What a week it’s been – Jacqui’s Eat Your History was highly commended at the National Trust Heritage Awards, I was down at TedX hawking sausages, and this Sunday is the Harvest Festival!
If you were at Wednesday’s TedX at the Opera House you may have tried the pork, veal and sage sausages at Feather & Bone. These were so delicious they deserve their own post, so we’ll do that soon. But let’s talk this Sunday’s Harvest Festival!
The 2016 Harvest Festival
(How can it be the end of May already!) This years festival talks are hosted by well-known foodie and author Indira Naidoo. Jacqui and I are both on deck, and you can take a foraging tour with Diego Bonetto, while chef Martin Boetz talks on the Chef’s Co-op, and Simone Stephens talks chickens and eggs – perfect if you’re considering getting a backyard coop. Kids can get motivated with Jamiee Edwards demonstrating pickling and how to make your own ginger beer, while Kristen Allan gets stuck into easy DIY yoghurts and cheeses. There are ‘sneaky peaks’ at the house and its amazing interiors and the 1888 schoolhouse.
You can read all the details, including speaker profiles, here.
A row of homemade preserves. Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney living Museums
The details:
What’s on?
For one day only, you’ll be able to taste and shop from a hand-picked selection of artisanal goods – smoked and fresh meats, eggs, dairy, heirloom produce, tea and coffee, confectionary, pickles, chutneys, fermented vegetables, bush honey, cordials, vinegars, olive oils, artisan cordials and fresh tree nuts – that both reflect the food heritage of Rouse Hill House and Farm and still feature heavily on our kitchen tables today. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our producers and artisans, all of whom have a strong commitment to handcrafted, or locally grown and made foods, embracing sustainable practices and reviving traditional preparation and preservation methods. Throughout the day, enjoy a series of talks hosted by foodie, author and media personality Indira Naidoo. Bring the kids to meet our resident chooks in the chicken coop or help feed the cows with our resident farmer, Lawrence. Kids can get hands-on with free cooking demos and tours.
When?
This Sunday, 29 May 2016 9AM–2PM (though the property stays open till 4, and you get to see the schoolhouse!)
Where?
At Rouse Hill House & Farm
We’re at 356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill, opposite Bunnings at the intersection with Windsor Road.
Accessable and stallholder parking is in the main carpark, however event parking is just around the corner in Guntawong Road, so go one block further west and turn left.
Our phone number is 9627 6777
How do I get there?
As the ad used to say, if youre coming by car “it’s just up the Windsor Road!”, on the left hand side if you’re heading north-west between Castle Hill and Windsor. If you’re coming by public transport, there are trains to Riverstone Station, where you can hop on the free shuttle bus (operated by Sydney Living Museums). The single shuttle will operate a continual service (approximately 15 minutes each way). The first bus leaves Riverstone Station at 8.55am and the last bus will leave Rouse Hill House & Farm at 2.10pm. Please consult the timetables to work out your train connections.
Please note: Rouse Hill House & Farm is a rural property with uneven terrain, and as someone who works there I can seriously say to wear enclosed shoes suitable for walking across a farm. No dogs please (excepting guide dogs) – we’re a farm, and have livestock on site that really won’t take kindly to them. The event will run in most weather conditions – please consider bringing sunscreen and hats. In case a hurricane breaks out (do we even remember rain?) we provide event updates through our social media and on our website.
See you at the Farm!
