There’s so much going on over the next month I had to make a program……
Passata Making Workshop – Sunday 26th February
I’m not sure how many tomato saucing devices Monique Miller has at home, but she’d easily be in the highest percentile of sauce equipment ownership in Australia. Monique, in preparation for this year’s 21 Days of Crowdsaucing, is holding a passata making workshop at CERES. Aimed at turning the uncertain sauce-maker into a feisty nonna ready to lead loved ones through the travails of passata production. After spending a day saucing with Monique you’ll never look at a cheap tin of Italian tomatoes quite the same way again. Bookings here
Tamil Feasts at The Brunswick Bowling Club – Sunday, 26th February
First I was going to plug the second Tamil Feast at Joe’s Market Garden tomorrow but it’s sold-out again! There is however, for all you lawn bowling fans, Tamil Feasts’ Lawn Bowls & Curry Bowls at Brunswick Bowling Club. For the uninitiated Tamil Feasts are put on each week by Niro, Sri, Nigathan, Nirma, four Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers who spent six years in Australian immigration detention centres. Ably assisted by the wonderful Dori (tears of joy) Ellington, over the past 2 years this unlikely crew has shared food and stories touching the hearts of thousands in sold-out feast after sold-out feast.
The String Contingent at Joe’s Market Garden – Friday, 3rd March
CERES farmer, Emily Connors, is always thinking outside the waxed cauliflower box; this time she’s come up with the garden companions of classical music and urban agriculture. Now a market garden might not be the first venue that comes to mind when you’re considering catching some high-end classical strings – but just float the image of sunset down by the Merri Creek, a garden-side picnic blanket, some nibbles and the world class String Contingent and it all starts to make perfect sense. Bring a chair, rug, cushions and some extra cash for a CD and a special veggie show bag. Tickets here.
CERES’ Harvest Festival Saturday, 25th March
The biggest thing happening anywhere in Brunswick East this year, the Harvest Festival is where CERES give thanks to our good earth. There’s the famous baking competition judged by hard but fair Country Women’s Association judges. The competition is fierce and the best thing is you can buy the cakes afterwards. This year there’s a new preserves competition section judged by Caroline from A Bit of Jam and Pickle . There’s also an animal petting zoo, free workshops, music, face painting, food and 10 acres of CERES – info here
Crowdsaucing – March & April
If you’ve ever wanted to get your family, friends and neighbours together, put your favourite accordion album on and turn a small mountain of romas into delicious passata – then this is the event for you. Last year on Crowdsaucing Day we supported Australian farmers and preserved 5 tonnes of local tomatoes at over 100 crowdsaucings across Melbourne. This year, to maximise the number of local tomatoes sauced and weekends to sauce them, we are going for 21 days of Saucing through late March and April. read more here
Put A Zucchini on Your Neighbour’s Doorstep Day – Saturday, 25th March
PAZOYND Day, as it’s fondly known, will coincide this year with CERES Harvest Festival. PAZOYND Day is a spontaneous celebration of backyard produce sharing and neighbourliness. Not restricted to zucchinis or squashes, PAZOYND Day encourages the informal distribution of any home grown fruit or vegetable item, fresh or preserved in order to promote greater harmony and less food waste in your hood. (A warning – zucchinis and other produce can be a trip hazard – please place your produce with care).
