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The Eumundi Food Fest Visit

August 13, 2012 by Maureen 42 Comments

I looked out the window as soon as I woke up yesterday to see if it was going to be sunny and warm or sunny and cold or rainy.  I was hoping for warm and it wasn’t but it wasn’t raining.

John and I said goodbye to Charlie our cavoodle and headed for Eumundi for the 10th Food Fest.  Eumundi is a small town in the hinterland of the Sunshine coast that’s claim to fame is the market they have on weekends and Wednesdays.  Their statement that stall holders, “make it, bake it, grow it or sew it,” is certainly true.  I love this market and it’s a huge tourist attraction.

Elisabeth Fekonia Permaculture ExpertThe Food Fest was IN the market area and we got there just in time to see Elisabeth Fekonia.  She migrated to Brisbane in 1964 from Amsterdam with her family and was a complete city girl.  When she left school she moved to the country and has learned the art of self sufficiency on her 6 hectare property.

In her demonstration today she shared with us how we can all make essential ingredients like brie, cheddar, cottage cheese, cultured butter, ghee, sour cream, yoghurt, sourdough, sauerkraut, rennet, miso and kefir — and probably much more.

sourdough bread with cultured butter and rosella jam

We had a taste of her sourdough rye with cultured butter, homemade brie and rosella jam.  My bite was delicious and the bread was light and flavourful unlike some sourdough rye.

Elisabeth Fekonia Permacultureproduce.info

Elisabeth teaches classes in all these methods as well as how important it is for us to love fermented food.  You can find her at Permaculture Produce.info.

After Elisabeth’s talk we were HUNGRY and decided it was time to try some of the tasting plates that had been talked about on the website.  Frankly, I expected to see quite a few stalls offering $6 tastings and what we found were two huge queues for the arancini balls and the Spanish tapas.  Since it was a market day, everything was open and we couldn’t tell what was Food Fest and what was general market.  It wasn’t until it we were on our way out that we noticed another row of producers hidden in what looked like a dark alley.

We decided on the tapas and these were magic on a plate.  I just loved every taste.  I got a $5 tasting plate because I was hoping for more plates and John got the $10 plate and I had as much food as he did. We both enjoyed the tapas.

Did I take a photo?  no..   I was starving.  What’s worse was I got this little wooden spoon/stick thing and I started to point to something and the spoon flipped and I got two really big mushrooms covered in sauce all over my white shirt.  Know what mushroom juice looks like on a white shirt?  I looked like a woman covered in baby poo.  My husband laughed every time he looked at me.

kitchen garden program students chopping school grown vegetables

I really wanted to see the school students from North Arm State School cooking food they’d grown in their school gardens.  I don’t know if schools around the world teach cooking and gardening to elementary students but the idea has taken off like a rocket in Australia.  In 2001, renowned cook and food writer, Stephanie Alexander joined forces with an inner-Melbourne school to establish the first Kitchen Garden Program.

Stir-fry vegetables from the kitchen garden program

The kids learn how to prepare and care for the soil, how to plant and care for the growing food, how to harvest, how to compost, and most importantly for me, they learn how to cook and eat the food they grown.  There are currently 267 schools in the program and because of the benefits the schools are seeing, the government has allocated funds for another 190 schools to join the Kitchen Garden Program.

Max Porter, The Prince of DucknessBecause I didn’t want to miss the kids, I did miss out on Max Porter’s “The Duckman Cometh – Waddle We Eat”?  Max was in in charge of all of the Farm-Acy presentations in the CWA Hall.  When we got to the market I asked a lovely volunteer where the CWA Hall was and she smiled broadly and said, “Just around the corner in the pink building.”  How could we miss it?  The CWA Hall was there all right but it couldn’t have been more blue.  John said it was that “other” pink.

I wanted to see what Max had to say about ducks but I couldn’t be in two places at once.  He’s a chef who’s worked in Michelin starred restaurants, had his own very popular restaurant in Noosa, the kind of place you tell your friends about.  I did see him speak several times during the day and he’s completely charming.

Max is also known as the Prince of Duckness and Friar Duck.  He’s a great cook but has a greater sense of humour.  Next time, Max!

On my to-see list was Jamie Milverton and his Kitchen Bootcamp presentation but Jamie had the flu and couldn’t be there.

Cath Manual, Edison and Archie from Soiltosupper.com and Max Porter from nativesunfood.com

Our final presentation was by my new friend Cath Manual and her two boys, Edison and Archie.  Cath has a business that teaches people how to grow their own food, harvest and cook it.  It’s like a Kitchen Garden Program for adults and it’s very popular.  The classes are reasonably priced and most of them are sold out before they start so book early.  Her business and website are called Soil to Supper and Cath thinks everyone can find something they can grow and eat at home.

Cath Manuel from Soiltosupper.com.au

The boys, with a little assistance from Mum, chopped vegetables and then made some delicious tacos served on lettuce leaves.  Almost everything but the meat came from Cath’s garden.  If I had more than a 4 x 8 plot of grass at my house, I’d join all her classes.  She’s really lovely and knows so much about growing food.

There was a small petting zoo for kids and a snake presentation along with several musicians on the main stage but we didn’t get to see those.  The queue for the arancini and tapas stalls meant nobody could see the stage area so we moved on.  I apologise for the crappy photos.  I brought the little camera and I didn’t realise until I got home that someone had mucked up the settings. I loaned it to a friend last week and didn’t bother to check.  I arghed.

What we did see at Food Fest was really informative.  I see Cath socially, but I’d never see someone like Elisabeth Fekonia or Max Porter or the kitchen garden kids without an event like this. Both of us were a bit disappointed that everything seemed like such a hodgepodge with no direction as to what was market and what was food fest.  We went to see to see food producers at Food Fest and I didn’t want to miss anyone.  Sadly, I couldn’t tell who was Food Fest once I passed the tucker tent.

Did you go to Food Fest?

 

 

Filed Under: Food Events Tagged With: Food Festivals

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Comments

  1. Jen L @ Tartine & Apron Strings says

    August 13, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    Are you sure you are in the midst of winter there? You winter looks like a nice Fall day over here in Canada!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 13, 2012 at 4:01 pm

      Well, modestly speaking, our climate is about central Florida so I can’t really complain, can I ? I AM wearing shorts today.

      Reply
  2. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    August 13, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    What a fun experience! The sourdough rye with brie looks fantastic!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 13, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      It was.. my sourdough has never been that light 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jackie @Syrup and Biscuits says

    August 13, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    I’m envious of your remarkable experience!

    Reply
  4. lizzie - strayed from the table says

    August 13, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Such a shame I missed out. Though we started our own veggie patch instead. Will definitely make it next year.

    Reply
  5. the wicked noodle says

    August 13, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    This looks like so much fun! That homemade brie has me drooling!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 8:40 am

      The brie was divine. I love the permaculture idea but getting up and milking a cow and then a few goats is really more than I’m willing to do because that’s just the beginning. There’s feeding and watering and having to be there every single day. It’s wonderful in theory and I’m very glad some people can do that. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Baker Street says

    August 13, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    What a great experience! I would love to go for the food fest!! Your pictures are great, Maureen!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 8:35 am

      You are too kind. I was too interested in what was going on 🙂

      Reply
  7. Cheryl Barker says

    August 14, 2012 at 12:38 am

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog, Maureen. So much fun to meet other bloggers. Especially fun to meet someone who lives so far away from me! I wish our area had something amazing like Food Fest taking place regularly but no such luck. Wishing you sunshine today! 🙂

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 8:35 am

      Thanks, Cheryl, we have sunshine on the Sunshine Coast today! Actually it’s been sunny for too many days and I had to top up the water in the pool. Feast or famine around here!

      Reply
  8. Anne@FromMySweetHeart says

    August 14, 2012 at 1:30 am

    Maureen…what a fabulous food festival! Sounds like you tasted some amazing stuff! Sorry, but I had to laugh a bit about the ‘baby poo’ on your white shirt ( hope that came out!). We have some food festivals here around the D.C. area. But more like restaurants just serving their food along the streets. Nice that you had so many people giving talks and demos! What fun! : )

    Reply
  9. Ilan (IronWhisk Blog) says

    August 14, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Nope. Didn’t go to Food Fest.. would’ve been a really long plane ride.
    Nevertheless it looks like it was a lot of fun! I’m glad you enjoyed the tapas.. even if you didn’t enjoy the mushroom stains as much. Hehe. When I was in Spain the tapas there were also delicious! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Marta @ What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today? says

    August 14, 2012 at 6:19 am

    What an experience 🙂 I’d love to grown my own garden. And the food fest looks great on your pictures.

    Reply
  11. Judy@Savoring Today says

    August 14, 2012 at 9:05 am

    You had me at “sourdough rye with cultured butter, homemade brie and rosella jam” — YUM! Anything after that would be a bonus. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Bestfoodies says

    August 14, 2012 at 9:37 am

    What a wonderful event to get to enjoy! I would so be the one to get mushroom all over me too…but it wouldn’t stop me from eating it….mushrooms are my favorite! The Garden program is such a good idea. I don’t think I have heard of any programs like that in our area but it would be so good for the kids! Have missed visiting your site and will be catching up!

    Reply
  13. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    August 14, 2012 at 10:02 am

    It’s times like these when I wish we could transport ourselves as easily in real life to other worlds as we can get to know each other on Twitter…this sounds like great fun and that bread, butter and brie? Oh my.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 12:35 pm

      I know.. I think life should also be like the DVR.. “Wait, I didn’t hear that, rewind!”

      Reply
  14. Eat, drink and be Kerry says

    August 14, 2012 at 10:42 am

    What a great day. Shame you missed Max Porter’s session but we all miss his duck restaurant. The Sunshine Coast food scene is so dynamic I’m itching to get up and sample the goods. Soon!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 12:35 pm

      I know. I wrote to Max and asked to be put on his list for upcoming duck classes. I was very stressed that I couldn’t see both.

      Reply
  15. Jen @ Savory Simple says

    August 14, 2012 at 11:44 am

    This looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  16. Diane says

    August 14, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Ah ha tracked down your proper site now. I still loved the toast breakfast though 🙂 Interesting post, be back soon. Diane

    Reply
  17. Claire @ Claire K Creations says

    August 14, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Wow I want to learn to make my own brie!

    I love the school kitchen garden program. It’s such a valuable lesson for kids to learn and I extra love the idea of an adult version!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      I have no place for a garden but I would love to spend some time at Cath’s place 🙂

      Reply
  18. Rhonda says

    August 14, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    The kitchen garden program sounds so wonderful, I wish there was something like that available here! Looks like you had a wonderful time, have a great week.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      It was started by one very good cook and friends at one school. Good ideas catch on. Vandalism is down, attendance is up on garden day and the kids I talked with just love it.

      Reply
  19. Choc Chip Uru says

    August 14, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    I’m loving your day my friend, so many fun activities 😀
    Thanks for sharing!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks Uru, you happy birthday girl you!

      Reply
  20. Jennifer @ Delicieux says

    August 14, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    Where have I been because I’ve never heard of the Eumundi food fest. I’ll have to keep it in mind next year because it looks like a great day! I’d definitely like to learn how to make homemade brie.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 14, 2012 at 7:44 pm

      I think the food show coming up in Maleny is going to better. I would love to take Elisabeth’s cheese or fermenting class or maybe her sourdough class. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    August 14, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    Everything looks sunny there! Which is fitting given where you live! I have some jars of Jamie’s preserves, they’re delicious! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Hotly Spiced says

    August 14, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    This sounds so much like the weekend we had except you didn’t walk around drunk and the weather was much better. Love the sound of that Rosella jam – haven’t had that for years. And I need to be more self-sufficient and less wasteful like Archie’s family xx

    Reply
  23. Roberta says

    August 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    Based on your first picture, Eumundi is a warm and charming community. The food looks great and the peope super friendly. You are lucky to live in an area with such great food fairs/fests. Bon appétit! Wish I was there. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Amanda says

    August 14, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    Oh, I’m feeling ugly twinges of jealousy – your winter is looking pretty good from down here in the bottom bit of the country!
    Love the look of the sourdough, too – I really, really must get more into fermented foods – there’s so much to learn about them.

    Reply
  25. eileen says

    August 14, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    Food fests are always so much fun. And it looks like you had a great time. I need to make sourdough bread one of these days. It’s on my to do list.

    Reply
  26. kitchenriffs says

    August 15, 2012 at 1:40 am

    Sounds like a fun day! Your winters are quite nice, I think. How hot are your summers? Too bad about your shirt, though!

    Reply
  27. mjskit says

    August 15, 2012 at 3:16 am

    No I didn’t go to Food Fest but I wish I could! Looks like you had fun and the cooking classes were worth the trip! Your white shirt story is exactly why I NEVER wear white! 🙂 Another fun day!

    Reply
  28. All That I'm Eating says

    August 15, 2012 at 6:03 am

    Sounds like you had a great time! Looks like a lot of fun.

    Reply
  29. ChopinandMysaucepan says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Dear Maureen,

    I think the Kitchen Garden program is such an awesome initiative to allow school children to learn about food production, cooking and how to minimize food wastage.

    Reply
  30. yummychunklet says

    August 16, 2012 at 11:10 am

    What a fun fest!

    Reply
  31. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    August 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    Sounds like you had an awesome time at the food fest! The sourdough rye has very interesting combination. I have never attended this kind of food event. I’d probably enjoy eating good food all day. 🙂

    Reply

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