Beneath breathtaking river gums, alongside a tranquil river and within a stock route that is synonymous with Songlines and drovers, the scene is set for what is to be an epic long lunch on 22nd September 2018.
The meandering Lachlan River is the unique location for our exciting food event, Grazing Down the Lachlan, which will once again blow the minds of the most adventurous connoisseurs of fine food. Consisting of 7 food stations, guests will be treated to another extraordinary experience. Chairperson of the event, Wendy Muffet, is excited to be bringing this dream to fruition once again, with a desire to support the ‘Somewhere Down the Lachlan’ Sculpture Trail. “We wondered how we could best use such an event to capture the essence of our western rural life,” Wendy said, “The food will be authentic, of the place, and sophisticated in its simplicity.”
You will be welcomed to country, then free to wander along a designated corridor of the reserve, enjoying portions of delicious food with a matched beverage. Guests will then be transported by bus back to Forbes on dusk, having enjoyed a truly amazing experience, embedded in nature.
Focusing on foods native to the Central West region, the degustation menu will be prepared and delivered by local restaurateurs and caterers. A sophisticated fusion of locally farmed and foraged produce, with traditional bush tucker, ensures the dishes created will deliver on the promise to be a memorable and unique experience.
As a Bundjalung man, Mark’s family originated from the Northern Rivers region in NSW. Born in Wollongong he became interested in cooking as a child, watching his mother and aunts prepare meals. He trained under a European chef and has worked in a number of kitchens ranging from theatres, universities, health services, film sets and in a lá carte restaurants around the globe, before establishing his own successful business in 2008 which operated till 2014.
Along with his current business operations, Mark now cooks regularly for clients such as Tourism Australia (TA) at large corporate, public and cultural events around the country and the world, bringing his signature infusions of contemporary outback flavours to every occasion. In 2010 Mark was chosen as one of the destinations on Oprah’s Victorian itinerary when she travelled to Australia with her Ultimate Audience. Her lucky guests were treated to a cultural experience of indigenous food, art and storytelling during Mark’s infamous cooking demonstration.
Mark has also hosted his own private Masterclass on series three of Master Chef, and has made regular appearances in the kitchen on The Circle (both airing on Network Ten). Mark has also been published in SBS’s foodie Feast Magazine which launched later in 2011.
Due to his success, Mark has been selected to be a member of Tourism Australia’s ‘Friends of Australia’ program, which was “created to harness the power of bright and influential individuals who are making a name for themselves on the world stage, and who have a genuine affinity with Australia”.
$40 + $1.60 booking fee per Friends package
Interested in being a apart of the 2018 event? Sponsorship is now open – please email hello@grazingdownthelachlan.com for more information
for event, sponsorship or press inquiries, please contact:
