NSW’s overlooked foodie haven will finally have its time to shine

Since moving to the Tweed Coast of NSW from Sydney in 2020, acclaimed chef and author Christine Manfield has done more than her fair share to promote the culinary and food-producing achievements of her adopted home, a region that’s often overshadowed by its showier neighbours in the Byron Shire and the Gold Coast.

So the high-profile gourmand was a natural choice as co-lead of a new food festival, Savour the Tweed, alongside local food advocate Amy Colli of Straight To The Source.

From October 30-November 3, the inaugural festival will present 20 enriching food events, including Yarung Guung Nuninj – a Welcome to Country Dinner, helmed by Manfield and Bundjalung woman and MasterChef alumni, Mindy Woods. Foraged local native ingredients will feature in a night of feasting and entertainment.

Manfield will also team up with Woods and journalist Magdalena Roze for Women Leading, a discussion event in which Woods will chat about her new book, Karkalla at Home, and Manfield will share stories of her body of published work spanning 30 years.

There’ll be more yarning with Bundjalung elder Uncle Franc for the Jubei Chilli Crab Fest event, pairing storytelling with crabs prepared by Stanley Chinese Restaurant’s Louis Tikaram and Apex Dining’s Andelson Del Vaga.

At Demystifying Seafood with Steven (Snowy) Snow of multi-award winning restaurant Fins, Snow will offer cooking tips and tastings. At Eat the Rainbow, Le Cordon Bleu Master Samantha Gowing, who’s been teaching healthy cooking for more than 25 years, will present a healthy eating adventure for kids.

Local cheesemaker-cheesemonger Kat Harvey and Nick Loeve from Caldera Brewing & Blending Co will co-present a masterclass.

Ben Devlin’s Pipit, Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah (the current Good Food Guide NSW regional restaurant of the year) NSW, Potager in Carool, Fins at Plantation House in Duranbah and Tweed River House in the Hinterland are among top regional restaurants hosting dining and food discovery events.