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Shows & Events Spring Harvest Picnic Spring Harvest Picnic is held each year at Werribee Park in beautifully manicured gardens with historic Werribee Mansion as a picturesque backdrop. Spring Harvest Picnic has a loyal following of food and wine enthusiasts and attracts approximately 10,000 visitors from around the state keen to try and buy the enormous range of Victorian gourmet goodies and quality wines on offer. This special event makes for a great day out for family and friends in the warm spring weather - and the timing is spot on for those wanting to pickup gourmet delights such as premium olive oils, plum puddings, preserves and wine for Christmas presents. To find out more about this fabulous event, visit www.harvestpicnic.com.au. The Australian Asparagus Council represents over 64 growers - from the Koo Wee Rup, Dalmore and Bairnsdale areas of Victoria - who produce high quality green and white asparagus, which is much sought after by home cooks and chefs alike. This year, the Australian Asparagus Council joined a host of exhibitors of innovative, diverse and delicious high quality products. The Australian Asparagus Council joined the fresh produce marquee (see pictured) where fresh mushrooms, sprouts and avocados were on display and up for sale with the Woodnook Cooking Team presenting ongoing cooking demonstrations of tantalizing ways to cook and present fresh asparagus. Barbecued Asparagus with lemon pressed olive oil and salt flakes with pepper berry was a real hit with the crowd, as was Stir-fried Asparagus with chilli and garlic. Asparagus Pesto, much sought after at the annual Celebrate Asparagus Festival, was once again relished with delight at the picnic. Ray Garrad, chef and co-owner of The Grayn Restaurant in Pakenham, is a lover of fresh local asparagus. To celebrate the 2005 asparagus season, The Grayn Restaurant featured a selection of asparagus dishes on their menu including: Asparagus, Smoked Salmon & Bel Grande Quiche; Prawn and asparagus salad, Asparagus soup and Mushroom and garlic ravioli tossed with asparagus and prosciutto in a cream sauce - matched to great local wines. Having been a popular presenter at the Celebrate Asparagus Festival in October 2005, Ray was invited by The Australian Asparagus Council to bring his regional delights to a wider Victorian audience. Ray whipped up a succession of delectable fresh asparagus recipes including Asparagus & Prawn Salad, Asparagus and Swiss Brown Mushroom Pasta with a white wine and cream sauce and Marlin Fillets with Asparagus and Corn Salsa (see pictured). After each demonstration, Ray delighted the crown by offering a prize of two entree-sized portions of the demonstrated dish. Winners enjoyed sitting in the al fresco environment and savoring Ray's delectable dishes (see pictured). | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Back | Home | About Asparagus | Recipes & Tips | What's New | From the Chefs | Supplying Asparagus | Contact us | Site Map 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 | |
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