The shires of Orange, Cabonne and Blayney are known as ‘The Food Basket’ of NSW and each year F.O.O.D. Week (Food Of Orange District) supports local produce and ‘fine food’ with an annual event held over 10 days – in April showcasing the producers, their products, the local chefs and restaurants, and other enterprises that provide the region with its great reputation for fine food and wine.
Offering everything from wine tasting to farm gate tours, cooking demonstrations, cabaret, music and picnics to a huge ‘Night Market’ and Forage, plus the 100-Mile Dinner hosted by the F.O.O.D Week committee and the people of Molong featuring dishes made from local produce sourced within a 100-Miles of Orange.
During F.O.O.D Week you can visit farms, markets, kitchens, restaurants, cafes, wineries, attend special celebration dinners, workshops and events and sample fine wines, orchard fruits, beef, lamb, venison, vegetables and more.
Meet those who grow such the produce, the chefs, caterers and cooks who create extraordinary dishes for our dining pleasure from it and everyone else who works in the food and hospitality industries. These people are overwhelmingly passionate about what they do and thankfully, for all of us, they are equally passionate about sharing what they do!
Visit during F.O.O.D Week and we guarantee you an entertaining and gastronomically exciting time that you won’t forget!
F.O.O.D. Week Signature Events
F.O.O.D HQ
Open Daily 10-19 April
Come along and join your friends at F.O.O.D HQ. Here you will meet different producers who grow or value add to a wide variety of produce. There will be talks, demonstrations and tastings of local specialities
(see the daily calendar for more details). Our knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to give you information about Festival events and all things F.O.O.D and F.O.O.D merchandise will be available for you to buy.
The Agrestic Grocer 426 Mitchell Hwy (Molong Rd), Orange (all week except 10 & 18 April)11am-12.30pm • Free orangefoodweek.com.au • 02 6360 4604
19 April @ Cook Park, Orange • 9am-11.30am
The 100 Mile Dinner—on the Molong Village Green
Monday 13 April
The F.O.O.D Week committee and the people of Molong welcome guests for the third year to the iconic 100 mile dinner, under the stars on the Village Green in Molong. Our regular towns, Orange, Bathurst, Molong, Mudgee and Cowra will showcase the food and wine from their region. Dancing on the Green encouraged! Music by Trouble with Johnny.
The Village Green in Molong Buses depart rear, Orange Civic Theatre, 135 Byng St @ 6pm for 6.30pm start • $105pp (bus extra $20) Wine available to purchase. Bookings online at orangefoodweek.com.au
Enquiries: Kerry Connolly 0427 668 800
F.O.O.D Week Night Market
Friday 10 April
Grab your family, friends and a picnic blanket and join us for a beautiful Autumn evening at Robertson Park in Orange for the festival’s opening Night Market event. Over 50 stalls serving the ultimate fresh Orange produce and cool climate wines, as well as local entertainment and communal dining tables to share the experience. Sample the wares of Orange’s finest producers, providores, restaurants, cafés, chefs, cooks and cellar doors at this truly wonderful regional food celebration. Sponsored by the D’Aquino Group of Companies.
Robertson Park McNamara Street, Orange 5.30pm-8.30pm • Gold Coin Entry
F.O.O.D Train
Friday 17-Sunday 19 April
Starting with a light breakfast and a glass of sparkling on board the F.O.O.D Train, producers on board will explain how your food gets from paddock to plate. On arrival in Orange be whisked away to savour the food of the Orange district including lunch at Racine, a Tasting Menu Dinner at the one hat Lolli Redini Restaurant, FORAGE on Saturday and on Sunday, Brunch in beautiful Cook Park. The weekend concludes with lunch, honey and brewery tour at The Beekeepers Inn.
Departs Central Station, Sydney • 7.18am. Bookings online at orangefoodweek.com.au • $875pp Enquiries: Sheelagh Tancred 02 6361 7836 or 0428 148 220
Sunday Producers’ Brunch & Market
Sunday 19 April
Come and enjoy local produce, prepared by Orange’s well known cooks and Farmer’s Market Stallholders, for your breakfast or brunch. Louise Fitzroy, of From Paddock to Plate will discuss and demonstrate the use of some of our local produce. There are children’s activities to keep them entertained while you relax under the canopy of trees, or you can simply stroll the market and purchase local produce to take home and enjoy later.
Cook Park, Summer Street, Orange 8.30am-12.30pm • Free Enquiries: Marika Garton 0409 468 029
FORAGE
Saturday 18 April
NSW Department of Primary industries joins the F.O.O.D Week committee for the 5th FORAGE event. Starting at the Balmoral Vineyard, progressing through Koomooloo Vineyard and finishing at the picturesque North Face Vineyard at Nashdale. FORAGE is a walk through these vineyards and paddocks eating regional produce and tasting regional wine every 500 metres or so. A gentle 3.6km walk from start to finish. Department of Primary Industries personnel and volunteers will be with you to answer questions and chat about why Orange’s cool climate is so good for our produce and people.
Sponsored by Department of Primary Industries Buses depart rear, Orange Civic Theatre 135 Byng St, Orange (Council carpark) 11.30am-6pm • $115pp Bookings online at orangefoodweek.com.au
Enquiries: James Sweetapple 0428 656 100
To download the full program click here
And after F.O.O.D. Week you can prepare yourself for Orange Wine Festival commencing 16 October!
