Applications are open to be part of the 40-year celebrations of Clare Valley Gourmet
The countdown to the 2024 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week has officially begun. Scheduled to take place from May 17 to 26, the week-long festivities will once again captivate gourmet lovers with its three distinct components: ‘Festival Weekend’ from May 17-19, ‘Breathe It In’, being held during the week of May 20-24 and ‘Land of the Long Lunch’ on May 25-26.
This iconic event, which was hatched around Jane Mitchell’s kitchen table in 1985, stands as the longest-running food and wine event in Australia, and 2024 will bring a host of special events and celebrations for the anniversary.
In a historic move, the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association is extending an invitation to the Clare Valley community, allowing for an array of offerings to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Clare Gourmet.
Belinda Heinrich, Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Association expresses her excitement about encouraging community participation, stating, “Thanks to the generosity of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council through their Hallmark Event Funding, we will be opening up event applications to the broader community, instigating a sense of community pride and ownership of the Gourmet Week celebrations.”
Heinrich welcomes diverse event submissions, saying, “Anyone with an idea is invited to participate, whether that be a cooking school using some of our amazing local produce, a pop-up bar in a unique venue, a photography tour taking images in our incredible conservation parks, guided history walks through Burra or Mintaro, native bouquet arrangement class, or a bike tour on the Riesling Trail.”
The extended program is expected to drive visitation and expenditure across the Clare Valley Tourism Region, spanning communities from Tarlee and Eudunda in the south to Terowie, Lochiel, and Brinkworth in the north.
The deadline for event submissions is January 16, 2024 with the availability of a handbook to guide event organisers, especially those hosting for the first time, ensuring alignment with Gourmet Week guidelines.
Australia’s longest-running food and wine festival
Set against the picturesque Clare Valley, Gourmet Week shines a spotlight on local wines, produce, and renowned chefs from across Australia backed by an entertainment line-up not to be missed.
Mitchell Taylor, Chairman of Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association, shares his excitement about the 40th-anniversary celebrations, promising more diversity than ever before.
“This is Australia’s longest-running food & wine festival, and revellers and connoisseurs alike can expect brand new events to join last year’s favourites,” says Taylor. He emphasises the event’s contribution to supporting the local tourism community, noting that an estimated 9500 people attended last year, generating over $3 million in economic value.
“The full program and all events will be on sale by mid-March,” says Taylor, urging enthusiasts to sign up at clarevalleygourmet.com.au to ensure they are the first to hear when events are released.
Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week is presented by the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association, with principal partner Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), major event partners including the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and Clare Valley Gilbert Valleys Council, with support from corporate friends Honeycomb Design, Blis Web Agency, and littlelion PR.
As the festival launches on May 17 and runs for ten days, wrapping up on May 26, both ticketed and free events will unfold, promising a week filled with unique Clare Valley experiences. Accommodation bookings are expected to fill up fast, and for those eager to secure their spot, there are a host of options via the Clare Valley website or call the Clare Valley Wine, Food, and Tourism Centre on 08 8842 2131.
For more information about Gourmet Week, and how to submit an event, click here.
Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week
May 17-26, 2024
Event submission deadline
January 16, 2024
