Flavour-filled weekend sets the scene for Eat Local Month's celebrations

At O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards, The Longest Lunch will be served overlooking Canungra Creek

Stunning mountain-scapes and World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforests will provide the backdrop for the first in a series of flavour-filled weekends during Scenic Rim Eat Local Month in June. 

The Scenic Rim's lavish month-long celebration of its farmers, growers, producers, artisans, chefs and quality food and beverages kicks off on the weekend of 1 to 2 June at Tamborine Mountain, Canungra and Beechmont. 

Across the Scenic Rim, Eat Local Month features long lunches, degustations and dinners, workshops and masterclasses and opportunities to meet the producers behind the region's authentic flavours, culminating in the Winter Harvest Festival to be held for the first time in the picturesque setting of Kalbar. 

The first flavour-focused weekend of Eat Local Month provides a taste of what is in store for families and foodies with a full menu of activities and events to choose from in carefully curated itineraries based around the east, west and centre of the region. 

On Saturday 1 June, visitors and locals alike are invited to discover the secrets of sustainable organic farming at the Forgotten Sound Farm at the base of Tamborine Mountain before heading up the mountain to taste some of the tipples for which the Scenic Rim has achieved international renown. 

There's an opportunity to experience the modern herbal liqueur amaro at The Loborn Tasting Bar or to create a signature spirit at Australia's most awarded distillery, Tamborine Mountain Distillery. 

Renowned for her hospitality, Mrs Frost will be cooking up a Long and Local Lunch at Frost Farm, Guanaba, while My Country Escape in Canungra will offer A Taste of Country with the chance to chat with leading local producers. 

As the first day of Eat Local Month's focus weekend draws to a close, The Paddock Sunset Banquet at Beechmont Estate provides an opportunity to savour the flavours of the Scenic Rim while watching the sun set over rolling hills. 

Sunday 2 June begins with breakfast at the Picnic Real Food Bar at Tamborine Mountain and the North Stores Eat Local Market Growers and Makers Day offering the freshest local and seasonal produce. 

Serving up Tacos and Tipples, Witches Falls Winery will offer a relaxed afternoon of live music, wine beer and cider with mouth-watering tacos prepared by Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Josue Lopez. 

At O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards, The Longest Lunch will be served overlooking Canungra Creek while at Beechmont Estate there will be an afternoon of culinary delights, music and lawn games with High Tea in the Fields. 

Across the region's east through Eat Local Month, wine lovers can explore the cellar doors of Witches Falls Winery, Sarabah Estate Vineyard, Albert River Wines and O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyard, which is also home to Mountview Alpaca Farm, a firm family favourite on the Scenic Rim trail. 

As well as fine food, Eat Local Month provides lashings of family-friendly fun.  

Timed for the school holidays, there's the Campfire Cookout and Nature Play with Birdwings Forest School at Frost Farm, Guanaba, from 9.30am to 12.30pm on 12 June, 19 June, and 24, 25 and 26 June with family-friendly pricings at just $20 per person or $10 for children under 13 and free admission for children under the age of two. 

Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said Eat Local Month offers something for every taste and budget. 

"Eat Local Month delivers much more of what food lovers have come to relish since Eat Local Week began in 2011, showcasing our farmers, growers and producers against the backdrop of our spectacular Scenic Rim," he said. 

"Now in its second year as a month-long event, it offers a smorgasboard of more than 120 events through the month of June, with the Winter Harvest Festival a highlight. 

"Eat Local Month is an open invitation to Australia's most authentic paddock-to-plate food and farming experience and a wonderful time of year to enjoy all our region has to offer with family and friends."  

Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is proudly presented by Scenic Rim Regional Council, with support from Major Partner Moffatt Fresh Produce, and Supporting Partners Kalfresh Vegetables, Urban Utilities, Community Bank Kalbar, Brisbane Economic Development Agency and ABC Radio Brisbane. 

The event is also supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. 

For further information on Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, go to eatlocalmonth.com.au/