Celebrating food and wine is something that comes easily to most of us! After all, who doesn’t enjoy a meal cooked by a hatted or highly reputed chef, paired back with a mouthwatering local wine?
Well, if you’re lucky enough to be in NSW in May this year, head down to the South Coast’s Shoalhaven region. There will be plenty of celebrating food and wine!
During the month of May, The Shoalhaven Food Network Inc. is launching its inaugural Celebration of Food Month.
The month-long celebration of food and wine will span five precincts of the Shoalhaven region, from Milton to Mollymook, Jervis Bay to Shoalhaven Heads and beyond, with individual, unique events in each precinct showcasing the best of region.
Celebrating Food And Wine One Week At A Time
Each week throughout May will showcase a different precinct of the Shoalhaven. During the opening night soiree, which will be held at the historic Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon on Tuesday May 3rd and hosted by Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley, guests will be served exquisite morsels and drops from throughout the region. And they will get to rub shoulders with food ‘royalty’ with the ABC’s Simon Marnie guest of honour on the night.
Following this, the month will see hatted chefs including Giovanni Pilu (Pilu at Freshwater), Alessandro Pavoni (Ormeggio at The Spit) and Peter Doyle (ex-EST) crafting menus alongside local resident chefs to produce memorable food and wine events. This will all be carried out against the magnificent Shoalhaven stage. Think: breathtaking properties, unrivalled restaurants, exquisite wineries and innovative craft breweries.
A Feast Of The Senses
The month-long celebration will encompass the five precincts of the vast Shoalhaven region and its myriad culinary offerings including the picturesque villages of Kangaroo Valley and Berry, the stunningly beautiful seaside suburb of Shoalhaven Heads, Magical Mollymook, and its quaint neighbouring village of Milton, as well as Jervis Bay, Huskisson, and surrounds.
Visitors are welcome to explore the myriad cellar doors which offer stunning cool climate wines, try locally handmade chocolates, buy organic fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets and taste wonderful artisan made breads and cheeses. There will also be workshops, cooking classes, long lunches, food trucks, hatted chef rivalry dinners and so much more.
Where To Stay
While local food and wine offerings will arguably be the raison de la célébration for the month, the myriad affordable luxury accommodations that the region boasts will also be highlighted.
Our pick? Bangalay Luxury Villas, set only steps away from the famously pristine Seven Mile Beach, and the coastal national park, as well as the smooth greens of the Shoalhaven Heads Golf Course. It’s perfect if you’re planning to do your celebration of food and wine around the Berry-Shoalhaven precinct.
These sustainably built luxury digs boast 16 private villas, each with either a golf course or garden view. No matter your outlook, you will enjoy the sun filled north facing deck, as well as the cool ocean breeze.
The living and dining areas have a fire for cosy winter nights, while the separate bedroom and bathroom are both spacious and elegantly appointed.
The resort’s feature touches include custom milled ironbark hardwood decking and cladding sourced from North Eden Timber, solar powering in all villas and design elements that showcase renowned local artists such as Julie Paterson. Local artisans also feature in the form of unique wall hangings by Marina Strode, who uses the region’s flora and fauna to create her striking pieces.
Of course, Bangalay is also home to one of the region’s most celebrated restaurants – Bangalay Dining. Each Monday throughout the celebration of food and wine, Bangalay Dining will be hosting a unique seafood night. Be sure to sip on a saltbush margarita pre-dinner, and throughout your feast the abundant selection of Shoalhaven wines and drops from the neighbouring Southern Highlands region, including Coolangatta Estate, Cupitt, Cherry Tree Hill and Tertini.
Shoalhaven Food Network Calendar of Event
There’s a celebration of food and wine happening every night in may in the Shoalhaven region – whether it be Shoalhaven Heads, as mentioned, Jervis Bay, Milton, Mollymook or Huskisson. Events range from the Jervis bay Seafood Lunch By James’ Kitchen Huskisson on May 1st right through to a Native Fusion Dinner at Gunya Dining at Paperbark Camp Huskisson, Coast to Shore Dinner with Pilu and Ormagio at Terrara House, Wine Tasting and Walk at Coolangatta Estate and a Mother’s Day High Tea and Brunch hosted by Decadence Cakes, Nowra. There will also be street eats and beats, a fermentation Degustation in the picturesque Kangaroo valley and so much more!
For a comprehensive list of events, please visit the Shoalhaven Food Network Inc Website.
