MOUNT Gambier’s Food and Wine Festival – Fork and Cork – will dish up the flavours of the Limestone Coast on a plate and in a glass.
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On Saturday, February 27, the Cave Gardens will come alive from 11am to 7pm, with festival goers able to feast on a diverse range of gourmet dishes, sip on great wine and enjoy live music.
In a real coup, the program will include celebrated wine critic Nick Ryan and celebrity chef Miguel Maestre, who will give two cooking demonstrations and be part of the celebratory lunch on Sunday, February 28.
Mr Maestre is from the award-winning Channel 10 program The Living Room and will be cooking up a storm and demonstrating his unique skills.
He has developed a talent for incorporating Spanish-inspired ingredients and cooking styles into his Australian menus.
The first Fork and Cork festival held in 2014 was a success but a lack of sponsors and food vendors forced the cancellation in 2015.
Committee chairperson Barbara Lightburn hopes this year will cement it as a “must-attend” annual event. They hope more than 2000 people attend.
“It is an opportunity for both locals and visitors to appreciate what the South East has to offer,” she said.
“With our cool climate and good soils we have some exceptional produce.
“Mount Gambier people need things to do and with the city being the coolest climate city in SA it is a great place for people to come for a February holiday, but they want events to come to.”
A range of masterclasses – craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails – are filling quickly.
“It is not only an event it is an experience where people can come and interact with chefs and producers and ask questions,” Ms Lightburn said.
Fourteen food stalls and 18 wine and beverage stalls from across the Limestone Coast will be participating including many wineries from Mount Gambier – SA’s newest wine region.
The area, proclaimed in 2010, has received many rave reviews for its wines including gold medals at wine shows in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Festival entry is $25 with those under 18 years free.
The optional workshops cost $25 each, while the celebratory lunch is $130.
Tickets are available from Chapmans Newsagency, 11 Commercial St West, Mount Gambier, or 08 8725 3300.
- Details: forkandcork.org.au
