Sample the best of the region

The artisans, chefs, and produce of the Northern Rivers will tickle fancy and palate at the 12th annual Sample Food Festival on September 7 at the Bangalow Showground.

The winning combination of a beautiful location, sample plates from the region’s best chefs, brews from the best local distillers, and market stalls by local artisans and producers offers a wealth of delicious adventures for the whole family.

The festival presents some firsts this year. It introduces Little Foodie Adventures, a series of classes and activities for children, including Kids Creative Passes for those aged from 3 to 12 with arts and crafts, sensory play, and interactive games. Mini foodies can also master the art of making their own gnocchi from scratch in a special workshop with Jedd Rifai from the North Byron Hotel.

A highly anticipated event features food researcher Peter Hardwick leading a one-hour foraging walk around Bangalow, exploring the foods that grow around us and how to use them.

A welcome return to festivities after a four-year hiatus is the ancillary feature Friday long lunch on September 6 with the theme of ‘Fire and Ice’. The curated menu will showcase the balance of bold, warm flavours, wood-fired cooking, and crisp, cool, and frozen textures. Chefs Jay Elbrihi (Ex Pipit), Wal Foster (Bush Ice Creamery), Daisuke Shibata and Naomi Hare (Tombo), and Harry Foster will honour the theme under a marquee at the showground. Lunch guests will enjoy local ingredients in Birds of Isle Cocktails and Aurum Mead Modern Honey Meads.

Another new initiative will be reserved table and picnic rug tickets for morning, afternoon or all-day sessions. On offer will be choices of shaded tables for eight in the bar or restaurant area, and picnic rug hire tickets have a guaranteed shaded spot.

For information and tickets to the Friday long lunch and the September 7 festival, head to samplefoodevents.com/sample-food-festival