The President of the Kiama Show Society, David Barnes, is very pleased with the way the community is embracing Kiama’s first Artisan Food Festival.

“It is a new initiative of the Society, and people are getting excited about it,” he says.

“It is an opportunity for people to learn more about what goes behind making good food and encouraging the development of more artisan food businesses.

“It is the future of farming in our area.”

The Festival has a number of facets to it, including workshops, a market with over 50 stalls and a dinner designed and presided over by celebrity chef Mark Olive.

“As the Black Olive, Mark has championed the use of indigenous ingredients, combining his heritage with his training at leading restaurants around the world,” says David.

On the Sunday, the workshops – on topics as diverse as cheesemaking, gin appreciation, beer brewing, and the nutritional benefits of fermenting and pickling vegetables – are proving very popular.

“People want to understand more about the food they eat, so they can appreciate what goes into making a hand crafted product.

“We are over industrialised food production and are turning back to the old ways of doing things.”

Details: Market is on Sun 12 August, Kiama Showgrounds, from 10am. More information on the dinner and workshops at kiamashowevents.com