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Mostly sunny min 17° - max 25° Noosa's culinary coup
17 May 2008
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, whose tongue is often more spicily seasoned than his recipes, could well do to come along to this weekend’s Settler’s Cove Celebration of Australian Food and Wine – Noosa Style.
Gutter-mouthed Gordon has been given the bird by his critics because his restaurants have been accused of serving food flown in from around the globe.
Noosa chef David Rayner, of the River House, certainly believes that produce used in restaurants should be regional and in season.
And you can be sure that David pays more than lips service to his beliefs.
He will be the poster boy of the festival at the Noosa Heads Lions Park, having just won the national Vogue Produce Award for his “50km dinners” – where everything, from the salad to the sauce, is sourced from within a 50km radius of his Noosaville restaurant.
David has also become a hero at the local docks and fresh food markets, including Noosa’s Farmers Markets.
“I’ve got to know many of the producers and the people from the fishing boats quite well, which is good for my bottom line because I’d rather buy direct and cut out the middle man,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to our next 50km radius dinner in June, when all the produce used is local.
“It gives the local farmers the opportunity to see people enjoying their produce and the diners the opportunity to meet the hard-working farmers.”
As well as David being honoured for “outstanding use of regional produce”, Alison and Jason Sargo, from Spanner Crabs Noosa, were highly commended for their supplies of a crab meat that once was regarded as second rate.
Alison said since they started out in 2002, local “spanners” have become recognised for their outstanding presentation and incredible flavour.
“It used to be all about the mud crabs, but not any more.”
Guests at this weekend’s festival will be confronted with food, wine and produce on a scale rarely seen under the one marquee roof, and will be entertained in grand style throughout the day.
The Pantastic Steel Band and Ange Takats will entertain on the big stage today, and the day’s climax will be Absolutely Everybody’s favourite singer Vanessa Amorosi.
And it gets even better tomorrow, when James Morrison, Marcia Hines and Deni Hines perform on the big stage while chefs prepare a great Aussie picnic.
Tickets can be bought at The J today, or at the door on Saturday and Sunday. For a full program go to www.celebrationofaustralianfoodandwine.com.
A shuttle bus service will from Cooyar Street car park via The J to the event on Saturday and Sunday.
List of Events:
Saturday, May 17
10-4.30: Culinary Exhibition
12.15-1.45: Live entertainment
All Day Food and wine tastings
10.15: Celebrity chefs' cooking demos
10-4: Queensland wine expo and celebration awards
6.30: Great Australian Degustation 2
Sunday, May 18
11-4.30: Great Aussie picnic and live concert
6.30 & 7: Guest chefs at Noosa Restraurants
6.30: Great Australian Degustation 3
Related stories:
> Viva Mayfiesta: Your guide to Mayfiesta events
> Top chefs prepare to cook up a storm
> Amorosi signs on for food fest
> How the Noosa food festival got started
Jason Sgro and Alison Reed from Spanner Crabs Noosa and David Rayner from Riverhouse Restaurant with their awards. Photo: Geoff Potter/ n20508a
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