Orange F.O.O.D Week is back in 2023 and everyone is invited to the feast of flavours from 24 March to 2 April!
F.O.O.D Week is a celebration of our region’s best and an opportunity for festival goers to feast with friends over plentiful plates of the Central West’s finest produce, expertly paired with outstanding, cool-climate wines – local, of course! The ten-day festival includes the program of signature events as well as a variety of events throughout the week at local bars, cafes, cellar doors and restaurants.
In 2023, F.O.O.D Week is focussed on celebrating the collaboration between our local, chefs and producers to highlight the unique positioning of the region as both a dining destination and an agricultural food basket with more chefs involved than ever before.
Tickets will go on sale exclusively to our Friends of F.O.O.D on December 19th with remaining tickets to be made available to the General Public in January. Friends of F.O.O.D Membership closes this year on the 12th December so there is still some time remaining to secure access to pre-sale tickets!
Local chef and F.O.O.D Week committee member Richard Learmonth said; “I’m so excited about F.O.O.D Week 2023 as the program is jam packed with a diverse range of terrific events that reflect the variety of great food adventures to be had in Orange.”
“Orange has long been known for its amazing produce, but we also have an emerging generation of culinary talent that are taking our dining scene to a whole new level. Across the spectrum of fine dining to casual eateries, in pubs and cafes, we have a number of young chefs bringing a fresh and dynamic approach to country cooking.”
F.O.O.D Week 2023 Signature Events:
- F.O.O.D Week Night Market (Friday 24th March)
Held on the first Friday of every festival in the heart of the Orange CBD, the F.O.O.D Week Night Market is a friends and family favourite with stalls representing the Orange region’s chefs, cooks, caterers, providores, wine, cider and beer makers, with a focus on the provenance of the local produce. Join them in the park for a beautiful evening of great local food, wine, cider or beer, foot-tapping music and communal dining under the stars. - Shining The Light on Local Producers Workshops (Friday 24th March – Sunday 2nd April)
Let us shine the light on our regional producers at this series of show, tell and taste workshops that highlight the iconic flavour profiles of the Orange region! Producers will work in tandem with local chefs and cooks to create tempting food conversations. Hear their stories, learn secret recipe tricks and tips, and enjoy tastings from the producers themselves.
- The Sampson Street Lunch (Saturday 25th March)
Enjoy a long table lunch under the canopy of Plane trees in all their autumnal glory. The Sampson Street Lunch is a unique celebration bringing together some of Orange’s well known and emerging young chefs. FOOD Week Committee will set the table, our regions chefs will be in the kitchen, local produce on a plate and our region vineyards in a glass.
- F.O.O.D Train (Friday 31st March – Sunday 2nd April)
Join us for a weekend sampling Orange local food and wine, meeting our chefs and producers. Departing Sydney’s Central Station, the F.O.O.D Train package includes tickets to Forage, tours and transfers, and meals at some of our favourite local restaurants. We’ll do all the planning for you, F.O.O.D train tickets include 2 nights’ accommodation.
- Forage (Saturday 1st April)
Take a magnificent 4.1km stroll through some of Orange’s most picturesque vineyards and soak up the breathtaking vistas through to Mount Canobolas. On your journey, enjoy a curated degustation menu of local wine and tasting plates with live music along the way. Meet chefs and winemakers and knowledgeable locals who can answer questions about our premium produce and our cool climate growing region.
- Sunday Producers Market & Brunch (Sunday 2nd April)
Farewell the festival in style as your stroll the producer’s markets in the shade of spectacular heritage of Cook Park. Enjoy brunch prepared by the region’s chefs and meet and greet the producers as you taste and purchase their locally grown produce to take home with you.
