Leura Harvest Festival speakers share secrets about sustainable living

Learn how to become part of the quiet revolution slowing down the world, design a garden around bees, and find out how historic sites are joining the 21st century from expert speakers at this year’s Leura Harvest Festival, on Sunday 1 May 2016.

Darleys head chef Lee Kwiez
@ Chef Table

This dedicated celebration of regional products, produce and experiences within a 100-mile radius of the Blue Mountains features a series of conversational chat sessions with specialists representing headline fine dining restaurants, food preserving, clean energy, subsistent farming, aquaculture, beekeeping, micro-brewing and heritage preservation.

Presented by the Leura Village Association, this free annual event is designed for those who already live sustainably and individuals and communities wanting to explore natural lifestyle opportunities. The festival will have more than 60 stalls with a strong focus on regional food and wine, along with competitions and the guest speakers program.

Sponsored by Quidditas Creative Arts Gallery, the Speakers’ Program will be held in The Extra Room (upstairs at 169 Leura Mall), with topics up for discussion including:

• Paddock to Plate practices at The Escarpment Group’s Parklands Estate to service its restaurants, Darleys at Lilianfels and The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Echoes Boutique Hotel and Parklands Estate – head chefs Lee Kweiz, Mate Herceg, and General Manager Ralf Bruegger
• How to design a garden around bees – Lyle Clinton, Woodford Honey and Horticulturist & Garden Designer, Helen Caughey.
• Breathing life back into the oldest complex of colonial buildings in the Blue Mountains, a shining example of making museums relevant – The Woodford Academy
• Becoming part of the quiet revolution, slowing down the world and identifying quality over quantity - Cittaslow Katoomba
• Seeing Green: health-promoting urban design and how it is building strong and intergrated communities – Dr Ursula King
• The story of the Katoomba Brewing Company and the nectar that’s now flowing from The Carrington’s smokestack – Carrington Hotel Licensee Michael Brischetto.
• Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Experience - more than a Degree – Director Campus Operations, Jane Adams. 

The Leura Harvest Festival will also showcase everything from delicious food, preserves and wines to cool-climate plants, artisan soaps, clean energy, handpoured candles, local fashion and jewellery, and art made from recycled components.

The festival blends the latest in sustainability with fabulous traditional country fair events. Show off your baking skills by entering the inaugural Great Australian Chocolate Cake Competition, presented by Josophan’s Fine Chocolates, or enter the Birches of Leura Scarecrow Competition – another first for the Festival and open to all ages.

The RA Lawrence Jam-Making Competition is open to all ages for Best Single Fruit Jam, Magnificent Marmalade, Best Kid's Creation and Most Delicious Relish/Chutney, and locals are invited to enter their feathered friends in the Belle Property Leura Pet Chook Show, with the grand prize of a hand-made chook pen available for overall winner.

For more information on the Leura Harvest Festival visit: www.leuravillage.com.au