Erle Levey
The month-long celebration of food in the Mary Valley, GourMay, has kicked off with a string of highly-sought events.
This has highlighted the way in which the festival – now in its second year – is attracting attention from within the region, but also throughout Queensland and nationally.
GourMay is a festival celebrating the growers, producers, and culinary creators of the Mary Valley. It will feature a variety of experiences, including farm tours and open days, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, workshops, art exhibitions, film screenings, live performances and walking tours.
The festival was launched on Wednesday evening by Cr Gordon Maudsley at a Mary Valley Chamber Of Commerce event in the Kandanga Hotel.
Thanks went to all who have helped create the wonderful events that make up GourMay Mary Valley in 2024.
This Saturday, 4 May’s, long lunch at Kandanga Farm Store with Peter Wolfe was sold out early, as were two of the Walking with Macadamias tours being held at Amamoor.
Other sought-after events in the first week have been A Taste of the Trail – a catered sunset walk along the rail trail from Imbil to the bellbird habitat; the
Mary Valley Country Degustation – a seven-course dinner at Kandanga Country Club; and Flowers and Food – a farm tour, floral arrangement workshop set for Sunday, 12 May, at Woollahra Homestead, Kybong.
There are still a small number of tickets available for Friday, 3 May’s, Vintners lunch at Dingo Creek; Sunday’s Campfire Competition at the Imbil Rail Park is still bookable, both as a competitor and as a diner; and the Rattler Experience on Thursday, 9 May – a journey on the heritage steam train and explore the rich farmlands of the region while sampling local produce and meeting local farmers.
What better way to venture into the valley, than the same way produce was brought to market – on a train. Along the way take in three local farms all with something a bit different – Mitchell Creek Farm (leafy greens), John Tidy’s organics (avocados) and Amamoorish (finger limes and other bush tucker).
Coming up in the second week are such interesting events as the free, family-friendly screening of Ratatouille at Kandanga Hall Sunday, 12 May, from 4.30pm.
Hosted by the Mary Valley Film Society, supper will be available after the film but bookings are essential.
Then on Thursday, 16 May, The 100-Foot Journey is a dining and film experience at Kandanga Hall.
Presented by Slow Food Noosa, the evening includes a three-course meal provided by the Mary Valley’s Lady Penelope from Green Bowl Edifice along with Lyn Pointer of Posh Pies and Charcuterie, who have put together a scrumptious French-inspired menu. The bar is to be managed by the Kandanga Hall Committee.
On Saturday, 18 May, look out for John Tidy’s Sunrise Breakfast at The Avocado Tree Farm in Amamoor. Promoted as “a breakfast you won’t forget” the event starts at 5am with a 9am finish.
Later that day is Tour, Tapas and Tempranillo at Kandanga Farm Store – an in-depth tour of certified organic Kandanga Farm, a tasting of tempranillo wines produced by WindRush Estate, and tapas with chef Matt Golinksi showcasing the best of local produce.
At 6pm Kandanga Hotel hosts The Art of Eating, a showcase of local grass-fed beef paired with Australian wines.
To conclude the festival, the GourMay Mary Valley Gala Dinner will be held on Saturday, 1 June, at Mary Valley State College, Imbil.
All inquiries: www.gourmaymaryvalley.com.au/
