of the wine industry and sommelier to Jamie Oliver. $55 including wine, cheese and a take home pack of four Plumm wine glasses (valued at $120).
Spice Lunch Join Rockpool’s Sarah Swan, Town’s Karl Kanetani and Seaweed Cuisine’s Monique Gutteres-Harrison for an exquisite festival lunch. $75 for two courses including wines.
Farmers Market Breakfast with Ben O’Donoghue. Free.
“Due to the popularity of the food stalls last year, this year we are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner” said Festival Director Remy Tancred. “So guests can savour the tastes of our abundant region while kicking back on the grass listening to great live music or enjoying a drink from Plumm Wine Glasses in our Sample Bar”.
Food producers from the local region who are involved in the Sample Food Festival 2012 include Brookfarm, Byron Bay Coffee Company, Bangalow Cheese Company, Tridosha – Salt of the Sea, Duck Creek Macadamias, Lentilicious, The Farm Gate Providore, Red Dragon Organics, Ginger Nectar, Mullumbimby Magic Foods and Zest Byron Bay.
FACTS –
Sample Food Festival, 8:00am – 8:00pm Saturday 6th October 2012, Bangalow Showground. Featuring Matt Skinner, Ben O’Donoghue, Simon Thomsen, Belinda Jeffery, Sarah Swan, Karl Kanetani, Monique Gutteres-Harrison, Steve Snow and over one hundred of the region’s finest food producers and restaurants.
Photo downloads:
Photo #1 – Matt Skinner, taking part in Sample 2012
Photo #2 – Scarlett Affection, performing at Sample 2012
Photo #3 – Tridosha – Salt of the Sea’s Senaka Harriman at Sample 2011
Photo $4 – Annie Ivanovich from Byron Bay Coffee Company at Sample 2011