There was something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds at the launch of the Good Food Festival on Friday.
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Foodies flooded through the doors of the Ballarat Mining Exchange for the Family Hawkers Market which offered a taste of things to come throughout November.
Freight Bar manager Chris Sargent said this year’s two-day format – which will see the Family Hawkers Market also run on Saturday, 10am-3pm – helped to create a good family atmosphere.
“It was just the Friday night last year and it was absolutely packed, so it will be interesting to see how it goes over two days,” he said.
“If it does spread the crowds out a bit over the two days it will probably make things more enjoyable, with a bit of extra room to move.”
Asahi Japanese head chef Jeff Leipnik said the market was a good sampler of the month ahead.
“The first year was great, we loved the atmosphere and getting our food and flavours out to the community,” he said.
“This launch is a good opportunity to do that. People can have little bite size pieces, a lot of people don't know exactly what Japanese food is - this is a great starter.”
Organisers predicted more than 1000 people would attend the two-day launch, with Friday night’s crowd making the most of warm conditions.
Ballarat resident Michelle Callahan was one foodie enjoying the night out.
“This is the first time and I'm absolutely loving it,” she said.
“We went to an event last year, but this time my husband Shane and I have planned a lot more.
“We're flicking through the program and there is so many things to do.”
This is the first year Spanish tapas bar and Mexican restaurant, Zaragosa has participated in Good Food.
Owner Scott Anestis and his team were dishing up treats to satisfy the customer’s sweet tooth.
“We're serving churros, which is a Spanish donut, with a chocolate dipping sauce and we've also got sangria,” Mr Anestis said.
“Serving up a dessert I think we'll be really busy later in the night, generally people aren't having a churros before their steak sandwich or their dumpling.
“I think it is fantastic Ballarat is putting on these types of events, especially allowing all the different businesses to mingle with each other - it creates a really great community spirit.