Chris AshtonAs residents of the NSW Northern Rivers, we’re pretty spoiled from a foodie point of view. We have amazing growing conditions and farm-to-gate producers, together with some of the most awarded restaurants in the state calling our slice of paradise home too. Harvest Newrybar, Shelter in Lennox Head, and Fins up in South Kingscliff are just a few of them.
Though we’d love to tick off each in person, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. For time-poor foodies like us, or those just craving something delicious they’ve never seen or tried before, Sample Food Festival is giving us the next best thing – bringing the best of the Northern Rivers gourmet scene together in one place. And it’s going to be delicious!
Now in its 10th year, the premier foodie event will once again return with a stellar line-up of the region’s top restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and local market stalls, as well as special guests and a series of workshops and pop-ups that are yet to be announced.
Event Director Rose Taylor says: “There are so many incredible new restaurants and businesses who have opened since Sample 2019 and we couldn’t be prouder to showcase them amongst so many of our long-standing favourites.
“The event may look a little different this year, but we have made sure there will be so many more opportunities to connect with your friends and family at the event; sample our regions finest and get your hands dirty with some incredible workshops.”
Attendees can look forward to $5 and $10 tasting plates showcasing menus from the area’s top restaurants including Harvest Newrybar, Shelter Lennox Head, Beach Byron Bay, No Bones, Forest Byron Bay, Karkalla Byron Bay and Mercado Juarez. There will also be palate cleansers from Stone & Wood Brewery, Treehouse Cider, and local boutique distilleries.
In a new initiative for the festival, the two-hatted Hunter Valley restaurant Muse Kitchen and head chef Josh Gregory will also be attending as a special guest restaurant this year.
To provide patrons with a safe and comfortable experience, Sample Food Festival will now be offering three ticketed time slots for the event, with pre-purchased tickets available, as well as pre-order menus and QR menu ordering options. Limited capacity picnics will also be on offer for groups of up to six and include festival entry, a reserved picnic spot in the main food precinct with Wandering Folk picnic rug, and umbrella hire.
Sample Food Festival 2021
Date: Saturday 4 September, 2021
Time: Session times – 8am -10.15am // 10.45am -1.15pm // 1.45pm- 4pm
Location: Bangalow Showground, 1 Market Street, Bangalow 2479
Cost: Pre-purchased tickets are $5 per Adult + BF (child – 16 years and under free)
Picnic Package $80 + BF includes entry for up to six people, a reserved picnic spot in the main food precinct and Wandering Folk picnic rug hire (for session time only)
Refund Policy: In the event of a cancellation, refunds will be issued.
