Chefs finalise feast for 150

Chefs are busy finalising a menu for 150 guests at Horsham Agricultural Society’s second 150-kilometre Feast at Maydale Reserve.

Feast director Andrea Cross said a new location in the reserve would bring a different vibe to the event on Saturday night.

“While the outdoor dining room won’t be built from bales of straw, it will still be under the stars, but with lawn underfoot and chandeliers hanging from the sky,” she said.

The feast concept is based on sourcing the majority of wine and produce from growers within a 150-kilometre radius of Horsham.

Mrs Cross said organisers had put in ‘all the hard yards’ to make an inaugural event happen last year and it is now up to the chefs to come up with a menu.

She said Horsham chef Stewart Neighbour from Stewarts Catering and Consulting was leading the culinary team, which included Georgia Stone and Shannon Couch from The Capital restaurant in Horsham.

Mrs Cross said Sharnee Lockhart from Gourmet Food and Flowers, who prepared the first course for last year’s dinner, was returning and newcomer, Vanessa Craig-marsden was bringing expertise from California for entree.

Mrs Craig-marsden, American television All-star Academy’s 2015 first runner-up, said she was excited to be part of the community event.

“As a new person to the region, it’s a fabulous way to become involved in my new community after reaching out to Andrea and offering my skills,” she said.

Mrs Cross added, “Volunteers are valuable contributors to this event and this year we have some eager students from Holy Trinity Lutheran College jumping on board to help.”

Regional food producers have responded to invitations to supply products with Dimboola Olive Estate among new suppliers.

“With all the wine and boutique beer sourced locally, we are excited to have Casterton Distilling Co new to the feast and will be serving gin cocktails as an extra for guests,” Mrs Cross said.

Desert

Rupanyup Living Brownies creator and food producer Claire Morgan said she was delighted to be asked again to provide her chickpea flour-based product to create a new dessert this year.

“Being involved in a local food event gives me another opportunity to showcase our product and also work alongside local chefs and the 150km Feast team, to support their vision,” she said.

Mrs Cross said there would also be an opportunity for guests to get to know the owners of Mount Stapylton Wines firsthand with Mary and Gary Staehr volunteering to serve their rosé.

The 150km Feast is bringing together almost 50 businesses to provide services and produce.

Mrs Cross said limited tickets were still available and people could get information online at trybooking.com.au/bpjin.