October will see a bigger and better Tastings on Hastings!
Tastings on Hastings is the annual month long food, beer, wine and cultural festival based in Port Macquarie. It was officially launched this week with the announced that SBS food magazine Feast, will be the new Major Sponsor. The partnership will see the event taken to a national audience, and is set to put Port Macquarie on the map as a first-class food and wine destination.
Feast magazine’s involvement will mean that local growers, producers and chefs will have the opportunity, through Tastings on Hastings to showcase their wares to a much greater audience than ever before.
“Green and Growing” is “The Tastings” theme this year. Bringing to life this message was a “Tree of Life” body painting exhibition. The living work of art was painted by a local artist and personifies the living and giving nature of our earth. At the foot of the tree a bounty of fresh regional produce was displayed, which brought to mind the abundance provided by of our natural environment.
The launch was opened with a “Welcome to Country” by Indigenous community leader Billy O’Brien who spoke of the generous bounty our sacred land offers if we respect our surroundings and live in harmony. He gave thanks to the earth for the blessings she bestows on the people, and finished in the native language with “Come, you are welcome.” It was a very inspirational and uplifting start to the festival from the native custodian of our land.
Sonia Fingleton from the Good Food Group shared some details of the upcoming events and invited guests to raise a toast to this years Tastings on Hastings with a glass of Cassegrain Wines, Stone Circle Blanc de Blanc.
As you would expect from the launch of a food festival, hospitality partner Eighteen Thirty Restaurant at the Glasshouse provided a taste of some of the regional delights in the canapes served. Whilst guests mingled and discussed the timetabled events we were able to sample a delicious dill pancake with locally caught, fresh prawn and creamy avocado.
Ricardos strawberries featured in these sweet tartlets with a crisp buttery shell and luscious creamy filling.
…and these delicious, rich, chocolate mud cupcakes were adorned in Bago Berries for the perfect, fresh, fruity finish.
Events for Tastings on Hastings will kick off on the 6th October with “Breakfast in the Beds” at Near River Produce. This is an authentic “Paddock to Plate” experience. Guests will be welcomed to the organic market, harvest fresh produce, and pass it on to their chef for the preparation of breakfast.
Imagine selecting your own seasonal vegetables such as spinach and asparagus, choosing organic eggs for poaching and bacon from pigs raised in the valley. Whilst the chef prepares breakfast, diners will enjoy tea, coffee and pastries and a glass of sparkling wine from local vineyards.
Cost of this unique experience is just $40 per head and bookings need to be received by the 1st October. For more information visit Breakfast in the Beds.
This year REAP Food Rescue program will be a charitable partner to the event. REAP is the regional branch of Oz Harvest and founder Katrina Humble explained to me that the organisation rescues nearly 800kgs of food each month, which save charities on average $13,000 off their monthly food bill. This figure represents a huge cost reduction to charities. Food gathered by REAP is distributed to the local soup kitchens and refuges which assists these organisations in helping more people in need in the community.
For a complete timetable of all the wonderful events on offer go to Tastings of The Hastings. I will also be updating regularly through the months of September and October reminding you to book a weekend in Port to take advantage of the festivities. Follow along with me as I suggest the ideal romantic destinations in Port Macquarie for couple visiting the area, and offer self contained solutions for families.
So readers, keep your weekends free in October, and plan to join me in Port Macquarie for “Tastings on Hastings!”
Gourmet Getaways would like to thank Sonia Fingleton from the Good Company Group and Gabrielle Brewer Lifestyle & Tourism Public Relations for the opportunity to attend the Tastings on Hastings Launch.
