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Congratulations Kate Bracks from Orange, NSW for winning the 2011 Masterchef series. Suffice to say that F.O.O.D Week and all of Orange are very proud of your efforts and wish you all the very best for your Bed and Breakfast business. We are confident you will find some great food to fill the pantry from the many and varied local food producers from the Orange district.

Melissa, a primary school teacher for children with special needs at Orange Public School was completely overwhelmed when first hearing the news that she’d won first prize. “I consider myself to be a lucky person in general but certainly not because I win things. To win a prize such as this is simply amazing.”

Valued at $5,500, the Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa first prize includes two nights’ accommodation in a luxury double Heritage Suite complete with its own indoor/outdoor private swimming pool, gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, a select range of regional wines and lunch and dinner plus nature based activities at the resort.

As Australia’s first luxury conservation-based resort, Wolgan Valley is nestled in the heart of the Blue Mountains and delivers a uniquely Australian cuisine enhanced by a seasonal, regional and organic food philosophy.

President of F.O.O.D Week Cynthia Jarratt said Executive Head Chef at Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, Dwane Goodman, was a strong supporter of the Orange region’s local produce, food and wine. “Wolgan Valley’s menu regularly includes seasonal produce such as Mandagery Creek Venison, Orange Mountain Verjuice, local honeys and more.”

“The resort’s food and environmental philosophies are closely aligned with F.O.O.D Week; to support local producers, the local economy and to eat locally grown food to reduce food miles and our carbon footprint,” said Ms Jarratt.

In line with the resort’s environment and conservation commitment, the food supply chain has also been streamlined. Orders from different producers are consolidated into one single daily delivery, keeping traffic down in Wolgan Valley.

Ms Jarratt said “The Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa package was a magnificent first prize for the Mega Raffle which included 20 prizes in total to celebrate the 20 years of F.O.O.D Week – all donated by various businesses and supporters of F.O.O.D Week.”

1. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa weekend for two all inclusive package valued at over $4,000. Won by: Melissa Livermore, Molong. No.5496

2. Electrolux; Stainless Steel 510lt bottom mount fridge.Won by: John Milla, Orange. No.5740

3. CountryLink; holiday package including return train travel to Sydney, 2 night's accommodation and Captain Cook Coffee Cruise for two. Won by: Mark Blume, Orange. No.5364

4. De Ruisse; 2 night accommodation in a luxurious self contained studio suite at De Russie Suites Orange or Mudgee including a light continental breakfast. Won by: Janice Clarkson, Wollstonecraft. No.304

5. Simmo's Off Road Tours; Evening Spotlight Tour for two. Won by: Kelly Fountain, Cudal. No.5267

6. Edwena Mitchell Catering: catering voucher $300. Won by: Annie Snodgrass, Young. No.5744

7. Wine of Orange District; two cases. Won by: Axel Burkert, West Ryde. No.5644

8. Hawkes General Store; $200 voucher. Won by: James Beecher. No.5849

9. 100-Mile Dinner; two tickets to the 2012 dinner. Won by: M Stem & H Bersten. No.5856

10. Red Hot Reds; Mandagery Creek Venison matched to Bloodwood's best red wines. Won by: Shannon Cain, Orange. No.5927

11. Union Bank; lunch for four. Won by: Casey Westlake, Orange. No.6232

12. Highland Heritage; dinner for two. Won by: Jennifer Mitchell, Arcadia. No.5429

13. Red Chilli Deli; $100 Gift Basket. Won by: Nilly Berger, Vaucluse. No.5733

14. ProVista Woodfire Pizza; $100 voucher. Won by: D & N Boulton, Orange. No.5785

15. Essential Ingredients; $100 voucher. Won by: Judith Panczak, Adelaide. No.306

16. A Slice of Orange; $100 Food Hamper. Won by: Jo Krats. No.6025

17. Heli-Cruz; $100 voucher. Won by: Gerry O'Brien, Gladesville. No.5844

18. Spieglau; 6 long stem wine glasses. Won by: M Shaw, Darlington Point. No.6017

19. Orange Apples;Case of premium new season's Orange apples. Jacki Shannon, Orange. No.5282

20. F.O.O.D Week; Membership for 2011/2012. Won by: Helen Booth, Turramurra. No.5717

The launch was well attended by chefs, food industry representative, producers, wine makers, sponsors and media. Michael Manners and Tony Bilson put on a superb selection of canapes using food of Orange district; Norland Figs, Paling Yards Olive Oil, Trunkey Creek Pork and Mandagery Creek Venison to name a few.

Special thanks to Tony Bilson for the use of his restaurant and to our local winemakers who dug out of their cellars a wonderful selection of wines from the past 20 years of vintage from the region.

Orange was the leading NSW region with three experiences making the list. “Once again food experiences in the Orange region have been recognised as some of the best in this country,” says Kim Currie, Executive Officer of Taste Orange. “Orange is consistently seen as a food and wine destination and we are continuing to see an increase in visitors coming to our region for these gourmet experiences”.

F.O.O.D Week was listed as number 31 just behind a dining experience at the famous Longrain Restaurant in Sydney and ahead of a dining experience at Vulcan’s at Blackhealth. Despite so many food and wine festivals now taking place, F.O.O.D Week was the only food event in NSW to make the list.

Dining at Tonic Restaurant in Millthorpe came in at number 68 and a visit to Mandagery Creek Farmed Venison at number 92.

“We are thrilled that F.O.O.D Week has made the list of the best Australian Gourmet Experiences. F.O.O.D Week is a 10 day celebration of the region’s food; bringing local growers, producers and chefs together to create extraordinary gourmet experiences for visitors to Orange and locals to be a part of. The fact that F.O.O.D Week is recognised amongst this list is a tribute to the event’s success and to all of those who have made the event possible over the past 19 years,” says F.O.O.D Week President, Cynthia Jarratt.

The complete 100 Australian Gourmet Experiences can be found at www.australiantraveller.com.