LARA’S BEST FOOD AND WINE ON SHOW

Celebrating 11 years, the Lara Food and Wine Festival (LFWF) returns on March 24 with this year’s special guest – celebrity chef Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson.

This year festival-goers will be privy to over 70 exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of quality food and wine produced in the region.

Exhibitors include boutique beer, cider and wine-makers, award winning cheese makers and vendors dishing up sensational savoury morsels and luscious desserts.

The LFWF operates on a not for profit basis spear-headed by the Lara Community Centre, with event organisers – a small group of Lara residents – freely volunteering their time.

Lara Food and Wine Festival organising committee member Libby Bate said they were looking forward to this year’s event especially celebrity chef Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson.

“We know he is a much-loved regular on national TV. His infectious enthusiasm for all things culinary encourages everybody to spend more time both in the kitchen and outside on the barbie,” Ms Bate said.

“Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson has featured on shows such as Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, Never Trust a Skinny Cook and Huey’s Kitchen. Iain has also written numerous cookbooks; he presents simple yet special recipes that are easy to recreate at home.”

In addition to Huey’s cooking demonstrations, the all-day cooking stage will feature local chefs mentoring Gordon VET culinary students, in a master and apprentice cook-off.

The Artisan Smallgoods Award (in memory of the late renowned Lara smallgoods maker Angel Cardoso) is also a feature of the festival.

See a Cheese Champion Competition display, where local cheesemakers compete to win the title of Best Cheesemaker while local Gordon VET in Schools fashion students display fabulous food inspired creations.

Relax and enjoy the entertainment on the all-day music stage featuring the cool tunes of the Reed Street Band and popular local artist Kate Daley and guests.

Kids can enter a donut eating competition, have their face painted or marvel at Dan the Magic Man; bring along a picnic rug, gather goodies from stall holders and enjoy a leisurely lunch on the lawns of the magnificent Pirra Homestead.

With free parking and $5 entry for those 18-years and older, plenty of live music and free kids’ activities, the festival is for the whole family.

There’s fabulous door prizes up for grabs including a fabulous foodie holiday valued at $3,000 – the holiday includes luxury accommodation, interstate flights, car hire and more, proudly sponsored by All Things Travel Lara.

For more details about the LFWF visit larafoodandwinefestival.com.au or the festival’s Facebook page.

The festival is held at the picturesque Pirra Homestead, 108 Windermere Road, Lara.