Celebrating bountiful local produce at F.O.O.D. Week

Orange’s premier festival, F.O.O.D Week this year gets underway from Friday, April 1; so get ready for 10 days of delicious food and produce, good company and cheer, paired with some of the country’s best cool-climate wines.

Now in its 31st year and one of Australia’s longest-running regional food festivals, F.O.O.D Week continues to draw bigger crowds year after year. With ticketed events already selling out, 2022 F.O.O.D Week is looking to continue that trend.

The expanded 2022 program, now featuring six signature events and more than 70 satellite offerings, is a world away from the Festival’s humble beginnings. The very-first “Food of the Orange District” (F.O.O.D.) festival consisted of just two signature events: a Friday evening dinner with a guest celebrity chef showcasing local region produce; and a Saturday producers market known as “F.O.O.D Affair”.

The years since have seen phenomenal growth in Orange’s food and wine scene, but it has all been driven by the quality and diversity of produce at our own doorstep, said Caddie Marshall, General Manager of local destination marketing body, Orange360.

“One of the important things we are focusing on in this years' F.O.O.D Week is what we are calling the bountiful abundance of our region in terms of our produce,” said Caddie.

“That's why a lot of the chefs have moved here, and why, this year we want to put the focus on reconnecting with local producers. The big signature events are important, but it’s that primary produce that built the reputation of food in our region; it started with what we can grow here.”

To showcase the best of our local produce, this year’s festival includes a series of “Producer and The Chef” events, pairing a local producer with one of Orange’s best chefs. 

One such event on Tuesday, April 5, sees legendary local potato farmer Doug Dagg partner with chefs Dom Aboud and Richard Learmonth for a special celebration of “the potato” at The Union Bank. Then from April 4–8, there will be a series of interactive, “Meet the Producer” workshops held at the CWA Hall.

Each workshop will feature two local producers including: Second Mouse Cheese, Franklin Road Preserves, Argyle Saffron, Sweet Treats Connections, Thornbrook Orchard, Trunkey Creek, Norland Fig Orchard, Sophie Hansen, Boutique Garlic and Carbeen Pastured Products. At each event, you’ll hear their stories, get secret tips and recipes and, best of all, taste their delicious products.

It’s a great opportunity for locals and visitors alike to discover the diversity of produce available from Orange and district, added Caddie.

The always-popular  F.O.O.D. Week Night Market are also making a return on Friday, April 1 for the first time since 2019. The family-friendly event in Robertson Park never fails to draw a crowd, and is a real showcase of Orange’s chefs, cooks, caterers, providores, wine, cider and beer-makers.

The festival wraps up on Sunday, April 10 with a “Producers Market and Brunch” in Cook Park. 

The 2022 F.O.O.D. Week program can be found at: www.orangefoodweek.com.au