I love that you can head down to the park for a Sunday feast, that involves all of the senses and social graces.

I love that it’s a 10-day-long celebration of food and produce from our own backyard, where a High Tea, a flavoursome feast, a degustation evening and a meet-the-farmer dinner are all on the menu.

But what I love most is the fact the council has the foresight to initiate such an event.

Years ago I remember making the trip to Sydney for the food festival at the entertainment centre on Darling Harbour.

This is going back awhile, before the renovations.

There were chefs aplenty, things to buy and stuff to taste; everything a decent foodie could hope for.

Years ago you had to go to at least two supermarkets, and perhaps a specialty store or two, before you could amass what you needed for your latest tantalising kitchen creation in Tamworth.

My, how the worm has turned.

These days our supermarkets and specialty stores are filled with gastronomic delights from all corners of the globe.

You don’t have to go all that far to source something that back then would have been hard to find.

To my mind (and stomach), more than in any other way, this marks a sort of coming of age for our city.

It’s a sign that we have a more sophisticated, and appreciative, palate.

Dare I say, you could say the same thing about our arts scene. Or do the two actually go hand in hand? 

With plans for a new performing arts centre already on the drawing board, the sky is surely the limit in this regard.

This Sunday, Taste Tamworth will wrap up with a Long Lunch in Anzac Park, an event that has become something of a staple on the menu of this annual affair. Don’t worry, there is a wet weather venue alternative.

Let me finish by saying unless we as a community support these events, they will not thrive. 

Instead of whinging about the $2 entry fee for Taste in the Park, think about the council employees who are working hard to make the event a success for each and every one of us to enjoy.

Well done to you! And to everyone else – eat up!