Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Saturday, I had the honour of opening the Maleny Dairies Long Table Spring Showcase—try saying that quickly! It is a creative new concept to show off the fantastic produce of the Sunshine Coast's unmatched local farmers and producers. A group of nine local businesses collaborated to create an authentic five-course feast on a long table set up in the luscious green paddocks of Keith and Sonya Hopper's farm. It was an unforgettable experience. We ate our delicious dinner surrounded by the Hoppers' curious cows. I for one will always remember the image of Sonya driving a tractor in her ball dress.

The local producers involved were: Maleny Dairies, Maleny Black Angus Beef, Maleny Cheese, Maleny Food Company, Strawberry Fields, Clouds Vineyard, Tim Adams Specialty Coffee, Brouhaha Brewery and Spicers Tamarind Retreat. Local chef Matt Yurko of the Canape Project designed the menu to showcase the produce of these tremendous Maleny businesses and to highlight the hardworking people behind the food and drink we enjoy on our supermarket shelves. I thank all the producers involved and the Hopper family for hosting the event. I would also like to mention the Maleny Dairies PR and events manager, Misty Bland, for doing such a great job organising the evening. To any Australians watching this, I say check out these Maleny locals' fantastic produce; you won't regret it.