F.O.O.D Week - Fri 4th to Sun 13th April, 2014

Mother nature no match for enthusiastic 100-Miler's!

Despite a last minute change of venue due to the threat of rain the 100-Mile Dinner has been claimed yet again - a resounding success.

The organising committee agonised over whether the event should be moved to the wet weather alternative but with the assistance of Printhie Winery and it's owners the Swift family, the winery loading bay was transformed into a magical dinning hall adorned with fairy lights and white snow flake decorations.

Sadly for the region's farmers only a brief shower of rain passed over at 10pm but it was just enough to reassure the organising committee that their decision and supreme efforts on Sunday to get the site ready were definitely worth it.

Feedback from diners at the event have suggested 'best ever menu' and 'a credit to the region's producers and chefs'.

The committee would like to thank everyone for their patience and for using the bus services from Orange and Molong to get to the new venue at such short notice. This was greatly appreciated.

Warm Autumn Evening Suits Night Market

F.O.O.D Week got off to a great start on Friday 12 April with the opening event the - Night Market. Attendance numbers are still being finalised but organisers and stall holders all indicate much higher than normal numbers. And it was any wonder, an unseasonably warm autumn evening was certainly a draw card along with 17 food stalls featuring local produce, plus countless wineries all showcasing the region's best drop and of course Gabe Middleton who wooed the crowd with her entertaining ensemble!

It gets said every year "that this is the best Night Market" but the F.O.O.D Week team seemed to tick all the boxes this year and could well claim this year's event as the best ever with a number of new logistics in place plus great lighting, festive tents, plenty of seating and of course an abundance of food and wine.

Queues were a little long at times but the word on the street was sympathetic and understanding with most people content to wait their turn while they took in the atmosphere of the evening.

F.O.O.D Central Showcases Diversity

This year's F.O.O.D Central to be held at Union Bank on the corner of Byng and Sale Street from 11am to 12:30pm during F.O.O.D Week will showcase the great diversity of food available from the Orange district.

Friend of F.O.O.D Week member and coordinator of F.O.O.D Central, John Tancred, said this year's program included food delights such as apples, cheese, beer, lamb, chestnuts, beef, dips, antipasto, venison and olive oil as well as presentations by producers and chefs.

F.O.O.D Week ambassadors will be on hand each day during F.O.O.D Central to answer questions about events or provide general information about the region. The 'lunch time' period of 11am to 12:30pm worked very well last year and allowed working people to drop by during their lunch break whilst at the same time accommodating visitors to Orange.

The full F.O.O.D Central program can be downloaded HERE.

F.O.O.D Central will be OPEN from 11am to 12:30pm Friday 12 April through to Friday 19 April at Union Bank, Cnr Byng and Sale Streets, and on Saturday 20 April at the Orange Visitor Information Centre, Byng Street, Orange.

Coming to FORAGE this year??

If you are coming along to FORAGE this year then don't forget to bring a F.O.O.D Week picnic blanket!

These embroidered, vinyl backed and a very handy 1.5m x 1.5m in size, soft touch, picnic blankets fold away into a neat carry bag - just perfect to carry with you as you meander your way across the Orange countryside 'foraging' for food! These picnic blankets will see you enjoying the food of Orange district on many an outing!

Bag includes zip-up pouch for car keys, wallet and phone plus a naming plate. Makes a great present! Buy through our SHOP here.

F.O.O.D Week Program 2013

DOWNLOAD the 2013 program.

There is a plethora of events from which you can choose to sample the food of Orange district; farm gate tours, producer lunches, degustations, cooking demonstrations, walk, talk and tastes, cider making classes, big lunches, food lectures, night markets, FORAGE and the 100-Mile Dinner and oh so much more!