celebrating the authenticity of local producers and the biodiversity of northern NSW
The growing acknowledgment and reputation of the Northern Rivers region of NSW as a foodie destination with biodiverse, innovative food production is to be showcased at the inaugural Northern Rivers Regional Food Celebration to be held in Lismore from October 21 – 23.
The Northern Rivers is a place where food loves to grow and people love to grow it. Food based ecotourism and agritourism is destined to grow based on the region's sustainability commitment and the spiritual connection to nature which lends itself to visitor experiences.
Over three days at the Northern Rivers Regional Food Celebration, visitors can enjoy local produce, meet the growers and producers, and discover the extraordinary biodiversity of the region with everything from macadamia's, tropical fruits, guavas, chocolate, coffee, biodynamic muesli, organic meats, biodynamic fruit and vegetables, and artisan breads, to a local blue cheese that wins awards in France!
The Food Celebration will be a vibrant new element to the North Coast National Exhibition, the largest regional show in Australia, which will also include a Sustainability Living Expo.
The Northern Rivers Regional Food Celebration is an initiative of Northern Rivers Food, the recently formed industry based group which aims to support and develop all food related businesses in the NR Region. The Food Celebration is made possible with funding support from the NSW Department of Industry and Investment, which has partnered with Northern Rivers Food to assist with industry growth
Local and regional sustainable food ambassador consultant Alison Drover is working with Northern Rivers Food and its membership of local producers, and the North Coast National, to develop an event which showcases and celebrates the Northern Rivers as a food producing region. Alison works with business and community to support local food and sustainability and corporate responsibility. She has a reputation for designing creative events which connect people, planet and plate.
The Food Celebration will have a theme of' local' for each day of the event designed around the matching local produce. The menus will be designed to be affordable and accessible for show visitor and shared at convivial communal tables with opportunity to learn more about the region.
The message will be to support and celebrate local food and to celebrate the seasonality.
Top local chefs and producers will develop menus which salute the abundant produce of the lush Northern Rivers and demonstrate the region's reputation for sustainable growing and producing practices.
The Food Celebration will also feature demonstrations by local chefs from some of the region's highly regarded restaurants and schools will participate in a cooking competition, with young chefs cooking exclusively with local produce.
"Set in the lush green environs of Lismore's historic showgrounds, the Northern Rivers Food Celebration will celebrate the tastes and qualities of perhaps the most culturally diverse region of NSW. We anticipate that this event will become a must do on the foodie calendar, for locals and visitors from across the country, and these visitors will equally enjoy the amazing variety of activities on offer at the North Coast National," said event consultant Alison Drover.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR LOCAL MEDIA AND FOOD PRODUCERS
To participate in the Northern Rivers Food Expo, food businesses must be primarily located in the Northern Rivers region, the goods and/or services produced by the business must be primarily created within the region using local produce where available; and the business must have a commitment to using local labour for operations within the region.
"In 2010 the North Coast National will be proudly celebrating 125 years with a renewed focus on our local area and the many talents, skills and businesses that exist across our unique community. It will be a major showcase of the diversity of our region, its strength, talents and dynamism, of which food businesses – both growers and value adders – are increasingly important," said John Gibson, President of the North Coast National.
For application forms and more details, contact John Bancroft, Northern Rivers Food Expo Manager, Tel: (02) 6621 3413 or Email: john.bancroft@lismore.nsw.gov.au;
Or Leanne Clark, Events Administration Officer, Tel: (02) 6621 3413 or Email: leanne.clark@lismore.nsw.gov.au.
Media enquiries: Tracey Mair, TM Publicity
For the North Coast National Ph: 02 6680 7106 or 0419 221 493
Email: traceym@tmpublicity.com
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