Geelong’s waterfront will become a food lover’s paradise over the Australia Day long weekend, as the Festival of Sails plays host to a Regional Artisan Fair.
The Festival of Sails is collaborating with South Geelong business The Food Purveyor, to showcase produce from around the region across the three-day festival, which runs from January 26 to 28, 2019.
Food lovers will be able to graze their way through the tastes of the region and stock up with gourmet offerings from Geelong, the Great Ocean Road, the Bellarine Peninsula and Golden Plains.
The Regional Artisan Fair will be located at Fairnie Park on the Geelong waterfront, next to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, and operating every day of the festival.
Some of the regional producers showcasing their wares at the Regional Artisan Fair include Timboon Ice Cream, La Madre Bakery (handmade baked goods, including breads and pastries), Red Rock Olives (extra virgin olive oil, olives, infused oils and condiments) and Hot Chilli Mama (chilli based products including sauces, jams, pickles, rubs, oils and alcohol).
The Food Purveyor, specialises in artisan handmade Australian gift hampers and owner Nicole Newman is encouraging locals and visitors alike, to head to the waterfront over the Australia Day long weekend.
“As well as tasting and purchasing the produce the fair will provide the unique opportunity for people to be able to talk to the makers and growers who are exclusive to our region,” she said.
“The Regional Artisan Fair is not just a farmers’ market, it is a local market where you can chat to the makers and growers and it will promote the amazing produce we have here on our doorstep,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a consumer or a restaurant, you can source everything you need for your pantry right here in our region, from olive oil and seafood, to meat and poultry and fruit and vegetables. As well as some fabulous bakeries, confectionary makers and hand-made jams and chutneys.”
Festival of Sails Chairman Stuart Dickson said it was fantastic to be joining forces with The Food Purveyor to showcase some of the region’s best produce.
“Festivalgoers really will be spoilt for choice at the Festival of Sails with a smorgasbord of experiences along the waterfront including our first Regional Artisan Fair,” he said.
Up to 100,000 people are expected to flock to the Geelong waterfront during the 2019 Festival of Sails to enjoy a variety of waterfront activities for the whole family.
Other onshore highlights of the Festival of Sails include live music from up to 30 performers, Come and Try sailing, stand up paddle boarding and virtual reality sailing.
For more information about the Festival of Sails, visit www.festivalofsails.com.au