Highlights of the Coffs Coast Food and Wine Festival – News from the region

DELICIOUS dinner, drink and gourmet activities – that’s what the upcoming Coffs Coast Food and Wine Festival (June 4-13) is all about.

The Festival team spent countless hours in restaurants and catering establishments.

Their goal was clear: to encourage collaboration, highlight local products, and showcase the best the region has to offer.

It doesn’t stop with food, they have intertwined art, music and even immersive theater into their festival schedule, which now offers nineteen different events from Bellingen to Woolgulga.

With a focus on sustainability, the festival donates a portion of its profits to OzHarvest.

Each ticket will help pay for two meals a day for local residents in need through the food rescue organization’s Coffs Harbor branch.

Lindsey Russell, director of the Coffs Coast Food and Wine Festival, shared some highlights with News Of The Area.

The Great Gatsby Gala at Jetty Beach House with an art installation by Alykat Creative aka Alison Pearson on June 3rd is the official launch of the Coffs Coast Food and Wine Festival.

It will be a mixture of immersive theatre, a bit of mysticism and unexpected performances.

“The evening will feature various genres of 1920s-themed music, from string quartets to an eight-piece swing band and a DJ with 1920s-inspired beats, to round out the evening with a modern twist.

“Miss Tara of the Bambino Ballerinas trained a local troupe in the art of 1920s Charleston dancing, so the dance floor at Jetty Beach House will be an exemplary performance of that era.”

Alykat Creative will have a pop-up art gallery where each item will be auctioned digitally, with a portion of the proceeds going to the festival’s OzHarvest charity.

With VIP service for all, every guest will enjoy a cocktail on arrival, canapés throughout the evening, as well as Prohibition period cocktails.

The Athletic Club’s Aperitif Master Class on June 4th will introduce you to Italian aperitif culture.

Jay Lambert, Campari Brand Ambassador, will give a How-to-Make workshop.

“Hosted by one of the best cocktail bars in the region, The Athletic Club at Sawtell, this event is perfect for anyone looking to improve their mixology skills,” said Lindsey.

Visitors will be shown how to make the perfect aperitifs, including Aperol Spritz, Negroni and Americano, which pair beautifully with their respective canapés for an authentic Italian experience.

The Little Mermaid Takeover is a pizza party at The Mermaid Beach House on June 5th where Chef Rowan Tichema expands his venture with a new wood-fired pizza oven and backyard dining area at Little Mermaid.

While celebrating the new pizza oven, guests can enjoy as much as they like.

“With a DJ turning the beats in the background, this Sunday Sash, attendees will be able to hang out and chat all day.”

Pranzo at Stef Beachstone for Sunday lunch, June 5th is a true Italian experience at one of the most luxurious restaurants in Sapphire Beach.

Fresh ocean breezes, a spacious patio and an authentic “Pranzo”, which means lunch in Italian, accompanied by live music from the Italian duo Nu Folk.

With an Aperol Spritz on arrival, Chef Stefano Mazzina will host a family-style feast for friends and family.

A mosaic art lesson and an Italian lunch at the Osteria Fiume with Bellingen artist Fiona Macauley will take place on 10 June.

“Our philosophy has always been to bring people together over food, and our menu reflects this by encouraging people to share and enjoy food together,” says Fai and Megs, owners of Osteria Fiume.

“The way we design our menus is not divided into entrees or main courses.

“Instead, we encourage people to share and enjoy meals together.”

“Osteria Fiume is one of the newest restaurants in Bellingen and a truly amazing addition to the local gastronomic scene,” said Lindsay.

Weekly menu changes highlight local ingredients, and for the festival, they partner with local artist Fiona McCauley for a mosaic art class and an Italian lunch.

There are ten seats in total and each guest will create a mosaic plate to take home.

This session starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM, including a delicious two-course Italian lunch made with ingredients available this week.

See coffscoastfoodwine.com.au for the full schedule.

Andrea FERRARI