Slow Food Ballarat president Peter Ford declared the event a runaway success, saying the 600 tickets for the event sold out on Saturday and organisers had to turn more than 100 people away yesterday.

The event was staged by the volunteer food appreciation group as a regional umbrella event of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

"It was an overwhelming success, it was people coming to our backyard, to our beautiful gardens to enjoy beautiful food in beautiful weather," he said.

"Three weeks out we were concerned but in the last week and last few days ticket sales picked up and it was a sellout before we even got to the day.

"Its success far exceeded our expectations. We had a surprising number of Melbourne visitors."

Five stalls manned by Slow Food Ballarat volunteers, industry professionals and local producers offered food lovers such regionally produced fare as rabbit, chicken, pork, yabbies, cheese, trout and organic vegetables.

Ballarat vignerons were also on site to offer regionally produced wines and local beer from Rebellion Brewery quenched some thirsts.

"The unfortunate thing was we had to turn people away, we decided to cap it at 600 just because it was the first event, because we wanted to make sure it was winner," Mr Ford said.

"We wouldn't have gathered food from more than 40km away and while we were packing up many people remained just imbibing the lovely feel of the day.

"No-one was in any rush."

Mr Ford said as well as the large contingent of Melbourne visitors, those living here were also able to find out where they can source local food.

Mr Ford said the success of the event ensured its return next year.