Get ready for five flavour-filled days at Australia’s newest food and drink event, Savour The Tweed, a celebration of culinary excellence where fresh-grown goodness is on the menu and delicious times are guaranteed.
Savour The Tweed, on from 30 October to 3 November, features a stunning program of over 20 distinctive events, showcasing The Tweed’s gourmet offerings and those who bring them to life, from First Nations storytellers and passionate chefs to talented distillers, brewers and baristas, cheesemakers, farmers and an endless list of artisan producers.
Co-curated by Tweed-based chef and author, Christine Manfield and local food advocate Amy Colli of Straight To The Source, the inaugural event will spotlight local and visiting chefs, serving up menus inspired by locally grown and made foods, as well as the growing list of Tweed-made drinks.
Discover some Savour The Tweed highlights not to miss – tickets on sale now at savourthetweed.com.au.
Connecting with Culture through food
Explore a deeper connection to Country with proud Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods, and acclaimed chef and First Nations ally Christine Manfield, for Yarung Guung Nuninj – a Welcome to Country Dinner celebrating ancient foods and traditions in a modern setting. Song, dance and narrative set the scene for this deep dive into cultural and culinary customs showcasing native ingredients foraged and sourced in The Tweed region. The event also features bunya nut rum cocktails from Tweed distillers Birds of Isle along with small batch wines from Freeman Vineyards in the NSW Hilltops region.
Settle into a yarning circle with Bundjalung elder and custodian of food culture, Uncle Franc, for the Jubei Chilli Crab Fest event at Apex Dining, featuring insightful storytelling paired with a chilli crab feast prepared by Stanley Chinese Restaurant’s Louis Tikaram and Apex Dining’s Andelson Del Vaga, accompanied by a native rosella vodka spritz by local distiller Taha.
Food for thought – Classes and conversations
At Women Leading: Author Book Chat hear fascinating conversations on writing about food with culinary authors Mindy Woods, newly published with her book, Karkalla at Home, Christine Manfield who shares stories of her 30 year publishing journey and Magdalena Roze, journalist, reporter and creator of captivating food podcasts and her latest offering SEASON. This event includes canapes and drinks by Pipit and the chance to purchase books from the authors.
If you’ve ever felt a bit scared or lost when it comes to cooking seafood, this cooking demo is for you – Demystifying Seafood with Steven (Snowy) Snow of multi-award winning restaurant Fins. Learn Snowy’s top cooking tips, honed after a lifetime of experience, and enjoy tasting his expert dishes along the way.
For little chefs in the making, join chef Samantha Gowing, a Le Cordon Bleu Master who’s been teaching healthy cooking for over 25 years, at a fun cooking class called Eat the Rainbow. Kids will dive into a colourful culinary adventure, creating healthy, delicious dishes with fresh Tweed regional produce and a modern Japanese twist, tasting the dishes they prepare.
At the Cheese & Saison Brew Masterclass two of the finest ferments pair together and magic happens. Join seasoned cheesemonger and cheesemaker Kat Harvey and Nick Loeve from Caldera Brewing & Blending Co as they talk and taste you through small batch, barrel aged, mixed culture saisons, crafted in the Tweed Caldera and matched with Kat’s cheese selection.
For all ages, the Tweed Regional Museum presents Sips, Snacks & Stories – a late afternoon soiree where history, flavour and fun collide. Step into the captivating world of Omnia: all and everything on a curator guided journey through The Tweed’s vibrant history, dynamic present and promising future, while savouring local sips and snacks, including Husk Distillers Ink Gin.
Dinner events and degustations
Book ahead for The Producers Dinner at Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah, awarded best regional restaurant in New South Wales and a champion of sourcing and supporting locally farmed produce. For this event, Tweed produce will be on show across a considered set menu of 6 tastes in Livi’s signature style of refined elegance.
An unforgettable Fire to Fork Feast awaits at celebrated Potager in Carool with bites that are flame-grilled, smoked and charred to perfection, creating a symphony of flavours. Co-hosted with Northern Rivers chef and fire whisperer, Wal Foster and set against the lush backdrop of Potager’s kitchen garden, don’t miss this feast for the senses.
Up at Fins at Plantation House in Duranbah enjoy a Wood Fired Dinner Under the Stars, with views out to Wollumbin, enjoy the celebratory feel of a communal table on the lawn for dinner under the stars. Relish a feasting menu of wild caught seafood partnered with organic Tweed produce, cooked before your eyes on a wood grill.
If Argentinean cuisine tickles your taste buds take a seat at Francisco’s Long Table Dinner showcasing local market produce in classic bites such as empanadas, ceviche and asado including a glass of wine from Jilly Wine Co. Roaming restaurant chef Francisco Smoje invites you to share in his Argentinian heritage for this one-of-a-kind experience.
Farm to fork – tasting The Tweed’s terroir
At Tweed River House, Hinterland on a Plate serves up very best of the Tweed Valley’s spring’s produce, from the paddock and from the earth with a carefully crafted five course tasting lunch menu, including a glass of champagne on arrival and a side of stunning views out to the majestic Wollumbin.
Settle in for an exquisite plant-based lunch at The Farm Kitchen, a collaboration between Farm & Co Restaurant and renowned cookbook writer and TV presenter Belinda Jeffery. Highlighting organic produce from Farm & Co, as well as from nearby producers, this shared dining experience promises to be a culinary journey to relax, connect with nature and indulge in fresh flavours. The lunch also includes a farm tour with passionate Farm & Co owner Michele Stephens.
At the Murwillumbah Farmers Market, look out for acclaimed chef Jason Saxby (of Raes at Wategos), a Tweed resident and market regular. For Taste the Market – Just Ask Jason, he’ll be on hand offering one-off tastings of market foods and offering expert advice on how to use these local food products. Northern Rivers Food will also be there with tips, hints and seedlings for the edible home garden.
Relax and indulge at a Seasonal al fresco Brunch at Teakwood Cafe in beautiful Burringbar, with enticing dishes that showcase local produce sourced from just nearby, served with organic natural wines from Burringbar’s Natural Wine Shop, with live jazz to set the mood.
Drink it all in
Take a Bay Street Pilgrimage to discover the region’s emerging food and drink scene in the heart of Tweed Heads. Sip Local Bunya Nut Rum by Birds of Isle while savouring charcuterie products by Salumi Australia and fresh sourdough by Bread Social, plus enjoy selected wine pairings by Rob Roy Deli & Drinks, including a dessert and dessert wine to wrap up the pilgrimage.
Join a Kombucha Brewery Tour and Tasting at newly opened Ventura Brewing in Murwillumbah to discover the artistry and craftsmanship behind the team’s award-winning alcoholic kombucha range. Learn from Ventura’s brewer about the process from grain to glass and savour a curated tasting of their finest brews, paired with stunning Wollumbin sunset views.
Calling all coffee lovers! Immerse yourself in the world of specialty coffee at For the Love of Coffee, a hands-on session with Old Quarter Coffee Merchants. Led by a passionate coffee educator, you’ll learn about the international standard for coffee tasting, sample coffee varieties from different origins and understand the factors that affect coffee flavour profiles, from farm to cup. The session includes a sweet treat from gluten free bakery Breadicine and a delicious pain au chocolat by Ben’s Patiserrie.
The future of sustainable and regenerative food
Renowned for his sustainable approach to the dining experience, Pipit’s Chef Ben Devlin collaborates with Algamarine for a special lunch event – Ocean to Plate Dining. Showcasing creative uses of edible seaweeds in a four course set menu with cocktails, science talks and seaweed products, learn more about Australia’s kelp forests and their role in healthy ocean ecosystems.
At Raven Place Farm Open Day take a walking tour through the Raven Place regenerative farm with head gardener Rachael Sanderson as she shares her knowledge of farming practices, exploring the vegetable gardens, purpose built ‘kimchi’ garden and native food forest she has established, then meet farm owner Michelle Kuramochi to learn about her kimchi production and deep knowledge of fermentation and Japanese food, rounding out the immersive experience with a kimchi tasting and a jar of her handmade kimchi to take home.
Party people
At Husk Farm Distillery’s Ink Gin Flamin’ Negroni & Pasta Party you’ll find a fabulous garden party, a negroni on arrival, Italian inspired canapes and flaming handmade pasta from the Pasta’bah team along with fabulous entertainment from Badlands Vinyl DJ and a secret Drag Queen.
Grab a ticket for Savour The Tweed’s closing party at No 35 Kitchen – Addio: spuntini e vino e musica – that is, Farewell, with snacks, drinks and music! To a DJ soundtrack, revel in this celebration of food and drink with a Paloma cocktail to set the mood and the rest up to you – more drinks and snacks, dancing – whatever takes your fancy!
Immerse, inhale, imbibe and most of all, Savour The Tweed at Australia’s newest food and drink event.
Full Savour The Tweed program details and tickets on sale at savourthetweed.com.au.
Follow on Instagram @savourthetweed
Savour The Tweed is organised by The Tweed Tourism Company and proudly presented by Tweed Shire Council.
The Tweed Tourism Company is the official tourism development and destination marketing agency for The Tweed through a partnership with Tweed Shire Council.
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