Foodies feast in Grafton

There's a feast of food-based activities in the Clarence Valley this weekend for the Causley Fresh Gate to Plate, including a village market day on Sunday, September 11, at the barn at Grafton Showgrounds.

Organiser Judy Hackett said there would be a host of family-friendly activities including a new children's food treasure hunt and a live appearance by Dirt Girl.

"The kids are going to get to sample local foods and answer questions about them - it's not a race, it's a real treasure hunt," Judy said.

There will be wine-tasting, live music, art activities for the kids and a celebrity cook-off hosted by former Echo editor Simon Thomsen, who is now the restaurant critic for The Daily Telegraph and also writes for The Weekend Australian, MasterChef and Delicious magazines.

"I love the Clarence region, I've been eating there for a long time," Simon said. "It's a fabulous spot, Grafton is a great town and the produce is part of what makes the Northern Rivers region such a great place to eat."

The village market day will feature lots of local food producers and interesting and fun things to do for the whole family. The food festival is a fundraiser for the Clarence Valley Gallery foundation.

For more info visit www.gatetoplate.com.au.