Thursday, November 10, 2011

Foodies flock to Castlemaine

Castlemaine's reputation as a popular food trail destination for day-trippers, weekend visitors and local residents continues to spiral to giddy heights.
In the past 18 months, the town's eateries have scored significant write-ups and rave reviews in the daily and national media, attracting an influx of the curious and hungry masses from Melbourne, across the region and even interstate to the historic town.
They bring their appetites and spending power to the goldfields, which they are happy to exchange for fine fare, good wine and a splash of local culture and history.
The publicity has not been by chance. It has been orchestrated by some well-known restaurateurs, who have a wealth of international experience and strong success from their previous ventures.
These include Alex Perry of The Good Table, Hayden Winch of The Public Inn, Joe and Rebecca Lim of A Taste of the Orient and Annie and John Stekerhofs of Apple Annie's Bakery and Cafe.
The media exposure ranges from regular salutes in The Age, reviews in the The Sydney Morning Herald and prime time exposure on television shows like Postcards.
Add to the mix, Castlemaine's Empyre Hotel, owned by John Ganci, which scored an impressive 14.5/20 in The Age Good Food Guide this year, to go within a whisker of getting the chance to flaunt a prestigious chef's hat, and you can understand why traffic on the culinary highway to Castlemaine is getting rather busy.
But it's not just the rave reviews and the award-winning chefs that lure people to eat in the goldfields.
A real buzz
Mount Alexander Shire's economic development and tourism manager, David Leathem says visitors want to know the story behind the eateries and the people who run them.
"They want to know about their passion for food and wine," he said. "It is also about the setting that visitors find themselves in when they visit local venues. In many cases the owners have incorporated the town's heritage and culture into their restaurants - many have been restored to their former glory and feature the work of local artists on the walls."
Mr Leathem says the shire has been working hard to get the media to visit the area and there is a real buzz occurring in the town as a result.
Healthy sign
The Public Inn owner, Hayden Winch has been in the industry for nigh on 20 years. He used to run the iconic Lake House at Daylesford and has also worked in Vietnam, Dubai and Hong Kong, running restaurants and hotels.
"We have been in Castlemaine for about 15 months and I would describe the Public Inn as a provincial bistro and bar," he said. "We try to use as much local produce as possible and the wine in our barrel wall is all sourced within 100 miles."
With two new restaurants opening in the town in the past month, and another on the way, Hayden says it's a healthy sign for the town.
"I don't think we are getting too many restaurants - you need a number of different venues to make a region grow."
Word spreads
John and Annie Stekerhofs opened Apple Annie's Bakery and Cafe just on two years ago and word has spread quickly about the John's outstanding pastries.
"We owned the French Lettuce in Carlton for 10 years and then went north to run a big restaurant on the Gold Coast," John said.
Annie says they came to Castlemaine mainly because they wanted their children to have a Steiner school education.
"It has a secondary component and that was important to us," she said.
John is obviously in his element, often waving to locals and greeting them with a big smile as he bakes a mouthwatering range of pies, breads and pastries at the front of the cafe.
He says Castlemaine is proving a popular food destination because it hasn't lost its quaintness.
"It has retained its historic feel and it's so diverse ... it's good to see the town grow."
Lively town
Alex Perry also opened his restaurant, The Good Table, just across the road from Apple Annie's, about two years ago.
Born and bred in Castlemaine, Alex moved to Melbourne after completing his VCE and completed his apprenticeship at the two-hat restaurant, Cafe di Stisio in St Kilda. He later worked at Ladro in Fitzroy and Movida in the city and gained valuable experience in Italian, French and Spanish cuisines which feature prominently on the The Good Table's menu.
"I love the fact that there is such a bountiful supply of great local produce - meat, eggs, honey and an endless supply of fruit," he said.
The Castlemaine food trail has a bright future, Alex says.
"I'm having the time of my life," he said. "What I like about Castlemaine is that it's a town that is just as lively on a Monday as it is on the weekends - it is not a town propped up by tourism."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Castlemaine Show results - 2011

The 156th Annual Castlemaine Show was a very dampened success. With the Gate down a little on last year, the weather turned very wet for the Friday night activities but considering bad conditions the towns folk still continued to give support Saturday with greater entries in the horse sections saw a lot more spectators than in previous years.
Pavilion entries were down in some sections but junior cooking as well as adult cooking was well supported, the children continue to support the horiculture.
Congratulations to all winners and thank you all for your dedication to the Show.
Thankyou to all judges, stewards and helpers and also the Castlemaine Fire Brigade, for organising the Street Parade and crowd control during the fire works display. Castlemaine SES for manning the gates on Friday night. Castlemaine Football Club for the clean up, Keith Thompson again for the use of the golf buggy, Don KR for the fireworks Display, Elliott Midland Newspapers and staff.
Special thanks to Victoria Restorations- D & B Button- Tonks Bros for the very attractive cubby house that was built and donated to the Agricultural Society to raffle. The raffle will be drawn on December 23.

Special thanks to all sponsors and exhibitors.
Also our very hard working voluntary committee.

- Secretary Debbie Hamilton.


WINNERS CASTLEMAINE SHOW.


STREET PARADE
BEST TRADE EXHIBIT- Victoria Restorations.
BEST GROUP EXHIBIT- Castlemaine Primary School..
BEST NOVELTY FLOAT- Mt Alexander Community House.

BEST EXHIBIT OVERALL. Parsons Motor and Body Shop.
Best in Junior Horticulture.
Decorated Saucer 16yrs & under.
1st- C Dowler.
2nd -T Cole.
H/C A Long.
12 yrs and under.
1st- Brianna Pedretti
2nd-C Muscat.
3rd-A Cooper
8yrs & under
1st-D Spencer.
2nd- B Cooper.
3rd- S Doolan.
5 yrs & under
1st R Muscat.
2nd S McLean.
3rd- I Byrne.
3 yrs & under
1st- H Byrne.
SMALL VASE FLOWERS
16 yrs and under
1st-B Grant
2nd-A Long
3rd-T Cole.
12 yrs & under
1st-B Grant.
8 yrs & under
1st- D Spencer
2nd-Y Adam.
3rd- U Dingemans.
5 yrs and under
1st- A Adam.- Most Successful Exhibitor 5yrs and Under.
2nd-I Byrne
3rd-A Solpietro
3yrs and Under.
1st- H Byrne.
CONTAINER OF FLOWERS 16yrs & under
1st- B Grant- Most Successful Exhibitor 16yrs and under
2nd-T Cole
12yrs and under
1st R Mclean.
2nd B Grant.- Most Successful Exhibitor 12yrs and Under.
8yrs and Under
1st- Y Adam- Most Successful Exhibitor 8yrs and Under.
2nd-D Spencer.
3rd- J Cole.
5yrs and under
1st- Ava Solpietro.
2nd-S Mclean.
3rd-I Byrne.
3yrs and Under
1st-H Byrne.
Dried Arrangement 8yrs and Under
1st-U Dingemans.
EDIBLE NECKLACE
16yrs & Under.
1st- A long
2nd-T Cole.
3rd-A Penrose.
8yrs and Under
1st- Y Adam
2nd-O Adam
3rd- C Griffin.



5yrs and Under
1st-A Adam
2nd D Todorovich.
NOVELTY FRUIT AND OR VEGETABLE
12 yrs and Under
1st- A Johnston- SUPREME JUNIOR EXHIBIT 2011
2nd- A Opperman.
3rd- C Mitchell.
8yrs and Under
1st-O Adam
2nd-Y Adam
3rd-B Opperman.
5yrs and under
1st-A Adam
2nd-H Opperman
H/C B Taylor.

JUNIOR COOKING.
Chocolate Cake.
1st S Doolan
2nd-A penrose.
3rd-W Penrose.
ORANGE CAKE NOT ICED
1st-C Moysey.
2nd-B Semmens.
ANY VARIETY CAKE MADE FROM A PKT MIX
1st- O Hocking.
2nd -J Penrose.
3rd- D Todorovich.
4 SMALL CAKE-
1st-A Penrose
2nd-H Freeman-Smith
3rd-D Todorovich
4 PLAIN SCONES
1st-K Short.
4 PCE UNCOOKED SLICE
1st-D Todorovich
2nd-D Doolan
3rd-O Hocking
GINGER BREAD MAN- Best Exhibit D Todorovich.
4 SAUSAGE ROLLS
1st- A Penrose.- Most Successful Exhibitor Jr Cooking.
2nd- D Todorovich.
3rd-J Penrose.
APPLE PIE- A Penrose 1st.
Any other home made sweet.
1st-A Penrose. BEST EXHIBIT OVER ALL JUNIOR COOKING.
1st-K SHILL decorated cake-judged seperatly. Rosette.
BOILED FRUIT CAKE- A Johnston Best Exhibit. Rosette

JUNIOR ARTS & CRAFTS.
Most Successful Exhibiter 6-7rs- S Bassett.
Most Successful Exhibitor 8-10yrs- Equal-H Moysey-E Woodgrove.
Most Successful Exhibitor 11-13yrs -P Rewell
Most Successful Exhibitor 14-16yrs -T Cole.
Painting-6-7yrs
1st- S Bassett
2nd-A Scopelliti
3rd-L Carolan.
Drawing Pencil or Crayon.
1st-V Scopelliti
2nd-T Rowe
3rd-T Rowe
Photography- Fav Photo.
1st- S Bassett.
2nd-K Bassett.
3rd- E Dunne.
Any other Article.
1st-T Rowe
2nd-L Carolan.
3 to 5yrs Any other Article 1st M Rowe.
SOFT TOY ANY DESIGN- 1st N Edgar.
Pastel any subject- N Edgar. 1st 2nd-N Edgar-3rd N Edgar. Best OVER ALL Exhibit.
Drawing any subject- 1st-2nd N Edgar.
Photography- Portrait- 1st-2nd T Cole.
Photography- Landscape-T Cole-1st.
Photography- Still Life- 1st-2nd T Cole.
Photography- Animal Portrait- 1st-2nd T Cole 3rd- M Scanlan
Photography Scene- 1st-2nd T Cole.
ANY OTHER ARTICLE NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
1st-2nd M Scanlan.
Soft Toy any design- M Woodgrove.
Dec Lavender Bag- C Moysey.
Metal Work- M Dunne
Pottery- M Wood.
Painting Farm Yard- E Scopelliti.
Fav Painting-1st-C Short equal 2nd C Short. T Lau.
Pencil Drawing-1st S Bassett 2nd- P Rewell 3rd- S Bassett.
Lino Print- E Scopelliti
Photography-1st-M Wood 2nd P Rewell 3rd-P Rewell.
Photography- Fav outing- P Rewell.
Photography- Scene- 1st P Rewell 2nd P Rewell.
Creative Model any design - 1st-M Woodgrove H/C J Maki.
Any other Article- 1st- M Woodgrove.2nd-E Scopelliti.
Juniors 8-10yrs
Article of Knitting 1st E Woodgrove
Painting- Fav Theme-1st-G Edgar 2nd-Z Lau 3rd-A Scopelliti.
Drawing pencil or crayon-1st-H Moysey 2nd-G Edgar.
Pottery any theme- D Doolan 1st-C Griffin 2nd C Griffin 3rd
Moulden Ceramics-E Woodgrove
Photography- H Moysey
Any other Article not mentioned- 1st I Carolan. 2nd D Dowler. 3rd D Dowler.

ADULT POT PLANTS
Most Successful in Pot Plants- L Muscat.
Most Successful in cut flowers- R Brown.
Most Successful in Garden Produce- J Howard.
Best Pot plant in bloom- MC Carroll 2nd.
Best Potted Fern- L Muscat 1st
Best Novelty Pot plat- 1st R Brown-2nd B Grant-3rd L Muscat.
Best Potted Cacti- 1st-L Muscat 2nd R Brown.
Best cut flowers 6 Var- R Brown
Best Cut Flowers 3 Var- D Farrell. 2nd R Brown.
Best Full Blown Rose 1st Mark Freeman ( CHAMPION ROSE OF SHOW)
2nd R Lewis-3rd K Semmens
Var 3 Roses 1 bloom of each- D Farrell 1st
3 Roses 1 Var- Mark Freeman 1st 2nd J Obrien. 3rd Castlemaine Secondary Colledge.
Containe
6 Roses 6 cuts-1st Mark Freeman 2bd J Obrien.
1 white rose-1st Mark Freeman 2nd J Obrien.
1 pink rose- 1st Mark Freeman 2nd R Lewis 3rd L Braddy
1 Yellow rose- 1st K Cooper- (RESERVE CHAMPION ROSE)
2nd yellow rose- R Brown- 3rd R Lewis.
1 Red Rose- 1st- Mark Freeman 2nd- R Lewis-3rd- Castlemaine secondary Colledge.
Single Type Rose- 1st R lewis 2nd- R Brown 3rd- J Obrien.
Rose Any other colour- 1st M Freeman-2nd-L Braddy 3rd- J Obrien.
Best Head Rhododendron-1st- V Greenwood-2nd-L Braddy 3rd- K Semmens.
1 Sp Bearded Iris-1st H Palmer. 2nd F Vale 3rd- F Vale.
3 Sp Brd Iris- 1st R Brown 2nd F Vale 3rd F Vale.
Container Brd Iris- 1st N Brown 2nd R Brown. 3rd F Vale.
1 Bloom brd iris- 1st F Vale 2nd B Grant 3rd- R Brown
1 Spike fox glove- 1st T Whittaker.2nd D Farrell.
1 spray 3 Var shrubs- 1st R Brown
1 spray 2 var shrubs- 1st R Brown.
1 Cut snap dragon 1st A Dannatt.
1 Container Aqueligias-1st R Brown 2nd J Obrien.
Container Lavender-1st B Grant 2nd L Skinner 3rd-L Muscat.
Container Flowers-6 cuts. 1st B Grant 2nd R Brown.
Tall arrangement of flowers equal 1st L Shill-T Whittaker-L Muscat
Bowl Spring Flowers- 1st J Warren 2nd J Warren
Fav Container Flowers- J Warren 1st
Arrangement using foliage no flowers- J Obrien
Small posy- 1st J Obrien 2nd A Dannatt.
Arrangement with contrasting colours- J Obrien
Arrangement Suitable for Christmas- A Dannatt.
GARDEN PRODUCE
6 stalks rhubarb- 1st D Farrell 2nd Castlemaine Health 3rd M Mitchell
6 stalks silverbeet- 1st L Muscat.
Best Pumpkin- J Howard.
12 pods broad beans.1st J Howard. 2nd K Semmens
Bunch 10 Radishes- 1st K Semmens
3 Lemons-1st- J Howard 2nd J Penrose- 3rd-K Semmens
4 Var Herbs- 1st-B Grant-2nd J Howard 3rd M Mitchell
Best over all exhibit- Brianna Grant for Herbs.
Best Rhubarb D Farrell.

ADULT COOKERY
Best Rich Fruit cake- M Semmens Best OVER ALL ADULT COOKERY.
156th Anniversary Cake- M Semmens. Best Exhibit.
Carrott Cake- 1st- J Howard 2nd A Perry.
Swiss Roll- 1st M Semmens 2nd K Semmens.
Plain Cake-2nd-L Skinner 3rd A Mariani
Chocolate Cake-1st- L Skinner 2nd A Mariani 3rd J Penrose.
Sultana Cake- A Mariani 1st
Boiled fruit cake L Skinner 1st
Victorian Sponge Sandwich-1st A Howard
Sponge Sandwich any recipe- 1st K Semmens (BEST SPONGE)2nd M SEmmens 3rd D Mc Hardy.
Ginger Fluff- 1st M Semmens 2nd K Semmens 3rd-A Perry
Plain Scones- 1st R lewis-2nd M Semmens.
Meringues- 2nd-A Mariani-3rd L Skinner.
Lamingtons 4 only. 1 R Brown 1st
Rolled or forcer biscuits 1st M Semmens( Most Successful Exhibitor) 2nd L Skinner 3rd A Mariani
Cooked Slice 4 pce only 1st A Mariani- 2nd A Howard 3rd M Semmens.
Uncooked slice- 1st H Palmer 2nd L Skinner.
Cream Puffs 1st L Skinner.
Drop Cookies- M Semmens 1st
Apple Pie- 1st V Greenwood. 2nd M Semmens 3rd- J Penrose.
Plum Pudding- 1st M Semmens (Best Plum Pudding) in cloth2nd L Skinner.
Plum Pudding in Basin- 1st- L Skinner
Any other home made sweet- 1st R Brown 2nd A Mariani 3rd J Howard.

JAMS & PRESERVES
Zucchini Pickles- 1st A Freeman
Green Tomato Pickles. 1st R Brown 2nd M Semmens 3rd J Penrose.
Best Olives- 1st R lewis 2nd G Doolan
Tomato sauce- 1st J Penrose 2nd D Farrell 3rd A freeman
Plum Sauce-1st Garth Doolan 2nd J Penrose 3rd J Clifford equal 3rd A Freeman.
Tomato Relish- 1st R Brown.
AOV Chutney- 1st A Freeman 2nd A Freeman.3rd A Freeman
JAMS & MARMALADE

Lemon Butter- 1st A Mariani 2nd L Skinner.
Any other Marmalade- 1st S Wright.
Apricot Jam- 1st R Brown (BEST EXHIBIT) 2nd M Semmens
Raspberry Jam- 1st A Mariani (BEST EXHIBIT)
Blackberry Jam. 1st- A Freeman 2nd M Semmens 3rd R Brown
Strawberry Jam 1st A Howard. BEST OVER ALL JAM EXHIBITS
Any other Variety Berry Jam. 1st M Semmens.(Most Successful Exhibiter) Jams and Preserves.
Fig Jam 1st R Brown
Plum Jam 1st M semmens 2nd A Freeman
Any other Var Jam- 1st R Brown 2nd M Semmens
FARM PRODUCE
Brown Eggs- 1st R Lewis (BEST EXHIBIT)2nd C Muscat 3rd P Rankine
Six Duck eggs-1st C Muscat (BEST EXHIBIT)
Six white Eggs- 1st C Muscat 2nd L Shill

SUPREME FLEECE OF SHOW- S Glenn and Family Wattle Bank Merino Stud.
Champion Stud Merino Fleece- Wattle Bank.
Best Non Merino Fleece- I Peters.
Best Commercial Fleece- R Dohnt.
Best Fleece Grown under Paddock conditions. R Sewell.

Supreme Saddle Exhibit- Lucinda Fraser with Holly's Tribute.
WINE , BEER
Harcourt Valley Riesling Dry white 2011 Bronze
Harcourt Valley Riesling Dry white 2009 Bronze
Blue Pyrenees Sauignon Blanc Dry White 2011 Bronze
Pengally Lane Vintage Reserve Chardonnay Dry White 2007 Silver
Pengally lane Pengally lane Moscato giallo Sweet White 2011 Silver
Black Estate Vineyard Shiraz Dry Red 2009 Silver
Killiecrankie shiraz Dry red 2008 Silver
Belvoir Park single vineyard shiraz dry red Top Gold AWARD.
Black wallaby vineyard shiraz dry red 2009 Bronze
Harcourt Valley Barbaras shiraz dry red 2010 Bronze
Mt Alexander Black Top shiraz dry red 2009 Bronze
Harcourt Valley Sightings shiraz dry red 2009 Gold
Belvoir Park Single Vineyard Merlot dry red 2009 Bronze
Belvoir Park Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon dry red 2009 Silver
Harcourt Valley Limited release Cabernet Sauvignon dry red 2010 Bronze
Pengally Lane Cabernet Sauvignon dry red 2009 bronze
Harcourt Valley Cabernet Sauvignon dry red 2010 bronze
Harcourt Valley Limited release Cabernet Franc dry red 2010 Gold
Harcourt Valley Sightings Cab shiraz dry red 2008 Bronze
Mt Alexander Cab Shiraz dry red 2009 Bronze