The Tweed has been the centre of food lovers attention for good reason over the last few years. Not only because producers and restaurateurs are dishing up real deal delicious. It’s also because the mountains are green and the beaches clean. Not to mention, the local gin is the colour of the sky.
It might also have something to do with local artisans and producers nurturing their craft grown from the Tweed Valley’s ultra-rich soil. The final piece of the puzzle? Tourists wised up and discovered you don’t need to go to Byron for some Northern Rivers magic.
Geographically speaking, the Tweed Valley is at the centre of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest caldera or crater. Formed by a collapsed volcano that last erupted over 20 million years ago, the soil is outrageously fertile.
Attracting stellar chefs like Ben Devlin to the Tweed and food impresarios like the inimitable Christine Manfield has undoubtedly upped the Tweed’s foodie star power. The region is fast becoming Australia’s hottest food community with Farmers Markets, hole in the wall cafes and artisans popping up from the beach to the hinterland.
This all goes to explain the success of the Tweed Artisan Food Weekend. On again, March 11-14 and tickets are now available for a stellar range of events. Here’s the pick of the crop:
Taverna Banquet Thursday, March 11 2021, 5:30 pm NSW until late 22 Marine Parade, Kingscliff, NSW
Get your Greek on in the Tweed
Two hours imagining you’re in Santorini dining on slow-roasted lamb shoulder and local halloumi sounds perfect. And it is.
Taverna is a Greek-inspired restaurant that breaks with tradition but still stays true to Hellenic flavours. The lime-washed walls, hints of a sea breeze and Greek sharing plates are all part of the experience.
This 5-course banquet is designed for sharing so bring the whole family or a very healthy appetite.
Zeta’s Coffee Tour – Friday, March 12 2021, 9:30 am – 11:00 am 113 Blissetts Rd, Carool, NSW
Wake up and smell the coffee … in the Tweed
In an area filled with spectacular views, Carool’s Wirui Estate has one of the most panoramic. 270 degrees of primeval mountains span all the way to the Gold Coast high rise and beaches.
The Tweed’s only coffee plantation produces some of Australia’s finest single-origin coffee. Zeta Grealy has lived and breathed Arabica coffee here for nearly 30 years. There’s not much she doesn’t know about our most popular pick me up.
Zeta has planted grown, roasted, judged and sold beans. This ‘tree-to-cup’ tour is a taste journey through all stages of the process. Meantime, while you wander the plantation she shares what it’s like to be a multi-award winning single estate grower.
Coffee and cake are served at Origin House – a luxury boutique farmstay that overlooks the plantation and is the latest chapter in Zeta’s Coffee story.
Picnic in the Paddock March 12 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Tropical Fruit World 29 Duranbah Rd NSW
It’s gotta be a match made in heaven; Blue Ginger Picnics and Christine Manfield for one lunch only at Tropical Fruit World.
Guests will be indulged with an afternoon of superb tastes roving amongst the avocado trees. Each food and wine station will have its own lounging area complete with plush cushions and rugs.
In addition, 10 local producers will be on hand to introduce you to their delicious tastes. Producers include Shuck Oysters, Salumi Australia, Boon Luck Farm Organics, Cheeses Love You and Baume Fine Wines.
Paddock to Bottle Cocktail Class Session One – March 12 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm and Session 2 – March 12 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Husk Distillers 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum, NSW
The home of Ink Gin and the country’s Australian Agricole Rum will host not one, but two cocktail masterclasses. Husk Distillery is situated not far from the gently flowing Rous River at Tumbulgum.
Incorporating the botanicals grown on this sugar cane plantation and cattle farm’s garden with artisanal spirits, lucky classmates can look forward to a masterclass like no other.
Afterwards, when you’re done with the mixology, it will be time to retire to the manicured lawns of the Distillery Estate for a Husk grazing board.
American BBQ Feast March 13 @ 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm Mavis’s Kitchen 64 Mount Warning Rd, Mount Warning NSW
This is for the traditional American BBQ lovers. And whisky lovers. And wine lovers.
A Twilight Fire Feast is a celebration of locally sourced produce, Mavis’s own garden greens and open fire, locally-raised pasture-fed pork. The multi-course, sharing platter menu also features dry-rubbed, smoked brisket, ribs, Louisiana-style chicken, Mac and Cheese, pickled slaw and corn.
Gemtree Wines are organic, biodynamic and lip-smackingly good. For the whisky drinkers – Starward and Archie Rose.
Tickets and more delectable events here.
