The Age Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock The sausages were sizzling and so were the prawns and steaks.The wine was flowing along with the juice, the water, the daiquiris. The crowd was estimated at 30,000 and there was plenty to keep them interested as they did the circuit of more than 100 stalls, sampling the chutneys, jams and sauces, the dukkah, the mussels, the cheeses, apples, citrus fruit, dips, cakes, confectionery, olive oils, huge vats of paella, wines, wines and more wines. All the goodies came from small food and wine producers in Victoria and it was a splendid showcase. Many patrons arrived early and set up their tables and chairs under the trees or in the gradually improving sunshine as the previous day's torrential thunderstorm became a memory. This was Ozzie tucker at its best with plenty of passionate purveyors cheerfully explaining their wares, keen to introduce the picnickers to new flavours.
A highlight for many of the kids was the little petting zoo where they could see farm animals, ducks and turkeys in the flesh, feel the wool, pat them on the head or give them a hug. It was also a chance for The Age sponsors to launch the 20th anniversary issue of their Cheap Eats 2006 showcasing Melbourne's best meals under $25. Watch out for the Spring Harvest at Werribee Park later in the year.
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A large marquee was home to the demonstration
kitchen as several chefs displayed their skills and a variety
of dishes. These included Samantha Gowing, Robin Wickens, Stefano
de Pieri (Gondola on the Murray), Tobie Puttock (in
town to set up Jamie Oliver's Melbourne version of Fifteen restaurant),
and Maurice Esposito. Email | ©2007 Churchill Communications