Post Grids

Some of our region’s best produce will have a starring role in this year’s G’Day USA Gala event, showcasing Bendigo and central Victoria as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy.  The G’Day USA Gala includes a dinner for 460 guests, who will all receive a Bendigo Gastronomy VIP artisan gift bag featuring […]

It is no surprise that Bendigo was designated Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy in 2019. Our gastronomy story is about growing, sourcing, cooking and sharing food. It is how our culture and heritage is represented and shared through what we eat, drink, the places we share meals, and the memories we […]

As you walk through the doors of Kaliana, you are met with a quiet hive of activity. In particular, the canteen staff are hard at work in readiness for lunch service. The difference in this canteen is that it’s not volunteer parents preparing the food, instead, it’s the kids doing all the work. As is […]

On Friday, September 9, 2022, the Healthy Landscapes program kicked off the first day of the Holistic Grazing Management Course. I joined a new group of engaged, enthusiastic and intrepid food and fibre producers from across Macedon Ranges, Hepburn Shire and the City of Greater Bendigo, coming together to learn about how principles of regenerative […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe So here we are, bringing this five-part blog series to a close. In our opening blog we described how our collective – the Carbon Arts team in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung woman Bec Phillips – is motivated by the question: “How do we eat Djaara Country healthy?” We […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe We are gathered at Bar Midland in Castlemaine with a collection of primary producers to discuss the concept of ‘Eating Djaara Country Healthy’, while proprietor and project collaborator Alex Perry delights us with appropriately-themed delicacies. After the first round of introductions Richard Collins explains the troubling times he’s been […]

Some of our region’s best produce will have a starring role in this year’s G’Day USA Gala event, showcasing Bendigo and central Victoria as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy.  The G’Day USA Gala includes a dinner for 460 guests, who will all receive a Bendigo Gastronomy VIP artisan gift bag featuring […]

It is no surprise that Bendigo was designated Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy in 2019. Our gastronomy story is about growing, sourcing, cooking and sharing food. It is how our culture and heritage is represented and shared through what we eat, drink, the places we share meals, and the memories we […]

As you walk through the doors of Kaliana, you are met with a quiet hive of activity. In particular, the canteen staff are hard at work in readiness for lunch service. The difference in this canteen is that it’s not volunteer parents preparing the food, instead, it’s the kids doing all the work. As is […]

On Friday, September 9, 2022, the Healthy Landscapes program kicked off the first day of the Holistic Grazing Management Course. I joined a new group of engaged, enthusiastic and intrepid food and fibre producers from across Macedon Ranges, Hepburn Shire and the City of Greater Bendigo, coming together to learn about how principles of regenerative […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe So here we are, bringing this five-part blog series to a close. In our opening blog we described how our collective – the Carbon Arts team in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung woman Bec Phillips – is motivated by the question: “How do we eat Djaara Country healthy?” We […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe We are gathered at Bar Midland in Castlemaine with a collection of primary producers to discuss the concept of ‘Eating Djaara Country Healthy’, while proprietor and project collaborator Alex Perry delights us with appropriately-themed delicacies. After the first round of introductions Richard Collins explains the troubling times he’s been […]

It’s 9.00am, I walk through the doors and am welcomed by a security guard. This is the first time I have started my workday with a full body Xray, a duress alarm on my belt and a meander around a series of kitchen gardens with a slight feeling of apprehension. On this day however, the […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe In early 2021 we gathered to begin developing what would become Djakitj Larr – the afternoon of storytelling and creative conversation that gathered stakeholders of the City of Bendigo’s UN Creative City of Gastronomy designation. Dja Dja Wurrung woman Bec Phillips had just joined the team, and one of […]

On Wednesday, July 13th, 2022, 42 landholders came together in Huntly Memorial Hall to hear from the venerated farming expert, Colin Seis, at the Managing Pastures: Multi – Species Cropping Field Day. Some of the key messages in the discussion were about improving soil health using grazing animals, utilising multiple plants in a pasture and […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe There’s an area of grassland on Parkside Run Farm that’s never been treated with chemicals. Carly Noble cuts and bales what grows there, and feeds it to her animals. She notices that they don’t sniff at it suspiciously like they do with a bale that’s been grown in soil […]

Susie Marcroft is an inspiring artist who works across installation and ceramics. Her artworks explore the abstract notions of consciousness and empathy that reject reductionist paradigms. Through her work Susie shows us an alternative ethics, one that preferences our focus on care (tending to each other and holding space) rather than economics. Having moved back […]

Authors: Will Tait and Jodi Newcombe On 24th May 2021, the 100 attendees of Djakitj Larr were invited to place a stone in their hand, representing Djaara Country, and make a personal commitment to do something of benefit to the living land that sustains us all. Our collective – the Carbon Arts team in collaboration […]

Some might think that four days of gastronomy related learnings, paired with eating and drinking is excessive, to them I say not true. Four days seemed like just enough. Our morning took place at The Old Church on the Hill a beautiful old property that supports more than 30 local communities. The Hazara community from […]

Annie Smithers eased us into day three with visions of her farm Babbington Park on a cold crispy autumn morning “It’s hard to drag me out of the garden and into the kitchen on days like that”.  Annie reflected on her experience growing food on her small acreage in Lyonville. She discussed what it was […]

For many, the concept of gastronomy is a new one. The Oxford Dictionary defines gastronomy as ‘The practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food’. For one cohort of Australians, this term has been in their vernacular for more than 20 years. In recognition of Bendigo’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation, the 24th […]

I sat down with Tim and Naomi, the owners of Forage, and immediately their passion for taking home grown food, from the paddock to the consumers plate shines through. I asked them why the name Forage? It turns out that the decision of how to name the business was a simple one. After both coming […]

CiPi (artist identity) is the ultimate creative slashy – artist/Masters student/small business operator/sewer/maker and now visual arts technician. Oh, and mother to two teenage boys. This is very common in the culture and creative sector, where many work on short-term contract basis, going from gig to gig and juggling multiple revenue streams to maintain their […]

Many of us who have worked in offices – or as part of almost any kind of organisation – will be well aware of “office cake culture” and how often morning teas, meetings, farewells, birthdays and other events involve unhealthy foods we probably wouldn’t have chosen for ourselves on a normal day. The same goes […]

Words by Sally Beer, images courtesy of Tumpinyeri Growers Tumpinyeri Growers is an organic share farming business, employing agro-ecological principles at Captains Creek Organic Farm. After sitting down with Josh, one of the founders of Tumpinyeri Growers, it is clear to see that the passion held for the land, sustainable food production and community translates […]

@CreativeBendigo met up with talented creative and costume designer Kristine von Hilderbrandt at the unique arts and community centre, The Old Church on the Hill. A place to connect with community, experience live music, explore creative pursuits including; craft classes, Latin dancing, community gardening, kids drama, ukulele and Capella, this repurposed group of buildings is […]

Damian and Michelle Muscovich moved to their 71-hectare property just outside Heathcote ostensibly for a ‘slower, less crowded life’…but talk to the pair about the work they’re doing at the Mucko Family Farm and you’ll think it sounds anything but slow-paced and quiet. Plans for the property have changed over the years – with plenty […]

Greater Bendigo’s Food System Strategy Annual Report has been launched, detailing the ways the City, community and leading organisations are working together to create a more healthy, equitable and sustainable food system for everyone. The report outlines a summary of the progress made on key actions for the Strategy’s implementation, and celebrates the great progress […]

Bendigo has a thriving Karen Burmese weaving and textile making community who design and create their work from home or at the Cultural Exchange Hub in the Beehive Building in Bendigo. In 2007 the first Karen Burmese refugees arrived in Bendigo and over that time more refugees have relocated to Bendigo. Creative Bendigo met with […]

Becoming a business owner doesn’t happen overnight, and often it can result from a collision between a hobby, accumulated skills, and destiny…

Artist, Sarah Wallace-Smith is a creative with a passion and drive to see the creative ecosystem of Bendigo thrive. After completing her Fine Arts degree, Wallace-Smith approached Peter Valentine of Valentines Antiques about the possibility of setting up spaces for artists and creatives to sell their work amongst the heritage furnishings and décor. Located on […]

Bendigo and the region’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is celebrated in a new SBS Food series, presented by celebrity chefs Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeow.

In this reflection on a still life by Elma Roach featuring pomegranates, Peter Perry, previous Director of Castlemaine Art Museum, writes about the artist while his son Alexander Perry, renowned Castlemaine chef, creates and shares a pomegranate recipe.

A creative conversation for the Bendigo UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, bringing diverse groups together to explore what UCCN designation can mean

A delectable look at the darker side of local chocolatiers and confectioners and their surprising histories…

In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly designated 18 June as an international observance: Sustainable Gastronomy Day. The UN’s website explains “the decision acknowledges gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic is still unfolding across the globe, sustainable gastronomy – celebrating seasonal ingredients and producers, preserving wildlife […]

Imagine that we could eat to literally shape the environment around us, to deliver a different landscape, a new (and ancient) ecology. Imagine that it’s delicious and adventurous, that it brings new meaning and connection to our lives…

We hope you are enjoying the last of the glorious Autumn sunshine and feeling prepared for the darker Winter months ahead. There is lots of great news below from our city and region of gastronomy – and plenty to look forward to as we enter the months of frosts and fires and hearty Winter food. […]

If you’ve been walking through the Bendigo CBD lately, you might have spied some friendly students in bright red shirts engaged in activities like arranging milk crate furniture, drawing large and cheery chalk images, and interacting with businesses and passers-by.   These students are part of an innovative course being run out of LaTrobe University called CityStudio, which brings together multidisciplinary students to work with our local council and the community on projects to make Bendigo a more sustainable, […]

Recently, a group of passionate people – from schools, local government, neighbourhood houses and community groups – came together to share ideas and inspiration to help further build Greater Bendigo’s budding community gardening network. The event was the brainchild of a teacher at Kalianna School, where students have had the opportunity to get more involved […]

On a beautiful Autumn morning at Bendigo’s PepperGreen Farm, Mayor Jen Alden officially launched the new Gastronomy Guide to our region, as well as showcasing a new Local Producer Directory to help highlight all the wonderful produce available throughout our region. Winemakers, café and restaurant owners, farmers and local government representatives gathered on a chilly […]

Autumn is upon us – the mornings are chilly, the nights drawing in and the grapes are being harvested. As usual, there’s plenty going on in our City and region of Gastronomy – and some great opportunities for awards and funding.  Get our latest news straight to your inbox

Although 2021 has had a few ups and downs already, overall things are looking up and there is plenty to celebrate in our city and region. We’ve seen bumper crops of fruit and new businesses opening up, as our gastronomic profile continues to grow.  Get our latest news straight to your inbox

Long Paddock Cheese has opened up in its permanent home and will soon be offering courses at the Cheese School.

If you’ve dined out in the last few years, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten off a plate from the iconic Bendigo Pottery. As Australia’s oldest working pottery, it has been turning out ceramics since 1858, and although perhaps best known for its brown jugs and pots, there is a whole lot more to the […]

We made it! As we emerge from our restrictions and lockdowns many in our community are busier than ever, particularly those harvesting, making and driving all over the state for farmers’ markets, while others are winding down. The sun is shining and most of us are ready to get to the end of 2020 and […]

The little diners at the Helen Jessen Early Learning Centre in Strathdale are most likely oblivious to the fact their lunches are prepared by a French chef who traded in fine dining in Paris for a different kind of gastronomy in Bendigo. Chatting with Fabien Laville at the early learning centre we talk about definitions […]

Now’s a super delicious time of year within our region; think tomatoes, beans, strawberries, lettuce, sweetcorn, zucchini and more…

The Bendigo gastronomy region is seeing a new breed of farmers – those who are focusing on regenerating the land.

The Bendigo region has won its first-ever Australian food industry award, taking out the Outstanding Region category in delicious. magazine’s Harvey Norman Produce Awards 2020.  The award recognises an Australian region or place that has successfully established itself as an outstanding culinary destination. Judges for the national award include renowned chefs Maggie Beer, Alla Wolf-Tasker, Shannon Bennett, […]

From fresh micro-dairy milk and vegan donuts to fresh seasonal fruit, the farmers’ markets in the Bendigo region are outstanding.

Spring has well and truly sprung and there’s so much going on in our city and region of gastronomy. Check out the latest news, videos and opportunities here… Get our latest news straight to your inbox

Artisan, gourmet, pure and organic: the Loddon Valley is rich with unique, creative products and eco-friendly microbusinesses. With its Mediterranean climate, rich soils, open plains and ancient granite outcrops, wetlands and forests, the area has long attracted innovative and eco-conscious creators, farmers and artisans with a passion for high-quality and sustainable production. Now, thanks to […]

For tens of thousands of years, Australia’s First Nations people lived off the land. Now they’re sharing their knowledge and wisdom in an exciting new food project.

And welcome to Spring! Although things are still difficult in Victoria under coronavirus restrictions, a bit of sunshine, warmth and new growth is bringing some cheer. Get our latest news straight to your inbox

Step inside Castlemaine’s newest arts and social enterprise hub – Cream Town.

Australia’s craft gin scene is booming. We go behind the scenes with three local gin distillers in Echuca, Kyneton and Newham.

Has any good news come out of the pandemic? We speak to Bendigo Foodshare’s Bridget Bentley to find out.

There are hints of Spring in the air – which we’re relishing along with some welcome wet weather – and lots of beautiful flowers beginning to bloom. As always, there’s plenty of seasonal produce to enjoy in our region, with farmers’ markets continuing to keep us supplied with great local food and drinks. Get our […]

Bendigo’s new restaurant Alium Dining is championing local produce and a fresh approach to hospitality

The Bendigo gastronomy region is seeing an explosion of creative small producers growing a diverse range of crops.

Bendigo is connecting with cities around the world to share ideas and ways to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoping this finds you well, staying warm and hunkering down with some wonderful local food, drinks and cultural delights (online). 

The region of gastronomy is about to get its very own artisan cheese school and production facility, headed up by two highly skilled French cheesemakers…

Two very different cities with some big things in common

Jude Hannah is a Wedderburn local who has returned to the area after many years away – bringing with her a wealth of experience… and a taste of chillies. Reconnecting with an old friend from 30 years ago, local farmer Neville Tonkin, led not only to romance, but to a new business venture: growing peppers […]

As Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, it’s exciting to see many of our region’s food businesses opening again, and more people able to get out and about. It is still a challenging and uncertain time, however, as we try to adapt to change and learn from the last few months of lockdown.

Sam Marwood is always creating content. Videos, blogs, photos, podcasts…you name it. When, at the Start Up Meet Up in May (a virtual event organised by a number of Bendigo organisations to support the Start Up community), Sam describes posting five times a day across four social media platforms (and having a presence on seven), […]

When Tim Sproal first started making wine, it was in the self-professed “garage-style” of winemaking. “I started with two mates, bought a second-hand milk vat and a tonne of grapes,” Tim says. “It was a scrappy set up, but I was hooked from the beginning. I quickly saw a model where if you have a […]

The taste of the Australian bush is captured beautifully in the Dja Wonmuruk teas.

One of the things that makes the Heathcote region so exciting for wine lovers is how local winemakers are prioritising the environmental sustainability of their vineyards.

And welcome to our first newsletter – designed to keep you up to date with all that’s going on with the UNESCO Creative City designation and the opportunities that arise from Bendigo’s membership to this exciting global network.

Saving the world’s bee population may seem like an lofty goal, but a ground-breaking partnership between Victoria’s Tech Schools and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is turning the impossible into the possible.

Close to the heart of Bendigo and set on an immensely significant and historic five-acre site, PepperGreen Farm is a social enterprise that employs around 100 people with disabilities.

It was watching the news and seeing the lengthy queues outside Centrelink offices that prompted Dave Jenkins into action. “I saw what was happening to everyone as a result of the coronavirus and I got extremely emotional and started crying,” he says. “I asked myself what I could do to help that was quick and […]