Long table dinner celebrates end of Nourish project

THE Nourish series of community workshops run by Farm My School (FMS) has been celebrated with a final “Nourish Nosh Long Table” dining experience to mark the end of the calendar of events funded by a grant from Geelong Community Foundation.

Almost 100 guests shared a communal long table dinner and sunset tour of the farm at Bellarine Secondary College (BSC) in celebration of the Nourish Workshop series, and the achievements of Farm My School.

Michael Jaques, executive chef from Tarra Queenscliff, led a team to create the menu and was supported by former BSC student and now apprentice Karissa Turner. Matt Germanchis of Totti’s Lorne and Jo Barrett from Wildpie were also part of the creative culinary team at the event, held late last month.

The chefs curated a delicious three-course meal showcasing seasonal produce from the farm and other local suppliers and growers.

Guests were also treated to a unique non-alcoholic Bacteria Bar hosted by Patrick Meaney from Farm to Ferment.

“The workshop series and long table event have all been about celebrating local food, sustainability and community connections,” Farm My School co-founder James McLennan said.

“We could not have done this without the support of the Geelong Community Foundation, without each other, and without everyone who has contributed.”

BSC students worked alongside the chefs to prepare and serve the food they helped to grow.

 

School-based trainees led the farm tours throughout the evening, while other students generously gave their time to set up and serve the meal with care and enthusiasm.

The Nourish Nosh Long Table event was further evidence of how the Farm My School project had brought the college’s community together, BSC principal Wayne Johannesen said.

“The evening was a great celebration of the many people who have been important in the journey of Farm My School at our college. The event was an acknowledgement of the generosity and goodwill that exists on the Bellarine Peninsula and such a great success.”

The event was also supported by the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Ocean Grove and Feed Me Bellarine, who together sourced 150 sets of plates, cutlery and glassware for the dinner.

Driftwood Café and Bellarine Landcare also provided table linen and arrangements, along with support from Gamekeepers with meat for the evening.

“This ongoing collaboration with Bellarine Community Health (BCH) and Bellarine Secondary College and the support of local chefs and other businesses and funding partners like Geelong Community Foundation allows us to continue to nourish our community,” Mr McLennan said.

BCH healthy communities manager Zoe Taylor said the FMS project continued to lead the way in community development.

The new series of Nourish Workshops begins on June 21 with “Cooking on Country”, a hands-on cooking and educational workshop with chef, author and founder of Mabu Mabu, Nornie Bero.

This workshop is being held as part of the Tastes of Greater Geelong festival. To book, head to farmmyschool.com