FOOD CROWD: Families flocked to the north court yesterday for the FOOD Affair. Photo JUDE KEOGH 0422food17
TEN days, 85 events, thousands of visitors and enough food and wine to feed an army, FOOD Week 2012 has been deemed a success by organisers.
Now in its 21st year FOOD Week has come of age with events attracting people of all ages.
Taste Orange marketing manager and FOOD Week volunteer Charlotte Gundry said despite low attendances at a few midweek events it was a successful week overall.
“Ninety-five per cent of the events during FOOD Week were booked out,” she said.
One of the standout events was Forage, a 3.5 kilometres moveable feast through Orange vineyards on Saturday.
Only in its second year of operation, Forage numbers increased from 300 in 2011 to more than 600 this year.
Ms Gundry said it was so well attended that organisers may consider running a second Forage for the 2013 program.
“It may be a good option rather than increasing the numbers at an individual one,” she said.
The crowds at this year’s night markets were hungry, according to organisers, with 40 stalls serving up around 8000 portions of food, more than double the food sales of 2011.
There was 5000 visitors on the night with the young, old and families coming together to sample some of the best food and wine the region has to offer.
Ticketing problems that plagued people hoping to purchase a seat for the 100 Mile Dinner in Canowindra should be solved before next year, according to Ms Gundry.
“It was overloaded with people trying to get online tickets ... they [organisers] probably underestimated the interest,” she said.
Preparations are already under way for FOOD Week 2013 with dates set for April 5 to 14 next year.
nadine.morton@ruralpress.com