About 250 people wined and dined the afternoon away at the Long Lunch in Bicentennial Park yesterday to finish the 10-day food extravaganza on a high.

The marquee event featured a five-course meal, top drops from Merilba Wines and New England Brewing Company and entertainment by bluegrass four-piece Good Corn Liquor.

Festival co-ordinator Catherine Burton, who said attendance at the luncheon was up by 

10 per cent on last year, was thrilled with the 2014 edition of Taste, of which The Northern Daily Leader is a proud sponsor.

“It’s a nice finale and a lovely way to end Taste, which showcases everything good about the region,” she said.

“You can’t get much better than a five-course lunch.”

Chefs Rob Breese of Square Man Inn, Ben Davies from the Powerhouse, Le Pruneau’s Phil- lippe Kanyaro and Corey Walmsley of Corey’s Catering oversaw the cooking and serving of 1250 dishes.

Mr Breese said it was a great opportunity for the chefs to serve their formal dishes in an informal atmosphere and get out and mix with the diners.

Self-confessed foodie Jessica Angelidis, 17, who only moved to the area from Sydney recently, said she was keen to sample some of the local produce.

“It’s a really nice and chilled-out atmosphere,” she said. “Everything (on the menu) looks great, but I’m probably looking forward to the desert the most.”

Laura Bird, who is originally from Newcastle but living for a short time in Tamworth for work, attended the lunch with some of her new colleagues.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” she said. “It’s a great day with all the food and wine and music.”