Food and Wine Mini Guide to the Ekka 2016

This coming August 10 is The Royal National Agricultural (RNA) Show Day, also known as the Ekka. Although only one day is allotted as a public holiday for the show, the event spans for more than a week (From August to 14 August this year). Held in Brisbane, people from all over Queensland (and some even from interstate or overseas) travel here to attend this special Queensland holiday. One of the biggest draw cards of this event is the food and wine! Delicious produce comes from all different regions of Queensland – fresh and at its best to tantalise the taste buds and warm a chilly tummy. In this post, we want to share with you a quick Food and Wine Mini Guide to the Ekka 2016.

But first, what is the Ekka all about?

Throughout the year, smaller shows are held at various towns, cities and shires, the Ekka is the culmination of these shows, where many local show winners in various competition travel to Brisbane to compete at a state level. Statewide competitions at the Ekka  include those for cattle breeds, show dogs, horses, sheep and sheepdogs. But it’s not just about these competitions, it’s about bringing everyone and everything that’s great about our regions here in Queensland. There are certainly a number of opportunities for regional food producers to transport their unique produce to the big city and a greater sized marketplace.

Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show 2016

Here’s an event at the Ekka that will be sure to appease any budding foodie, winners from the RQFWS will be featured on the Ekka Cooking Stage. Taking centre stage, there will be a variety of cooking show where you’ll get to see some of Queensland’s Best Wines; Cheese and Dairy; Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbet; Branded Beef; Branded Lamb along with the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) first place winners in the Sausage, Ham, Bacon and Smallgoods competitions. Click here to find out dates and times for the various food shows. There also a variety of popup restaurants featuring these regional and state favourites, you can read more here about them.

Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion

From August 5 to 14 (every hour from 11am to 3pm) be sure to check out the Woolworths Kitchen which is stocked up with the latest products and recipes for you to try. You can reserve a seat each day at one of the 5 Interactive Sessions where you’ll learn about preparing seasonal produce and even taste the recipes featured, at the end.

Grab a classic Ekka favourite

A day at the Ekka wouldn’t be complete without a Strawberry Sundae! Did you know that approx. 10 tonnes of strawberries are used making Ekka Strawberry Sundaes every year. Now that’s a lot of strawberries! The sundaes are made with quality locally sourced ingredients and are deliciously smooth and sweet! But it’s not just any decadent treat, it also has a great cause behind on it. On average more than 145,000 sundaes are sold each year with profits helping fund research to find cures and save lives through The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.