Food stalls at the festival in 2016. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
For one day only, you can browse, taste and shop from a handpicked selection of products, from pickles, jams and relishes, to teas, cordials and ciders, along with cured meats, cultured butter, artisan cheeses and more. Meet the producers and discover the story behind your food as you create your own picnic spread with a selection of delicious goodies from artisan producers and makers, including Feather and Bone’s heritage bullboar sausages, Baxter and Bird’s farmhouse toasties, traditional English pies by Broomfield Pie Co., CWA Castle Hill’s scones, and coffee by local enterprise Young Brothers Coffee Co. All have a strong commitment to handcrafted or locally grown and made foods, embracing sustainable practices and reviving traditional preparation and preservation methods.
Tucking in to delicious foods at the festival in 2016. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Take a seat
Pickling demonstration by Alex Elliot-Honey with Amelia and Elana at the festival in 2016. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Join us, the Cook & the Curator throughout the day, to hear about Rouse Hill House and Farm’s fascinating culinary heritage with a series of fascinating talks led by food writer Barbara Sweeney. Sit in on some insightful discussion on the topical issue of food waste with Jaya Chopra of Eat Me Chutneys, and discover how food has long been used as a way to comfort and cure ailments, with Anthia Koullouros of Ovvio Organics. The waste warriors from Cornersmith share their tips on reducing your kitchen waste and Angie Sceats of Slow Food Sydney shares the art of making bone broths in our free food demonstrations (see the Event Program for location and times).
Audience for the talks at the 2016 Rouse Hill House & Farm Harvest Festival. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
The cows, horses and chooks!
Lee and Chelsea getting close to the cows at Rouse Hill. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Feed the cows in the paddock with farmer Lawrence, and enjoy some fun chicken-themed kids’ activities. Learn how easy it is to keep your own backyard chooks with chicken expert Dave Ingham from ‘Dave’s Rent-a-Chook’.
Meet Lawrence and his feathered friends at the Autumn Harvest Festival_Photo (c) Scott Hill for Sydney Living Museums
And of course take a peek inside the historic convict-built Rouse family house with its extraordinary interiors created over 6 generations, and discover the property’s historic outbuildings on our free family-friendly tours.
The day starts at 9am. Rouse Hill House and Farm is located at the intersection of Windsor and Annangrove Roads; disabled parking or drop-off is at our main visitor centre, with main parking just around the corner off Guntawang Road. There’s even a free shuttle bus from Riverstone Station.
Check the website for details, including shuttle bus times. Please remember that as we are a farm with animals you’ll need to leave your dog at home – unless its a guide dog of course.
Hope to see you there!
Charlotte with her cauliflower at the 2016 Rouse Hill House & Farm Harvest Festival. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
