FROM rediscovering natural foods, to foraging in the forest and tasting bush-tucker, Central NSW has something on the menu for foodies of all tastes this year.
The region is offering a range of culinary activities, including new food trails, farm tours and a range of other events.
Orange has launched Country Food Trails and The Orange Wild Weekend, Parkes' Outback Lamb is offering Farm Tours, and Oberon's Field to Forest Festival is a must for mushroom forager's.
Located just two-hours' drive from Sydney, Central NSW towns and cities such as Oberon, Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Lachlan, Cowra, Canowindra, Grenfell, Parkes and Forbes are the perfect destinations for a foodie road-trip.
Orange Country Food Trails
New food trails in Orange offer small private tours to farms, breweries, and wineries with a focus on Indigenous bush-tucker and history. Both private driving and walking tours are available, including the three-hour Tasting Trail, the Ale Trail or the Farm Trail.
The Orange Wild Weekend
This autumn event will take place over three day periods, from March 19-21 and April 16-18 and features bush-walks and the chance to mingle with producers, foragers, conservationists and chefs inspired by local Mount Canobolas' natural food and animals. Visitors can dine at Millthorpe's Tonic and Sisters' Rock Restaurant, wine-taste at the Strawhouse and learn to make a tablescape.
Orange Food Week
Held from April 9-18 Orange's Food Week is celebrating its 30th year six signature events and over 90 satellite events hosted at local restaurants and cellar doors. Highlights include the Sampson Street Lunch, which features some of Orange's biggest gastronomic names, meet the producer workshops and a producer market and brunch.
Table for 10 with Ruben Lopez
Orange based Spanish chef Ruben Lopez is offering dining or cooking class experiences which celebrate his heritage through Australian food. Designed for 10 people, the mobile catering business will bring the smells, tastes and flavours of Spain to local venues or accommodation with tapas, paella, dessert and more.
The Bush Goddess Platter
In Canowindra, ethical bush foodie Pennie Scott from The Cook and the Wino is offering a grazing plate at the Rosnay Organic Cellar Door with Rosnay olives, figs, stone fruit, edible flowers and local seasonal goodies matched with local wines.
Parkes Farm Tours
Outback Lamb will serve a slice of Australiana through its new Farm Tours, which will offer an educational three-hour tour of 5000-hectare family-run farm Westpoint, The event will provide an opportunity to learn about hosts Fiona and Bill's sustainable farming philosophy, see seasonal activities in action and enjoy a homegrown Outback Lamb for lunch.
Field to Forest Festival
Pack an empty basket and head to Oberon's Field to Forest Festival in April for a month of foodie events including wild mushroom foraging tours with Detour Adventures, forage training workshops and edible adventures with Diego Bonetto, and Wine Beer and Gin Open Trails through the countryside. The event will also offer 4WD Fish and Forage tours, shopping at the Oberon and Tarana Markets and enjoy open days at Mayfield Garden and Gairloch Garden.
Bathurst Wineries
Visit Bathurst wineries such as the newly opened Rock Forest Vineyard, which has a deep Indigenous connection, Renzaglia Wines, Vale Creek, Bellbrook Friends Wines and Winburndale Wines.
Antica Australis
This new Italian restaurant, was just awarded a Chef's Hat in the 2021 Good Food Guide Awards and prides itself on "Bringing a little of the soul of rural Italy to the heart of regional Australia".
For more information about foodie experiences in Central NSW, click here.
