Eat local: Queenslands Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim is an arc of spectacular mountains only an hours drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  For a week each June-July, the regions best producers of fruit, vegetables, wines, craft beers, milk, meat and gourmet products come together to connect consumers with farmers. 

Eat Local Week is for foodies of all ages with farm tours, cooking classes, long table lunches, degustation dinners, meet the farmers and of course, tastings direct from the farm gate.  I was lucky enough to catch up with a few local food celebrities to find out what not to miss during the week of food celebrations.

Terri Taylor, Tamborine Cooking School owner, is set to host a bus tour through the beautiful Tamborine Mountain, visiting organic market gardens, with cooking demos, beer and cheese tasting.  I certainly hope she prepares the secret Tamborine Mountain rhubarb slice for morning tea as I had a little sneak sample of it and it is out-of-this-world delicious.  Tamborine Mountain is famous for it perfect rhubarb growing climate and is used in cakes, jams and ice-creams.  I’m still waiting on the secret recipe to hit my inbox!

Cameron Matthews, Executive Chef of the two hatted restaurant The Long Apron,  will be preparing a 7 course long table lunch with Javier Codina (one hatted Moda Restaurant) at the beautiful Bromelton House Homestead in the Beaudesert region.  Diners will indulge in beverages and delicious produce of the Scenic Rim in the serene heritage gardens.

Keeping with the long table lunch theme but moving into the remote high country, Spicers Peak Lodge will provide a dining experience at its best.  A shared plate lunch, enjoyed fireside with live music and relaxed luxury.  Even though you will be in the sunshine state, make sure you pack a jacket for this event, as it is cool mountain weather up in Maryvale.

If wine and dine has you salivating the pick of the vineyard lunch events are at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards and Witches Falls Winery.  O’Reilly’s invites you to kick off your shoes and feel the fresh green grass between your toes and relax by the Canungra Creek.  There will be 3 courses of shared platters featuring locally sourced Scenic Rim meat, fish, chicken and a glass of the reserve Lona sparkling.  Witches Falls Winery will be celebrating matching native bush tucker with the stunning Witches Falls Wines at The Old Church.  Their handpicked wild ferment sauvignon blanc is fresh with citrus notes with just a touch of oak from their time in French oak barrels.  A lovely clean wine without the typical astringent flavour you get from other sauvignon blancs, a great drop.

If you only have 1 day to spare in the gorgeous Scenic Rim region then the Winter Harvest Festival is the event for you.  It is the signature event for Eat Local Week showcasing the regions produce all in one spot.  Filled with market stalls, celebrity chefs, live music and even a tractor pulling competition to keep the kids entertained.

To download the full schedule for Eat Local Week, head to www.eatlocalweek.com.au