Hunter Valley Gardens Launches FlavourFest This June Long Weekend

This June long weekend from Saturday 12 June to Monday 14 June 2010, Hunter Valley Gardens will launch FlavourFest, an exciting new sensory experience. The three day culinary extravaganza will feature fine food, exquisite wine, deluxe merchandise, co

This June long weekend from Saturday 12 June to Monday 14 June 2010, Hunter Valley Gardens will launch FlavourFest, an exciting new sensory experience. The three day culinary extravaganza will feature fine food, exquisite wine, deluxe merchandise, cooking demonstrations, celebrity guest hosts and inspiring music, showcasing the flavours and sounds of the Hunter and beyond, all inside Australia's largest and most spectacular display gardens.

Experience the gems of the Hunter together in one beautiful location, with a marketplace full of fresh produce, gourmet foods, sweet delights and exotic flavours and the region's most acclaimed boutique wines and beers.

After grabbing a bite to eat, sit and enjoy the 'flavours of music' from around the world, with performances featuring Scottish, Celtic, African, Spanish and South American tunes.

There will also be a range of fun and quirky entertainment with roaming musicians and clowns, sure to keep both the young and young at heart entertained.

Kyle McKendry, General Manager says, "Hunter Valley Gardens is excited to announce the launch of FlavourFest this June long weekend. There will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy with interactive activities sure to make it a memorable long weekend for everyone."

Celebrity guests taking to the stage to host cooking demonstrations during FlavourFest include:

Tobie Puttock - Saturday 12th June
International award winning chef Tobie Puttock worked alongside Jamie Oliver in the hit series 'Jamie's Kitchen - Australia' and appeared in the Lifestyle Channel's FOOD TV series 'Tobie and Matt - Europe and Asia'. He also has two best selling cookbooks 'Daily Italian' and 'Italian Local'.

Janelle Bloom - 12th, 13th & 14th June
Janelle Bloom is one of Australia's most-loved food writers and one of the original chefs on Network Ten's Ready Steady Cook.

Pete Evans - Monday 14 June
Respected chef Pete Evans is currently starring in channel 7's My Kitchen Rules as an expert judge. Pete's Hugos restaurants have won numerous awards, including a coveted Sydney Morning Herald Chefs Hat seven years in a row.

In addition to the celebrity chefs there will be several award winning local chefs showcasing inspiring techniques and delicious recipes. World champion bartenders from Goldfish Bar in Sydney and Pokolbin, will also be on hand to mix top quality drinks and cocktails and to divulge their secrets from the highly skilled world of mixology.

There will be plenty for the kids at FlavourFest too. They will be able to exert their energy on the jumping castle, get their face painted and join in the music and dancing fun with the live kids shows. Kids can even have a go at cooking with Kids In The Kitchen, getting their hands dirty making their own cookies to take home. (Additional fees apply.)

Entry to the Gardens is $22.50 per adult and children 16 and older, $12 for children between 4 - 15 years of age with children 3 years and under admitted free. For further information regarding FlavourFest at Hunter Valley Gardens (Broke Rd, Pokolbin), please call 02 4998 4000 or visit www.hvg.com.au