Producers shine in Feastival videos

Four very different producers are enjoying a moment in the spotlight as Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival Ambassador Alastair McLeod ramps up promotion of the foodie extravaganza which starts next month.

The celebrity chef, television personality and proud Samford Valley local visits Laceys Hill Distilling Co, The Mini Farm Project, Morgans Seafood Market and Takeaway and Luvaberry.

It’s in the lead-up to Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival, which runs from August 19-September 25 and starts with Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival on August 19-21.

For six weeks, the region’s tastemakers and producers will serve up more than 40 events, dining experiences, masterclasses and tours.

The ‘Feastival’ will take foodies on a culinary journey from the farms to the bay, and everywhere in between, in partnership with the region’s restaurants, cafes, bars, tour operators, chefs, and producers.

It is being delivered by Visit Moreton Bay Region, with the support of key strategic partner, Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the event is an opportunity for the region to showcase its amazing talent and remarkable produce.

“Our subtropical climate offers a bounty of products from pineapples and raspberries to shellfish and beef,” he says.

“We have Australia’s best produce and the nation’s most daring talent. No wonder it’s the number one item on the culinary calendar.”

Visit Moreton Bay Region CEO Shane Newcombe says some of the amazing experiences on offer include the Samford Harvest, Sunset Brewery Cruise, Vines & Hops Tour, Jazz by Candlelight and the Bribie Seafood Boil.

“The centrepiece of the ‘Feastival’ is the world-famous, three-day Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival at Apex Park, Woody Point,” Mr Newcombe says.

“The four producers featured in the Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival videos offer an insight into what it takes to do what they do, and the high-quality end result that the whole region should be proud of.”

Meet the producers

Morgans Seafood Market and Takeaway, Scarborough

In the video, Morgans Seafood Market and Takeaway owner Roan Van Graan chats to Alastair about the seafood his team offers and where it comes from, and he even takes him aboard their trawler boat.

“It (Morgans) is a very iconic name. It’s been here for 40 years now. People are familiar with the business, where it is,” he says.

“The more we can show our produce to Brisbane and the region, it makes it better for everybody.”

See the video

The Mini Farm Project, Samford Valley

The Mini Farm Project’s Nick Steiner says the project is responding to a growing need in the community.

“One in six Australians is now going hungry every day, charities can’t keep up – the food rescue and other donation charities – I see a need for an organisation to consistently grow food to give away to charities for free. We don’t want to live in a first-world nation where 16 per cent of the population is hungry,” he says.

“In 10 years’ time, I’d like to see us having over 1000 farms located across Australia in communities, building partnerships with OzHarvest, Meals on Wheels, other charities and really knocking food security on the head.”

He will be sharing his message during the six-week Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival.

“I hope to infuse them through our food because you can actually also buy our produce and that funds the farms. I’m hoping they enjoy the produce and also enjoy the feeling about giving at the same time,” Nick says.

See the video

Laceys Hill Distilling Co

Laceys Hill Distilling Co’s John Bradbury takes Alastair into the engine room of the distillery and explains the process of making gin.

He also tells viewers what he will be doing at this year’s Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival.

“We’ll be on a stand there but we’ll also be featured as the festival cocktail. Our appropriately named Moreton Sunrise botanical gin features Moreton Bay fig and when you pour it over tonic, it turns pink like a Moreton Bay sunrise,” he explains.

See the video

Luvaberry

The video, to be released next week, will shine the spotlight on the family owned strawberry farm at Wamuran which has created a range of products to reduce the waste of fresh strawberries.

Luvaberry has developed freeze-dried products and also a selection of berry dusts, but also works closely with other producers in the region to promote local growers.

The family regularly opens the farm up to visitors and will host a Father’s Day Strawberry Sesh as part of Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival on September 4.

To find out more about Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival and to buy tickets to events, visit the website

For more on Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, head here