Mingle with makers and artisan producers at Tweed’s new five-day foodie festival, Savour The Tweed
While Melbourne and Sydney have long been regarded as Australia’s culinary capitals, in recent years, the Tweed region has emerged as a seriously a hot contender for the coveted crown. Increasingly attracting the keen eye of top-tier talent from around the country thanks to its bounty of locally grown produce and rich, fertile growing conditions, there’s a quiet renaissance underway that has spurred some exceptional new eateries that are pioneering a more sustainable approach to eating. Designed to shine a spotlight on some of the area’s key players is a brand-new foodie festival called Savour The Tweed, which will take over towns from October 30 to November 3. Whether you’re keen to wine and dine, settle into a yarning circle, learn about regenerative farming practices, or all of the above, the line-up is guaranteed to please …
Setting the bar deliciously high for its inaugural year, Savour The Tweed has unveiled its debut program, featuring more than 20 food-centric events. The line-up – co-curated by Tweed-based chef and author Christine Manfield alongside local food advocate Amy Colli of Straight To The Source – ranges from First Nations storytellers and passionate chefs to talented distillers, brewers and baristas, cheesemakers, farmers and an endless list of artisan producers. Without further ado, here are some of our personal highlights …
Kick things off on Wednesday October 30 with a stroll around Murwillumbah’s popular farmers market, followed by a walking tour of regenerative farm, Raven Place. Join head gardener Rachael Sanderson as she imparts her knowledge of farming practices, exploring the vegetable gardens, purpose built ‘kimchi’ garden and native food forest. Bringing the first day’s program to a close is Yarung Guung Nuninj – a Welcome to Country Dinner celebrating ancient foods and traditions with proud Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods, alongside Christine Manfield. Song, dance and narrative will set the scene for a deep dive into cultural and culinary customs, showcasing native ingredients foraged and sourced in The Tweed region.
Thursday October 31 is another jam-packed day, starting with the drool-inducing Jubei Chilli Crab Fest event, featuring Bundjalung elder and custodian of food culture, Uncle Franc alongside Stanley Chinese Restaurant’s Louis Tikaram and Apex Dining’s Andelson Del Vaga. If you love seafood but wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to cook it, don’t miss Demystifying Seafood with Steven (Snowy) Snow of Fins, who will share cooking tips honed from a lifetime of experience. Day two will draw to a close with two signature events, At Women Leading: Author Book Chat featuring Mindy Woods and Christine Manfield and Tweed Food Heroes: The Producers Dinner at Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah. With only 35 seats, we’ve got a feeling this one is set to get snapped up in record time.
The fun continues on Friday November 1 with venues including Farm & Co and Earth Beer Company rolling out the welcome mat. Tweed Regional Museum will host Sips, Snacks & Stories, while Burringbar Hall will set the scene for the much-anticipated Francisco’s Long Table Dinner featuring flavoursome Argentinean cuisine. Rounding out the day’s activities is a magical wood-fired dinner under the stars at Fins Plantation House. Relish a feasting menu of wild-caught seafood partnered with organic Tweed produce, cooked before your eyes on a wood grill.
Saturday November 2 offers another impossible-to-choose line-up, starting with a kid’s cooking workshop hosted by chef Samantha Gowing, a Le Cordon Bleu Master who’s been teaching healthy cooking for over 25 years. Kids will dive into a colourful culinary adventure, creating healthy, delicious dishes with fresh Tweed regional produce. Cheese lovers, don’t miss your chance to learn from the master Kat Harvey at the Cheese & Saison Brew Masterclass before heading to Husk Farm Distillery for the Flamin’ Negroni Party featuring gin negronis and a pasta party. Rounding out the day’s happenings is an unforgettable Fire to Fork Feast at the award-winning Potager in Carool. Co-hosted with Northern Rivers chef and fire whisperer, Wal Foster, the event promises a feast for the senses.
Sunday November 3 kicks things up a gear for the final day’s activities, starting with a long lunch at Pottsville favourite, Pipit. Renowned for his sustainable approach to the dining experience, Pipit’s chef Ben Devlin collaborates with Algamarine for Sensational Seaweed: Healthy Planet that will showcase creative uses of edible seaweeds in a four-course set menu. Meanwhile, Tweed River House will host Hinterland on a Plate, featuring a five-course tasting lunch menu. Bringing the entire festival to a close will be Addio: spuntini e vino e musica – that is, farewell, with snacks, drinks and music at No 35 Kitchen.
Savour The Tweed is organised by The Tweed Tourism Company and proudly presented by Tweed Shire Council. Tickets will be on sale from Saturday July 27.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
