GOLDEN kiwi fruit and rhubarb, navel oranges and persimmons, lemons and avocados.
These are some Tamborine Mountain flavours that inspire chef and Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Brenda Fawdon.
Brenda, who has lived on Tamborine Mountain for 14 years and co-owns Picnic Real Food Bar, is one of many locals excited about 2024 Scenic Rim Eat Local Month.
The paddock-to-plate program of events, which started as Eat Local Week in 2011 and now goes for a month across the region, attracts foodies from near and far.
Brenda will team up with producer Jaimi Pennell to host the new event, the North Stores Eat Local Market Growers and Makers Day from 9am to 2pm June 2.
There will be stalls from local favourites including Franquette Bakery and Tamborine Mountain Cheese and Picnic Real Food Bar’s menu will, as always, celebrate fresh, local, seasonal produce. Marketgoers are encouraged to bring picnic rugs and shopping baskets and relax while listening to live music.
Brenda said ultimately it was about local produce and the people who grow it.
“The golden kiwi fruit, I adore them, I love rhubarb, persimmon, obviously it’ll be citrus time and there are the best navel oranges you’ve ever tasted, they have exquisite lemons, I adore lemons in season,” she said.
“We’re putting a spotlight on farmers and saying, ‘thank you’, because nobody knows how hard they work. I love what producers like Jaimi are doing, and as a chef I go, ‘wow, this produce rocks my world. What can I make with it that will make people go yum?’”
She said it was also a chance to take a breath after a challenging start to the year.
“That tornado, it really rocked everyone’s boat, people lost their homes, their pets. As eatery owners, you pick up on people’s energy, and there are a lot more people up here who were affected than you’d realise,” she said.
The Eat Local Month program will also include classes at Tamborine Mountain Distillery and Cauldron Distillery, tastings at Loborn Tasting Bar, events at Witches Falls Winery and long lunches at Mrs Frost’s Kitchen, Guanaba.
For more information and bookings visit www.eatlocalmonth.com.au
