A classic Moree autumn day turned on perfect weather – and the crowds came in droves.
The 2026 edition of Moree on a Plate on Saturday has been named one of the biggest on record in the 22 years the food wine festival has been showcasing produce from the region and beyond.
Locals joined visitors from across New South Wales and Queensland at Moree racecourse for a six-hour feast of food and delicacies, fine wine and entertainment.
By midday, all parking bays were filled back to the Broadwater Bridge – Webb Oval was chock-full – and lines of festival-goers stretched to the Moree racecourse outer carpark.
Patrons were treated to stall after stall of gourmet food, sweet treats, fine coffee, artisan giftware and entertainment.
The National Ag Mixed Grill BBQ Cook-Off was won by Sam Murphy and Georgie Clyne, whose delicious lamb dish, featuring Grove orange juice as their secret ingredient, wowed judges Tim Poole from Port of Newcastle, celebrity chef Warren Mendes, National Ag’s Colin Underwood and Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse.
Sam and Georgie’s barbecue was too hot for Amber Boyle and Mel McNiven, Wilson Statham and Will Jackman, and Ruby Tighe and Jack Wiseman.
Chef Warren Mendes, whose debut cookbook, Food Trail South Africa, was crowned Best Celebrity Chef Cookbook in the World at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Lisbon last year, conducted informative cooking demonstrations featuring his mouthwatering recipes alongside one of Moree on a Plate’s founding members, Margi Kirkby.
Another festival mainstay, Peter Birch, again served up his scrumptious paella to the huge crowd.
Moree on a Plate president Bec McMillan said the festival was another great success.
“With 2500 people through the gates, attendance numbers were up on last year,” Bec said.
“This year, we welcomed new producers, and they provided fantastic feedback.
“We also saw the return of many producers who mark Moree on a Plate in their calendar as their event of the year.
“Our Kids’ Corner was the place to be this year. With the support of a new, young committee group, they brought a whole new mini-market experience to Moree on a Plate,” she said.
“Celebrity chef Warren Mendes hosted two delicious cooking demonstrations, both of which were extremely well attended.
“With a great line-up of entertainment, producers and delicious food, Moree on a Plate delivered exactly what we hoped for.
“Our committee works extremely hard behind the scenes, with two very big days of preparation and event work, but we all love standing among the crowd and seeing everyone enjoy the event.
“We also couldn’t do it without our hardworking volunteers and all our wonderful sponsors, who every year are always generous with their support.
“Moree on a Plate was another fabulous event, and we look forward to doing it all again next year,” Bec smiled.
