Update
FOODIES have been urged to indulge at a local restaurant now that the Taste Tamworth Festival has been cancelled.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's perfect timing at the state government begins its roll out of the Dine and Discover promotion with $100 in vouchers to spend on dining and entertainment.
While the event can't go ahead because of COVID-19, restaurants in the region will remain open serving visitors local produce, Tamworth Business Chamber board member Jye Segboer said.
"Taste Tamworth Festival brings together a range of suppliers, hospitality businesses and the council, unfortunately during these times, restrictions and a cautious approach from the industry means that this fantastic event can't go ahead this year," he said.
Towns across the region often get involved in the event, offering three-course dinners, degustations and wine-tastings.
The event was also cancelled in 2020.
Mr Segboer said the festival doesn't bring many overnight visitors, but locals can still get behind restaurants and cafes.
"Especially now the NSW government has launched the voucher scheme to dine out, hopefully people get out and utilise those $25 vouchers locally, even if it's a day trip to Nundle or Barraba," he said.
"I've signed up both of our businesses and it was a quick, five-minute process that doesn't take long and the payment goes straight to the business within five days which will certainly help cashflow locally."
Earlier
THE PANDEMIC will leave a bitter taste in local mouths with news the Taste Tamworth Festival has been cancelled.
Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) pushed hard to find alternative solutions, but COVID-19 restrictions and a cautious hospitality industry meant the event couldn't go ahead without huge compromises.
Keystone events like Taste in the Park would have lost their flavour with restrictions still in place for large outdoor events, tasting and sampling food requirements and the need for seating, a TRC spokesman said.
Read also:
"The industry, supported by the council, has been reluctant to sign up this year," he said.
"Council had reached out to restaurant, food and hospitality businesses in hopes to execute a program of external activities, however a struggling industry indicated that they are just trying to keep the doors open with limited capacities due to ongoing health restrictions."
The festival was planned for April 14 to 18.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News