One of the biggest food festivals in the region, Moree On A Plate is back again on Saturday, May 13th on the grounds of Moree Secondary College, with plenty on offer for foodies to enjoy.
Since the first festival in 2004, Moree on a Plate has grown in leaps and bounds. From humble beginnings as a farm-to-plate style showcase of the region’s best food products, the event now attracts national attention.
Moree has long been recognised as one of the biggest agricultural producers in the country. As always, the festival is primarily about promoting and displaying everything that local farmers, chefs, wine producers and other foodies from the North West New England area offer.
In a great boon for the event, however, celebrity chef Christine Mansfield has been announced as a headline presenter. As well as being one of Australia’s most critically acclaimed chefs, Ms Mansfield is also well-known for her food-based tours, and award-winning cookbooks.
Asides from a range of wonderful cooking demonstrations, and gastronomic delights to sample. Visitors can also expect all the usual offerings including kids’ entertainment and activities, live music, market stalls from local producers, and plenty to eat and drink.
Previous attendees will also be well familiar with the fiery competition that is the BBQ Cook-Off. Last year the contest morphed from being “Blokes on the BBQ” into “The Mixed Grill”. Contestants will fiercely battle it out to see who will be crowned Moree’s BBQ King or Queen for the Year.
Don’t forget to watch this space for the sister gala event held later in the year. Usually held in September, the gala changes each year. Last year’s gala was a long lunch, however, there have also been cocktail parties, art shows, book launches and more.
Not only does the event promote local producers, but it also puts a large amount of money back into the community. Each year organisers donate proceeds to a local group, charity or service and have achieved some astounding results after previous events.
For those interested in exhibiting at the festival, stallholder applications are still open.
For more information about the festival, or about becoming a stall holder, visit the Moree On a Plate Website.
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