Gastronomy Guide showcases food culture

AN in-depth guide for everything food in has been developed, as part of Bendigo’s designation as the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

The online Bendigo and Region Gastronomy Guide features five categories: eat, drink, buy, experience and explore, giving locals and tourists all the information they need about the region’s food destinations.

Chair of Bendigo Regional Tourism David Leathem said the guide is a wonderful celebration of the city’s food culture.

“It’s from our history, from our indigenous peoples right through to settlers, it’s the use of resources whether it’s water, food, cropping,” he said.

“It’s wider than food and restaurants and what that might look like.

“It’s a wider story we’re telling here and that very much connects back to our local community, people who have moved here or people who have lived here for generations.”

Mr Leathem said the guide also provides tourists and visitors with complete itineraries.

“People really want to have experiences as well as purchasing and buying things to have to take home, they want the experience to come out, particularly post-COVID,” he said.

The Gastronomy Guide was launched last week at PepperGreen Farm, a key supplier of local produce for the region.

Liz March, CEO of Access Australia Group who operates the farm, said the designation for the City of Gastronomy is a big opportunity for local producers.

“City of gastronomy is so significant to the develop of fresh and local produce and for showcasing and putting us on the map,” she said.

“It’s just about getting that message out there and I think the Gastronomy Guide is going to be an extraordinary way of not only showcasing what we do to local community but to visitors and tourists too.”

The guide can be accessed online at bit.ly/3u1bDcq.