Orange F.O.O.D Week 2016 program launched and tickets now on sale!
Orange F.O.O.D Week celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, further strengthening its position as Australia’s longest-running regional food festival.
The ten day gourmet festival boasts six signature events and more than 90 member events in the 2016 program, running from 8-17 April 2016. From humble beginnings in 1991, when Orange F.O.O.D Week was established by a voluntary committee of passionate and committed local foodies, the event has evolved over the last 25 years into a gourmet festival of national standing.
“As we enter our silver anniversary year, we look back with gratitude to those culinary pioneers who helped put Orange on the map as a food and wine destination,” said James Sweetapple, President, F.O.O.D Week Association.
“Orange F.O.O.D Week has provided not only an excellent platform from which to promote the incredible diversity of the Orange region’s produce, but it has also served as a way to showcase and celebrate the impressive talents of our local producers, chefs, cooks, caterers, restaurateurs and wine growers.”
Recognised as a significant contributor to the state’s regional tourism economy, Orange F.O.O.D Week has been awarded Destination NSW flagship event status for the last three consecutive years. “Tourism creates great social and economic prospects for people who live and work in Australia’s regional areas,” said Rhonda Sear, Executive Officer, Brand Orange.
“Orange F.O.O.D Week also provides a platform for vital trade development potential and opportunities for the region’s producers.” Last year’s Orange F.O.O.D Week attracted 15,000 attendees to events across the ten day festival and is conservatively estimated to have contributed over $3 million in economic benefit for the region.