FOOD Week was off to a wonderful start thanks to blue skies and balmy evenings across the weekend.
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While wineries and fine dining were the main attraction for some, a range of family friends events including a Country Fair at Borenore Public School kept the children happy.
Hillside Harvest orchardist Sally Offner sold boxes of fresh apples, pears and stone fruits for the school.
She said FOOD Week makes people more aware of the quality of produce in the region.
“It’s a time of celebration because it is the end of a long season of picking and packing produce, we’re looking forward to much needed rain and we’re getting ready to prune the next cherry and apple trees,” she said.
Hillside Harvest is hosting an orchard tour on Monday and the annual country style Producer’s Lunch at Nashdale Hall on Thursday.
The Producer’s Lunch starts with a mini farmers market on the grounds of the hall, with a brunch of prosecco and canapés being served.
Attendees then enjoy lunch at communal tables and hear from local producers.
Hillside Harvest’s neighbouring vineyard Orange Mountain Wines will also attend the lunch, following a busy weekend at Borenore Country Fair and the night markets.
Orange Mountain Wines’ Greg Cliffe said he thinks 2018 is the first time he’s ever seen such perfect weather for the night markets.
“You look around and the place is abuzz,” said Mr Cliffe.
Winery owners Julie and Terry Dolle worked alongside Mr Cliffe at the markets serving a selection of classic wines, as well as a cherry liqueur dessert wine and a mountain ice viognier.
“We’ve sold out of reds and most of our whites,” said Mrs Dolle.
“Out of the 15 boxes of wine we brought we’re only taking two home.”
Thomas Dunlop travelled to Orange to visit friend Melissa Skeers and sample some of the FOOD week goods at the night market.
“I feel like I’m in Hyde Park,” said Mr Dunlop.
“She came for the wine, I came for the food and we met halfway.”
Foodies and wine lovers will be happy from early on in the week with an Autumn Grazing Dinner at Carrington Park, Blayney on Monday night and a Sunset Tour and Taste at Cargo Road Wines, among the events on Tuesday night.Program: www.orangefoodweek.com.au