The Mid North Coast food and beverage industry received a major promotional boost on October 19 when Industry & Investment NSW staged a regional produce showcase at NSW Parliament.

The special trade promotion featured 30 of the best Mid North Coast food and beverage producers.

The event was organised by I&I in partnership with Mid North Coast Tourism and local government.

The showcase promoted sales of world class Mid North Coast produce to Sydney food and wine trade buyers and retailers - from wholesalers through to top end restaurants – to support regional jobs and economies.

The clean sub-tropical environment of the Mid North Coast is a grower’s paradise generating goods of outstanding quality and diversity that would have high value on the Sydney gourmet scene.

The region offers a surprising array of niche and gourmet products including cheese, olives, gluten free pastries, organic dips, rabbit, free range eggs, citrus fruits, vegetables, coffee, chicken, duck, mushrooms, condiments, herbs and spices, tea, beer, wine, and handmade chocolates.

These further complement the Mid North Coast’s renowned macadamia nuts, bananas, blueberries and broad range of seafood.

The 30 Mid North Coast producers showcased their products to Sydney buyers and media during a special trade event.

Fresh Mid North Coast produce was presented in a cocktail menu created by NSW Parliament Head Chef Scott Clark.

Regional cuisine promoter and producer Donna Carrier described the variety of produce and culinary experiences on offer on the Mid North Coast.

Local winemaker John Cassegrain highlighted the region's quality wine blends and how they complement this expanding food-producing haven.

For the rest of that week, Mid North Coast produce was incorporated into a specially-designed Parliament House menu to further promote the region’s offerings.

MID NORTH COAST FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXHIBITORS

• Armstrong Oysters - Sydney Rock Oysters from the Camden Haven Valley
• Baba Lila Handmade Chocolates - handmade chocolates using traditional Russian methods with a unique fusion of Australian native flavours
• Barbushco Pty Ltd - diverse range of organically grown indigenous foods, bush tucker fruits, herbs and spices
• Bent on Food – multi-award winning café/providore
• Blueberry Greens - Macleay Valley blueberries
• Blue Berrylicious - berry products including dessert drizzling sauce, jam, and relish as well as marinades, glazes and vinaigrettes
• Caparris Goat Cheese - fresh log, fetta in brine, soft rind white, blue, cow and goat blend blue, cow and goat blend white cheeses
• Cassegrain Wines - wide range of wines that are full flavoured, yet soft and elegant
• Chai Tea - solar powered Australian tea company which produces nine products hand-packed in recycled packaging
• Comboyne Culture - high quality cheeses including traditional camembert and a soft washed rind cheese, surface ripened cheese, and blue vein cheese
• Gloryridge Plantation - certified organic subtropical bananas
• Hastings Valley Olives and Yarras Olive Products – 11 varieties of olives, quality extra virgin olive oil and pickled olives
• Health in a Bag - hand milled, organic base packet mixes that are wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, nut, soy corn preservative, GMO free. Also innovative pastries with vegetables and omega 3 seeds, cakes and slices
• Klip's Dips - range of certified organic dips using simple, wholesome recipes and best quality local ingredients
• Macleay Valley Rabbits - intensely flavoured and tender rabbits
• Manning Valley Free Range Eggs - sustainable pasture based free range eggs
• Marrook Farm - biodynamic family farm producing quality cultured dairy products including yoghurts and cheeses
• Nambucca Macnuts - macadamia nuts produced in rich well balanced soils and sub tropical climate
• Near River Produce - organic fruit and vegetable market farm producing fresh beetroot, garlic, fennel, salad mix, eggs, and a range of preserves including beetroot relish and caramelised leeks
• PeAk Coffee - quality roasted coffee delivered fresh to wholesale and retail customers
• Poultry of Burrawong - chickens and ducks chemical, hormone and antibiotic free
• Quigley’s Smokehouse - superb range of smoked yellowfin tuna products including premium sliced smoked yellowfin, spiced portion packs, smoked tuna dip, smokey seasonings and condiments
• Raging River Wagyu - Wagyu beef produced through best practice farming methods
• Rainbow Mushrooms - mushrooms including white Agaricus, Swiss Brown buttons and Portebellos
• Red Dirt Distillery - potato vodka as well as fortified wines and liqueurs from regional fruits
• The Company Farm - variety of organic citrus including oranges, lemons, lemonades, limes, kaffir limes, mandarins, tangelos, blood oranges, cumquats and grapefruit, as well as lemongrass and fresh herbs
• The Little Brewing Company - boutique brewery producing beer from the freshest, finest, all natural ingredients with no preservatives or additives
• The Local Veggie Patch - fresh salads and a range of low-fat gourmet sausages
• The Other Chef Fine Foods – award winning range of jams, relishes and essential condiments with no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives
• World Par-Tea - unique tea blends, organic teas and tisanes.