The menu will be designed and presented by Spicers’ own two-hat chef, Cameron Matthews of The Long Apron restaurant, who will take guests including Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, on a culinary adventure in local produce.
Festival Director Julie Shelton said the lunch, to be held on Wednesday, 13 August, was an important gathering that enabled organisers to thank all the people that collaborated each year to make the Festival happen.
This event is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Destination Limited. Other sponsors and supporters including Spicers Clovelly Estate, Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Kunara Organic Marketplace, Jeffers Market, University of the Sunshine Coast, Buderim Ginger, Nomadic Tents, Maleny SUPA IGA, Outrigger Little Hastings Street, ABC 90.3 Sunshine Coast and ASV Audio Visual have all come on board for 2014. As a result, this year’s Real Food Festival program offers a full weekend of thought-provoking sessions and activities across six inspiring venues.
Australian chef and food writer Christine Manfield will be presenting in the Real Food Kitchen, in conversation with Sunshine Coast food producers Cedar Street Cheeserie, My Berries, Bonnie Beef Growers and Maleny Avocado Oil.
“It is exciting to have a world renowned chef such as Christine appearing at our event,” Julie said. “Christine is not only presenting but has offered to work with local chefs and producers to mentor and encourage them in their endeavours.”
The Sunshine Coast chefs presenting in the Real Food Kitchen are Chef Laurent, Daniel Jarrett from The Tamarind at Maleny, Monica Topliss from Kunara Organic Café at Forest Glen, Cameron Matthews from The Long Apron at Montville, Chris White from Hungry Feel at Buderim, Eric Pernoud from Maison de Provence at Cooroy, and Peter Wolfe from Cedar Creek Farm Bush Foods at Belli Park. Other producers to be featured in the Real Food Kitchen are FishTales, Second Nature Organics, Walker Farm Foods, Obi Obi Essentials and Hermes Strawberries.
In addition to the chef/producer conversations, the festival will include fascinating demonstrations, talks, interactive workshops and kids activities. The Food for Thought venue will offer perspectives on key issues for our region, Food Craft will show kitchen tips and techniques, Nourishing Ideas will focus on diet and health, the Kitchen Garden will give practical advice on gardening, and the Little Sprouts area will inspire kids to develop a lifelong passion for good food.
To wrap up the weekend, local 22-piece band The Unusual Suspects will take to the stage on Sunday afternoon. Their rousing Balkan rhythms and feet-tapping music are sure to get festival-goers dancing out the gates.
The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 13 & 14 September from 9am to 4pm daily and will showcase an abundance of good foods from more than 100 Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $20 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.
For more information on the Real Food Festival, or to register your interest, visit the website at www.realfoodfestivals.com.au.