A sumptuous Long Lunch at Anzac Park on Sunday wrapped up a successful Tamworth Taste Festival, organisers have said.
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The big event saw 140 hungry locals indulge in a three course meal featuring local produce.
The sold out event also marked the end of 10 days of foodie festivities across the district and a tourist boost for the area.
It was complemented by the Flavours on Fitzroy event last Friday night, which saw the newly revamped Fitzroy Street play host to a hive of culture and cuisine.
The Tamworth Taste in the Park was another jam-packed event with stallholders from across the state lining up to sell their homegrown products.
And for the first time a High Tea was held at the city’s botanic gardens - also a sell out.
Tamworth Regional Council events manager Barry Harley said reports so far indicated this year’s Taste Festival was a winner
“There are two things to gauge, the public participation and the producer’s participation and how well it has been received,” he said.
“We have had a lot of very positive reports back.”
After a one year hiatus, Mr Harley said the long lunch was back in fine form.
“This year enabled us to go back into the market, it is our significant event of Taste,” he said. “It’s well loved and involves us engaging three separate chefs to provide the courses, an ale provider and a wine provider.
“We can report that all of the events were extremely successful.
“They have awakened a thirst and awareness of what regional producers can provide in terms of culinary diversity and delight.”
“There were several hundred people at the Flavours on Fitzroy event on the Friday night.
“People enjoyed that positive vibe and how good it was for Tamworth to be on display throughout the year for things other than music.
“At Taste in the Park we had an attendance from the most amount of producers, with 58 stalls.
“There were lots of reports that were bittersweet, with merchandise and produce running out a little earlier than usual.
Mr Harley said those involved in the council-run events would review the event and work out what can be done to improve for next year, with planning for the 2019 Festival to begin in the near future.
He said the public events were also bolstered by many Tamworth eateries, who held their own Taste Festival-related events and had reported good numbers.
Among them was a special showcase on Friday night, where diners flocked to the Quality Hotel Powerhouse for an evening with some award winning beef producers and a culinary experience to remember.
Local beef producers, Jack’s Creek, were on hand for the Meet the Farmer Dinner.
There was a four course dinner and canapes, showcasing the produce that was crowned the World’s Best Steak in 2015 and 2016.
Jack’s Creek farmer David Warmoll was a special guest speaker who provided insights into the family-owned and operated Australian business reaching international success.
