Regional New South Wales is a special kind of different. Away from the early morning rush, traffic jams that make you want to fall asleep, and towering skyscrapers of capital cities, there’s a slower, more thoughtful pace that makes every experience feel richer, and it’s hidden just 3 hours west of Sydney CBD.

This March, we travelled to one of New South Wales’ standout regional towns for its annual FOOD Week, Australia’s longest-running regional food festival, and an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the best chefs in Australia. Running since 1991, Orange FOOD Week spans over 10 days, celebrating the region’s exceptional food and wine alongside a program of chefs, producers, and local talent. This year, we enjoyed a weekend full of the very best the region has to offer, and it’s safe to say we’ll be back for next year’s lineup.

For our rundown on Orange FOOD Week and what we got up to, keep reading below.

Harvest & Bake: Apple Pie Workshop

Hosted at Hillside Harvest just outside of Orange’s town centre, we enjoyed a hands-on apple pie workshop to start our FOOD Week experience. Using locally grown apples picked straight from the orchard, we were part of an intimate group of 10 learning the art of crafting the perfect pie, from the best tips and tricks to peeling and sauteing your apples, to how to create moist, crisp pastry. Complete with tastings along the way, it was a warm welcome to the Orange region.

Ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, the class was split into two groups: one focused on peeling, cooking and preparing the apple filling, while the other mastered the delicate pastry. As someone who very rarely bakes (and when I do, i am certainly no master), taking the afternoon to immerse myself in the Orange harvest and create something from scratch felt genuinely special. With our instructors help at every step of the way, I felt confident that I had mastered the art of the apple pie (spoiler alert, I did).

The session ended on a rustic note, with chefs encouraging individuality and celebrating imperfections, placing emphasis on flavour above all else. The result? A warm, homemade apple pie that instantly transported us to a cosy autumn evening at home; Comforting, nostalgic and sweet. With the option to freeze on-site and take our pie home to be baked at a later-date, enjoying this with my family was just as sweet as our apple pie itself.

The Night Markets

To settle into a cool autumnal Orange evening, we explored the Night Markets in Robertson Park, a lively, vibrant space complete with live music, community spirit, and enough food and wine to leave you feeling whole, both in heart and stomach. With over 50 stalls to browse from, each one sporting award-winning local foods and drinks,

Each ticket included a complimentary FOOD Week glass with the option to add a lanyard holder, making it easy to sample wines while keeping your hands free for food. Tastings were encouraged throughout the park, allowing you to discover your favourites at your own pace.

We opted for a beef brisket roll by the chefs at The Hotel Canobolas, paired with a rosé from Mortimer’s Wines. Smoky, rich and packed with flavour, the brisket was the perfect evening bite. Mortimer’s proved a crowd favourite, and a local tip rang true: a long line usually means it’s worth the wait. The Chestnut Garth Rosé was light, juicy, and crisp, a refreshing way to round out dinner under the fairy lights.

We also enjoyed a delicious Chicken Noodle Bowl from Trang Hue, a traditional Vietnamese Street Food venue, complete with leafy greens and honey-soy-marinated chicken. Enjoying our food picnic-style whilst listening to live music during the sunset was the perfect way to top off a day in Orange, well spent.

Sampson Street Lunch

A signature FOOD Week event, the Sampson Street Lunch sees an entire street right in the town’s centre closed off to welcome in the very best known and emerging chefs for an afternoon celebration of food and wine. Held under the canopy of Plane Trees, which begin to crisp into orange hues during seasonal changes, it is one of the most picturesque streets in town, and with long lunch tables trailing down, it’s no wonder the event has become one of FOOD Week’s most sought-after events.

We were welcomed with a glass of 2024 Colmar Estate Brut Rosé Sparkling, a bright and elegant start to the afternoon. Each course that followed brought local Orange homegrown ingredients to the forefront, thoughtfully paired with regional sips that went down an absolute treat.

Course one was crafted by local chef Hugh Piper. Flavoursome Gnocchi Fritto, Wild Mushroom Ragu, served with Preserved Truffle, Second Mouse Maurice Custard, and topped with pickled tropea onion. Alongside ciabatta rolls by the sugar mill, the starter was the perfect opener; it was rich, comforting, and full of depth. Paired with 2021 Swinging Bridge Hill Park Chardonnay and 2024 Heifer Station Pinot Noir, it’s safe to say we were off to an absolutely roaring start.

For course two, we enjoyed a Grilled Lamb Rilette, topped with Fig Vinaigrette, Hazelnut, Cumin, and Corbacia Peppers prepared by local chef Dom Aboud. Succulent and juicy with every bite, the lamb was a clear favourite at our table. Its flavour profile showcased the very best of regional produce, combining combinations I’d never thought to try, but am very glad I did. Course two was paired with 2024 See Saw Wine Invergo Riesling and 2022 Byrne Farm Syrah.

By the third course, anticipation was high at our table, and for good reason. What we were served up next was a real treat for the senses. Chef Richard Learmonth prepared a smoked pork and ginger sausage with anise-glazed eggplant, glass noodles, and autumn vegetables, a hearty, comforting dish that perfectly captured the season around us. The meal was paired with 2023 Stockman’s Ridge Signature Gruner Veltliner and 2024 Canobolas Wines Cabernet Frane.

Finally, we enjoyed a dessert prepared by local chef Danielle Romeo, an Apple Terrine, Baked Rhubarb, Crème Anglaise, and Hazelnut Praline, a deliciously sweet and juicy end to a lunchtime celebration of local foods and wines. I’m a sweet tooth at heart, so it’s safe to say this was my favourite dish of the day, and one that I wished I could take home with me. Our dessert wines of choice were a crisp white 2024 Brangayne of Orange Late Harvest Reisling and a bold Espresso Kefir.

An afternoon of great company, bold, vibrant flavours, and plenty to drink, it captured everything Orange FOOD Week does so well. Set beneath the autumnal trees, the atmosphere was picture perfect, complete with trendy tunes that people couldn’t help but get up out of their seats and dance to finish off the afternoon. It’s the kind of experience you can’t help but come back for, and one we’ll be returning to without a doubt.

And for those who wanted to keep the good vibes rolling, right around the corner, The Hotel Canobolas was hosting drinks and snacks all night long at their Summer Street Bar, a spacious, cosy joint right in the centre of town. Grab a pint, take a seat, and enjoy the live music right into the evening for a true taste of regional Orange.

Bubbles & Brunch at Swinging Bridge Wines

Just outside of town, amid the vast regions of the Orange landscape, sits Hill Park Vineyard, the perfect location for a Sunday morning bubbles-and-brunch recap on the weekend that just was. We enjoyed a breakfast spread of freshly shucked oysters, smoked salmon, caviar, sweet fruits and pastries, alongside a glass of sparkling bubbly to finish off the perfect weekend.

We sat inside, sipping a glass of G&A Sparkling over breakfast to round out a beautiful weekend. With plenty of space to gather with friends indoors (with sweeping country views to enjoy), along with sunlit outdoor areas, there’s little that compares to the experience at Swinging Bridge Wines for a breezy Sunday morning brunch.

The Quest Hotel

Right in the middle of town, Quest Orange was the perfect place to stay whilst we explored FOOD Week. Where country charm meets modern comfort, Quest houses all the perks of a chic city apartment, with the feeling like you’re staying right at home.

Spacious inside each room, and with a communal gym and shared community spaces, The Quest was cosy and comfortable for our time in Orange. Staff at the Quest were helpful and informative throughout our stay, suggesting local favourites for our downtime and keeping us stocked with everyday essentials.

With rooms available for singles, couples, families, and friends, there’s an option to suit everyone with Quest, and with a cosy apartment feel to each space, you’ll feel right at home, no matter the length of your stay. It’s the ideal place to stay if you’re looking for comfort, convenience and a true home-away-from-home experience in the heart of Orange.

Book your stay at The Quest Orange HERE.