One of my favourite launches of the year has always been Eat Local Week and now the Scenic Rim has gone bigger and better with the launch of the Scenic Rim Eat Local Month. Voted one of the best regions to visit by Lonely Planet in 2022, the Scenic Rim is brimming with farms, wineries, restaurants, distilleries, cool places to stay and so much more. The best thing for us in the South East of Queensland is that it’s right in our own backyard.
Just over an hour away from Brisbane or the Gold Coast you are transported to the countryside, with its quintessential country flavour and warm hospitality paired with some of the most beautiful food you’ll ever taste. The Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is a celebration of local flavours and produce with many of the best paddock to plate experiences you’ll ever enjoy. Enjoy a smorgasbord of 139 events this year across the region, celebrating the area’s farmers and growers, producers, artisans and chefs. You’ll enjoy some great tourism experiences, whether you visit for a day or play and stay.
She Society were excited to attend the official launch which was this year hosted by Towri Sheep Cheeses, which boasts some of the friendliest sheep around and a gorgeous terrier, Honey Poo, who greeted each and every guest. Bumping up the gravel drive we first noticed the sign made of sheep wool, before entering the grounds filled with fruit trees, enticing places to sit and while away your time and the Towri’s Sheepshed which was bustling with activity. We received a refreshing glass of local O’ Reilly’s Picnic bubbles flavoured with finger lime caviar to sip as we began our wander through the gardens, farm shop, shearing shed and sheep run, before reserving a prime spot where we could hear the lovely voice of local country music star, Laura Frank.
Tummy’s rumbling our thoughts turned to food and we were lucky enough to spy the grazing tables groaning with delicious food, being prepared by some of the best chefs in the region, using the freshest of local produce. A silky smooth Scenic Rim Mahalabia (milk pudding) with finger limes, carrot gastrique and pistachios was first, paving the way for other canapés including: Towri Ewegurt Cracker, Kalfresh carrots and Scenic Rim Mushroom pate. I love fresh veggies so opted for the Japanese Pickled Oyster Mushrooms which had zing and sure packed a punch, Sweet Curried Pickled Moffat’s carrots and a delicious Saffron Pickled Garlic Egg.
There was a Towri Sheep Cheese Board, Tommerup Veal meatballs and some Running Creek Beef smoked sausage with a range of delicious local breads and accompaniments. Dessert, created by Alison Alexander, was a milk chocolate and whiskey tart made with Towri Sheep Cheeses Eweghurt and topped with florals. I may have washed this down with a Cauldron Distillery Gin Gimlet: a perfect balance of tangy and sweet with a hint of fresh mint and citrus.
Our MC for the day and queen of hearts, the tireless Kath Rose, introduced our hosts from Towri Sheep Cheeses, the mother and daughter team of Carolyn and Dallas Davidson, owners of the friendliest sheep around, Awassi sheep. We met Simon Furley, head chef at The Paddock Restaurant, Beechmont Estate whose cooking philosophy encompasses a ‘ nose to tail’ approach and who uses produce in season and grown in the region. We met Beaudesert local and owner of café Teaspoons and Aprons, Shinade Harper who is passionate about the use of local flavours. Lana Bassett from Flutterby Gourmet Creations explained her vision for our feast today. Finally, passionate Mayor Greg Christensen, officially opened the launch and urged us to “wear your stretchy pants!” when we visit in June.
Highlights of the Scenic Rim Eat Local Month for me include: a Friday Long Lunch at Overflow Estate on June 2, edible flower picking at Elderflower Farm on June 3, long lunch on the lawn at the Scenic Rim Farm Shop & Café on June 4, a farm tour and taste at Summerland Camels on June 9 and Saturday 10 is such a big day with the very popular Kalfresh Carrot Day, a roaming degustation at Spicers Hidden Vale and on Sunday events include a gin blending class at Cauldron Distillery, the longest lunch at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards and a time to feast at Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm. All these and more are only week one! There are still three more weeks of fun, festival and food throughout the month of June, from Saturday 27 May to July 2.
The Scenic Rim region can’t wait to greet visitors this winter and have created itineraries and a colourful guide to help you plan your trip to this tasty part of the world. So grab a few friends and have a good appetite ready for this awesome, flavoursome festival of food. You’ll need to be quick though, as events sell out fast. You can book now @eatlocalmonth.com.au to take a big bite out of all this fantastic region has to offer.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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