Excited guests recently gathered at Tommerup’s Dairy Farm just outside of Beaudesert to launch the 10th anniversary of the Scenic Rim Eat Local Week. Super chef Richard Ousby served a menu based on the beautiful local produce to be found in the area. This year Eat Local Week will run their biggest program ever from June 26 to July 4. The program features festivals, farm gate events and culinary experiences for foodies of all ages. Ambassadors Josue Lopez, Ash Martin, Javier Codina, Kate Raymont, Glen Barratt, Cameron Mathews and Brenda Fawdon will star and ensure all guests have a fabulous time filled with regional food and wine experiences.
Eat Local Week is set against the natural beauty of the Scenic Rim, a region of more than 4200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators. You can come for a day or decide to stay and attend a few of the unique events. I’ve visited Summerland Camels and Kalfresh Carrots in Kalbar and can attest to the friendliness and hospitality of the hosts who ensure you also sample and learn more about their top notch produce.
You can visit the farm gates at Tommerup’s Dairy Farm and Running Creek Beef or take a farm gate tour with Local Taste Discoveries. At the famous Carrot Day you can try carrot flavoured beer, ice cream and my favourite, carrot cake whilst taking a carrot selfie in the fields. Sip on local tipples from Witches Falls Winery, Sarabah Estate, The Overflow Estate 1895 or Scenic Rim Brewery. Go nutty at Greenlee Farm and see what goes into producing Australia’s tastiest macadamias.
Foodies looking to dine are spoilt for choice with Josue Lopez’s Decade of Delicious – 10th Anniversary Dinner, to the Roaming Degustation at Homage, The Long Lunch at Kooroomba Lavender Farm and Winery or the Country Heart and Soul Dinner at Running Creek Beef. Closer to Brisbane, Glen Barratt will host a Producer’s Dinner at Wild Canary in Brookfield or try the Tapas Lunch Banquet by Moda Tapas Brasa Bar at Palace Barracks.
Kids will love meeting the alpacas at Pretty Produce or greet the day with Little Farmer Humpty Day at Summerland Camels. They can enjoy breakfast with the Jersey Girls at Tommerup’s Dairy Farm or adventure with the Kids Bush Tucker Tracker at Mount Barney Lodge. There are so many tech free school holiday activities to do.
These are just a few of the great events and activities on offer at this year’s Eat Local Week. So savour some Scenic Rim flavour, head out into the country and enjoy selfies, sunsets, paddocks and plateaus, carrot patches and pumpkin smashing while enjoying the legendary country hospitality and beautiful bounty of this region. Be quick as tickets are selling out fast. To find out more visit eatlocalweek.com.au
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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