Look, we’re going to wax lyrical about all of the gems on the cards for this year’s Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, but it’s best to start with some raw numbers. The program for this year’s Scenic Rim Eat Local Month (the 13th) features 120 food events spread over four weeks and five weekends, which breaks down to 40 dining experiences (lunches, dinners and degos), 37 guided tours and experiences, 53 chances to meet the region’s top producers and more than 50 family-friendly events.
Once the month-long celebration starts, dining enthusiasts will be treated to a non-stop procession of incredible events. Highlights include a delicious long-table lunch at Frost Farm with Julie Frost herself, high tea in the rolling hills of Beechmont Estate, the ever-popular fire and smoke showcase Kalbar-BQ, a sumptuous five-course feast at The Overflow Estate 1895 prepared by Olivier Boudon, fermented food festivals, a shindig at Olive View Estate featuring the clydesdales, bush dancing and wintery fare, roaming degustations at Homage Restaurant, a beef and bonfire bash at The Chalet Bistro, and the Eat Local Long Lunch at Spicers Peak Lodge. Blume will be hosting a series of guest chef lunches throughout the month, featuring appearances by Jimmy Richardson (Gerard’s Bistro) Richard Ousby (TAMA) and Javier Codina (Moda Tapas Brasa Bar).
When it comes to workshops and classes, Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is similarly stacked with informative events. The booze curious can sign up for cocktail masterclasses and sprit-blending classes at Tamborine Mountain Distillery, foodies can forage for bush tucker, learn the fundamentals of growing root crops or learn how to cook over fire, and families can indulge in a bit of wholesome edible flower picking and cupcake decorating.
On the tours and experiences front, a number of the Scenic Rim’s best producers and farms are throwing open their doors to the public. If there’s one event you must attend, it’s the Towri Growers Market, which brings together a collective of local Scenic Rim farmers for a day of local produce, tastings, demonstrations, live music and family fun. Folks can embark on a tour of Australia’s largest camel farm Summer Land Camels, sample a range of modern amaros at The Loborn Tasting Bar, go behind the barrels at Witches Falls Winery, experience a genuine paddock-to-plate adventure at Heritage Poultry Farm and embark on a gourmet campfire cooking adventure in the mountains.
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month’s grand-finale – the Winter Harvest Festival – will now be held over a full weekend, with Kalbar coming to life from June 28–30 with events like the old-fashioned country style Harvest Hoedown, farm foraging experiences with Scenic Rim food ambassador Ash Martin of Eden Health Retreat and the must-attend Winter Harvest Dinner at The Roadvale Hotel, prepared by head chef Daniel Groneberg.
We’ve only scratched the surface of the Scenic Rim Eat Local Month program – head to the festival’s website to browse the full 2024 itinerary.
