19.3 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Do you need to be a ‘foodie’ to enjoy Sample?

Latest News

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Other News

Cinema: Wicked Little Letters

Based on a true scandal that stunned 1920s England, Wicked Little Letters centres on neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.

What the duck!

Most days I ask myself ‘what the duck’ is happening here? How could Trump be president again if he...

‘Smooth stroking’ Rainbow Dragons earn trophies

Rainbow Dragons (Lennox Head Ballina) won three trophies and had a fantastic weekend of fun, fitness and friendship at Grafton Dragon Boat Club’s regatta earlier in March.

Could the future of the Richmond River be a clean and healthy one?

Imagine a drinkable, swimmable, fishable Richmond River? That is the aim of the Richmond Riverkeepers Association.

Terania blockade film to support Wallum cause

A film about Australia’s first environmental confrontation, which occured at Terania Creek near Nimbin, will screen on Friday, 22 March from 7pm at Brunswick Picture House as a fundraiser for the Save Wallum campaign. 

Seize the Decade report outlines benefits of renewables

The Climate Council says many more Australian families can directly benefit from rooftop solar and batteries under a new plan that spells out how we can electrify the nation and cut climate pollution this decade.

Story and photos: Vivienne Pearson

a-choc-davidson-plum-macca-mess

Is the Sample Food Festival just for ‘foodies’? I went along to find out.

The first thing I noticed was the sea of tents and people in among the beautiful setting of the Bangalow Showgrounds. Though Sample is about small serves of food (so you can enjoy a few over your visit), it’s certainly not a small festival. Amazingly, despite a field of 120 tents and more than 17,000 visitors, it didn’t feel crowded and only some stalls had long queues.

The variety of food was incredible. One person in your group keen on pulled pork, another desperate for a curry, a third open only to raw food and a fourth simply wanting an icecream? You’d have all ended up happy.

Cooking-based entertainment included the My Mayor Rules cook-off. Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson  teamed up with Sean Connolly (executive chef at Byron’s Balcony). They ‘won’ the wooden spoon against ‘cross-border’ rivals Lismore, despite Simon’s preparations having included the Rocky soundtrack and a rousing back massage from Sean.

Non-food entertainment came courtesy of great acoustic musicians. There was also a range of entertainment that was ostensibly for kids – though I saw several adults fearfully holding a python courtesy of Macadamia Castle and gazing at the roving stilt-walkers thanks to Circus Arts. A row of non-food stalls provided an outlet for anyone needing a break from food.

Fiercer than the friendly rivalry between the mayors was the Golden Fork competition – for the best $5 and $10 tasting plates. On hearing that the $10 prize has gone to StockPot’s (based at the Bangalow Bowlo) southern fried chicken, I rued having walked past earlier in the day. I was in more luck with the $5 plate, going to Byron’s Luscious Food’s Saneeah Pide.

If I were to select the most visible dish of the day, it would be Bangalow’s Town Café Restaurant’s Choc Davidson Plum Macca Mess – those wandering with their carefully balanced ‘mess’ drew much attention. 

Where there’s food, there needs to be drink. Well-known Stone & Wood featured alongside other local drink producers, including the Organic Drink Company, with lemon, lime and bitters on tap, and Wild Cider, who have canned a not-too-sweet finger-lime- and-apple fizz.

If you were in need of something even more fulfilling than food, Ilias the Greek was roving around, offering free hugs. I ‘bought’ two!

So, is Sample just for foodies? My conclusion is no. It is mainly about the food but the variety available, as well as the other elements in beautiful surrounds, make it a great day out for everyone. And, with the entry fee only $5, you can easily head along next year to draw your own conclusion.

zohar
Golden Fork winner – Zohar from Luscious Foods

 

At the ‘Forage then a Feast’ lunch on the Friday before Sample, chefs Katrina Kanetani (of Town Restaurant, Bangalow, with pan), Monique Guterres (Seaweed Cuisine) and Bret Cameron (Harvest, Newrybar) plating up braised brisket with feral coffee-leaf vinegar, kohlrabi, Davidson plum and sow thistle.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?

Carrying and passing the torch

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit.