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Culinary tourism on the menu

South Australia will help itself to a generous slice of the world's growing culinary tourism market when it hosts the World Food Exchange next month.

 

ft28-p6-1South Australia's gourmet tourism appeal is set to receive a boost when the state hosts the inaugural World Food Exchange 21 to 25 September. The event will bring together international and Australian experts in the development of high quality food and wine themed tourism experiences. They will share their knowledge and expertise with business involved in the production or provision of sustainable food,wine and the hospitality industry. The flexible program has been designed to maximize opportunities for industry participation and will showcase a taste of the state's ecologically sustainable primary produce industries and culinary tourism experiences. SA Tourism Commission's Jan Douglas said the World Food Exchange offers a unique opportunity for those businesses interested in creating experiences for the high-yielding culinary tourism market and capitalising on opportunities presented by the growing global trends in sustainable culinary tourism.

"Participants will include restaurateurs, food and wine and education providers as well as media, regional organizations and local and state Government sectors," says Jan.

Highlights of the World Food Exchange event include two pioneers of Australia's culinary tourism industry:

  • James (Jim) Carreker and Alla Wolf-Tasker - will share their experience and expertise at the event. Jim, formerly from California, is managing director and owner of Arbutus Hospitality Group, a South Australian fine dining and luxury accommodation tourism enterprise.
  • Alla Wolf-Tasker is the driving force behind Lake House in Daylesford Victoria, a multi-award-winning luxury hotel, restaurant and spa which is one of Australia's most highly regarded gourmet retreats.

Speakers including US food wine and travel journalist, TV presenter and respected culinary jurist David ft28-p7-2Rosengarten and South African Jo Sinfield, whose work to promote the Franschhoek wine region helped it become one of South Africa's leading culinary tourism destinations. A regional tour program, introducing speakers, media and industry attendees to a taste of regional South Australia's wealth of food and wine experiences. Industry targeting workshops and showcase dinners in the Barossa Valley and Eyre Peninsula regions.

These workshops will offer local producers and business operators unique opportunities to learn from the experts. A final day symposium in Adelaide incorporating a plenary session and ideas exchange moderated by K. Dun Gifford,President of Old ways Preservation Trust,USA. The symposium will encourage cross industry, regional and Government sector strategic collaboration to maximize to promote SA food and wine and product development in the culinary tourism arena.

A gala dinner "Serving South Australia to the World" prepared by Hilton Adelaide's 'Seriously South Australian' Executive Chef, Simon Bryant.  Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said the regional showcase dinners will provide great networking opportunities and the not-to-be-missed chance to  experience some of the best food and wine South Australia has to offer.

The industry workshops will bean important platform for regional food and wine producers,restaurateurs and tourism operators to discuss and get practical advice on how to develop world-class culinary tourismexperiences in their region.

Key activities of the regional program include:

  • Eyre Peninsula: Regional Showcase Dinner with chef Tony Ford at Boston Bay Wines - Monday 22 September, 7.30pm
  • Regional industry workshop at Port Lincoln Hotel -Tuesday 23 September,10.30am-1.00pm
  • Barossa Valley: Regional Showcase Dinner with Barons of Barossa at Yalumba 'Signature' Cellar - Tuesday 23 September, 7.30pm
  • Regional industry workshop at Seppeltsfield 'The Distillery' Wednesday 24 September, 1.00pm-3.30pm

More information on the World Food Exchange program can be found at www.worldfoodexchange.com.au. Participation prices start from $55 per regional industry workshop.

Want to know more?
Contact
Jan Douglas
SA Tourism Commission
p +61 8 8463 4500
e worldfoodexchange@tourism.sa.com
w www.worldfoodexchange.com.au