Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
Celebrity Chef, Manu Feildel dropped in recently to sample some of the local produce. Feildel was in the region as part of the Cohuna and District Progress Association’s (CDPA) Chef and Chandeliers Gala held on Saturday night.
On Saturday morning, Manu and CDPA representative, Keith Link, toured the region by helicopter, visiting properties and sampling the region’s produce.
Photo: Keith Link.
Golden River Walnuts in Koondrook hosted Manu where he sampled the walnuts and was treated to walnut meal black forest cake. Duane and Leanne Ball have owned the business since March 2017.
He then flew to Barham where he visited The Great Australian Squeeze, sampled the citrus fruits and showed off his juggling skills.
Director of The Great Australian Squeeze, Emma Salter, said, “Our family has been growing citrus here for over 70 years. There are many memories and special moments we have enjoyed over the years, but we can honestly say we have never had a helicopter land with a celebrity chef onboard.
Photo: The Great Australian Squeeze.
“Manu Feildel, who visited the area for the Chef and Chandeliers Gala over the weekend, came to visit our little, but majestic, orchard and mother nature put on quite a display!
“We were blessed to be part of the farm tour that dropped in to half a dozen of the region’s growers and producers as part of the weekend event hosted by the Cohuna and District Progress Association.
“With our juice factory turning 10 next year, there are more exciting things afoot and we will continue to do everything we can to shine light on our locals and support their efforts.”
Other produce sampled on Manu’s tour included pork, buffalo, dairy, wine, oil and salt.
Owners of the farms and businesses visited have already reported increased traffic to their online platforms and have indicated that the visit has increased their exposure on a wider scale.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 2 December 2021.
