GBEA winner – Sustainable Business Award – Harvest Experience

Harvest Experience has been serving up immersive culinary experiences that celebrate sustainable practices, foster creativity and deepen connections with food since 2021.

Guided by its mission to bring people together, the business offers a diverse range of hands-on cooking classes at its purpose-built studio kitchen in Drysdale, including speciality workshops in cheese-making, pasta-making and food preserving.

Central to the business is its garden-to-plate cooking experience, dubbed the “original” harvest experience, which teaches its participants organic gardening and seasonal cooking techniques.

The day-long class begins in Harvest Experience’s thriving one-acre garden – complete with an orchard, olive grove and vineyard – with participants personally harvesting the ingredients they need for a three-course meal before heading into the kitchen.

Employing organic gardening principles, the business does not use pesticides or artificial fertilisers in its garden, and all of its plants are germinated from seed and are predominantly heirloom varieties.

Heritage-breed chickens ensure a supply of fresh eggs, while a team of four hungry guinea pigs help to keep weeds at bay.

Each cooking experience is guided by the season, and rather than using ingredients and finishings bought from the supermarket, everything is made onsite from scratch, including butter.

Harvest Experience’s classes cater to individuals of all skill levels and interests and are purposefully small to allow for personalised instruction and meaningful interactions.

In recognition of Harvest Experience’s innovative and dedicated approach to sustainability, and its desire to provide its customers with both a fantastic time and impactful lessons they can apply at home, the judges have awarded the business this year’s Sustainable Business Award, sponsored by Kenstra.

The award celebrates a business that has demonstrated sustainable and circular economy initiatives that are good for the business, the community and the environment.

Judge Christine Smith said Harvest Experience’s commitment to providing unique foodie experiences to its clients was “truly infectious”.

“They have not only carved a niche market but have also created a vibrant community around sustainable agriculture, ensuring that visitors connect with the land and its bounty in meaningful ways,” Ms Smith said.

“Through their innovative strategies, they have continually enhanced service delivery, making every visit to Harvest Experience memorable and impactful.

“Their numerous sustainable projects not only benefit the environment but also educate and inspire others in the industry.”

Ms Smith congratulated Harvest Experience on its “clear demonstration of business excellence”, and said it was a “shining example of what passion and dedication can achieve in the culinary tourism sector”.

To find out more, head to harvestexperience.com.au

Sponsored by Kenstra.

Kenstra is a team of trusted Telco and ICT professionals ready to serve your business needs.

The team is this year’s sponsor of the Sustainable Business Award.

Locally owned and operated, Kenstra is the sole accredited Telstra Enterprise Partner based in Geelong.

The company continually reinvests in its staff and collaborates with renowned vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco, and Fortinet, enabling it to deploy cutting-edge ICT solutions for its customers nationwide.

Kenstra’s expert team specialises in designing and implementing solutions across various domains, including Microsoft Modern Workplace, Corporate Networking, Mobiles, and Telephony Solutions.

Its hallmark is providing honest advice and solutions grounded in integrity, fostering enduring client relationships.

Kenstra strives to make a positive impact on the community and champions sustainable practices.

The company believes the needs of the present can be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Kenstra