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Flavours of Mudgee is back, and for those eagerly waiting to see what's on offer, you're in for a treat – both literally and figuratively.
As part of the September Food and Wine month in Mudgee, Flavours is one of the most popular events in the year’s social calendar.
Cara George, CEO of Mudgee Region Tourism said that month has been a huge success and has been attracting visitors from all parts of the state.
“The Mudgee Wine + Food Festival got off to a flying start with visitors flocking to the region. Many are travelling from Sydney to see what all the hype is about,” she said.
“Mudgee Region Tourism has been working with stakeholders to get the message out there that this is a great time to travel to the region. Spring has sprung.”
The Mudgee Guardian spoke to several stallholders ahead of the event about what they bring to the table, and what excites them most about Flavours.
Lauren McGovern, owner of Cake and Dessert Co., grew up in Mudgee and has recently returned with dreams of opening her own cake and dessert shop.
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This year will be her first Flavours of Mudgee event and she couldn’t be more excited to share what she’s created.
I’ll have a range of cupcakes, 14 different flavours actually. I’ll also have slices, cake pops and melting moments,” She said.
“I’m so excited. There’s so much to do but I’m excited to get out there and show Mudgee and everyone that comes along what I have to give,”
If sweets aren’t your thing, maybe 14-hour smoked meats are more your style.
Smokin’ Hot 'n Saucy owner, Robert Thraves, started his Texas barbecue food catering business in Mudgee back in 2016.
“Working in the coal mines out at UIan at the time, we decided things were going well enough and we needed to head to a bigger market. So we moved to the Hunter Valley and purchased a food truck,” he said.
“We’re back in Mudgee every month or two doing sports events at Glen Willow and all the food and wine festivals. We love getting involved,”
Because the food takes so long to cook and the sheer amount of people that will be attending, Robert shared with us how much food he will be bringing on the night.
“So my plan is to get to Mudgee, set the trailer up and load the smoker full of meat and start cooking. We will have 60kg of brisket, 200 bones of beef ribs, 55kg of pork belly and 30kg of sausage.”
“This is our third flavours of Mudgee. The first year was out of a gazebo, and this year we’re bringing a trailer. Everything’s wood fired over iron bark. We smoke most of our food over fire upwards of 14 hours.”
How to get home from Flavours of Mudgee
If you don’t live in Mudgee and you want to drive to Flavours on the weekend, it can be a logistical nightmare to organise transport back home.
Mid-Western Regional Council has announced a subsidised Shuttle Bus Service will operate from Kandos/Rylstone and Gulgong to Flavours of Mudgee for the first time.
Buses will run from Kandos/Rylstone (via Lue) and Gulgong, picking up from Gulgong Bus Stop on Herbert Street, Kandos Bus Stop on Illford Road, Rylstone Bus Stop on Louee Street and Lue Bus Stop on Swanson Street.
Tickets are $5 one-way and $10 return. Early and late bus options are available. Places are strictly limited and bookings essential. To book visit: 123tix.com.au/events/1971/eastendbusesflavourshuttle
To complement the Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone shuttle service, Ogdens Coaches have partnered with Council to provide a Mudgee shuttle service during Flavours of Mudgee.
The service will travel in a westerly loop from Robertson Park from 3.30pm to 8.30pm on Saturday.
The route will travel along Gladstone Street, Fairydale Lane, Banjo Paterson Avenue, Bellevue Road, Henry Bayly Drive, Madeira Road, Oporto Road, Spring Road, Robertson Street, Meares Street, Church Street, Horatio Street, Burrundulla Avenue, Mortimer Street, Lawson Street, Gladstone Street and Perry Street.in Mudgee.
There will be approximately 20 minutes between bus arrivals. A trip will cost $5 return with cash payable to the driver for a wristband that you can use to board later in the evening.
It's worth noting that Market Street and Church Street will be closed from 12pm for the event.
Drivers are asked to remove their vehicles from the area to allow for event set up.