Under a spectacular canopy of golden autumn leaves, around 300 diners gathered for the very first Sampson Street Long Lunch on Saturday.
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From midday onwards, guests from near and far sat at long tables which stretched up the middle of the closed-off street and enjoyed the chef-prepared courses.
Dappled sunlight which was thrown from the Plane tree leaves above, provided the finishing touch to a scene that looked like it had been cut straight from a page of Gourmet Traveller.
The inaugural lunch which put the spotlight on the region's best chefs and produce as well as Orange's stunning scenery, marked the 30th anniversary of FOOD Week - which officially began Friday.
Co-organiser of the Sampson Street Long Lunch James Robson said tickets for the event sold out in the space of just four day months ago.
"I've wanted to do this for a long time," Mr Robson said, who put the event together with Charlotte Gundry and Jane Arnott.
"I've lived here [in Orange] for 15 years and always driven past this street and thought, 'wouldn't it be good to do a lunch [in Sampson Street].
"It's my favourite street in Orange. I love this street.
I've wanted to do this for a long time... It's my favourite street in Orange. I love this street.
- Sampson Street Long Lunch co-organiser James Robson
"The residents of this street have just been fabulous. They've just got behind us so much," he added, explaining that home-owners had been more than willing to give up their street for six-odd hours that day.
Fellow co-organiser Charlotte Gundry estimated that the ratio of locals vs visitors which made up the luncheon's attendance of 300 was divided 50/50.
"It sold out in four days. For a new event I think that's pretty cool."
The signature FOOD Week event was prepared by chefs Michael Manners, Simonne Hawke, Tony Worland, Josie Chapman and Lesley Russell, with every course perfectly matched with a local cold climate wine.
Other signature FOOD Week events include: Shining the Light on Local Producers workshops at CWA Hall (April 12 - April 16); FOOD's 30th Anniversary Dinner (April 12 at 6:30pm); Taste Local on the Lawn (April 15 and 16 at 5pm - 7pm), and the Sunday Producers' Market and Brunch at Cook Park (April 18, from 8:30am - 11:30pm).
Tickets for all events can be purchased from the festival website.
Information is also available at FOOD HQ at the Orange Visitor Information Centre which is open every day from 9am - 5pm.
The festival runs until Sunday, April 18.
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