Top five things to see and do at Regional Flavours presented by The Courier-Mail
If you care even a little bit about food then there is a good chance you already know all about Regional Flavours presented by The Courier-Mail. If you have been living under a rock and don’t know about Brisbane’s biggest food-centric celebration, allow us to give you a quick run-down of the five best things to do at Regional Flavours on July 16 and 17.
Producer Showcase
When it comes down to it, sampling and exploring the best produce from across Queensland is what Regional Flavours is all about. The heart and soul of the entire festival is the producer showcase, which brings artisan growers and producers from all across the state to showcase their wares in front of Brisbane’s discerning foodie population. Little Stanley Street will be turned into a bustling food market, where you can browse the stalls selling everything from peanuts and beef jerky to olives, cheeses, fruit, sweet treats, wine and meat.
EAT-SHOW-TELL
It’s no secret that cooking shows are some of the biggest things on television, but it’s even more exciting to see acclaimed chefs make kitchen magic live in front of your eyes. EAT-SHOW-TELL is one of Regional Flavours’ most popular events, where celebrity chefs assemble to discuss the latest cooking trends, provide recipe advice and reveal new techniques. This year Regional Flavours has assembled an amazing selection of guests for EAT-SHOW-TELL, including MasterChef hosts George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston, as well as industry luminaries Maggie Beer, Miguel Meastre, Lola Berry, Georgia Barnes, Adriano Zumbo and Paul West.
The Picnic Patch
If you’re not hungry yet, we’re not sure what’s wrong with you. But perhaps The Picnic Patch will push you over the edge? This special area allows wanderers to stretch out on a rug in the warm winter sun and devour morsels from a unique alfresco-inspired menu using produce from the Lockyer Valley Region. Each day at Regional Flavours is jam-packed, so The Picnic Patch is a great spot to chill out for a spell before immersing yourself further in the spoils of the festival.
River Cottage Australia at Epicurious Garden
There are few things more satisfying than growing your own produce and incorporating it into your home cooking. The Epicurious Garden is the place to be for all green thumbs and home growers. River Cottage Australia will be welcoming all comers to discover the benefits of farm-to-fork cooking, with talks and demonstrations about eating sustainably, cheese making, permaculture, fermentation, beekeeping and garden gastronomy. Each demonstration will be held by a range of experts, with a few sessions from River Cottage Australia’s own Paul West.
The Hunting Club
If you’ve ticked off a visit to the previous four areas of Regional Flavours, you are bound to have worked up a mighty thirst. The Hunting Club is where festival patrons can gather to wet their whistle in the surrounds of an expansive pop-up bar, celebrating the output of boutique breweries and local graziers. With an emphasis on paddock-to-plate dining and the best brews the state can offer, The Hunting Club is a great spot to unwind or even visit regularly, as the bar will also be hosting cooking demonstrations by beef and lamb farmers, and beer experts will also discuss perfect food and drink pairings. Be sure to sample the limited-batch Regional Flavours Smoked Porter, especially brewing by The Charming Squire for the event.
Honourable mentions: Get your cookbooks signed by your fave celebrity chef, taste your way through a series of cooking masterclasses, get your sweet fix, sample food-truck morsels, chill by the river, and allow the little ones to get their hands dirty.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
