IT'S not just Moree’s rich black soil plains renowned for fertility.
The Moree on a Plate committee has enjoyed a definite baby boom in recent years, with six babies born since the previous festival.
And with the focus now on recruiting volunteers to help at the event, to be held May 9 at The Moree Secondary College, president Mary-Kate McCormick believes if they can do it, so can other volunteers.
“Maybe it’s the town’s Artesian base or our beautiful hot pools, but there is certainly something in the water out here!” Mary-Kate said.
Last year a number of the 12-strong volunteer organising committee carried out their duties heavily pregnant, with a bounty of beautiful babes to enjoy their first Moree on a Plate next month.
“Kate Goodhew certainly raised our average with her twins Oscar and Frankie, but for a small committee it’s pretty high odds,” Mary-Kate said.
“And Anna Jackman’s due date was on last year’s event but that didn’t stop her pitching in and lending a hand.”
Mary-Kate admitted much of the organising of the event was done with babies on the hip and toddlers at the knee but that the challenges and juggling had all been worthwhile.
We are looking forward to a fantastic festival this year, I’m really proud of all the committee and I think we have organised an event that the whole town can be so excited about.
Celebrity Chef Fast Ed will be just one of the main features, conducting a number of cooking demonstrations using local ingredients.
Children’s healthy eating advocates, Bubble Muffin, all the way from Melbourne will also conduct healthy recipe demonstrations for the young ones in the ever popular Kids Korner.
After it’s popular debut last year, the Blokes on the BBQ competition will be back to see local teams of two battle the tongs to decide who is the 2015 Moree BBQ King.
Live entertainment from Hoi Polloi will set the scene and of course the day will include numerous exciting new and familiar food producers selling their local produce.
“Moree is one of Australia’s top food bowls and there is a continually growing diversity of what’s on offer in terms of local produce and boutique industry," Mary-Kate said.
“It’s a very exciting time for producers and the community and the Moree on a Plate Food Festival is the perfect opportunity to showcase our produce in a relaxed, social environment."