Discover what’s at the heart of Eat Local Month

Locals and visitors alike are being invited to explore the heart of the Scenic Rim during Eat Local Month in June.

As a highlight of the month-long paddock-to-plate celebration of the Scenic Rim’s farmers, growers, producers, artisans, chefs and quality food and beverages, the weekend of 23 to 25 June will showcase the smorgasbord of tastes and experiences at Beaudesert, Allenview, Kerry and Rathdowney.

The weekend opens on Friday 23 June at the sixth-generation Tommerup’s Dairy Farm at Kerry with two all-new events in the Eat Local Month line-up, the Our Bread and Butter – Simple Farmhouse Pleasures Masterclass at 10am followed by Tommerup’s Feast on the Farm on Sunday 25 June with guest chef Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Richard Ousby from 10am to 2pm.

An indulgent Friday Long Lunch at the Two Chefs Restaurant at the Overflow Estate 1895 at Wyaralong will celebrate the perfect pairing of local produce with the vineyard’s own wines.

With a growing interest in home-grown, Oaky Creek Farm near Rathdowney will present a Growing Root Crops Workshop on Saturday 24 June from 10am with a focus on ginger, garlic and turmeric.

An odds-on favourite for the weekend could be the running of the Towri Twilight Woolly Cup at 3pm on Sunday 25 June at Towri Sheep Cheeses,  Allenview, where the characterful Awassi sheep will be showing it’s not only horses for courses.

In addition to the showcase events, there is plenty to see and do in the heart of the Scenic Rim.

It is the home of authentic farm stay experiences at Tommerup’s Dairy Farm, Cedar Glen Farmstay at Darlington and Worendo Cottages, set in the Lost World Valley overlooking Lamington National Park’s World Heritage-listed rainforest.

Across the weekend and throughout Eat Local Month from 1 June to 2 July, there will be hearty breakfasts at Teaspoons and Aprons in Beaudesert, which also offers a range of delicious sweet tarts and cakes, and the Harvest Café at Oaky Creek Farm, where free-range eggs accompany Running Creek Beef’s legendary sausages.

There will be wine tastings at The Overflow Estate 1895 and Barney Creek Cottages, and afternoon teas at Rathlogan Olive Grove and Shed Café, which is renowned for its tapenade, jams and relishes.

Towri Sheep Cheeses will host Open Farm days on 3 June and 1 July and a workshop on growing herbal remedies in conjunction with Jasmine Urban Farm on 3 June.

Sample Native Flavours of the Scenic Rim at Teaspoons and Aprons on 13 June and 15 June and linger over lunch at the Two Chefs Restaurant at The Overflow Estate 1895 on Friday 2 June.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Eat Local Month offered something for every taste and budget, from indulgent long lunches to flavour-filled dinners, farm gate experiences, food walks, tastings, tours, talks, masterclasses and workshops for all ages culminating in the signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival on Saturday 1 July.

“Eat Local Month in winter celebrates the most abundant time of the year for our region, making it the perfect time to enjoy local produce at its finest and connect with those who put food on our tables,” he said.

“This year we will enjoy our greatest ever celebration of authentic paddock-to-plate experiences with a full month of Eat local events.

“Having tasted all our region has to offer during Eat Local Month, I am sure you will be back for seconds!”

The full Eat Local Month 2023 program is available to download from the eatlocalmonth.com.au/ website from Thursday 20 April.Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is proudly presented by Scenic Rim Regional Council, with support from Major Partners Kalfresh Vegetables and Moffatt Fresh Produce, and Supporting Partners Urban Utilities, Community Bank Kalbar & District and Brisbane Economic Development Agency. The event is also supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.