FIVE DAYS OF FLAVOUR

Returning for its third year, Savour the Tweed is putting the Northern Rivers on the map as a top foodie destination. Taking place from 21-25 October, this year’s program offers plenty to tempt your tastebuds. A fresh collection of longtable lunches, meet-the-producer experiences and chef collabs are on offer. Gather your friends, it’s time to dine.

Good food is a way of life in the Tweed. We grow it, harvest it, prepare it and share it.

During the five-day Savour program, chefs, farmers, bakers and makers will proudly present the unique provenance of our region.

Visitors and locals are showing a growing interest in where their food comes from and how it’s produced. The Tweed’s culinary and agritourism experiences weave this story, connecting coast to valley, and showcases our stunning landscapes, culture and lifestyle.

FLAVOURS AND HIGHLIGHTS

When seasonal produce is paired with our skilled and passionate local chefs, providores and distillers, the flavours of our region come to life. Savour the Tweed is your invitation to go gourmet and meet the farmers and chefs who will be proudly plating up at iconic venues across the Tweed.

Savour the Tweed launches at the Murwillumbah Farmers Markets with the official opening by Tweed Shire’s Mayor. Using the Tweed Taste Trail map you can wander the stalls, tasting the very best local produce, chat to the providores and sample their wares. The markets are a great place to discover uniquely Tweed flavours and artisanal treats.

Immerse yourself in a range of one-of-a-kind foodie experiences, like a Gyotaku fish art class with chef Ben Devlin at his award-winning fine dining restaurant Pipit. Pipit is Australia's only restaurant with a Gyotaku print studio inside the kitchen offering a truly unique art and dining experience.

Go on a taste journey like no other at the Tweed River House event ‘Basque to Tweed: Terroir and Fromage’. Enjoy a six-course tasting Basque-inspired menu, paired with distinctive French artisanal cheeses handpicked by local cheesemonger Kat Harvey. Throughout the lunch, Kat will share the stories, makers and traditions behind each cheese, offering guests an immersive and unforgettable culinary experience on the banks of the Tweed River.

Free events include Savour the Trail where you can take in the scenery and discover a curated selection of local food delights along the popular Northern Rivers Rail Trail. You can also picnic in the sunshine with fun activities and entertainment for the whole family at the Salt Village Community Picnic.

MEET A SWEET POTATO FARMER

As part of the ‘Honouring Farm Traditions’ event you can walk through the sweet potato paddocks, hearing firsthand the stories of a family-owned and operated sweet potato farm in Cudgen. For more than 75 years the Prichard family have worked the soil and developed sustainable farming practices. Generations of knowledge, and a willingness to embrace innovation have helped them build one of the region's most recognisable farm-to-community brands through their roadside farmgate shop, Mate & Matt's.

After the farm tour a rustic long-table lunch will be hosted in the packing shed. Chef and Le Cordon Bleu Master Samantha Gowing will curate a three-course lunch celebrating the farm’s incredible sweet potatoes, alongside produce from the farm's seasonal garden and local food icon Jumping Red Ant. It's a rare opportunity to connect with the farmers, gain a deeper understanding of modern agriculture, and experience the flavours, stories and community spirit that make the Cudgen Plateau so special.

CULINARY COLLABORATIONS

The Savour the Tweed program has once again been expertly curated by acclaimed Tweed-based chef and author Christine Manfield and Northern NSW food advocate Amy Colli.

Featuring in the program are proud Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods, author and TV presenter Palisa Anderson, Le Cordon Bleu Master Samantha Gowing, chef Jez Wick and Sydney-based Syrian chef Sharon Salloum.

Joining them are Tweed chefs including Pipit’s Ben Devlin, Paper Daisy’s Baxter Newstead, Bistro Livi’s Dani Wilson and Ewen Crawford and Tweed River House’s Dayron Concepcion.

“The value of connecting community through food and drink cannot be understated - from grassroots events that highlight our talented farming community to exclusive dining experiences at some of the best restaurants in the state, we love showcasing the Tweed’s thriving food community”, says Amy.

FACES OF TWEED’S CULINARY SCENE CAPTURED BY TOP PHOTOGRAPHER

As part of Savour the Tweed, renowned photographer Rob Palmer is opening a special exhibition called ‘Entwined – Faces of the Tweed’ at the revitalised M|Arts precinct in Murwillumbah.

Rob is one of Australia's most celebrated food and lifestyle photographers and is known for his celebrity chef portraiture. His work with sustainable seafood pioneer Josh Niland won him the prestigious National Portrait Prize in 2020.

Rob currently lives in Sydney but having lived in Brunswick Heads for many years he has a genuine connection to the Northern Rivers.

“Entwined is a celebration of the food, the people and the landscape of the Tweed’s culinary scene. I wanted to throw some light on the wonderful faces behind the plates. I’ve photographed local people with character, with stories worth hearing.” said Rob.

Savour the Tweed takes place from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 October at various venues across the Tweed.

Tickets on sale now at savourthetweed.com.au.

In respectful acknowledgement of the Bundjalung Traditional Custodians and their ongoing connection to Country, Savour the Tweed honours the land, its history, and the people who continue to grow from it.