Regional food stars at 2011 Brisbane Good Food & Wine Show

For the fourth year I've been asked to host the Lyndey Milan Producers Market at the Brisbane /good Food & Wine Show.

I’ll also be chatting and interviewing these fabulous artisan and boutique producers at the Lyndey Milan Regional Producers’ Market:

Honey Lady

From Willunga in South Australia, the Honey Lady’s honey is unheated, unfiltered, raw honey. The business is a triple bottom line business – financially, environmentally and socially viable. Her product range includes honey blended with spices and herbs.  She started her business from seven bee swarms that she caught one season. She harvested around 1500kg and with a 6 week old baby started to trade at the local farmers market and had only grown since then! The Honey Lady is at the Willunga Farmers Market every Saturday and at the Adelaide Showgrounds Market every Sunday.

Nutworks

Nutworks is 90 minutes north of Brisbane in Yandina on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. They business started in the early 1990s in a small factory with six employees.  In 1997, due to rapid expansion, Nutworks built a new factory and tourist facility where they are today. At well as processing nuts, the tourist orientated site includes an information area, confectionary viewing area and gift shop for take home products at factory outlet prices.  The macadamias are sourced from most growing areas in Queensland. Nutworks export all over the world and locally, the range can be found at many major supermarkets and duty free outlets.

Lentilicious

From Mullumbimby in New South Wales, Lentilicious produce a range of five dry lentil blends: coconut fusion, lime time, turmeric, red chilli and Mediterranean, all with herbs and spices added.  All are gluten-free.  They have a range of stockists Australia wide and they do markets at Byron, Bangalow and Yamba.

Byron Bay Chilli               

The chillis are grown and processed overlooking Byron Bay.  Byron Bay Chilli Company make a range of sauces, salsas and corn chips which are stocked in gourmet food stores as well as Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in Queensland and Northern New South Wales as well as many delis in the United States.  They sold a couple of barbecue style sauces branded with Jack Thompson’s name for Landcare Australia, one of Jack’s favourite causes.

Mix My Muesli                           

From Bundoora in Victoria, Mix My Muesli is Australia’s first custom mix muesli company.  They also sell a pre-mixed range that includes classic swiss, goji berry antioxidant, honey crunch, organic super grains, gluten-free and Craig Mottram’s Premium Fuel which is 43% fruit and nut.  Most ingredients are 100% natural, with no added sugar and are preservative-free.  The bases are wholegrains such as oats and barley, the nuts and seeds are all-natural as are the added ingredients.  These include dried fruits (apple, apricot, sultanas, raisins, prunes, figs, strawberries, coconut and cherries), nuts/seeds/grains (almonds, walnuts, linseed, chia and sesame seeds) and ‘naughty bits’ (chocolate and yoghurt coated nuts and seeds).

Silverwood Organics                                    

Silverwood Organics from Longreach in western Queensland sells and delivers organic meat packs.  Silverwood grows the dorper breed of sheep which naturally shed their wool and are also known for their excellent carcass and superior eating quality.  The free-range lamb is grown in natural Mitchell grass paddocks without chemicals or supplement feeding.  To avoid undue stress, the lamb is processed locally by an organically accredited processor.  Half or full packs with associated cuts are available online for home delivery.

Careme Pastry                                 

Located in the Barossa Valley, Careme Pastry is owned and operated by William and Claire Wood, who, coming from a restaurant background we were always disappointed with the quality of commercially available ready-made pastry. Careme only use natural ingredients, free of additives, preservatives and colours to produce their hand-crafted pastry products. Their product range includes ready to use pastry dough: all butter puff, sour cream shortcrust, vanilla bean sweet shortcrust and dark chocolate shortcrust as well as a range of tarts, pies, savoury galettes and sweet tarts and croissants and pastries. Stephanie Alexander commends it!

OlivFresh                                

Estate grown and produced, Olivfresh, on Lake Wivenhoe in South-East Queensland, sources its olives from their 700 tree certified organic olive estate. The olives are naturally fermented in rainwater and sea salt. The product range includes Ligurian style olives, Arbequina black olives, Olive and fig tapenade dip, Green olive and avocado tapenade dip, Sun dried black olives, Green olives and Party mix olives.

La Cour Patisserie                                

La Cour Patisserie is a Sydney based business that was established in 2010.  It sells a range of gourmet baking kits that taste ‘made from scratch’. The range includes cupcakes, brownies and biscuits.  All are preservative and artificial colouring free and made from the best ingredients. The kits are sold a range of gourmet food stores in New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia.

Robins Foods                             

Located in Altona, Victoria Robins Foods and was formed by recognised pioneers of the native food industry, Ian and Juleigh Robins, in 1997. The range of products are branded Outback Spirit and the vision is to bring indigenous foods to the mainstream market locally and internationally while giving back to indigenous communities. The product range includes chutneys, preserves, dry marinades, seasoning salts, seasoning sprinklers, sauces, dressings, crushed garlic, herbs and rejuvenating water and are available from major and independent supermarkets nationally as well as Oxfam Fair Trade stores.

Gwydir Olives                             

Margi Kirkby and Jenni Birch started Gwydir Grove in 1996 with a second-hand olive press.  Soon after they started selling their oil in local shops in north west New South Wales.  Today they still grow, press, blend and market their products. Their Infused range includes bush berb, lemon myrtle, blood orange, lime, lemon, native mint & garlic and spicy chilli & fresh lime.  Their olive range includes kalamata olives, manzanillo olives and manzanillo olive pate. They also sell balsamic vinegar and olive oil soap (lavender, eucalyptus and fragrance-free).

Yumm Dressings                                          

Yumm Dressings from Sydney make dressings from natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours. Each bottle is hand-made and many ingredients are sourced from local producers and markets. The product range includes Very Original (blend of olive and sesame oils, fresh garlic and honey), Poppy Splash (red wine and raspberry vinegars, Spanish onion and poppy seeds), Balsamic Drizzle, So Provincial (apple cider vinegar, honey and tarragon), Maple Zest (orange juice and maple syrup). They are available online and from various gourmet food stores and farmers’ markets. They really do taste home made.

The Peanut Van                                            

From Queensland’s peanut capital, Kingaroy, comes The Peanut Van, who recently celebrated their 40^th birthday.  Their extensive range of products includes sugar coated, dry roasted, sweet & salty, hickory smoked, savoury tomato, salt & vinegar, garlic, chilli & lime and Mexican delight.  All peanuts are jumbo and freshness is guaranteed.  Theirs is always a popular stand at the show.

Details

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

10am-6pm  4&5 November

10am-5pm  6 November

Click here for more information