Tasty New Offerings at Port Macquarie's Tastings on Hastings

With a tasty line up of original events, workshops on the latest food trends, and tantalizing new places to eat and drink, Port Macquarie's Tastings on Hastings, 6-8 November 2015, is counting down to its biggest celebration ever.

The culinary festival is expected to attract around 17,000 people to a series of events over three days, from intimate produce dinners to a huge outdoor festival by the Hastings River.

For foodies planning a day-trip or weekend in this coastal paradise, here are some top tips on new events, new producers, new places to eat and drink, and new wine and beer offerings.

NEW EVENTS

The 'Fire Water Harvest Festival' - kicks off the weekend's festivities on Friday 6 November (4.30-9.30pm). Held on the foreshore, the event will ignite the natural magic of the Hastings River with huge lanterns and sculptures, live fire torches, artist performances and delicious morsels available at a night market.

Cooking demonstrations - held for the first time in the Glasshouse on Saturday 7 November, a series of industry experts will host workshops on fermenting, cheese making, beer and wine masterclasses and Love Food Hate Waste cooking demonstration with celebrity chef Matt Moran.

NEW PRODUCERS

The Naked Farmers - Sophie Love was a single 40 year old vegan when she bought a 400 acre farm in the Hastings Hinterland. After falling in love and starting a family she began The Naked Farmers which produces real, handmade, chemical free food, fresh from field to fork. As well as amazing pork, beef and honey, Sophie makes flour free chocolate cakes, spelt fruit cakes, home churned vanilla and honey ice cream, hummus, lemon butter, passion fruit butter & more. www.thenakedfarmers.com.au

Ewetopia Farm –the region's newest cheese-makersare on a 130 acre farm and produce a range of dairy products. Through the summer months they milk their flock of dairy sheep and produce feta, halloumi, yoghurt and labne. Over the winter they have been milking a small herd of Jersey cows and selling milk, yoghurt and labne. They are renowned for the 'best haloumi you've ever tasted'. Stay on their farm in a three-bedroom self-contained cottage with amazing valley views. www.ewetopiafarm.com.au

Yvette's Raw Kitchen – all about being able to enjoy cakes slices and dessert with healthful guilt free alternatives, gluten free, sugar free, dairy free delights.

NEW CAFES, BARS AND RESTAURANTS

The Latin Loafer – Port Macquarie's newest wine baris a fusion of Latin American and Spanish food, wine and cocktails. With a perfect location overlooking the sunsets of the Hastings River the tapas menu is perfect for sharing with friends as you kick back and enjoy art and live local music. www.latinloafer.com.au

Drury Lane Eatery – to the welcome delight of culture buffs this new café is in the forecourt of the Glasshouse and offers amazing food with a local focus. You will be in heaven with the Chorizo Hot Dog, Pear, Rosemary & Pistachio Focaccia and Blueberry Cheesecake Macaroons.

Social Grounds Cafe - the town's café culture has flourished and the cool cats here offer one of the best espresso pick-me-ups on Gordon Street. They also do weekend dining with Burger Nights on Thursdays and have a garden setting.

Makimoto – delivers outstanding Japanese food with a funky, modern décor in the town centre.

Grape & Petal – a café and wine bar in town with a tapas menu and funky vibe. Enjoy cheese, olives, and cured meats, macaroons, prawn gyoza and duck salad.

WINE AND BEER

New family attractions on the winery trail in Port Macquarie -Another wine you say? Why not if the kids are happy! Rose's Vineyardhas a new petting farm full of lovely baby farm animals that crave a pat and plenty of attention from the kids. Cassegrain now offers horse-riding trail rides through the vines (Port Macquarie Horse Riding Centre) and Bago Vineyards has Bago Maze, the largest hedge maze in NSW. www.rosesvineyard.com www.portmacquariehorseriding.com.au and www.bago.com.au

Thriving craft brewing scene in Port Macquarie - Hops and Taleshave recently joined Black Duck Brewery and award-winning The Little Brewing Company in the micro-brewing scene.

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

Surrounded by waterways, beaches and a stunning hinterland Port Macquarie is just four hours' drive from Sydney, or a one-hour flight, on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. Call 1300 303 155 or go on-line at www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au.