Cheers to a Decade of Delicious!

Cheers to a Decade of Delicious!

Scenic Rim Eat Local Week marks 10 years of flavour with more than 125 events at 48 locations: June 26 to July 4

Best clear the diary from June 26 through to July 4, and for the weeks leading up for that matter, because in 2021 the famous Scenic Rim Eat Local Week returns for its 10th year, featuring the biggest program in the event's history with over 125 events across 48 locations.

Quite simply, it's been an incredible decade of deliciousness and more of the region's signature unique foodie experiences are on the way, with tickets on sale now.

Featuring events from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar, Scenic Rim Eat Local Week 2021 is the ultimate backstage pass to the farms, wineries and food stories of this extraordinary region. Over the past 10 years, Eat Local Week has grown to become one of Australia's most authentic food festivals and this year will be attended by an army of eat local champions who heed the call from across the road, and across the country.

The program features festivals, farm-gate events and culinary experiences for foodies of all ages, from Jamming with the Lambs at Towri Sheep Cheeses, Breakfast with the Jersey Girls at Tommerup's Dairy Farm and Beer & Banter at the Scenic Rim Brewery, to long lunches and degustations under the stars, to the Kalbar-BQ, Kalfresh Carrot Day and the Winter Harvest Festival, to wine tastings, cocktail masterclasses and sunset experiences.

An entrée highlight to Eat Local Week is the Decade of Delicious dinner at Rosewood Estate on the stunning Lamington Plateau at Beechmont on Saturday June 19. This event stars Scenic Rim Regional Food Ambassadors in Josue Lopez, Ash Martin, Javier Codina, Kate Raymont, Glen Barratt, Cameron Mathews and Brenda Fawdon.

Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen said he was thrilled Eat Local Week was back in 2021 after being postponed last year. "Scenic Rim Eat Local Week is more than just tasting our amazing local food and wine. It's also driving to discover breathtaking landscapes, meeting the hardworking heroes who put food and drink on our tables, and watching strangers become family. It's a chance to fully immerse yourself in the richest place on Earth, our incredible region."

"Connecting our farmers and growers with chefs to create incredible dining experiences, and then witnessing the looks on people's faces as they taste the produce, see the settings or meet the locals, is truly memorable. Paddock to plate is a term used all too often in restaurants around the world, but it is practised first hand here during Eat Local Week, and indeed every week," he said. "The event also showcases the region as a leading destination, driving tourism, fostering community pride and generating ongoing economic benefits. In 2019 Eat Local Week generated nearly $2million for the regional economy and attracted nearly 40,000 people to the region, an outstanding result and we all look forward to doing this again in 2021."

Eat Local Week started in 2011 when a group of local producers, farmers and tourism operators planted the idea as a way to shine the light on the flavours and faces of the region; an event to encourage people to look to their backyard for seasonal food and pay tribute to the people that produce it.

That year 10 events were staged. This year, there will be 125.

In 2015, acclaimed chef Josue Lopez was invited be the first Regional Food Ambassador. He has since been joined by an extraordinary line-up of flavour-makers who now showcase Scenic Rim ingredients on their menus. Each year the event has grown in size and prominence. Testament to this, is the award for Most Outstanding Region in the prestigious Harvey Norman delicious. 2019 Produce Awards, selected by a voting panel featuring Maggie Beer, Matt Moran, Neil Perry and Guillaume Brahimi. Importantly, Eat Local Week has been the catalyst for growth and diversification and the inspiration for exciting collaborations between producers. Think Carrot Beer, Milk Stout featuring local sheep and cow milk, beef and vegetable sausages, beetroot and carrot bread, and Camel Milk Vodka just to name a few!

Eat Local Week is set against the natural beauty of the Scenic Rim, a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators.