Almost time to Plate Up

PLATE Up Ballarat 2019 will begin on May 1, presenting fifty unique food experiences across thirty-one days.

The festival is all about shining a spotlight on Ballarat’s local food and wine stage, and championing growers, producers, chefs, cafés, restaurants and sustainability.

Across the month, foodies can expect a celebration of the humble, comforting toasted sandwich, a Lunch Ltd menu at participating venues, and to get involved with Feed Ballarat, a food security and relief initiative by the Ballarat Foundation and Plate Up Ballarat.

Within the events list, Ballarat Wholefoods Collective will have an open day, food and fashion will collide at the Farmers Arms, a Chilli Fest will spice up the city, a bakery workshop will get kids creative in the kitchen and a blokes’ baking comp will have a focus on mental health.

This year, Plant Up Ballarat is a new initiative in the mix, with plenty of venues looking at plant-based eating, nutrition and wellbeing.

There’s even an Edible Weeds discussion and dinner on the calendar.

Lunches, dinners, markets, food trucks, high teas, yoga, music, competitions, and wine, beer and spirits tastings are all on the mouthwatering agenda too.

Director, Kate Davis said Plate Up will have something unique and tasty for everyone in Ballarat, the culinary capital of western Victoria.

“Ballarat is full of very exciting foodie businesses with people who work collaboratively to deliver an amazingly diverse and high-quality culinary experience,” Ms Davis said.

“Plate Up Ballarat is our chance to show off what we have. It really is regional dining at its best.”

Noel Dempsey, the CEO of Visit Ballarat said Plate Up Ballarat really complements the recent Made of Ballarat promotion perfectly, which has seen a pop-up store in Melbourne’s CBD.

“The campaign celebrates and showcases the exceptional producers and culinary talent our city has to offer,” he said.

Head to plateupballarat.com.au to see the full list of fifty Plate Up events on in May.