Opening the farm gate - this year's events

2015 is shaping up to be a great year for events, collaborations and good times at the Mandagery Creek Venison Farm Kitchen (and beyond). And now we're out of the fog of Christmas and New Year, I've finally put them all together right on the Local is Lovely e-store, with booking links too.

Please have a read through the below and hopefully find a date/event that suits/appeals. And please also get in touch if you'd like to organise a private event with us or have a bright idea for a workshop we could collaborate on. We have a great space here and I'd love to use it more!

2015 Calendar (more events will be added as we move into the year)

Farm Kitchen Lunch - Saturday 14th March

Join us for a three course lunch at the Mandagery Creek Farm Kitchen on Saturday, March 14.
Kicking off around 12.30pm, our afternoon together will include a romantic (sort of. Well, not really) farm tour, brief cooking demo and relaxed three-course lunch at our big shared tables. Cost is $75pp and lunch is BYO (save a complimentary glass of local bubbles on arrival). Please book here or call (0400 032 326) or email me at sophie_hansen@me.com with any queries.

Conquer the Classics Bakeclub Class and Lunch - Sunday 22nd March

In this demonstration-style workshop with Anneka Manning, author of Bake, Eat, Love, and myself,  we will tackle the classic dishes that home cooks are often hesitant to attempt. Held at the Farm Kitchen, we'll start off with basic fail-safe recipes for each one, we will also look at several variations that are sure to impress. The class will be followed by a sumptuous lunch with Anneka and Sophie, for booking and more information, please jump over to the Bake Club website.

Healthy Kids Lunchboxes Bakeclub Class and Lunch - Monday 23rd March

Our second demonstration-style workshop with Anneka Manning, author of Bake, Eat, Love, we are going to tackle the often-stressful challenge of the kids’ lunch box. It might seem impossible to provide options that are quick to make, healthy and still yummy. But this class will arm you with everything you need to deliver this stress-free...every day! Anneka will introduce you to the four ‘nasties’ you really want to stay away from when it comes to kids’ lunch boxes and explain to you why it is so important to be aware of them. She will also share lots of hints, tips and fantastic, simple sweet and savoury recipes for healthy alternatives to the store bought products that are so often filled with these ‘nasties’. This class promises to fill you with new-found confidence to fill your kids’ lunch boxes every day with food that they will LOVE and DEVOUR. A fun and healthy lunch with Anneka and Sophie, where you will get the opportunity to discuss all things baking and cooking with them, will conclude the session. For booking and more information, please jump over to the Bake Club website.

Food photography and styling workshop - Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April

Join us back at Kimbri Farm this Autumn for a completely unique Local is Lovely Pracshop™ - a practical workshop focusing 80% practical shooting and 20% theory. During practical shooting we will discuss and put in practice how to use your camera, photography basics, lighting, composition, angles, camera gear, planning your own photoshoots, and the working relationship between photographer and stylist. 20% theory will cover things like the art of seeing technique and exercises; workflow, editing and ways to help you find your own style, collaboration and social media presence. There will be shared meals in the orchard, an early breakfast in the paddock, and we'll all come away full of inspiration and content. Our two days together will be a unique experience in editorial styling and shooting. It will be a group effort. It will be hands on, delicious and inspiring. You'll go away not only shooting with confidence (using manual settings of course!) but with a whole new way of thinking about styling and composition plus loads of new recipes and cooking experience.
Cost is $900pp and includes two full days workshop, all meals and accommodation (BYO alcohol). Quick sticks if you want to come to this workshop, we only have a couple of spots left! There's also the option to come as a day student for $600 (not including accom).

Moveable Feast - Saturday 11th April SOLD OUT

In collaboration with our friends at the Agrestic Grocer, join us for a unique and delicious Moveable Feast. Starting with bubbles and canapes at the Agrestic Grocer in town then moving out to the Mandagery Creek Farm Kitchen for a farm tour, entree and main then pudding at the Farm Gate orchard on the way home. We will cook our region's best seasonal produce and share it together in the very place it was grown and raised. As this event is part of the 2015 F.O.O.D Week program, bookings will open once the program is launched in February.

See Saw Wine tasting and venison pies at the Farm Kitchen - Sunday, 12th April

Drop in for a venison pie and a tasting of our neighbour Pip and Justin Jarretts’s new label See Saw Wines. Bookings would be great (for big groups) but not necessary. Pie and salad for $15 and tastings are free. See Saw wines will be available to buy by the case, bottle and glass too. Spend a relaxed afternoon with us at the Farm Kitchen! 11-4pm. To book, please call on 0400 032 326 or email sophie_hansen@me.com

Venison cooking demonstration and lunch - Wednesday 15h April

Come out to the farm for our first mid-week cooking demo and lunch. Tim and I will show you a few of their favourite venison recipes and demonstrate just how easy it is to cook this healthy, delicious red meat. Then we’ll all sit down for a relaxed lunch together. $65pp, BYO. Book here.

Food photography and styling workshop - Thursday 25th May and Friday 26th May

Our second Autumn workshop will again bring together two of Australia's top photographers and stylists (Luisa Brimble and Stephanie Somebody) in a two-day practical workshop focusing 80% practical shooting and 20% theory. During practical shooting we will discuss and put in practice how to use your camera, photography basics, lighting, composition, angles, camera gear, planning your own photoshoots, and the working relationship between photographer and stylist. 20% theory will cover things like the art of seeing technique and exercises; workflow, editing and ways to help you find your own style, collaboration and social media presence. There will be shared meals in the olive grove, an early breakfast in the paddock, and we'll all come away full of inspiration and content.
Cost is $900pp and includes two full days workshop, all meals and accommodation (BYO alcohol), book here. There's also the option to come as a day student for $600 (not including accom).

Saturday, June 13 - Farm Kitchen Lunch

Join us for a three course lunch at the Mandagery Creek Farm Kitchen on Saturday, June 13. Kicking off around 12.30pm, our afternoon together will include a farm tour, brief cooking demo and relaxed three-course lunch at our big shared tables. Cost is $75pp and lunch is BYO (save a complimentary glass of local bubbles on arrival). Please book here or call (0400 032 326) or email me at sophie_hansen@me.com with any queries.