What’s On? Byron Fine Food & Beverage Festival – 3 June

Foodies already list Bryon Bay as a spot to try out some excellent eateries from established places like The Byron at The Byron and Beach Byron Bay as well as newer spots such as 100 Mile Table and Three Blue Ducks on The Farm. But say you’re a foodie who hasn’t quite hit up all the spots yet or (gasp!) has never made it to Byron Bay, then you need to make plans to attend the Byron Bay Fine Food & Beverage Festival coming up on 3 June.

The Byron Bay Fine Food & Beverage Festival will take place on the grounds of the resort Elements of Byron from 11am to 7 pm on 3 June. Tickets are $22, which includes access to all of the following:

• Masterclasses that focus on both food and beverages
• 12 Byron Bay area chefs serving up signature plates
• Artisan producers (exhibitors include Australian boutique wineries, unique craft beer, cider and distillers)
• Live music and entertainment

Olsson’s salt masterclass is one of seven food masterclasses available at the festival.

There is a list of great classes available for registration on the day of the event, for which each one maxes at 50 people. The festival will feature two Masterclass tracks. The Plumm Beverage Masterclasses will be hosted by wine expert Jane Thomson, and the artisan producers Masterclasses will be hosted by Kate Walsh. Check out the various classes available within these tracks, such as “The Most Ancient of Products – Vinegar” or  “The Great South Australian Taste Off: Barossa vs Coonawarra.”

Attendees will enjoy the fact that the tickets give them a chance to try signature tasting plates from 12 chefs from around the Byron Bay area. If there is a dish or two that appeals to you for more than a taste, you will have the chance to buy the dish and have more of it.

The vendor list of stalls for the festival include both artisan and beverage producers.

Artisan Producers:

• Byron Bay Jerky
• Salumi
• Brookfarm
• Zest
• Ilias The Greek
• Playing With Fire
• Church Farm General Store
• Byron Bay Tea Company
• Bunny Chow Down
• Shuck Oysters
• Nimbin Valley Diary
• Blue Bay Gourmet
• Bun Coffee
• Eco Boards
• The Kitchen Self
• Byron Bay Mozzarella
• Blushing Blueberries
• Tridosa
• Puremelt Chocolate
• First Food Co
• Byron Bay Cook Book
• Byron Bay Olives Company

Husk Distillers is one of the festival sponsors.

Beverage:

AUSTRALIAN WINERIES

• Paracombe Wines
• Artwine
• Voyager Estate
• Raidis Estate
• Mistletoe Winery
• Pizzini Wines
• Lost Buoy Wines
• Penny’s Hill
• Schild Estate
• Rowlee Wines
• Saddlers Creek
• Jack Rabbit Winery

DISTILLERIES

• Brookies Gin
• Husk/ Ink Gin

BEER

• Stone & Wood Craft Beers

CIDER

• Byron Bay Wild Cider

Unfortunately, tickets are sold out for the Mixed Dozen Gala Dinner, held the night before (2 June) the Byron Bay Fine Food & Beverage Festival. Guest chef Neil Perry AM will work with 12 chefs and 12 wineries to whip up amazing dishes. The evening starts with canapes and a gin cocktail, followed by six courses paired with Australian wines. You could cross your fingers if you’d really like to go and put your name on the wait list (click on the tickets button and you can add yourself to the wait list).

If you really wanted to punch up your weekend, you could purchase the VIP Foodies Weekend in Byron Bay Package. You need to check in with info@samplensw.com to find out if this package is still available, especially since it is supposed include tickets to the Gala Dinner. The package includes 2 nights accommodation at Elements of Byron, one ticket to the gala dinner, guided tour at Bangalow Farmers Market – transfers included to and from the market, festival entry and tons of extras at the festival. Keep in mind, this runs $950 per person or $1,250 per couple.

Stay at Broken Head Holiday Park for your Foodie Weekend

If your foodie weekend budget extends to a stay in Byron Bay, consider booking a beach cabin or beach shack at Broken Head Holiday Park where your accommodation budget will go far. You won’t regret staying in a place where you can relax in the peace and quiet, especially if you need a nice, long sleep after all that food!