Lovedale Long Lunch, 17-18 May 2008 (win free tickets too!)

Good food, good wine and good music. These are the key ingredients of the upcoming annual Lovedale Long Lunch.

Lovedale Long Lunch media launch

All three flowed freely at the media launch last week, celebrating this novel outdoor concept that is now in its 15th year.

How does it work? Every year, on the third weekend in May, visitors lunch their way around seven participating vineyards on or near the Hunter Valley's Lovedale Road. On offer at each vineyard will be two main dishes and two desserts, each prepared by local partnering restaurants. All have been matched with Hunter wines.

Billed as a progressive outdoor lunch, visitors can start at whichever vineyard they like, and visit as many as they can manage. Music and artworks lend themselves to a leisurely pace and tickets can be purchased for a shuttlebus between vineyards.

Musicians

The food?
Oh, it was so delicious.

Need proof?
Of course you do.

[And don't forget to check the end of this post for details on how you can win free tickets to this fantastic outdoor fooding event]

Plating up at the Il Cacciatore Restaurant station

Peppered Atlantic salmon fillet
served on a soft tangy lemon mascarpone polenta with
a salsa verde of capers, lemon, garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive oil
Prepared by Il Cacciatore Restaurant and available at Warraroong Estate

Sauteed home made potato gnocchi
with local chorizo sausage, wild rocket and vine-ripened tomato
tossed in fresh basil pesto
Prepared by Il Cacciatore Restaurant and available at Warraroong Estate

Traditional Italian tiramisu
served with seasonal berry compote, fresh whipped cream
and shaved Callebaut chocolate
Prepared by Il Cacciatore Restaurant and available at Warraroong Estate

Orange glazed pork belly
resting on wok-tossed Asian vegetables
with rice noodles and a sweet mango chutney
Prepared by Infuzion Restaurant and available at Allandale Winery

Dessert assiette (L-R): burnt orange tart with poached blueberries;
pistachio nut and chocolate brownie; and
caramel and espresso mousse caged by chocolate
Prepared by Infuzion Restaurant and available at Allandale Winery

BBQ Moroccan chicken
with chargrilled eggplant, walnut and labna salad
with mint and honey dressing, served with Turkish bread
Prepared by The Cellar Restaurant and available at Cooper Wines

Chocolate caramello cheesecake
with vanilla bean anglaise
Prepared by The Cellar Restaurant and available at Cooper Wines

Barbecued garlic and thyme marinated lamb tenderloins
on a warm minted potato and pumpkin salad
dressed with Gartelmann extra virgin olive oil
Prepared by Chez Pok and available at Gartelmann Hunter Estate

Blueberry cheesecake tart
with Autumn berry compote and freshly whipped cream
Prepared by Chez Pok and available at Gartelmann Hunter Estate

Slow braised beef infused with vanilla beans and Wandin Valley shiraz,
served with oven-roasted sweet potato and gremolata
Prepared by Bel Posto and available at Wandin Valley Estate

Profiteroles filled with traditional Italian vanilla custard
and served with a warm chocolate sauce and pecan praline
Prepared by Bel Posto and available at Wandin Valley Estate

Braised Mandagery Creek venison with shiraz and lemon thyme,
served with caramelised pumpkin cous cous
Prepared by Redsalt at Crowne Plaza and available at Sandalyn Wilderness Estate

Redsalt's Black Label scotch whisky fudge cake
with double cream and chocolate velvet sauce
Prepared by Redsalt at Crowne Plaza and available at Sandalyn Wilderness Estate

Flamed grilled spiced tiger prawns
on toasted almond, spring onion and herb couscous
with lemon and honey dressing
Prepared by Amanda's Restaurant and available at Emma's Cottage Vineyard

Double cream brie cheese
with marinated olives and crackers
Prepared by Amanda's Restaurant and available at Emma's Cottage Vineyard

The chefs

So you like free stuff, right? Then enter the Grab Your Fork / Lovedale Long Lunch comp.

The prizes:
We have two prize packs for the 2008 Lovedale Long Lunch
(winners must make their own way to the Hunter Valley)

Each prize pack includes:

2 x Main Meal tickets that include a complimentary glass of wine $20 each
2 x Dessert/cheese tickets $8 each
2 x Commemorative Long Lunch glasses $5 each
2 x Long Lunch caps $15 each
2 x Rover Coach Shuttle tickets for one day $25 each

Total prize value: $146

Two Grab Your Fork readers will win!

HOW TO ENTER:

Simply check out the Lovedale Long Lunch website and answer the following questions:

Q1. Which vineyard will be serving the blackened chicken on spiced char-grilled garden vegetables?

Q2. Which Lovedale Long Lunch vineyard is closest to the Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism Information Office?

Q3. When is the Lovedale Long Lunch for 2008?

Submit your three answers along with your full name and contact telephone number to grabyourfork_lovedale_comp@yahoo.com.au. Entries close at 6.00pm AEST Tuesday May 6, 2008.

Winners will be drawn and published on Wednesday May 7, 2008. Winners' details will be forwarded onto Lovedale Long Lunch organisers. Prize pick-up will be from Allandale Winery on the day. All personal details will be destroyed at competition conclusion.

Good luck!