Thursday, November 12
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CAMPANA’S STOCKADE CELLARS
PROSCIUTTO from Daylesford, craft beers from local and international brewers or crusty sourdough from Ballarat’s own.
This family-run Italian-inspired deli has been bringing a touch of Europe to local palates for the past twenty-nine years, stocking its shelves with hard-to-source gourmet delicacies whether cured meats and cheeses or gourmet sauces and condiments.
Regional produce also makes an appearance amid the rarer European morsels, particularly in its healthy selection of local wines stocking the cellar shelves.
Fresh, local produce will again be pride of place for Good Food Ballarat with top local chef Peter Ford tapping the best of the region’s produce to present a wine and tapas evening with deli owners Leanne and Tony Campana. The evening will involve pop-up stalls for participants to taste a variety of local Ballarat wines, and dine on a tapas selection made with the finest and freshest of Ballarat’s regional produce.
Campana’s Stockade Cellars local wine and tapas tasting will be held on Thursday, November 12 from 6-8pm.
Tickets are $65 per person. Bookings can be made by calling 5331 2422.
Friday, November 13
WESTERN HOTEL’S OLD SCHOOL FRIDAY LONG PADDOCK TO PLATE LUNCH
NOW a thoroughly modern hotel after an extensive renovation two years ago, The Western offers modern pub favourites in a family-friendly setting.
Patrons are many and varied to match the Western’s flexible floor-plan incorporating a bistro, Public Bar, TAB, and outdoor garden for dining with the family, social drinks with friends or colleagues, and special occasions, says owner and manager Dan Cronin.
With a menu of old and new favourites, sharing plates and tasty hand-held options like tacos, pizzas, gourmet sandwiches and souvlakis, the Western’s relaxed bistro fare is perfect for socializing.
The Hotel is getting involved with Good Food Ballarat for the second consecutive year with plans for a six-course lunch – “old school style,” says Mr Cronin.
“Our team are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talents,” he says.
The event will demonstrate how wine and beer can work together, using fresh, local produce.
“This is bound to be a great day out.”
The Western’s six course lunch will be held on November 13 at 1pm.
Tickets: $60 per person. Bookings can be made by calling 5332 2218.
Saturday, November 14
BRUNCH AT VEGAS AND ROSE
THIS intimate little coffee spot is so tucked away that people are still stumbling on it as if it were new to town.
Owner-operator Penthea Marshall-Radcliffe says she still gets passers-by saying “ ‘Oh, you’ve just opened?,” some four years on from when she first moved to her Hummfray Street bolt-hole.
Good Food Ballarat is the perfect opportunity for yet more patrons to “discover” Vegas & Rose’ brunch and coffee offering.
Owner Ms Marshall-Radcliffe says her café caters to the discerning coffee drinker and has its own loyal following amongst those already in the know.
Vegas & Rose is one of just a handful of outlets in Ballarat that sources its coffee beans from Melbourne-based specialty roaster Coffee Supreme in Abbotsford.
“It’s got quite a following,” says Penthea of their in-house coffee.
The cafe kitchen may be tiny but Ms. Marshall-Radcliffe prides herself on turning out small but perfectly formed breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes to complement the coffee. Read: baked eggs, housemade banana bread with marscapone and blueberries and their avocado and Meredith feta smash.
At Vegas & Rose, local produce is used with pride - whether the delicious brioche buns as breakfast sliders, the fresh crusty sourdough from Basilio, Meredith Dairy’s feta or the award-winning leg ham from John Harbour Quality Butchers that tops their croque-monsieurs.
This Good Food month she’ll be serving up a brunch incorporating the café’s signature croquet-monsieurs of leg ham, gruyere cheese, béchamel and Dijon on toasted sourdough with housemade chutney and pickles.
“Ballarat’s finally on the up with food,” says Ms Marshall-Radcliffe.
“It’s slowly getting better. People are more aware and educated and its no longer just about chicken parmas and vanilla slices. We’ve got some great restaurants here now.”
Brunch at Vegas and Rose will be held on November 14 between 8.30am and 2.30pm.
Price: $12-$17 per person. Bookings can be made at 5332 4827.
Sunday, November 15
THE MINERS TAVERN OLD ENGLISH PUB LUNCH
THIS pub at the end of Lydiard Street is traditionalist offering classic pub fare with its popular “$10 Pot and Parma” or “Pot and Pizza” nights.
Traditional will also be the focus for Good Food Ballarat with plans for an “Old English Lunch” with four courses of good old English pub grub.
Starting with Cock-a-Leekie soup, diners will then be treated to an entrée of fish-and-chips served with mushy peas and a main of Beef Wellington with Madeira sauce, served with roasted parsnip, carrots and green beans.
Dessert will be Eton Mess, and all diners will receive a complimentary pint of Pale Ale or wine on arrival. Functions manager at The Miners Tavern, Jenny Alizzi, says she’s excited by the changing food scene in Ballarat.
“The quality of regional produce is excellent and always improving,” she said.
The Miners Tavern will host their Old English Lunch from 12pm on Sunday, November 15.
Tickets: $50 per person. Bookings can be made by calling 5332 1811.
Monday, November 16
GRILL’D BALLARAT BURGERS, BEERS AND GOOD TIMES EVENT
THIS year, Grill’d Ballarat will be entering into the spirit of Good Food Ballarat with its own event “Burgers, Beers & Good Times.”
From 6pm on November 16, all Grill’d burgers, steak sandwiches, sliders and salads on the current menu will be offered with a $5 craft beer, wine or cider. Live acoustic music will also feature.
Menu from $20. To make a booking phone 5331 2651.