click click click

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Winter Harvest Festival at Rouse Hill Town Centre

Joined in the fun of the first Winter Harvest Festival at Rouse Hill Town Centre this morning. This event was a collaboration of Rouse Hill Town Centre and the Hawkebury Harvest to celebrate local and regional foods, a chance for visitors to sample the tastes of winter.

Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


We heard the sounds of the event even before we arrive at the scene.  The music of the band helped us in finding our way.  Live music while going around or having brunch or morning tea made everyone feel the festive air.
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


It's our first time to attend a farmer's market.  The great thing about these kind of events is you get to discover the local producers in nearby areas.  Most of their products homegrown or homemade. 
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


Ford's Farm is a well-known orchard for mandarin picking.  Their mandarins are so sweet.  They sold 3-kilo bags of mandarin for only AUD$6.00.  They also sell Cumquats, Lemons and Limes.
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


Other than getting to know and buy local produce, you get a chance to taste the products.  That's one of the best advantages of buying produce in the market as compared to buying produce in grocery stores--not only do you get to buy fresh produce, you also get to taste the produce before buying them.


Taste tests:  Honey, Jams, Wine, Bread.
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


There are lots of chocolates and pastries too!  We had a taste of the truffles at The Chocolate Pot and it was delicious. 
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre

 Can't help but by a small box.
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


Other than food, there are other items found at the festival:  Potted flowers and baskets to name a few.
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre
Winter Harvest Festival @ The Rouse Hill Town Centre


Loots from the Festival:

We bought a 3-kilo bag of Mandarins, Bloodwood Honey and Mixed Berry Jam from the Enniskillen Orchard.  The Mixed Berry Jam is made of preserved Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries and Blueberries (berries galore!!!!).  It's soooo delicious.  I told my Husband that I won't have to miss the jams from Good Shepherd because I finally found an equally delicious jam here.
Honey and Mixe Berry Jam



The Truffles from the The Chocolate Pot is a great find.  I'm not much into flavoured chocolates but their truffles are different.  The flavours of their chocolate are not overpowering.
Truffles from The Chocolate Top

The truffles we bought were (top left to right) cherry, champagne, hazelnut, (bottom left to right) orange, coffee and mint.  The orange and coffee truffles have cute designs!! :)