‘A win-win’: Made in the Murray showcase impresses

About 500 people made their way to Radcliffe’s Function Centre for the free event, which highlighted local producers through demonstrations, stalls and chef-made canapés.

There were 28 vendors showcasing products like oils, wine, preserves, fruit and vegetables, baked goods and gins.

Among them was Shebani’s Catering, with Faye Shebani happy with the outcome of the event.

“I think everyone across the board was impressed with how it was organised and there were lots of people around on the day,” she said.

“From our point of view, we had a really successful day.

“It was a great day for not only the people who were there showcasing the food, but participants who came along and just wandered in.

“It was a win-win for everybody.”

Michelle Johns from Talara Australian Native Botanicals also enjoyed strong interest from guests as well as opportunities to connect with other producers.

“It was better than I was expecting,” she said.

“The networking and everything else that happens at all of those events made it really worthwhile.”

Mrs Shebani was impressed with the response to her business’ product offering, particularly as it is better recognised for its souvlakis.

“We sold out of our lemon curd, we had to get more stock of that from home,” she said.

“Considering that isn’t really what we’re known for, that’s just a side product that we do, it was really good.”

Radcliffe’s chef Adam Mitchell created canapés for the crowd to enjoy, utilising the local produce on offer, including from Talara and Shebani’s Catering.

“(They used) the wattle seed and the pepper berries and that was used within the canapés,” Mrs Johns said.

“That helped generate a fair bit of interest and conversation and sales because people really liked the flavours and were coming to seek the ingredients.”

Vendors were happy to connect with one another and see what fellow local producers are growing and making.

The day was deemed a success by exhibitors and Campaspe Shire Council, which has received positive feedback, including from Mrs Shebani.

“Radcliffe’s did a great job and Cheryl (Hammer) was fantastic organising the event, nothing was too much trouble,” Mrs Shebani said.

Stallholders are very open to participating in similar events in the future so that local produce can be promoted.

“It would be great if they made it in to an annual event,” Mrs Shebani said.

Mrs Johns would also join in, and believes that events like this are an important way to put the region on the foodie map.

“If there was something that the council could organise on an annual basis as a food festival or whatever that might look like, it’s definitely something that I would be very interested in,” Mrs Johns said.

“It’s such a great region that we’ve got with produce, food producers, drink producers with the wineries and the farmers.

“It’d be a shame not to showcase what we’ve got.

“Being such a tourist region as well, if we can capitalise on that, it would be really beneficial for everybody in those industries.”