Gate to plate events back on the menu

AFTER a three-year break from hosting events due to COVID, Masons of Bendigo is holding a Feast with Your Farmer dining experience on Tuesday night.

The Queen Street venue’s head chef Nick Anthony has put together a menu that will feature Castlemaine’s Long Paddock cheeses with wines paired by Wild Duck Creek Estate’s Liam Anderson.

Representatives from both will then dine with the customers, chat, and answer questions.

Mason’s owner and chef Sonia Anthony said it was great to be getting events underway again and Feast with Your Farmer is about getting to know local growers.

“Our ethos has always been around supporting our local producers and getting amongst our community to know who they are as well as their products,” she said.

“This is an opportunity for people to get to know who grows their food rather than just seeing a photo of somebody on the menu.

“Dinners will be able to ask producers questions or hear their story and how they came to be in this region and what they actually do.”

Sonia Anthony said she was especially excited to be bringing Long Paddock Cheese to the customers.

“Cheese is one of my soft spots,” she said. “Long Paddock has brought a French cheese maker to come and be a big part of their business.

“What they’re producing is just amazing, and having artisanal cheesemaking in the region is fantastic. Long Paddock could have set up anywhere in Australia, but they chose to come here.”

A couple of the dishes highlighting cheeses include a lamb rump and neck with a yoghurt labneh and an oyster blade and blue cheese gnocchi.

The evening will also insight into how the featured producers have developed their businesses over the last few years.

“It will be interesting to hear how they started, what their vision is long term, what they’re doing now and what they’re hoping to achieve,” Sonia Anthony said.

“Also, what’s been happening over the last three years, since we have had an event, there has been a lot of innovation with small businesses.”

More information and how to book for the event can be found at masonsofbendigo.com.au.