Q and A with NFM Organisers

Louise: We are passionate about wanting to put Newcastle on a plate for all to see. There are so many stories to tell, personalities to meet and amazing food to eat in this city. It’d be a darn shame not to shout it from the rooftops. And we really believe that Newcastle is ready to serve it up to the masses. Our vision is to grow the popularity of this annual event until it’s a firm fixture on the must-do calendar of Australian food festivals.

Gus: We have created many similar events in other areas of the Hunter region and Sydney, so we had a clear vision in our minds. However, to start a concept from scratch; conceive it, create it, manage it and market it through to fruition is a big job requiring some funding support.

Enter City of Newcastle and their Special Business Rate funding. We were very fortunate to receive a grant to help bring our idea to life. The funding doesn’t pay for the entire program, but between that and lots of hard work and the support of our partners – our little company with a big idea has hopefully hit on a winning formula.

We have previously enjoyed bringing BARRELLED a food and wine festival to Surfest and know how much Novocastrians love getting out to enjoy a meal and a beverage or two.

Louise: Ripe for the picking.

Whether you want to stay in your own local area or venture outside your neighbourhood patch, you are absolutely spoilt for choice of places to eat in Newcastle. We have such an eclectic mix of eateries with flavours from all over the world, curated and plated up by passionate local chefs. And it’s only going to get better with new cafes and restaurants popping up in every pocket of town.

Gus: Newcastle Food Month is a month-long festival with dozens of individual food focused events and activities. The heroes are of course Newcastle and our fabulous dining scene!

Gus: A few! Plate Date will provide Novocastrians and our visitors with over 50 eateries, where for the month of April, you can grab a specially curated NFM main meal and beverage for just $30pp.

Then there’s a whole suite of dining events and experiences running all month. Think unique fine dining experiences at the likes of The Flotilla, Roundhouse at the Kingsley, Ape and Una Volta; a Burgundy Wine Dinner at The Grand Hotel, the entertaining marriage of jazz and beer at Foghorn, and cheese masterclasses at Pork Ewe Deli.

What we definitely can’t tell you is the venue for our incredible signature event Le Diner en Blanc, but we can tell you the date –  April 6^th.

Louise: Unashamedly to have the excuse to eat out every day of the week, to share the love around in trying new places, attending events – and seeing others do the same.

Gus: Somewhere relaxed that reflects Newcastle’s laid-back dining scene. Maybe Neighbours on Market, or Customs House for a beer in the East End after a walk along Bathers Way.

What about coffee? Talulah at The Junction is where you’ll find me most mornings hunched over a laptop, but the Darby street trifecta of Goldbergs, 3 Monkeys and Autumn Rooms are also hard to beat.

Louise: I do love a good brunch – you say the word and I’m there, whether it’s a walk, bike ride or drive away. If I’ve earnt the big breaky after morning exercise, you will find me somewhere like The Junction Hotel is little known for their breakfasts which are sensational, or maybe Elementa over at Wickham.

Gus: In coming years, our vision is to see Newcastle Food Month firmly established as Australia’s leading regional food event, alongside some of our other favourites like Orange F.O.O.D Week and Noosa Eat & Drink Festival.

Plus, of course we want to see our local restaurants full and our hotels bustling with visitors just itching to eat our local food