Celebrity Chef Matt Moran to Headline Tastings on Hastings

Bago Bluff picnic in Port Macquarie

with local produce

Kick off summer in Port Macquarie at Tastings on Hastings from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2015. Celebrity chef Matt Moran will headline three days of foodie events, party at the inaugural Fire Water Festival, and taste your way around 100 producers in this coastal paradise.

Themed 'Fire, Water, Harvest', the region's premier food festival will include a night time festival, celebrity chef dinners, cooking demonstrations, master classes and the popular main event.

Hosting a cooking demonstration at The Glasshouse and two fine-dining experiences showcasing fresh local produce at The Stunned Mullet restaurant, the NSW-based restaurateur is set to rekindle the region's passion for fresh local produce.

Mayor Peter Besseling said the weekend's festivities would begin with a unique 'Fire Water Festival' on the Town Green next to the river on Friday, 6 November, which will see the foreshore alight with fire in the form of fire twirlers, lanterns, brassieres and torches.

“The Fire Water Festival will be a cultural fusion of local art, musical and street performers, night markets and an exciting array of food stalls,” Cr Besseling said

“On Saturday at The Glasshouse, passionate foodies will be able to see Matt Moran in action and attend a great line-up of cooking demonstrations, food workshops and beer and wine master classes.”

The main event on Sunday, 8 November will provide visitors with the opportunity to sample new products, chat with producers, share tasting plates, shop for local produce and enjoy the entertainment on the Town Green.”

Cr Besseling said Tastings on Hastings, now in its 13th year, is one of the region's premier events attracting more than 17,000 people to the Port Macquarie Hastings region, with visitors from across the Hastings as well as regional NSW and Sydney.

“The festival showcases the very best food, wine and beer that our region has to offer, and last year featured more than 110 exhibitors including farmers, artisans, food producers, wine growers, brewers, restaurants and cafes,” Cr Besseling said.

“As the event continues to grow in popularity and profile, we've once again opened it up to exhibitors from Port Macquarie's '100 Food Mile', which spans from Port Stephens in the south, Armidale in the west, and Woolgoolga in the north.”

Matt Moran

For event updates and news, sign up for the newsletter at www.tastingsonhastings.com.au.

Contact to register to attend this event and more information

Gabrielle Brewer, ph: 0419 986 528 or gabrielle@gabriellebrewer.com.