Celebrate Asparagus Archive 2004

The annual Celebrate Asparagus Festival was held on Saturday 9th October, 2004 at the Cardinia Ranges Farmers’ Market at Pakenham Racecourse - approximately one hour south east of Melbourne.

Over 3,500 food enthusiasts of all ages flocked to the festival and enjoyed all the fun-filled activities, including:

• Trying and buying Cardinia’s luscious local goodies from passionate local producers
• Cooking demonstrations showcasing local asparagus
• Sampling top dishes with recipes to take home
• Wine Tastings
• Kids Colouring Competitions with great prizes
• Gus Asparagus giving out special activity booklets and balloons to the kids

Shopping!

Before the gates were opened, Michael Motta of Motta Produce rolled up in his distinctive truck packed with box upon box of luscious asparagus - freshly picked from local farms. It wasn’t long before early shoppers appeared to buy up big of this treasured vegetable.

From left to right - Michael Motta’s truck formed a perfect backdrop for the asparagus stalls. Michael Motta of Motta Produce with Joanne and Darcy Courtney of Bridge Farm Asparagus

Cardinia Ranges Farmers’ Market regular stallholder Joanne Courtney of Bridge Farm Asparagus had jumbo sized spears of organic asparagus on offer and neighbouring stallholder Sharon Richardson of Market Mushrooms had boxes brimming with Swiss Brown mushrooms.

Shoppers filled their shopping baskets to overflowing with an abundance of local goodies from Cardinia Ranges Farmers’ Market regulars including farmhouse cheeses, free range pork and beef, barramundi, organic breads, tantalising preserves and local wines from the Cardinia Vignerons Association.

From left to right, Joanne Courtney with Sharon Richardson, Arthur Giaccotto with the Gus Asparagus Activity Booklet and freshly picked asparagus, and Melbourne food enthusiasts Jan Lillie and Ann Simmonds

Cooking!

There was plenty of action with ongoing cooking demonstrations of fresh asparagus by local chefs who joined forces with the Woodnook Promotions Gourmet Cooking Team - assisted by Pakenham Secondary College Hospitality students.

Pakenham Secondary College Hospitality students with Woodnook’s Kathy and Suzi.

Tony Simpson, Manager of Ray White Pakenham, cooked char-grilled asparagus with tomato salsa. Rosa Santo of Mama Rosa Restaurant & Trattoria cooked Penne Agli Asparagi - a delicious pasta dish with asparagus - and Matthew Bolling of Cardinia Cultural Centre whipped up Oven roasted Gippsland lamb with prosciutto wrapped asparagus.

From left to right - Tony Simpson, Manager of Ray White Pakenham, Rosa Santo of Mama Rosa Restaurant & Trattoria and Matthew Bolling of Cardinia Cultural Centre

Rob Macintosh of Shanika’s and Norm Sutherland of 1884 Courthouse whipped up prosciutto wrapped chicken, asparagus and mushrooms with local blue cheese.

From left to right - Rob Macintosh of Shanika’s, Norm Sutherland of 1884 Courthouse restaurant and Rob and Norm with manager, Rob Imperatore

Tastings of Local Wine
Cardinia Shire Mayor, Garry Runge, joined Jenny Pullar of Cardinia Ranges Vignerons Association to kick off guided Wine Tastings. The winning match of the day was freshly cooked asparagus, Tarago River Cheese and a local Sauvignon Blanc.

Cardinia Shire Mayor, Garry Runge with Suzi of Woodnook Promotions and Jenny Pullar

Gus Asparagus

Gus the giant asparagus character delighted the kids and encouraged them to try their luck in the Kids Colouring In Competition using the Gus Asparagus Colouring In Sheet.

Wes and Aub Goodman of the Australian Asparagus Council entertaining the kids during the Colouring In Competition.

Gus roved the festival, making some new friends and giving out Gus Asparagus Kids Activity Booklets and free balloons.

Prizes!

There were prizes to win including a fabulous Smash Enterprises prize pack of super cool lunch coolers, lunch boxes and drink bottles, also a George Foreman Indoor Outdoor BBQ - perfect for cooking fresh asparagus!

Celebrate Asparagus 2005!

Our 2005 Celebrate Asparagus Festival will be held at the Cardinia Ranges Farmers’ Market at Pakenham Racecourse on Saturday 8th October, 2005. Put this date in your diary now!

And stay tuned for the list of activities and happenings!

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Copyright© Australian Asparagus Council. Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information on this website is correct and up to date, no representation is made or warranty given (either express or implied) as to the completeness, accuracy or currency of the information that it contains. Last updated August 2007