Remy Tancred loves food and community. Photo: Suze McLeod.

For Sample food festival director Remy Tancred, life in the Byron Bay region is all about community.  She loves to bring the north coast’s finest producers together – lucky for us!  This year’s Sample Festival is the biggest yet, so rev up your tastebuds…

Q: I know you worked in publishing before your moved to the North Coast – what prompted you to start your magazine, The Lennox Wave?

 A: I moved up here because my husband and I were ready to start a family, and when we had children, I felt I still needed a small project to keep my mind occupied while the children were small. The Lennox Wave was perfect because it was – and still is – a monthly publication, and so it was manageable.

Q: I know the Phat Ducks came from a group of you eating out and reviewing local restaurants, but how did you turn it from that into the book, Ate Phat Ducks?

 A: We actually ran out of restaurants to visit in Lennox so we began to venture out of the area. From there, I always had the vision of turning the light-hearted reviews into a book so visitors and locals could receive a little personality along with our real experience of each restaurant.

Q: You obviously love food – hence Sample Food Festival which you’ve been doing for four years now. What do you love most about it?

 A: I love bringing the regions together, and showing off all the amazing produce we have on in area over one day. I love that the public find new restaurants and produce that didn’t existed. It’s exciting.

Q: What will people find at this year’s Sample to tempt their tastebuds?

A: We’ve got several first timer cafes and restaurants this year. No two dishes are the same – so there’s a lot of choice! Organic Oysters are on the menu and I’m sure they’ll be interesting to customers – and there’s lots of amazing desserts as well.

Organic Oysters will be at this year’s Sample Festival.

Q: Obviously community is very important for you – do you think it’s what makes this area special?

 A: Definitely. I love working with the growers and producers in this region – they’re so passionate about their produce and they genuinely love what they do.

Q: Are there any other creative projects in the works Verandah should know about?

 A: Good question…there always is. I’ll get back to you in a few months.

Sample Food Festival is on at Bangalow Showground on Saturday September 13th. This year there will be celebrity guests, $5 and $10 tasting plates, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, kids activities and the Stone & Wood Beer Garden. Entry is free and the festival is open from 8am to 4pm.

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Sample to your heart’s content at this year’s Sample Food Festival in Bangalow

The fourth annual Sample Food Festival is shaping up to be the biggest one yet according to Sample director Remy Tancred.  The one-day event, held at Bangalow Showground, not far from Byron Bay attracts over 10,000 visitors from all over the country, and this year takes place on Saturday 13 September. Three ticketed events before festival day have just been announced, one evening function in Lismore and two special lunches.

Thursday 11 September:
Come To The Heart

Celebrated Indigenous chef Clayton Donovan visits Lismore for Sample

One of Clayton Donovan’s delicious dishes

Lismore will host celebrated Indigenous chef Clayton Donovan for a food and art networking evening.
Clayton will demonstrate a few of his signature dishes and guest local artists will be attending. The event will be held in the Alley with Canapés and champagne. $20 per person with all proceeds to charity.
Bookings: [email protected]

Friday 12 September:

The Italian Feast –  with Darren Simpson and Alex Herbert
A & I Hall Bangalow from midday
Darren Simpson is known in the country as one of the finest Italian hatted chefs. He is presenter of The Best in Australia (series 1, 2 & 3),  has regular guest appearances on Sunrise and Ready Steady Cook and judges on My Kitchen Rules. Alex Herbert has spent many years in well-known restaurants including her own and now successfully operates her business Bird Cow Fish out of Sydney. She is a Delicious magazine produce award judge and an advocate for farmers and growers all over the country.

The pair will team up with local chefs Gavin Hughes, Sarah Swan, Monique Guterres, Victoria Cosford and the Salumi Australia boys.
Only $75 for several courses including wine and Stone and Wood beer. Book now as places are limited: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

Friday 12 September:

Clean Living Lunch – with guests Luke Hines and Scott Gooding
Under the marquee at Bangalow Showground from midday.

The pair were finalists in last year’s My Kitchen Rules television show.
Since the show they have published their first book,  ‘Clean Living’,  and are regular guest speakers at health forums and conferences.
If you are a Paleo or raw food fanatic, this lunch is for you.
$60 includes 3-course lunch. Bookings are limited. Email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>  to secure your seat.

Sample Food Festival will take place from 8:00am – 4:00pm Saturday 13 September 2014, at the Bangalow Showground. It will featurefood from local restaurants, local produce and farmers market stalls, plus entertainment, cooking demonstrations and children’s activities. Entry is free. More information: www.samplensw.com <https://ww>

This year’s highlights are:
8am Byron Farmers Market Breakfast with Scott & Luke on the Northern Rivers Food Cooking Stage.
10am Alex Herbert on the cooking stage with the Macadamia Society recipe winner.
10:30am Darren Simpson takes on the TAFE students in a ‘ready steady cook’ challenge.

As always, 26 local restaurants will be offering one $5 and one $10 tasting plate and live music will be happening from midday.

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