A Perfect Afternoon to Forage

Sometimes living in a small town pays off, especially when that town is in a lovely food producing area. Today I was lucky enough to be a volunteer at one of the key events of FOOD Week, an afternoon ramble called Forage. This was the first time that this even has been held, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What did I have to do? Walk along with the first group and eat. Ok. I can do that!

Our kick off point Phillip Shaw's Koomooloo vineyard

A gentle stroll to the first of 6 stations

Pork Rillette's from Michael Manners

The weather was absolutely perfect, delightfully autumnal

Grape picking technology seems to have changed since I was thrust into the Tyrell's vineyard in the early 80s armed only with a bucket

French Onion Soup

From the second station we could see the rest of our amble

Lamb Pie from Tonic

Oh so cute. He charmed everyone, and we all wanted to take him home

Perhaps the most amazing thing I ate- the new premium brand apples- a Red Delicious that actually was Delicious! I haven't eaten a Red Delicious in decades. I'll definitely eat more if they're like this. 

Bucolic. There are apparently old Cobb and Co track marks nearby, but I didn't find any

Mount Canobolas

Stew never photographs all that well, even if it is called Daube and made by Racine

The linger spot by the dam with lovely musical accompaniment

Very delicious apple and pear sorbet from Edwena Mitchell

There were quite a few empties by the end of the day. Sadly I was "working" and not drinking

Vanilla pannacotta with quince from Lolli Redini

The sun setting on a perfect afternoon

As I was writing about my lovely afternoon, and waiting for photos to upload, I read Margot's post on an American movement called Outstanding in the Field, and thought there was a wonderful synchronicity to  our posts. So I will throw my outdoor eating hat in the Weekend Cooking pot- it was the best sort of Weekend Cooking- done by someone else, eaten outdoors and washed down with plentiful wine!